0:00:02 > 0:00:044,000 miles south-west of the British Isles,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09lies the island of Anguilla.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Colonised by English settlers in the 17th century,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15it was quickly abandoned because of its poor soil,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19so the African descendants, many of them former slaves,
0:00:19 > 0:00:22became landowners rather than plantation workers,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25fostering an independent spirit and close connection to the land
0:00:25 > 0:00:27that still flourishes.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30Today just 3% of the population is white,
0:00:30 > 0:00:33and it's now one of the 14 British Overseas Territories
0:00:33 > 0:00:37with its own government and the Queen as its head of state.
0:00:37 > 0:00:38Fire!
0:00:38 > 0:00:40It's very similar to growing up in Cornwall.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Everybody looks out for each other,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44and it's just a really nice way of living.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I mean, I've been here 23 years,
0:00:46 > 0:00:49and I still think I'm kind of British.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52With an average temperature of 80 degrees,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56British expats have been lured here by the beaches, low taxes,
0:00:56 > 0:00:58and relaxed way of life.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02We have a tradition in Anguilla of going to take a sea bath.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04This is the epitome of paradise.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09You know, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12But this delicate island's future is precarious.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14With few natural resources,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Anguillans have always had to be inventive to make ends meet,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21competing with larger nearby islands like Antigua and St Kitts
0:01:21 > 0:01:22for the tourist dollar.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Here, the threat of hurricanes is ever present.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29And in the eye of these storms is a rock,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32the Anglican Minister Bishop Errol Brooks,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35who presides over the island's largest parish.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39As a people we stand strong
0:01:39 > 0:01:41when things get rough.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44This paradise is extremely fragile.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49In the days to come...
0:01:49 > 0:01:54It's wonderful to see so many of you out this afternoon.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58It's great to see such a gathering, so give yourselves a hand for coming.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00..islanders don their national colours to celebrate
0:02:00 > 0:02:04the most important date in the calendar - Anguilla Day.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06We're proud of where we come from,
0:02:06 > 0:02:0949 years ago. And we're proud that Britain has been
0:02:09 > 0:02:11by our side through it all.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12HORNS BLARE
0:02:12 > 0:02:17The Anguilla Day Round The Island Boat Race stokes local rivalries.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Yeah, I'll be cheering for the Real Deal on Monday.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22And I'll be cheering for the Sonic on Monday.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23HE LAUGHS
0:02:23 > 0:02:25And I will beat him on Monday.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28And author Trudy Nixon steadies her nerves for a reading
0:02:28 > 0:02:30at Anguilla's literary festival.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32It's going to be a full house,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36which, I think, is what is giving me the, kind of, heebie-jeebies.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06# Anguilla star
0:03:06 > 0:03:10# How I long for you
0:03:10 > 0:03:15# I will never be far
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- # My Anguilla star...- #
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- RADIO DJ:- Anguillans near and far, you've got to come home for Anguilla Day.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Yes, something a lot of folks dream about, Anguilla Day,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27that's a day they look forward to.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Anguilla Day, 2016.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Just a couple of days away.
0:03:33 > 0:03:34HE LAUGHS
0:03:34 > 0:03:38As part of the forthcoming Anguilla Day's celebrations,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42a special service will be held in St Mary's Church In The Valley
0:03:42 > 0:03:43in a few days' time.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46"I give you a new commandment.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52"Just as I have loved you, you also shall love one another."
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Leading the act of worship
0:03:55 > 0:03:59will be the head of the Anglican diocese, Bishop Errol Brooks.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03On the 30th of May we're having an ecumenical service
0:04:03 > 0:04:06to mark the 49th anniversary
0:04:06 > 0:04:08of the Anguilla revolution,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10which we call Anguilla Day.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15In 1967, the people of Anguilla
0:04:15 > 0:04:19decided to take their destiny into their own hands.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23It's extremely important, because it's a vital part of our history.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25So every year we have this ecumenical service
0:04:25 > 0:04:28along with a number of other activities
0:04:28 > 0:04:31to mark this historic event.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35It's not just Bishop Brooks who values the significance
0:04:35 > 0:04:37of Anguilla Day.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- Hello! - APPLAUSE
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Now, you can call me Doctor Banks,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45or you can call me Sunshine Lady,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47or you can call me teacher Linda.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49- Which name do you prefer to call me? - ALL:- Sunshine Lady!
