Ascension : Interview with Cheryl Anthony
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Editors) 21.07.2011 (Article Archived on 04.08.2011)
This week Your Own Correspondent, Louise Short, shares an interview she did a few weeks ago, with one of the Islands “larger than life characters”, Cheryl Anthony.
This week Your Own Correspondent, Louise Short, shares an interview she did a few weeks ago, with one of the Islands “larger than life characters”, Cheryl Anthony.
What is your full name?
Cheryl Eileen Anthony MBE
Do you have any children?
I have 3 children – Mario, Kirsty & Corey all born on Ascension Island
How long have you and Robert been together?
For 32 years……. married on 29th September 1984 – it was the first wedding to be held at Two Boats Club
Do you have a nickname?
Not that I know off – maybe behind my back tee-hee!
Where were you born?
The General Hospital in Jamestown, St. Helena – 29th March 1962
When did you arrive on Ascension?/ How long have you lived on Ascension?
I arrived on Ascension on the evening of 29 October 1969 at 10 p.m. and went ashore at this time too.
I have been living here for nearly 42 yrs - does this make me an O.A.P.???
Can you tell us about the jobs have you done since you have been on the island? And what you enjoyed most.
My first job was at 15 yrs old as The Secretary to H.H. The Administrator ; we were stationed where the Police Office is now, with a staff of 5!!. I left 7 years later to have my first born Mario and went back again to fill a post 1992 for 3 months. There were no computers then. Only Imperial typewriters and filing cabinets!
I also volunteered as a listener for children reading in the Lower School and helped with school sports.
In addition, I have been a hairdresser since the age of 19. So I have been 30 years in this job!!!
Finally I have been working as a part-time shop assistant at Solomon’s Shop on Ascension, since December 2008.
I have to say I have enjoyed and loved all of my jobs; but hairdressing would have to get my full marks!
Can you give us insight into your involvement with the Guides?
I first was a Snowy Owl in Brownies in 1995 and then moved onto Girl Guides in 1997 when their leader at the time left the island. It’s a joy to be with the girls and to do adventurous activities that make you feel young at heart. I can’t wait for Friday to come around - I think I get more excited than the girls at times. I’ve performed with them on stage in the Georgetown Cinema to raise money for the Guides…… we have done 3 concerts in total. There’s badge-work, abseiling, camping, walks, litter picking etc…it’s like a full-time job really, with all the preparation - but I love it.
On two occasions, I’ve taken Guides to the UK on camping trips. The first was in 2002 with International Guides in the Midlands and the second was last year near Leeds, to celebrate 100 years of girl guiding. These trips demanded a lot of fundraising, but with great determination, I managed not to let the girls down and we made our targets.
When did you get your MBE and how was this decided?
I was told by Mr. Geoffrey Fairhurst (a former Administrator) in October 2000, that I had been surveyed and I had been recommended for the MBE. I was informed that that this recommendation was for all I had done voluntarily in the community from such a young age and still continued to do.
Everything I did from an early age was as a volunteer. I was in the church choir at nine years old. I wanted to hand out the hymn books then I rang the bell and so on.
This led to me being elected on numerous committees. I did Saturday Club for children 5yrs to 15yrs, Brownies, Guides, cheerleading etc…
The news I had been given an award had to be kept a secret until it was announced on 31st December 2000!!! I was awarded the MBE at Buckingham Palace, by Her Majesty The Queen, in front of hundreds of people, including Robert and my mum and dad. I even sat beside Alan Shearer the footballer!!
Is it true you were Miss. Ascension?
Yes in 1980 with 20 other contestants participating. That same year I went to St. Helena and won the Miss. St. Helena contest, but at the end of the competition I was told that because I live on Ascension, I could not hold the title, so was 1st Runner-Up!!
Where would I normally find you on a Friday evening?
Well…..Guides until 7 p.m. and then maybe at the VC for the disco or just chilling at home.
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
Back on St. Helena. This is because after my parents and sisters moved back there, it’s never been the same on Ascension without them here with me.
What song could I hear you singing in the shower?
I love singing so much that I don’t really have a favourite – I just bellow out whatever comes to the mind!!
