Members of the Anchor Boys Club, the mainstay at Mangrove Bay are working hard at it right up to Bermuda Day building a float, which will lead their truck, but not before the Electric Bike riders, courtesy of Exim Home Goods in Somerset.
Six riders will lead off the group in the 2019 Bermuda Day Parade for the first time this year as the new added feature with the float.
Preparations moved into high gear this weekend down at SAL, where members were building the float in the warehouse at the far end of the industrial park in Southampton.
Spokesman Wornell Steede, the newly elected Commodore of West End Sail Boat Club said this is the fourth year they have participated in the parade, only this time, they’re building a float to go with the truck entered by the Anchor Club.
The replica of the historic anchor stationed at Mangrove Bay has been completed. Now they are working flat out to get the float finished by Friday morning.
Mr Steede also thanked Exim for donating six electric bikes to lead the contingent of west enders.
Now they are asking for helping hands to get it finished.
They will be stationed at the warehouse from 10am daily through to 6pm doing final preparations and decorating the float.
Anyone wishing to lend a helping hand, donate supplies, refreshments or support in general to enjoy the atmosphere is welcome to drop by.
“We work hard to give back to the community every year,” said Mr Steede.
“This is the first big event on our calendar, after that we get ready to put on free movie nights for children during the summer break.
“And then we host our annual back to school party, where we give out free school supplies and knapsacks. After that we have a quick break before our annual Christmas party for the west end community, especially our senior citizens,” he added.
He also noted that the two men in charge of the float this year are both senior citizens, one of whom spent many years working for Works and Engineering – now Public Works.
Melvin Swainson worked for the Ministry for more than 30 years and at last check, he said the float was just about completed, now they’re doing the finishing touches.
Asked for his response to critics annoyed by their very presence at the Anchor in Somerset daily, he said: “We are bigger than that.
“Instead of being judgmental, why not be a part of the solution and stop being so critical. It is time for us as a people to come together.
“We guys have been here since before the anchor was placed at Mangrove Bay,” he added.
“We work daily with the community police, Public Works, Parks and other agencies daily to keep the area clean. We do it from the heart – and we look out for all members of our community, and our visitors who pass through the area daily.”
For more information, inbox the Anchor Boys on their Facebook page.
And be sure to look out for them and their new float in the 2019 Bermuda Day Parade.
