Stories and the importance of sharing and documenting is so vital to safeguarding our history. This particular story was told to the late Linda Lake by an elder over forty years ago. Through documenting we all get to share in this story and it shall live on forever. Talk with your elders, take notes, take photos/Videos lets share their stories... our stories before they are gone.
Bro Judge Gumbs -1962 Interview, Anguilla
George Anderson Gumbs “Bro Judge” (1899-1977) was born on the British colony of Anguilla in 1899 and grew up in The Valley. Gumbs was the Islands first Pentecostal Minister. Known for preaching and singing he walked from village to village demonstrating an impressive knowledge of the Bible along the way. Often joined by his wife Elma the duo carried a tambourine and large kettle drum. Gumbs spoke openly and frequently of having visions and receiving messages from God , practices that were stigmatised and prohibited by the more traditional churches. Nevertheless, Gumbs was beloved and widely accepted even among the more conservative members of Anguilla’s largest religious institutions. Kind and humble, Gumbs assisted others by riding across the island on his bike warning the inhabitants of hurricanes, accidents and disasters, including the hurricanes of 1950, 1955 and 1960. During this 1962 interview with American Folklorist Alan Lomax, in his field notes, Lomax described Gumbs and sincere and believable. In 1969 Gumbs told the population that while much tribulation was to come, there would be no tragic lost of life. The struggle that followed, eventually became known as the Anguilla Revolution and the rest is history . Descriptive excerpt in part taken from the “Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography”.
News Coverage of the 1969 British Invasion of Anguilla
In the predawn hours of March 19th, 1969 some 51 years ago, Anguilla was invaded by 330 British Paratroopers and Marines. This video shows some of the major news outlets coverage of what happened on that day. Needless to say the invasion was criticized throughout the world. Anguillians will not agree with everything said, however it is part of our History. See Less
Remembering Hurricane Luis at Twenty-five, Anguilla
Today we remember Hurricane Luis. Twenty-five years ago many of us had no idea what a hurricane felt like and secretly wished to experience one. You would hear Donna this, Donna that. well, all that changed on Sept 5th 1995. We had no idea what we would face for 36 hours straight. Then total devastation loomed before our eyes but in the true Anguillian spirit we prevailed. Here’s a look back to September 5th 1995 and the days that followed. ~Video credit. Sunshine Lady Productions. ~Photo credit. Anguilla Library Service ~Edited and Produced by the Anguilla Archaeological & Historical Society.(September 5, 2020)
"Come with me to Anguilla!”
Let's travel back in time to Anguilla, it’s the year 1984. Notice any changes? This short film was produced by the Sunshine Lady and used by the Anguilla Tourism Dept. in May of that year to promote our beautiful island to the rest of the world .Copyright- Sunshine Lady Productions.
Video showcasing the search for “Jacks” by Island Harbour fishermen at Barnes Bay in 1992. Copyright. Sunshine Lady Productions
Anguilla's Marine Resources 30 years ago!
Just shy of 30 years ago the following video "a promo for Marine Resources- Anguilla" premiered on the television airways. Take a look, notice all the amazing changes throughout the years and in some ways, how we have remained the same.