0:04:49 > 0:04:53OK, that's what I am for the day, Sunshine Lady.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56At the local library in the capital, The Valley,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Dr Linda Banks is teaching schoolchildren
0:04:59 > 0:05:01about the Anguillan revolution.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03What do you know about the revolution?
0:05:03 > 0:05:07About St Kitts and Nevis.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- About St Kitts and Nevis.- Yeah.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13In 1825, a union was formed between Anguilla
0:05:13 > 0:05:16and its neighbouring islands of St Kitts and Nevis,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18who governed the island.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21After World War II, as other British Caribbean colonies
0:05:21 > 0:05:23strove for independence,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Anguillans became unhappy they were not getting
0:05:25 > 0:05:28their fair share of resources.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32And they had electricity and we didn't.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Uh-huh!- And we had less of the money.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Right. So, they had lots of things that we didn't have.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Would you be happy with that?
0:05:41 > 0:05:42- ALL:- No!- No.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46How do you think Anguillans felt?
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- Mistreated.- They felt mistreated.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Anguillans were upset.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54On May 30th 1967, they took up arms.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58No-one was killed, but they forced the St Kitts police off the island.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Suddenly we heard...
0:05:59 > 0:06:01SHE MIMICS GUNFIRE
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Our eyes started burning.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07There was something called tear gas.
0:06:07 > 0:06:08People were crying.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10People didn't know what to do.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13And that was the beginning of the revolution.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Two years later, 135 British paratroopers
0:06:17 > 0:06:19arrived on the Anguilla to restore order.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22And Anguillans were at the airport, and they said,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25"God save the Queen!"
0:06:25 > 0:06:29We are glad that England finally came to rescue us.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32The following year, peace was restored.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37And in 1980, Anguilla was given full autonomy from St Kitts and Nevis,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39to become a British Overseas Territory.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43When the British came they built roads,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46they ran wire to get electricity.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48So, it's a lot different now.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50You have a lot to be thankful for.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55'Our children need to know that what they have today
0:06:55 > 0:06:59'was done by the blood, sweat and tears of their forefathers.'
0:06:59 > 0:07:03It's important for them to understand that, you know,
0:07:03 > 0:07:08the Anguilla we have today, just 50 years ago it was very different.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11What year was the revolution?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- ALL:- 1967.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Very good. Give yourselves a round of applause.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- Hip hip hip. - ALL:- Hooray!- Hip hip hip.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Hooray!- Hip hip hip.- Hooray!
0:07:26 > 0:07:29I was 16 years at that time,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31and we saw the helicopters landing
0:07:31 > 0:07:33and we were so excited about this thing.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Seeing the eagles being parachuted.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Men jumping from aircraft and all kind of things.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43A lot of action in a place that was normally quiet.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46The impression, I believe, that was given at the time
0:07:46 > 0:07:49was that Anguilla was definitely in chaos
0:07:49 > 0:07:53and therefore they were going to have to do something about it.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55But...
0:07:55 > 0:07:59you know, when they came, not a shot was fired.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03It was a peaceful invasion.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Today, the bishop has another matter to deal with
0:08:05 > 0:08:08that is close to islanders' hearts.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11The launch of a boat at Crocus Bay.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Friends, today we gather to bless this boat and this pier,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20and those who will use it for work or pleasure.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Protect them from the dangers, the wind and rain...
