2010 Christmas message by His Excellency the Governor Mr. Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO
Government Information Service - Saturday, December 25th, 2010 at 1:36 PM
His Excellency the Governor, Boyd McCleary CMG CVO
Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It is not only a time for the celebration of the birth of Christ but also, as we draw near together with our families and friends, a time to remember and reinforce the values that make us what we are as a society. This is the first Christmas since my wife Jenny and our youngest daughter Emily arrived in the BVI in August. Sadly, we will not be in the Territory to enjoy it, as we are joining family in the UK. But I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the people of the British Virgin Islands for their warmth and hospitality since our arrival. We are grateful to have the good fortune to work in these beautiful islands.
We have spent Christmas in many parts of the world: in the UK, Canada, Germany and most recently Malaysia. In each country we have enjoyed the different traditions and cultural manifestations. BVI too has its own vibrant cultural mix. We have already enjoyed Christmas on Main Street with our first taste of Guavaberry liqueur and other local delicacies. And we loved our first Christmas concert at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, where we were most impressed by the range and quality of local musical talent.
Those of you who have heard me talking about my interest in local culture will not be surprised to learn that my favourite Christmas card this year was one produced by the Archives and Records Management Unit. The cover is a painting by local artist Joseph Hodge and it shows a group of musicians playing guitars, banjos, dried gourds and bongos. They are engaging in the tradition of Christmas serenading and caroling. The card tells how this tradition has its roots in African revelry, when anyone with a musical instrument joined a group to sing and play made-up songs on Christmas Day. The Christmas concert at the Community college is, I suppose, one successor to this wonderful tradition. Fungi music played during Christmas on Main Street another.
Christmas is also a time to think not just of family and friends, but also those less fortunate than ourselves. This year, rather than have our traditional reception at Government House, we decided to do something different. All the staff at the Governor’s Office and in Government House took a day out earlier this month to paint the home of a former employee in the Governor’s Office, Mrs. Margaret Borde which had been damaged in Tropical Storm Otto. The response we have had to this modest gesture of giving something back to the community has been overwhelmingly positive. I hope it encourages others to reach out to those less well off than themselves.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many organizations and individuals in the BVI who are already doing so. To Rotary and Lions, to the Red Cross and VISAR to those who supported the recent fund-raising events for breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, men’s health screening and the Humane Society. To those in uniformed organisations such as the Scouts, Guides, Boys Brigade and Cadet Corps, for all the community work they do.
These values are a part of what makes the BVI so, so special. It is important that these values are not lost but that every effort is made to ensure that the BVI is known as a haven of peace, harmony and good order.
Finally, I encourage each and every one of us to be thankful and appreciative for the many blessings. Thankful to the good Lord for his faithful watch over the BVI. Thankful that we emerged from Hurricane Earl, Tropical Storm Otto and the other heavy rains without loss of life. Thankful to all those who contribute to the betterment of the society; those working in disaster management the emergency services, the health care professionals, law enforcement agencies, educators, churches, volunteers, non profit organizations and those who help to ensure that the BVI remain safe and prosperous. My family and I would like to wish all in the British Virgin Islands – Virgin Islanders, residents, temporary visitors and workers and holiday makers – a joyful festive season which I trust will be shared with family, friends and loved ones.
A very Merry Christmas to you all and a safe and prosperous 2011.
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Merry Christmas to you Mr. Governor and your family
Love u
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