CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – IN a welcomed gesture of appreciation for his contributions to the development of Nevis and dedication to its people, the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) on renamed the Old Treasury building in honour of Arthur Evelyn.
The renaming ceremony was one of the two events held on Friday (Feb. 5) to commemorate Tourism Week on Nevis. The first was a Cultural Parade, which started at the NIA building in Charlestown, proceeded along the main road and ended at the Old Treasury building.
Among those on the parade were Culturama King I-Sour Sop, Miss Culturama Macinda Nisbett and the winners of the Ms. And Mr. Talented Youth.
Shortly after the parade ended, Premier and Minister of Tourism the Hon. Joseph Parry made brief congratulatory remarks and thanked Evelyn for his hard work and dedication to the people of Nevis, adding, “You deserve this honour and I salute you Mr. Evelyn.”
Janette Grell-Hull, a former employee of Evelyn, read his profile, noting that he has been serving the people of Nevis as a dentist and pharmacist from 1957 to date. She stated that he served the island as Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Tourism, and is a past President of the Jaycees and Horse Racing Club.
Also in his efforts to serve the people of Nevis, Evelyn had established his own pharmacy and an airline agency. He is a founding member of the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society and the Nevis Cooperative Credit Union.
“Mr. Evelyn worked with the visually impaired and the Mental Health Association, and from selling eggs, milk and coconut, this man of humble beginnings continues to serve the people of Nevis with the deepest sense of caring,” Grell-Hull added.
In response to the many accolades and historic event, Evelyn thanked the Tourism Ministry, the NIA and everyone who had made the occasion possible. “I give God thanks for this award and I am honored to know that the Old Treasury will be now known as the Arthur Evelyn Building”, he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Tyrone O’Flaherty gave the vote of thanks and a steel orchestra rendition was done by the Charlestown Primary School to end the proceedings, which was also attended by Ministers of government, Governor-General Eustace John, and family members and workers of the honoured Arthur Evelyn.