0:08:22 > 0:08:25The sea plays such a vital role in island life
0:08:25 > 0:08:29that all vessels are commemorated to bring good luck.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31And so may God's blessings
0:08:31 > 0:08:33rest and abide
0:08:33 > 0:08:38on Bateau Godot and this pier, this day and always.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39Amen.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Anguilla's seafaring legacy dates back several centuries.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45With little fertile soil,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48islanders had to venture to larger neighbouring islands
0:08:48 > 0:08:50like the Dominican Republic to work,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53and also to bring back vital provisions.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55Centuries of intrepid seafaring have led
0:08:55 > 0:08:59not only to a mastery of sailing,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02but also of boat building, a tradition kept alive today
0:09:02 > 0:09:03by David Carty.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05In an island like Anguilla,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08boats have always been absolutely important.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12It's been a long history
0:09:12 > 0:09:14of trying to make ends meet
0:09:14 > 0:09:18by using the sea to trade,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21to build boats, to smuggle, and to fish.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25And that evolved over just over a century
0:09:25 > 0:09:27into a passion for boat racing.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Because the smugglers raced between themselves,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32the fishermen raced between themselves,
0:09:32 > 0:09:37and then when a real economy started in Anguilla with tourism, etc,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41that's just formalised into a formal sport,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43which is now the national sport.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Today, David and his son Damian's main business
0:09:46 > 0:09:49is making high-end motorboats.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53My elder son Damian has, from a very early age,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56being passionate about what I've done.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57At the age of two,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00passing me nails while I was
0:10:00 > 0:10:04getting the epoxy glues and the planks all together.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06And that was a very special moment for me.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07I've never forgotten that.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11As well as motorboat building, their passion, like most Anguillans,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13is sailboat racing.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17And no prize is more coveted
0:10:17 > 0:10:20than the annual Anguilla Day Boat Race trophy.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22THEY SHOUT
0:10:22 > 0:10:25Traditional handmade wooden sailboats from each district
0:10:25 > 0:10:29will compete in the race, that circumnavigates the entire island.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31And today, Sonic, the boat representing
0:10:31 > 0:10:33the village of Sandy Ground,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36is undergoing final technical tweaks.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37When I say sonic...
0:10:37 > 0:10:38You say boom.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- ALL:- Sonic boom.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42We just put her in the water,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47and now we're going to put the lead in, the ballast.
0:10:47 > 0:10:48All these pieces are going to go in.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Damian is Sonic's master tactician.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53We think that this is the secret here. That, um...
0:10:53 > 0:10:57I can't tell you how much pounds it is, all together, but we know.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59And it's strategic points.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01You just can't put any old piece any old where.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04It has to go in certain pockets, certain places,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07for the boat to sit the way we think it needs to sit.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09And that is one of the secrets to success.
0:11:09 > 0:11:10HE LAUGHS
0:11:10 > 0:11:12This is one of the reasons why we'll beat the Real Deal.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14HE LAUGHS
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Sonic's biggest rival is the Real Deal,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18which represents North Hill,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21and has the backing of Damian's father David.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Yeah, I'll be cheering for the Real Deal on Monday.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26And I'll be cheering for the Sonic on Monday.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27HE LAUGHS
0:11:27 > 0:11:29And I will beat him on Monday.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Even if I come last, second to last, and he comes last, sorry,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I'll still beat him.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38We always get along well, and we have bragging right between us.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40You know, when he beats me I never hear the end of it
0:11:40 > 0:11:42until the following race and vice versa,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45when I get my chance I let him know too, I rub it in.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48So, it's good, it's a good rivalry between the two of us.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50It's fun.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54He's my son but that doesn't mean he has to be smart like me.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- You know?- Can you imagine this?
0:11:56 > 0:11:57He could be stupid.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59THEY LAUGH
0:12:06 > 0:12:09"The girls climbed out of the car and gazed at the view.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12"A white bay stretched in front of them,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15"and Charlie thought she had never seen so many different colours
0:12:15 > 0:12:17"in one landscape before."
0:12:17 > 0:12:20Five miles away, budding author Trudi Nixon,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22originally from Poulshot in Wiltshire,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26is reading an extract from her first, as yet unpublished, novel
0:12:26 > 0:12:29to her best friends, fellow expat Sue
0:12:29 > 0:12:32and her husband Alan Ruan.
