Claire Perry arrives in Gunjur – report from The Gambia

The quiet fishing village of Gunjur, Marlborough’s twin on the West African coast, exploded with a mix and excitement and celebration last Friday (January 11) when Devizes MP Claire Perry arrived.

Mrs Perry is here to see the work being carried out by the Marlborough Brandt Group – which has been building links with Gunjur for the past 30 years.

It’s the first time an MP representing Marlborough has come to Gunjur and so many here are treating this as an extra special visit.  Although Ms Perry is not on government business – this is a personal trip for her and her daughter Eliza – there has been a buzz in the village all week ahead of her arrival.

And so the day came.  

It was like most Fridays here – a hot, sunny and clear day.  Goats and donkeys wandered the sandy roads.  Children marched home from school in their distinctive uniforms.  Women in their bright, colourful dresses carried food, water or sticks of wood on their heads, and men – dressed in their best – filed to the mosque for Friday prayers.  An important part of Fridays.  

By late afternoon the excitement was building.  A troop of women, dressed in striking green – one shouting into a megaphone, others carrying leafy branches from a mango tree – assembled by one of the main buildings in the village ready to perform a welcoming dance.     

A group of drummers also arrived and started banging out a typical African rhythm.  And a small, enthusiastic crowd of villagers gathered.  The anticipation was building as the heat of the sun burnt down.

Then a repeated blast of a car horn signalled Claire Perry’s arrival in a small convoy.  

This was the cue for the dance troop to up their volume, dance more vigorously and start loudly banging their drums.  

The atmosphere exploded – it was met with the same enthusiasm a member of the royal family would receive at home.

As the MP stepped from her vehicle she was surrounded by the official greeting party and other well wishers.  

She stood and watched a demonstration of African dance by the women, and even joined in.  

Then after much dancing, drumming and cheering she was shepherded inside to be met by the village officials.  As she passed me she said: “This is overwhelming, I don’t think I’m worth all this.”  

Inside there were numerous welcome speeches followed by Ms Perry’s acceptance speech.  She said: “I am so very touched by the warm welcome.  After years of wanting to visit Gunjur I am really pleased to be here.  And I am looking forward to finding out more about your village, culture and the work of the Marlborough Brandt Group.”

Her week here will be a busy one.

(Photos by Mark Jones)

For full background to the visit and Mrs Perry and Eliza’s views see our earlier report