British Overseas Territory citizenship say the pledge
Individuals from four different Caribbean countries became naturalized citizens of Montserrat and the United Kingdom during a Conferment Ceremony held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at the Montserrat Cultural Centre at Little Bay.
Mrs. Michelle Collins, a BOTC candidate rendered the invocation at the beginning of the ceremony. .
Executive Officer with responsibility for the Consulate Division, Velma Bramble announced as she introduced the ceremony that 23 candidates from Antigua, Dominican Republic, Guyana and Jamaica, were to be conferred with British Overseas Territory citizenship (BOTC), and British citizenship (BC). 15 would take the oath of allegiance and the pledge to be citizens of Montserrat and eight would do likewise, taking a similar oath to be British citizens She remarked, “the population of Montserrat would then be officially increased by 23 citizens and another page of our island’s history would be rewritten.”
British citizenship say the pledge
Senior Magistrate Mrs. Veronica Dorsette-Hector administered the oath and affirmation of allegiance to the BOTC and BC candidates. Deputy Premier Hon. Charles Kirnon presented the certificates to the newly conferred British Overseas Territory citizens while H.E. Governor Mr. Adrian Davis presented certificates to the newly conferred British citizens.
Following the distribution of certificates and taking of oaths, Deputy Premier Hon. Charles Kirnon delivered congratulatory remarks to the newly conferred British Overseas Territory citizens. He told the new citizens that in rebuilding a population numbers matter and chided the new BOTCs to remain in Montserrat. “You see, you must understand like John the Baptist you are forerunner of those who will come after you for citizenry and therefore, you must pave a good path. You must make it straight, you must be model citizens and whatever happens, you have now decided to be a Montserratian, and therefore we expect you to dwell among us and with us, as long as feasibly possible…”
L-R: Senior Magistrate Mrs. Veronica Dorsette-Hector, Deputy Premier Hon. Charles Kirnon and H.E. Governor Mr. Adrian Davis
H.E Governor Adrian Davis in brief congratulatory remarks told the newly conferred British citizens he was delighted to greet them. He noted the “distinctive nature of the ceremony”, observing that everyone seemed so solemn. ”I think this is probably one of the few ceremonies that is so solemn, no body actually said a word, everyone is so attentive…” he remarked.
He told the audience that throughout history people have migrated for a host of reasons including economic, political or fleeing persecution, noting that his grandparents migrated to the United Kingdom from Eastern Europe towards the end of the nineteenth century. He added that the UK especially in London is a very heterogeneous mix of people who come from all parts the world.
The Governor said he would echo the thoughts of the Deputy Premier and continued: “We are in a collective endeavour to rebuild Montserrat. It’s a wonderful Island and I think there are opportunities now and in the next few years that there perhaps haven’t been in the past, so I would like you to stay in Montserrat, to continue to make your contributions to Montserrat. But, if you decide to leave and go to the UK I hope you will hold Montserrat in your heart and come back to visit and hopefully come back to invest and to maintain your Montserrat connections …,” said H.E. Governor.
The vote of thanks was given by Miss. O Cathma Thornhill.
