CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – THE lone first-class cricket venue on Nevis, Grove Park, will soon be renamed after of one the island’s finest cricketers - Elquemedo Tonito Willett.
This announcement was made by Premier Joseph Parry on Heroes’ Day (Sept. 16) at a ceremony held to honour citizens of Nevis who have made outstanding contributions to the island’s development.
The ceremony took place at Occasions on Pinney’s and Premier Parry also announced the names of seven other Nevisians who would have similar honours bestowed on them in the coming months. Arthur Evelyn, Uhral Swanston, Levi Morton, Elizabeth Pemberton, Dora Stevens, Cicely Grell-Hull and Inez France will all have landmarks named in their honour.
Premier Parry said there is a generation of people on Nevis who do not know who Nevisians are.
“There is a generation of people who have not been told who we are. Our parents have forgotten.”
The Premier said the time is now to change this and “we are seeking to celebrate these people so we can record our heritage; so we can hold them up to the current generation as role models; so that people can see that we appreciate their contributions and that we are honouring their contributions”.
Evelyn, a politician, businessman and philanthropist, will have the Tourism Authority named in his honour; politician and businessman Swanston will have the stretch of main road between New River and Market Shop in Gingerland named after him; Morton, a former teacher, accountant and politician, was instrumental in setting up the Supplies Office which will bear his name; Pemberton will have the St. John’s Primary School, where she taught for 40 years, named in her honour; Dora Stevens, a netball administrator, and Grell-Hull, also a netball administrator and player, will have their names attached to the netball complex in Charlestown; and educator Inez France’s name will now be associated with the St. Thomas’ Pre-School.
Willett, Evelyn and Swanston were all present to collect the plaques honouring them while Morton was represented by his son Randy Williams; Pemberton by her niece Avril Griffin-Charles; Grell-Hull by her daughter Jeanette Grell-Hull; and France by her daughter Clemence Jeffers. Stevens was not represented.
The Premier pointed out that there are quite a few other stalwarts of the Nevis community worthy to be honoured, but that would come in time. The names he mentioned included Nevis’ first Premier Dr. Simeon Daniel; politician Ivor Stevens; cricketers Johnny Howell, Derek Parry, Keith Arthurton and Stuart Williams; netballers Jeanette Grell-Hull and Lydia Claxton-Thompson.
Following are abbreviated profiles of the honourees.
Arthur Evelyn – Politician, pharmacist, businessman, livestock farmer and Philanthropist. He was the first President of the Nevis Turf and Jockey Club, President of the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union, First President of the now dormant Nevis Junior Chambers (Jaycees), Co-founder and honorary member of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society and founding member of Nevis Lions’ Club. He served as Justice of the Peace, member of the Nevis Light and Visually Impaired Society and Vice President of the Nevis Mental Health Association. He was the first Chairman of Nevis Local Council in 1967 and served as Minister of Agriculture, Land, Labour, Housing and Tourism between 1983 and 1987. The Nevis Housing and Land Development Cooperation was established under his stewardship in 1984.
Elquemedo Willett – The first cricketer from the Leeward Islands to play Test cricket for the West Indies. He did so as a 19-year-old against Australia at Barbados in 1973, paving the way for others like Derek Parry, Keith Arthurton, Stuart Williams and Runanko Morton. He is now a coach with the Department of Sport, attached to the Charlestown Primary School.
Uhral Swanston – Politician and businessman. He is a founding member of the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) which was founded in 1970. He is a former Minister of Communication and Works in the Federal government, one of several positions he held. He is one of five NRP members who were successful in establishing the Nevis Island Assembly and NIA.
Levi Morton – Teacher, accountant and politician. He became a politician by chance when he transported NRP equipment to Fountain for a meeting. No NRP speakers turned up so he held a meeting by himself. Known as the Sheriff, he was a leading advocate for reformation. He played a key role in the improvement of roads, water, education, health and electricity. He served as Junior Minister of Trade and Industry in past the NRP administration. He was also responsible for establishing the Supply Office in Charlestown.
Elizabeth Pemberton – Teacher for 41 years. She taught briefly at Gingerland Boys’ School before being transferred to the St. John’s Infant School, which was later upgraded to the St. John’s Primary School. She spent the rest of her teaching career, the best part of 40 years, at St. John’s. She was a dedicated member of the Gingerland Methodist Church, serving as Sunday school teacher, organist and choir member. She also gave piano lessons at her home for many years.
Dora Stevens – She was the first ever Vice President of the Nevis Netball Association when formed in 1972. She was the first President of Caribbean Netball Association and played a key role in having the netball complex constructed in Charlestown.
Cicely Grell-Hull – She was a member of the Nevis Lawn Tennis Club, Girl Guides Association, Nevis Cricket Association, founding member of the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union, member of the Nevis Turf and Jockey Club, and founding member of the Nevis Netball Association, where she served as President. She played cricket, table tennis, lawn tennis and netball.
Inez France – Pre-school educator. She was a pre-school teacher in St. Thomas’ for many years at her home in Cotton Ground. She was also a Sunday school teacher at St. Thomas Anglican Church and a member and leader of the teachers’ and mothers’ union.