0:12:32 > 0:12:33"I would have been bored otherwise.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36"Mind you..." Whoops.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38"I can't be bored listening to this music."
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- Where's the racy bits in it? - THEY LAUGH
0:12:41 > 0:12:43How do you know there are racy bits?
0:12:43 > 0:12:44I know how your mind works.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46THEY LAUGH
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Trudi is practising for the most important literary event
0:12:48 > 0:12:50in the Anguillan calendar,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Lit Fest, which she's co-organising.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55"These words are not just random words,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59"running helter-skelter on the page of life." Hmm.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Dr Linda Banks will be one of the experienced guest speakers
0:13:03 > 0:13:05at the event.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Yeah, it'll be the first time with such a diverse audience,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11people coming from around the world, people who are poets,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15people who are writers, people who are editors,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18people who are looking to publish, you know.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21We're looking for new authors.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It's an intimidating prospect for debut novelist
0:13:24 > 0:13:27and first-time speaker Trudi.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31"Diva had never been so big, so hard to read, or as...
0:13:31 > 0:13:33"implac..." "Im..." "Im..."
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Ah, I can't say that word!
0:13:35 > 0:13:37SHE LAUGHS
0:13:39 > 0:13:40I can't say it.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43"Implacably."
0:13:43 > 0:13:45I'm absolutely petrified, to be honest.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49It's kind of looming. I'm looking forward to the Lit Fest, but...
0:13:49 > 0:13:54And I know this is great for me and I have to do this,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57but these are my words and I can't actually seem to spit them out.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59SHE LAUGHS
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Feeling slightly overwhelmed...
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Hello, Mummy Chicken. Hello, Daddy.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07..Trudi calls back home for some moral support.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- ON SCREEN:- I've got loads of confidence in you, honestly.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13You'll make a super, super job of it. I know that.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- Oh. Thank you.- All right.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Thank you, Mummy and Daddy!
0:14:19 > 0:14:21They're always so good!
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Didn't you see how good they were?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Oh, bless them.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- # Sail your boat comes in - Sail it...
0:14:30 > 0:14:31# Sail your boat comes in... #
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- RADIO DJ:- That's Anguilla Time with Sail Your Boat, and of course,
0:14:34 > 0:14:38those boats will be sailing RIGHT for Anguilla Day
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and the Round The Island Boat Race.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Boy, we love boat race.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44INDISTINCT SHOUTING
0:14:46 > 0:14:50People from all four corners of the island are celebrating
0:14:50 > 0:14:52the 49th anniversary of Anguilla's liberation
0:14:52 > 0:14:56from neighbouring islands of St Kitts and Nevis.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57Down on Sandy Ground,
0:14:57 > 0:15:0114 sailing boats from around the island are at the starting line
0:15:01 > 0:15:04as people position themselves on hilltops and beaches
0:15:04 > 0:15:05to cheer on their local team
0:15:05 > 0:15:09for the 35th annual Around The Island Boat Race.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Damian and his father David get ready for the biggest day in the
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- sailing calendar.- We've got 14 boats out, that's the whole...
