Codrington is the only village on the island of Barbuda, which is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Codrington coincides with the Codrington major division, one of the two major divisions on Barbuda. Situated on the Codrington Lagoon, Codrington is the country's northernmost settlement. The population of Codrington was 796 in 2011.
As the primary residential area on the island, Codrington was established in 1685 by Christopher Codrington and his brother John. One of the oldest and the 21st-largest city in Antigua and Barbuda is Codrington. Codrington is on the larger end of villages in the country, and due to its position as the only settlement on Barbuda, is home to many specialized facilities, such as seven churches, a post office, a police station, a daycare, a preschool, a primary school, and a secondary school.
In 1685, Christopher Codrington and his brother John established Codrington as the primary residential area on the island. They constructed a castle that towered over the town, but in 1843 an earthquake severely damaged it, leaving only ruins.
For the purpose of the census, Codrington is split into three enumeration districts: Codrington-North, Codrington-Central, and Codrington-South (Airport). Codrington is also made up of different settlements: the airport is located in the Park community, the village hospital is located in the Spring View community, and the village center is served by the Middle Section and Mulatto South communities.[1]
The local government in Codrington is the Barbuda Council, which governs Codrington and the rest of the island. Situated in the Middle Section neighborhood, the Barbuda Council Millenium Administration Building serves as the Secretary of the Barbuda Council's primary headquarters. The Fisheries Complex, where the Barbuda Council meets, is also located in the Middle Section neighborhood.
History
Codrington was founded by Christopher Codrington and his brother John in 1685,[2] to be the main residential centre on the island. They built a castle which dominated the town, but it was badly damaged by an earthquake in 1843 and little trace of it now remains.[citation needed]
In 1741, the first slave rebellion happened in Codrington. Beach's Rebellion arose as a consequence of manager Thomas Beach's "cruel and tyrannical" behaviour. Several herds of cattle were slaughtered, with additional damage being done to the Codrington's[clarification needed] property and equipment.
The population of Codrington was recorded as 700 in the census of 1904, and 1,252 in the census of 1991. The town, along with the rest of the island, was completely evacuated in September 2017 following catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Irma, but much of the population has now returned to the island.[3]
Recent history
Six council seats were up for election in a bitterly contested council election on March 27, 2017.[4] On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma, at Category 5, swept through the town. Prime MinisterGaston Browne stated that there had been damage to 95% of the structures on the small island and that he was "of the view that the island [Barbuda] is barely habitable".[5] As of October 2017 residents were coming back to Codrington and beginning the effort to rebuild.[6]
In Codrington, the police station, the hospital, and the post office all had access to water and electricity by April 2018;[7] nevertheless, many of the island's few residents were still residing in tents, and numerous government structures were still undergoing repairs.[8] An estimated 75% of inhabitants had returned to Barbuda by February 2019. Codrington is not a ghost town.[9]
Geography
According to the Barbuda Act, Codrington's northern boundary is a wall that divides the settlement from Sedge Garden. On the south by a line that runs along to the old settlement's south wall, starting at the southernmost point of the eastern boundary and continuing until it reaches the lagoon. By a wall that separated it from Indigo Piece to the east, and by a line that ran 700 yards south from the southernmost point of that wall. To the west, by the lagoon.[10]
Climate
Codrington exhibits a tropical climate marked by well-defined wet and dry seasons. Typically, winters experience lower precipitation levels compared to the more rainfall-intensive summers. Köppen and Geiger's climate classification categorizes Codrington as Aw. Codrington maintains an average temperature of 26.2 °C (79.2 °F), while annual rainfall accumulates to 899 mm (35.4 in).[11]
Map of the communities within Codrington and the surrounding area
Codrington has three enumeration districts, Codrington-North, Codrington-Central, and Codrington-South Airport.[13] Broady, Guava Farm, Indigo North, Indigo South, Jeffrey Wood, Meadow East, Meadow West, Middle Section, Mulatto North, Mulatto South, Park, Spring View, and the White Ponds East and White Ponds West on River Road at the edge of the village are some of the settlements in Codrington.[1]
Major neighbourhoods
