Welches Fest is fast emerging as one of the very popular annual events. People from all across the island turned out in large numbers at the festive occasion, filling to capacity the village playground just across from Maxwell Vanterpool’s residential and business premises.

The Welches Fest is about cooking for survival. The focus being onfoodfrom whatever source and in whatever manner required to feed a struggling community. With but a few exceptions, the Welches Fest captures the essence of that period of our history when “jollification” was the order of the day. And it shows how people got together to help each other meet the harsh requirements for survival in an atmosphere of merriment and contentment.

The event, introduced by the Welches community in 2008, but missed 2009, was basically a re-enactment of various aspects of traditional and cultural life and customs in Anguilla. The features included foods, clothing, household items, music, children’s toys and other artifacts as reminders of the ways of life of yester-year.

The cultural event, in many ways a re-enactment of the traditional life and customs of the Anguillian people, featured some of the home-made toys, like rollers and tops enjoyed by children of yesteryear, as well as an array of a number of household items used by families in the earlier years. Of much attraction were several traditional dances in which the dancers were mainly women featuring the dress of the “old days.”

A large team of volunteers (young and old) worked with a great sense of pride and an infectious enthusiasm to make this entire event a wholesome family experience. Of course one cannot forget the fun day atmosphere. The younger children also have a chance to encourage their parents to purchase a number of traditional toys made in Anguilla. An interesting display of toys from the past.

The music, the food, the drinks, the conversation all reminiscent of the “innocent” days of traditional Anguilla. I am certain that it has cross the mind of a number of persons at the Fest that we have come a long way since the days of the “jollifications”.  While we must remain grateful for the modern amenities and conveniences that make living easier, the question may arise as to what was lost or sacrificed in process. But this is what our forebears struggled to achieve!  Not that we should remain in a constant state of hardship but that we should become a prosperous people. It means therefore that we ought not to lose any of what is virtuous and salutary from our past, while we strive for what will make our lives better. And we should always remember that sacrifices must be made for anything that is desirable. It was quite natural in the midst of the merriment and the music, for topical issues to be raised.