0:15:16 > 0:15:18That's the whole fleet.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20HOOTER
0:15:20 > 0:15:21CHEERING
0:15:21 > 0:15:23The race gets off to a flying start,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25and keeping a close eye on the action
0:15:25 > 0:15:27is the Royal Anguilla Police Force,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30led by Acting Sgt Charles Richards.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Come in base, this is Gold Command.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39Some of these guys, on the vessel, about 90% of them can swim.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41The other 10,
0:15:41 > 0:15:46they might be in a position to swim but not a strong swimmer.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Those are the guys that we have to try and get out the water first.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53On the south side of the island, Sonic's tactician Damian
0:15:53 > 0:15:56is tracking the progress of his team's boat closely.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Here comes the boats right now and the Real Deal looks like
0:15:59 > 0:16:01it's still in the lead, but the Sonic is right there.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04It's within striking distance, easy.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05Easy striking distance.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Sonic and the Real Deal are naturally rubbing
0:16:08 > 0:16:10for first and second, so hopefully when I pass by here
0:16:10 > 0:16:12it'll still be close and going around the land
0:16:12 > 0:16:15it still will be close, so it will be a good fight coming up.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18I'm betting on the Sonic, all day, every day. That's my boat.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Damian's hoping his father's boat, the Real Deal, won't hold
0:16:22 > 0:16:25on to its first-place position for long.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29He was a little bit more confident earlier during the race, now he
0:16:29 > 0:16:31seems to have simmered down somewhat
0:16:31 > 0:16:35and he's kind of taking it easy and quiet again. So we'll see.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39It's a long race, so anything can happen between now and then.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44Damian decides to hit the water to follow the rest of the race up-close
0:16:44 > 0:16:46with other members of the Sonic support team.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55At Blowing Point Harbour on the south of the island,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Trudi Nixon is welcoming international authors,
0:16:58 > 0:17:02editors and publishers who are arriving from neighbouring St Martin
0:17:02 > 0:17:04for Anguilla's literary festival.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06THEY SHRIEK
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Also greeting the visitors are Lit Fest committee members
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Reggie Oliver and his wife Stephanie.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- Everybody's here.- Everybody's here.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19Got here safely.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23With an island like this it's always your prayer that people arrive
0:17:23 > 0:17:25safely, you know?
0:17:25 > 0:17:27They had a good time, they feel the vibe already.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30One already said to me, "It's beautiful, it's lovely.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32"I'm never going to leave." And they just got here.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36This year's event is being held at Paradise Cove
0:17:36 > 0:17:38on the south of the island.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41And the phone rings and I thought it was my friend.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43"Yo, hello..."
0:17:43 > 0:17:48LAUGHTER Jamaican writer Colin Channer warms up the crowd.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51"Hello, may I speak to Colin, please?"
0:17:51 > 0:17:56- "Hold on, let me get him, hold on." - LAUGHTER
0:17:56 > 0:17:57And next,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00local writer Linda Banks takes to the podium.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04"Waves pounding on the shore, pushing forward, then pulling backward.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08"Having a tumultuous love affair with the sands.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10"Loving her then leaving her,
0:18:10 > 0:18:15"knowing that she will be there waiting patiently for his return."
0:18:18 > 0:18:20So, women, embrace your power.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25You might seem passive but they must come back.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26For Trudi Nixon,
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Lit Fest presents an unmissable opportunity to get her debut novel
0:18:30 > 0:18:32in front of agents.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Hi, Johanna.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40Trudi's pitching her manuscript to American publisher Johanna Ingalls.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43My book is called Life Needs The Caribbean.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Two very different Englishwomen arrive on a tiny Caribbean island.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Back home, both confronting bleak futures,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55both women realise that their time in the Caribbean might ultimately
0:18:55 > 0:18:58help them figure out what they need to do to make their lives happy.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- I'd nearly gone...- There's nothing I would change about that.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03I swear, I'm being dead honest.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05So can I send it to you?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Of course. And I will give honest feedback.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09I'm so looking forward to reading it.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- Thanks.- I really am. Thank you.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13"Three days later,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16"when the driver produced the reasons for the delay Nathanial did
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- "not bother listening. He was learning slowly, but he- was- learning."
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Thank you.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28I mean, that was great. It was better than I could really have expected.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32She liked my queries, she said it was perfect, actually,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36and that it was ready to go and for me to just have confidence and send it out.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38It was amazing.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41It's a promising start for Trudi,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44but soon she faces an even bigger challenge -
0:19:44 > 0:19:48a live reading from her novel to an international audience of published
0:19:48 > 0:19:51authors and critics.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53It's a full house, which is, I think,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55what is giving me the heebie-jeebies.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Back on the water at the Anguilla Day Boat Race...
