Violet Gaul's Blog
This week I visit with Mrs. Phillis George as she recalls her early childhood memories on the island of Anegada in the Virgin Islands. Anegada is the northernmost island in the chain that makes up the Virgin Islands. (Photo from Wiki) You can see and hear Phillis on CBNBVI Ch51 or on live stream at www.cbnbvi.com – Sunday and Wednesday night at 8PM and Saturday morning at 8AM.
In “1922 – a two room hospital was opened in Road Town, Tortola, and was named the Cottage Hospital but after its severe damage in 1924 by a ferocious hurricane, which was followed by a tidal wave, the hospital was remodeled and renamed ‘Peebles Hospital’ in honour of it founder….Major H. W. Peebles who was appointed Commissioner of the Virgin Islands in 1919. ” (Vernon Pickering)
Don’t miss the interview with Mrs. Leona Crabbe tonight, May 20, 2012 on CBN Ch51 at 8p. It was a delight to spend time with Mrs. Crabbe reminiscing about her early days growing up in the Virgin Islands. You can also see this on live stream on www.cbnbvi.com. If you miss tonight’s episode be sure to catch it on Wednesday night at 8p.m or on Saturday morning at 8a.m
RMS Rhone – a British Mail ship made her last voyage to the Virgin Islands on October 1, 1867. On the 29th October 1867 the Rhone was wrecked off Salt Island (one of the Virgin Islands) as she was getting ready for her return trip to the UK – “of the 145 persons on board only 21 seamen and an Italian passenger survived the ordeal.” That storm was so powerful that it sank “all but two of the 60 vessels anchored around St. Thomas” in the USVI. (Specialised Stamp Catalogue of The British Virgin Islands 1787-2001- Edited By: Giorgio Migliavacca)
This Sunday, May 13, 2012, my interview with Mr. A. O. Shirley, MBE airs on CBN Ch 51 at 8:00p.m and rebroadcast on Wednesday also at 8:00p.m and on Saturday at 8:00a.m. This is a very interesting conversation as Mr. Shirley gives an insight into his early years in government and his life in the Virgin Islands where he has lived all of his life.
You can also view this on livestream on www.cbnbvi.com –
Your comments and feedback are always appreciated
Did you know that the first Post Office in the Virgin Islands was established in its capital city of Road Town, Tortola in 1787. And in “1814 former postmaster and president’s clerk, Frederick Augustus Pickering became the first ‘coloured’ British Virgin Islander to act as President. On the 24th November 1949, a demonstration march of over 1,500 persons from all over the islands asked for the removal of then Commissioner J.A.C Cruickshank and for closer association with the United States Virgin Islands. The leaders of the demonstration, Theodolph Faulkner, Isaac G. Fonseca and Carlton DeCastro presented a petition expressing widespread grievances and demanding freedom and democracy. ” Their protest was apparently recognized as in July 1950, the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands, which consisted of four members who were elected by the constituency, was reconstituted – and in 1960 the Office of Governor of the Leeward Islands, which was based in Antigua, was abolished and the Administrator (formerly Commissioner) of the Virgin Islands was given the powers of Governor. A new Constitution of the Virgin Islands became effective April 1967 – this provided a Ministerial System of seven elected members with the Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt (now deceased) as Chief Minister. (Specialised Stamp Catalogue of the British Virgin Islands, Edited by Giorgio Migliavacca)
Sunday, May 6, 2012, another great episode of Then & Now can be seen at 8p.m on CBN Ch 51 with repeat showings on Wednesday also at 8p.m and Saturday at 8a.m. This week you will see many of the Senior Citizens of the Virgin Islands celebrating the twenty third anniversary of the Senior Citizen’s Movement. There were lots of activities, local food, drinks, crafts and much more on display for everyone’s enjoyment at the historical 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum.
“The 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum was built by the slaves of the plantation owner, Mc.Cleverty. Molasses, sugar, ‘muscovado’ and rum were produced at the sugar works until the 1940s.” (Muscovado is a type of unrefined brown sugar with a strong molasses flavor – wiki – You may recall Mr. Hugo Vanterpool mentioning this in his interview). During the 19th Century the timber frame section of the building became, what is believed to have been, the first Virgin Islands guest house. The museum was acquired by the Government in the 1900 and was used for various purposes such as an “experimental agriculture station and installed a cotton ginnery. Lime juice was also produced. Until the 1940s, the High Court sat in the first floor, which was subsequently used as a butchery and the yard as a block factory. The building also housed the Government’s Community Development Office and the Town and Country Planning and Survey Department. The Royal Virgin Islands Police also kept stores in the buildings up until its restoration (2003-2007) – this restoration included replacing the main roof, chimney and timber frame.” (Museum Info.)
There are many historical artifacts and art work in the museum and it is worth a visit from everyone – The Manager, Mrs. Olive Vanterpool, will be pleased to see you any time Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m
Come and join us at the twenty third anniversary of the Senior Citizen’s Movement in the Virgin Islands. The celebration, under the Social Development Department of the Government of the Virgin Islands, commenced on May 1, 2012 under the theme “Aging: A Lifetime Opportunity.” There are various planned activities, which will enable the seniors to have an enjoyable month. One planned activity, which THEN & NOW will be a part of, is an Open House & Cultural Exhibition at the Old Sugar Works Museum on May 4, 2012 from 10:00a.m – 2:00p.m.
On display will be artifacts, pictures of seniors and centenarians, arts and crafts, local food and preserves. There will also be on site demonstrations such as straw plating and possibly fish pot and broom making. There will also be local arts & crafts, local food, drinks, preserves, pastries, pepper bottles, coconut oil and many more items on sale. Information and tasting booths will be available for visitors to enjoy with other activities for everyone.
I look forward to seeing you and perhaps chatting with you.
Did you know that it wasn’t until 1947 that married women were eligible to hold posts in the civil service – “up until that time women who already held such posts were required to resign upon marriage.” (Eugenia O’Neal – A History of Women in the Virgin Islands) . Women, we have come a long way and still moving forward.
Join us tonight on CBN Ch51 at 8PM for the second episode of a three part series with Mr. Hugo Vanterpool – further discussion of his book “Dusk to Dawn” – a look at the history, culture and heritage of the Virgin Islands. And, of course, Traci will speak about Healthy Living. Look forward to hearing from you.