Indigo comprises two communities, Indigo North, and Indigo South. Indigo borders Mulatto North, Mulatto South, Middle Section, Park, Meadow East, Meadow West, Louis Hill, and Jeffrey Wood. Indigo is home to Barbuda's secondary school. The secondary school is also used as a voting station.[1][14][15][16]
Meadow comprises two communities, Meadow East, and Meadow West. Meadow borders Spring View, Park, White Ponds East, Broady, Indigo South, and Louis Hill. Meadow also completely surrounds the Guava Farm section.[1] Meadow was home to large plantations during the period of 1750-1800.[17]
The junction of Middle Section and Mulatto South forms the village's center. Holy Trinity School, the Fisheries Complex, the Tennis Court, the Administration Building, the Environment Department, and numerous other shops and organizations are located within the communities.[1]
Enumeration districts
Codrington-North
Codrington-North has 256 people.[18] 90.84% of Codrington-North residents were born in Antigua and Barbuda. Most other subgroups hover at a population of a few people. The largest minority subgroups in Codrington-North are Guyanese people and Jamaicans, both making up 1.99% of the population respectively.[18] The largest religious denomination in Codrington-North is Anglicanism, making up 25.10% of the population, followed by Wesleyan Holiness' who make up 24.70% of the population.[19] The largest ethnic group in Codrington-North is Afro-Barbudans, who make up 99.20% of the population. 0.40% of the population is Mixed Black/White, and another 0.40% of the population didn't know or didn't state their ethnic group. This makes virtually all of the population of Codrington-North Afro-Barbudan or Mixed Afro-Barbudan.[20]
Codrington-North has a living condition index of 13.72, exactly the same as the Fiennes Street enumeration district in St. John's.[21] Codrington-North has an income weight of 1.89, making it an upper low income area, exactly the same as the income weight of Liberta (West) in Saint Paul.[22]
Unmet basic needs in Codrington-North include 16.33% of people having an unmet basic need for housing, 7.97% having an unmet basic need for sanitation, 2.39% for fuel, 2.39% for light, 0.80% for information, 29.08% of people have one or more unmet basic needs, and 0.80% of people have two or more unmet basic needs.[23]
Codrington-Central
Codrington-Central has 272 people. Codrington-Central is the most diverse area in Codrington, with 83.52% of the population being African descendant, 11.24% mixed black/white, 3.37% other mixed, 0.37% white, 0.37% Syrian/Lebanese, 0.37% other, and 0.75% Hispanic.[24] 81.65% of residents were born in Antigua and Barbuda. The largest minority group in Codrington-Central is Guyanese, making up 5.62% of the population.[25] The largest religious denomination in Codrington-Central is Wesleyan Holiness, making up 24.81% of the population. 3.76% of the population is Rastafarian.[26]
Codrington-Central has a living condition index of 13.6, slightly higher than Willikies-East in Saint Philip.[21] Codrington-Central has an income weight of 1.88, making it an upper low income area, exactly the same as Barnes Hill (East), Carlisle, and Wapping Lane (South) in Antigua.[22]
Unmet basic needs in Codrington-Central include 17.98% of people having an unmet basic need for housing, 2.25% for sanitation, 2.62% for fuel, 0.37% for light, 3.00% for information, 22.47% of people having one or more UBN, 3.37% of people having two or more UBNs, and 0.37% of people having three or more UBNs.[27]
Codrington-South Airport
Codrington-South Airport contains the word "Airport" in its name due to the Barbuda Codrington Airport being located in/near the enumeration district. Codrington-South has 268 people. 92.78% of residents were born in Antigua and Barbuda, with the largest minority immigrant group being those born in the Commonwealth of Dominica, who make up 1.90% of the population.[28] 96.96% of the population is African descendant, 2.28% of the population is Mixed Black/White, 0.38% of the population is other mixed, and 0.38% of the population is Syrian/Lebanese.[29] The largest religious denomination is Pentecostal, which make up 28.90% of the population. 8.75% of the population have no religion, and 1.52% of the population is Rastafarian.[30]
Codrington-South has a living condition index of 15.14, the highest in Codrington, with the living condition index being exactly the same as Bathlodge in Antigua.[21] While Codrington-South does have the highest living condition index in Codrington, Codrington-South is by far the lowest income only having an income weight of 1.60, similar to Green Hill and Clare Hall West in Antigua.[22]
Unmet basic needs in Codrington-Central include 11.41% of people having an unmet basic need for housing, 3.42% for sanitation, 1.52% for fuel, 1.90% for light, 1.52% for refuse collection, 1.14% for information, 16.35% have one or more UBNs, 3.80% have two or more UBNs, and 0.76% have three or more UBNs.[31]
Demographics
The town's unemployment rate is 6.58 percent, and the Living Condition Index (a measure of unmet basic requirements) is 14.05.[32] The town is categorized as "Urban" by the Antigua & Barbuda Statistics Department.