0:20:14 > 0:20:18..Damian Carty and the Sonic support team are willing the boat on,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21despite trailing behind archrival the Real Deal.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23We're about to go round the last marker.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Once you round this marker, it's straight to Sandy Ground
0:20:26 > 0:20:29and then that's the first boat, first boat in, first boat wins.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Simple as that. See the red flag in the water?
0:20:31 > 0:20:33They've got to round that and come up.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35He's going the wrong way.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37What are they doing? Have they gone the wrong way?
0:20:37 > 0:20:39With the backing of his sailors,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Sonic captain Eddie Hughes decides to pull off an audacious move...
0:20:44 > 0:20:48He's gone round a way that normally doesn't happen.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52Shimmying past the last marker and capturing the lead.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06Back on dry land, at St Mary's Anglican Church in the Valley,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10parishioners and local dignitaries are gathering for a special service
0:21:10 > 0:21:14held by Bishop Brooks to commemorate Anguilla Day.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19We thank you for our political leaders who, through these 49 years,
0:21:19 > 0:21:23have brought us to this time in our history.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Help us, Father, to work together for the common good and to build on
0:21:27 > 0:21:29the successes of the past.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32That our island home will grow from strength to strength.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35ALL: God bless, Anguilla.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39If you will look inside you will see many of the persons in the
0:21:39 > 0:21:43congregation wearing the orange, white and blue,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45those are the national colours.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50The orange stands for the sunshine, the white - white sandy beaches,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53and the blue the turquoise waters surrounding Anguilla.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55OK, here we go.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57I have
0:21:57 > 0:21:59a little corsage on my...
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Depicting the colours orange, white and blue.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07It's wonderful to see so many of you out this afternoon.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08It's great to see such a gathering,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11so give yourselves a hand for coming.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Oh, it was a perfect day and people were out in their numbers with the
0:22:18 > 0:22:19Anguilla colours.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21It was really a beautiful spectacle.
0:22:21 > 0:22:2549 years ago we didn't have running water, we didn't have electricity,
0:22:25 > 0:22:28we didn't have proper schools, so we have come a long way.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32We're proud of where we've come from 49 years ago and we're proud that
0:22:32 > 0:22:37Britain has been at our side, by our side, through it all.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39All right.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47At Paradise Cove, the literary festival is in full swing...
0:22:48 > 0:22:51I once met an English poet.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54A West Indian, you understand.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58One of those always exclaiming how we take over the motherland.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01With Trinidadian-born author Paul Keens-Douglas
0:23:01 > 0:23:03charming a captivated audience.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06That man started talking language like he worked in the BBC.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Or he head of the English Department at the university.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17For Reggie Oliver it's been an inspiring few days.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Lit Fest was wonderful.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22People have been lit up, they've been so excited.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25The writers, almost everybody who came, had a special feeling for it,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28so probably one of the best ones that happens.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32It's been very, very exciting and very important for the country.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34With Lit Fest coming to an end,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37there are just a few guest speakers left to take the stage.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40It's almost time for Trudi Nixon to read a passage from her
0:23:40 > 0:23:43as-yet unpublished novel.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Of course it's very timely that I bring on now one of the architects
0:23:47 > 0:23:50of the Lit Fest, Trudi, Trudi,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Trudi Nixon.
0:23:56 > 0:23:57Good morning, everybody.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01The Lit Fest inspired me and continues to inspire me,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04to the point where I've actually written a novel.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08The book is called Life Needs The Caribbean.
0:24:08 > 0:24:1347-year-old hairdresser Tracey comes to paradise expecting the worst,
0:24:13 > 0:24:19when she throws herself into a holiday romance with a sexy local fisherman.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22A terrible miscommunication sends...
0:24:22 > 0:24:24It's a slow start for Trudi.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27"She didn't seem to be worried about her modesty at all.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29"She was far too absorbed in her man,
0:24:29 > 0:24:33"who didn't appear to mind that his girlfriend was far more enthusiastic
0:24:33 > 0:24:35"than skilled on the dance floor."
