By L. K. Hewlett
Kittitians In Paradise donated $10,000 for the restoration of the Springfield Cemetery.
Kittitians In Paradise is a group of Kittitians and Nevisians living in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Key members of the group made the trip to St. Kitts to make the presentation and also to enjoy the Music Festival.
Wingrove Grant, president of KIP, said the group started to raise the money in 2004.
“We held a gala honouring Deputy Prime Minister Sam Condor and this money was donated by the patrons. It gives us great pleasure to be able to give this money for such an important project,” Grant said.
Grant said he remembered when Springfield Cemetery was called the ‘Flower Garden of the Caribbean,’ because of its beauty.
He said he hoped that with the donation from his group and from other Kittitians at home and abroad, the cemetery would be restored to its former glory.
“I urge everyone of you to give a litt le something, even $10, towards this restoration project. Every little bit helps,” Grant said.
Grant said the objective of Kittitians in Paradise is to raise funds to help Kittitians and Nevisians living in the Virgin Islands “in whatever way we can.”
He added that the group pays close attention to what goes on in the Federation and helps whenever possible.
Stanley Franks, chairman of the Springfield’s Restoration Committee, expressed his gratitude as he thanked Grant and the group for their benevolence.
“It is with great honour and gratitude that I accept this cheque. Springfield Cemetery, as you know, is a very important destination, as we all may end up there someday,” Franks said. “When one recalls what Springfield had looked like years ago , it is important that one be moved to make certain that it is restored to its former beauty,” Franks said.
Franks appealed to citizens and businesses to come to the call for the restoration project.
He said construction work had already begun on part of the cemetery.
The money received would go towards assisting with restoration of the cemetery chapel, fencing, repaving of the pathways and clearing of the overgrown grass and shrubbery.
Through the Minister of National Security, Dwyer Astaphan, the committee had received a number of Weedwackers, and with assistance from Her Majesty’s Prison, clearing of the grass had already started.
Franks said the committee hoped that in a short period of time, the restoration would be com plete.