If you could own any car, what would it be?
I have always preferred bike to cars. So much so, that I taught myself on a dirt bike, then I passed my bike test, before I sat behind the steering wheel of a car…..I’ve got my 3rd moped at the moment. I also wanted a 4x4 truck and I’ve got this too – so my dreams have come true!!
What is your greatest fear?
COCKROACHES!!! I hate these insects soooo much!! Give me a mouse or rat any day!!
What do you do in your spare time?
I sometimes go for a walk or swim or I just lie on the settee and have some “me time” watching my soaps or reading – oh and love checking my e-mails and FB friends!!! I love Rounders so am hoping this sport will come into force very soon, to fill that little gap.
What dish would you say is your speciality ?
I love any kind of St. Helena Curry but I do love a nice juicy T-Bone steak with salad, onions and mushrooms - coleslaw on the side – I’m not a lover of fries.
Name 4 things in life could you not do without.
My family, eyeliner (I even use charcoal at camp for the lids!!), sunglasses and hats ( I have got millions).
What is your favourite film?
Aristocats (tee!hee!) I used to watch this all the time with the kids.
Do you have a favourite read?
Yes, it’s called Take-a-Break .
Why this title?
I was reading it; it is about this woman who had breast cancer and 2 nights later on 30th Aug 2006, while in the shower, I found exactly the same changes – dimpling of the skin from the armpit to under the breast and following with my finger I found the lump as large as a bird’s egg. I knew straight away this was the big “C” but was flown out to the UK for it to be confirmed.
What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make?
This has to be when I was told by the Dr in the UK that I had Breast Cancer and would have to stay in the UK for 7 months to have 6 courses of Chemotherapy, 16 courses of Radiotherapy and 18 courses of Herceptin. I could return to Ascension to continue my Herceptin once the chemo and radio was over!!
This was a very hard decision to make having to stay in the UK whilst my children were back on Ascension. However, I pulled myself together and decided this was the only way I would get better and see them again.
Thank God I did not had to wait that long because Kirsty brought Corey and my 5mth old nephew Jerome over to the UK to see me for Christmas 2006. Mario was already staying in the UK, so he came every week to visit me.
Another difficult decision had to be made and that was to shave off my entire head of hair on 22nd December, because it was slightly thinning from the Chemotherapy. I was looking like “Little Britain” at Christmas with a nice shiny head!! I like to think I still had my great sense of humour going through all this!!
Where is your favourite place on the island?
I don’t really have a favourite place – I love everything about this little island.
If you could have half an hour with anyone famous, who would it be?
I’ve met Alan Shearer and Robson Green so I’ll settle for this!!
What three words do you hope your Guides would use to describe you?
kindhearted, amusing and loyal
Give me three adjectives to describe Ascension Island.
Care-free, remote and pleasant
The church is a very important part of your life. Can you tell us about your role.
As I’ve said earlier at 9 yrs of age I became a member of the choir and now 40 yrs later am the choir-mistress to 7 members.
I was a Sides Person, Churchwarden, and Lay Minister and now am a Council Member. In 2002 I was Chairlady of the Ascension Day Fair with 22 members on the committee!! Since the sudden departure of Fr. Clive I now choose the hymns.
I organise Family Services with the help of Johnny Green, often with live music. I ring the bell, co-ordinate “George” the electronic organ, organise rotas for Reading, I do brass Cleaning and assist a Sides person when the need arises, before and after services. I love reading the lesson and will do it every week if I can!! I was once told by my friends that whenever I leave Ascension for good, my choir pew will go with me... ha ha!
What is your least favourite thing about living on Ascension?
I have to be honest and say taxation – this has really put a damper on the living here.
What is your favourite thing about living on Ascension?
I feel safe and it is the best place to bring up your children. This is so true because all my children will move on eventually, but they always say this is their “home”. Mario left here 7 years ago and now has returned!!
So finally, what are you going to miss when you eventually leave Ascension?
My children if they are still living here; a bacon cheese burger from the CSR snack bar; the Hospital; St. Mary’s Church; other family and friends…..so basically EVERYTHING!!
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