0:24:35 > 0:24:37But the audience seems to be on her side.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42"..She's certainly thrown herself into island life."
0:24:42 > 0:24:46And by the end of the reading they're completely won over.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48"Tracey's tan faded quickly,
0:24:48 > 0:24:52"despite coming back to what was called summer in England.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55"And she missed her golden brown skin and she knew she didn't look
0:24:55 > 0:24:58"like that woman she'd been on the island,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01"the one had that floated so contentedly on the sea for hours and hours and
0:25:01 > 0:25:04"thought great big interesting thoughts,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07"a woman that danced a lot and didn't mind who watched her,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10"a woman that was totally at home in her body despite her size,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12"because she knew she was beautiful."
0:25:22 > 0:25:25I'm all over-excited!
0:25:25 > 0:25:29'If you can leave an audience laughing, then you've done very well.'
0:25:29 > 0:25:31I had some people coming up to me afterwards saying,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34"Oh, where can we buy the book?"
0:25:34 > 0:25:37I said, "You can't buy it yet."
0:25:37 > 0:25:39'Let's hope it's a bestseller.'
0:25:39 > 0:25:44You'll be in the dedication at the front.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48'We are so, so proud of you. We really mean it, we really are.'
0:25:48 > 0:25:53Oh, the highs, the lows of an international career in novel writing(!)
0:25:55 > 0:26:00What do you think, puppies? Is Mummy going to be an international publishing star?
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Two miles away at Sandy Ground harbour,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11the crowds have gathered to watch the closing stages of the
0:26:11 > 0:26:15Anguilla Day Boat Race. With victory in its sights,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Sonic is past the last buoy and battling to hold on to its lead
0:26:19 > 0:26:22ahead of closest rival, the Real Deal.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24We've got a good 100 feet on her. That's good enough.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27So we're going to skim this point now and then we're going to be right
0:26:27 > 0:26:32in the centre. The result would still be the same, one winner - Sonic.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35There are two chequered flags up here that we have to go through and
0:26:35 > 0:26:37then that's it, we win.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Yes!
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Yeah!
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Sonic is first across the finish line and wins the 35th annual
0:26:45 > 0:26:47Anguilla Day Boat Race.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50I'm very happy. We've got to celebrate.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Damian's beaten his father's boat and archrival the Real Deal.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58And most importantly, won today's bragging rights.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00My dad congratulated me on my win.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04I beat him, he got third, I got first.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07He beat me and he beat me really badly.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11The Sonic won a very convincing race and the Real Deal lost.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14I don't know if he cheated, I don't think so.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19I think she had a problem going around one of the sticks and lost
0:27:19 > 0:27:21some ground and there it is, lost the race.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23So the rivalry continues.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30- ALL:- BOOM, SONIC BOOM!
0:27:30 > 0:27:33For the crew of Sonic and their captain, Eddy Hughes,
0:27:33 > 0:27:37all that remains to be done is enjoy the spoils of victory.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39All my muscles are aching right now, man.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41It feels good to be a winner.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45I'm a happy guy right now. And my crew's happy, everybody's happy,
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Sonic fans are happy,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Sonic boom!
0:27:52 > 0:27:54In the days to come...
0:27:55 > 0:27:58On your marks, get set, go!
0:27:58 > 0:28:02..there are high hopes for an Anguillan rider in this year's
0:28:02 > 0:28:04interisland bike race.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Vroom. I want to be the Bradley Wiggins of Anguilla.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09PHONE RINGS
0:28:11 > 0:28:15- Good morning.- French shop owner Natalie brings a touch of France
0:28:15 > 0:28:18to the island by running a wine tasting for locals.
0:28:18 > 0:28:23I think that Anguilla should have more indoor restaurants with air conditioning.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Just to drink wine at the perfect temperature.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32And the Bishop makes a bumpy 90-minute journey to the beautiful
0:28:32 > 0:28:35French island of St Barts, to check on church renovations.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Nice to welcome you back to your French parish.
0:28:38 > 0:28:39Yes, sir.