Villages across Anguilla have been recognised for their hard work, dedication and the vibrant community spirit that unites people across the island.
The Anguilla Enhancement Project (AEP) hosted its fifth annual Best Village Competition on 6 December at Da’Vida Beach Club on Crocus Bay.
Attendees enjoyed a festive atmosphere, with music, speeches and the presentation of awards highlighting the achievements of communities across the island.
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During the ceremony, AEP president Nakishma Rogers told attendees: “The Best Village Competition is a friendly competition, but it is fuelled by the fiercely competitive spirit that we have as Anguillians.”
She explained that the competition began when the AEP was a small organisation and Anguilla was still recovering from Hurricane Irma, so had focused on physical improvements and aesthetic makeovers.
Over the past year, however, the event has shown its broader value in bringing communities together, fostering unity and promoting resilience in the face of social challenges.
“This past year we’ve seen communities literally come alive and this is how we combat social ills like violence, by bringing people together for the right causes,” she said.
As a result, the competition’s criteria was changed for 2026 and beyond to focus more on the AEP calendar and community mobilisation, because what Anguilla needs is “love, unity and community”.
Taking ‘The Dolphin Award’ for best overall village was Tackling Estate – which also won ‘Most Enhanced Village’.
Following closely in second place was South Valley, third went to Island Harbour, taking fourth was South Hill and West End took fifth position.
Island Harbour won the most awards of the evening taking away the ‘Best Marine Village’, ‘Green Thumb Award’, ‘Best Jollification Award’ and ‘Most Sustainable Village’.
Next was South Valley, which took the ‘Best Debut Village Award’, the ‘Best Community Spirit Award’ and the ‘Cultural Spirit Award’, while the ‘Cleanest Village Award’ went to Sandy Hill.
Niamke Brooks opened the ceremony while Tirichmir Gumbs and Shameica Hodge acted as MCs.
It also included a speech from Cordell Richardson, parliamentary secretary responsible for infrastructure, housing and natural resources.
Click below to see photos of the winners:
