August 1, according to the Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool (left), should be declared a public holiday throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries. Also in picture are: from 2nd left to right- Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, Dr Quincy F.V. Lettsome and Reverend Charles A. Seaton. Photo: VINO

Social activist, commentator and local entrepreneur Alred C. Frett believes St. Ursula’s Day should be scrapped from the Virgin Islands calendar of public holidays as no one really understands what it is about and that it is only costing the Territory money it can’t afford to lose. Photo: VINO/File

August 1, according to the Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool, should be declared a public holiday throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries. The [British] Virgin Islands is a British dependent territory but enjoys the benefits same as those afforded to Commonwealth countries, including eligibility to take part in the Commonwealth Games and also observes Commonwealth Day as a public holiday.

Speaking at the Emancipation Service held at the Sunday Morning Well in Road Town on August 4, 2013 Hon. Vanterpool said persons who know him would attest to the “fact”, that he considers this day, a very important day, in “our history”.

“Mr Richard Courtney deCastro recently suggested to me that the first day of August every year should be declared a public holiday throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries in respect of the importance of the declaration of Emancipation Day. I support him in that suggestion,” Hon. Vanterpool declared.

The 14 public holidays currently observed in the Virgin Islands are New Year’s Day, The Anniversary of the Birth of Hamilton Lavity Stoutt, Commonwealth Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Whit Monday, Sovereign’s Birthday, Territory Day, August Festival Monday, Festival Tuesday, Festival Wednesday, St. Ursula’s Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, the Minister also said he would like to see more attention being devoted to the reason for the Emancipation celebrations.

“This should not be just about a festival and three consecutive holidays but more about highlighting and celebrating the accomplishments of Virgin Islanders as a people. The struggles of our forefathers must not be forgotten in the midst of the revelry,” Hon. Vanterpool stated.

St Ursula’s Day should be scrapped from public holiday list

But while Hon. Vanterpool is in support of another public holiday in the Virgin Islands, there is someone who thinks the Territory would do well with one less.

Social activist, commentator and local entrepreneur Alred C. Frett believes St. Ursula’s Day should be scrapped from the Virgin Islands' calendar of public holidays as no one really understands what it is about and that it is only costing the Territory money it can’t afford to lose.

St. Ursula’s Day, celebrated on the October 21, commemorates the Roman Catholic Saint after whom Columbus named the whole archipelago of islands. Columbus gave them the fanciful name Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Vírgenes (Saint Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins), shortened to Las Vírgenes (The Virgins). The figure on the Territory’s crest is also supposed to represent St. Ursula and the lamps, the Virgins.

“It is pure, pure foolishness. Persons don’t even know what it is about and they pretend as though it is of some humongous value. The only value it is about is to cost money because when persons are off on this holiday Government must still pay their salaries…so at the end of the day what you find happening is that we end up already broke and becoming broker,” Mr. Frett had told Virgin Islands News Online some time back.