796 people were living in Codrington as of the 2011 census. Residents of Codrington are predominantly Black, Mixed, Hispanic, Syrian/Lebanese, and white, with 93.09% having African ancestry, 4.74% having Mixed Black/White heritage, 1.28% having other mixed heritage.[33] 88.35% of the people who live in Codrington were born in Antigua and Barbuda. Those born in Guyana, who make up 2.69% of the population, are the second largest group. 1.54% of the population was born in the United States. 1.41% of people were born in the Commonwealth of Dominica. 1.15% of the people of Codrington were born in Jamaica. 1.15% of the population was born in the US Virgin Islands. Other groups make up less than 1% each of the population.[34]
Religion
With 22.44% of the population, Wesleyan Holiness is the most prevalent religious denomination in the village. 20.13% of the population is Anglican. The Pentecostal population is 20.00% of the total. There are 2.82% Rastafarians. 4.49% of people identify as not religious. Other Christian denominations and a tiny number of adherents of other faiths make up the majority of the remaining population.[35]
There are 8 churches on Barbuda, all of them in Codrington, these churches are the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, the Pilgrim Holiness Church, the Living Faith Baptist Church, the Seventh Day Adventists, the Barbuda Pentecostal Church, the Hope Community Church, Abundant Life Ministries and The People’s Church.[36]
Holy Trinity Church is a parish in the Aruba Diocese in the Northeastern Caribbean. It is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Being the first church constructed on the island during the slave trade, this chapel is well-known among the Barbudan people. Barbuda received its early education from the Anglican Church, which also managed the Holy Trinity School until the government took possession in 1950.[37] In 1982, Pastor James Punter established the Living Faith Baptist Church. On Sundays, there are two service times: 11:00 am and 7:30 pm. The church runs a year-round campground in Rock Bay, which is close to Two Foot Bay.[38] The Barbuda Pentecostal Church is a part of the largest Evangelical movement in the Caribbean, the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies.[39] The Hope Community Church was once known as the Deeper Life Church.[40] The minister of The People's Church is Bishop Moses John. The church holds Sunday school at 10:00 am, morning worship at 11:00 am, and evening worship at 7:00 pm on Sundays.[41]
The only Christian radio station on Barbuda is The Abundant Life Radio. On 103.1 MHz and 103.9 MHz, the evangelist Clifton François, his wife Michal James-François, and numerous Barbudans broadcast daily.[42]
Economy
Most employees in Codrington fell into one of three categories, paid government employees, who make up 59.22% of workers, paid private employees, who make up 23.79% of workers, and self-employed without paid employees, who made up 8.98% of the population. The rest of the workers in Codrington mostly worked for statutory bodies, and self-employed with paid employees.[43] For job status, most people (73.97%) had a job and worked, or are retired and do not work (9.14%).[44]
Most workers in Codrington have a fixed place of work outside of the home (78.88%), 3.64% of workers work from home, and 16.99% of workers have no fixed place of work.[45]
There are 43 business owners in Codrington. 30.95% of businesses make less than $1,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars per month, 7.14% of businesses make between $1,000 and $1,999 per month, 21.43% of businesses make between $2,000 and $2,999 per month, 19.05% of businesses make between $3,000 and $4,999 per month, and 21.43% of businesses make more than $5,000 per month.[46]
There are 282 households in Codrington.[47] 73.40% of households in Codrington use concrete blocks as the main material of outer walls, 8.16% use wood, 7.45% use concrete, 5.67% use wood and concrete, 4.26% use other materials such as improvised, stone, stone and brick walls, and 1.06% use wood and brick.[47] 40.43% of households have one person, 18.09% have two people, 15.25% have three, 7.09% have four, 7.80% have five, 5.67% have six, 0.71% have seven, 2.13% have eight, and 2.84% of households have nine or more people.[48] 91.49% of housing units have metal roofing, 6.03% of housing units have wood shingles, 1.77% have concrete roofing, 0.35% have asphalt shingles, and 0.35% have other materials such as improvised, tarpaulin, and tile.[49] 61.35% of housing units are owned outright, 8.87% are rent free, 28.72% are rented private, 0.71% owned in another method such as leased, rented government, or squatted, and 0.35% of households do not know.[50] 1.06% of households have a leasehold tenure, and 98.94% have a freehold tenure.[51] This is due to the Barbuda Land Acts holding all land in common with the people of Barbuda, vested in the crown.
Infrastructure
Government offices
Barbuda Council Millennium Administration Building
After Hurricane Irma, the Council administration building is now fully functioning and serves as the headquarters for the Secretary of the Barbuda Council and a team of administrative staff. The Treasury, where bills and salaries are paid, is located right next door.[52] The tourism building is open daily for visits and offers information about Barbuda and has "a large team of Council staff" working there. There are crafts and mementos for sale occasionally.[52] After Hurricane Irma, the post office was repaired and is now open every day during regular hours for mail and stamp purchases.[52]
The Barbudan fisheries complex was opened in August 2011.[53] The complex also serves as the meeting place for the Barbuda Council.[52]
Police, fire, and hospital services
In a rented and renovated house on Barbuda, a temporary police station has been established from funding from the Peace, Love, and Happiness organization after many years of neglect, the absence of any facilities for holding suspects, and "unsuitable" working conditions for police personnel.[54]
Since Hurricane Irma, the Hanna Thomas Hospital has continuously received support from a variety of organizations, including the Indian government Aid Programme, PLH, Coco Point Trust, locals, and the Barbuda Council staff. It has been partially rebuilt and is currently equipped with wards for the majority of local emergencies, including a delivery room. It has a "experienced and qualified" pharmacist and a dedicated pharmacy with the majority of necessary medications on hand. Dr. Jeremy Deazle is the team's leader, and it includes a medical staff from Barbuda and doctors from Cuba.[54]
Most illnesses can be treated at the hospital for "reasonable" costs, but serious situations must be airlifted to Antigua if a pilot is available. Otherwise, a boat from the coast guard is deployed.[54] Barbuda also has a visiting dentist.[54]
Barbuda has a fire brigade on duty at the airport for both emergency services and every plane landing.[54]
Education
27.33% of Codrington residents attend school full time, mostly children. 1.17% of Codrington residents attend school part-time. 71.50% of Codrington residents do not attend school.[55] For those attending school, 55.91% of learners attend a government or government assisted primary school, 16.82% of learners attend a secondary school, 10.91% of learners attend a preschool, 5.00% of learners attend a daycare, 2.27% of learners attend a community/state college (inc. Sixth Form and Post Secondary), 2.73% of learners attend adult education, and 1.36% of learners attend a university. The remainder of learners participate in minority forms of education.[56]
All residents of Codrington were asked what their current or highest level of education was. 5.12% of all Codrington residents had no education, including those too young to attend school, 2.18% had a daycare education, 2.69% had a preschool education, 2.43% had an infant or kindergarten education, 7.04% of residents had a primary/elementary (1-3) education, 9.22% of residents had a primary/elementary (4-7) education, 15.62% of residents had a junior secondary education, 12.93% of residents had a secondary (form 1-3) education, 21.51% of residents, the largest group, had a secondary (form 4-5) education, 0.38% of residents had a sixth form (A'Level) - lower education, 0.51% of residents had a sixth form (A'Level) - upper education, 1.28% of residents had a post-secondary education, 5.51% of residents had a post secondary/pre-university/college education, 0.64% of residents had a post primary - vocational/trade education, 0.38% of residents had a special school/special education. 2.05% of residents had a university education, 1.66% of residents had a other education, and 8.83% of residents didn't know or didn't state their education.[57]
64.02% of all residents had no examination, 3.33% of residents had a school leaving certificate, 2.05% of residents had a high school certificate, 6.02% of residents had a Cambridge School/CXC examination, 6.79% of residents had a GCE 'O' level/CXC General examination, 0.64% of residents had a GCE 'A' Levels, CAPE examination, 3.59% of residents had a college certificate, 1.92% of residents had an Associate Degree, 1.66% of residents had a Batchelor's Degree, 0.26% of residents had a Professional Certificate, 0.26% of residents had a Master's or Doctoral Degree, and 9.48% of residents didn't know or didn't state their examination.[58]
Educational facilities
The Barbuda Council offers subsidized daycare for the infants and young children of Council employees. Additionally, there are private daycare centers in Codrington, albeit the majority are still closed following Hurricane Irma and the COVID-19 pandemic.[59]
The Barbuda Council operates a preschool in Codrington that enjoys long-term financial support from the Coco Point Trust Fund as well as regular contributions from other sponsors. The Council also maintains and staffs the preschool. Since Hurricane Irma, it has been almost entirely rebuilt and renovated, but it largely stayed closed before, during, and after Covid. The head teacher is Elaine Teague.[60]
The first school established on Barbuda was the Holy Trinity Primary School. Two powerful hurricanes, Luis and Irma, completely destroyed it, but the Council rebuilt it. Charlene Harris is the principal.[61]
The Barbuda Caribana Festival takes place every year in May and features events including the Teenage Pageant, Caribana Queen Show, Calypso competitions, and weekend beach parties.[62]
From an early age, students are encouraged to participate in sports in school. Two Barbuda Council employees have been designated to support sports in the local area.[63]
The success of the Anguilla professional tennis program served as inspiration for the construction of the village tennis court, which is available to use 24 hours a day by anyone who wishes to play a game.[64] The court has been utilized by school groups for CXC athletics tests, and in the past, Barbuda had a Tennis Association. Barbuda has consequently given rise to a few "strong" tennis players. After Hurricane Irma, the court's surface has been restored. For casual games, the court is still frequently utilized.[64]
The floodlit basketball court is where the Vipers, Young Warriors, Rockers, Flip-mo, Boars, and Vikings teams compete in a league table structure, with the top teams moving on to the playoffs. The basketball season on Barbuda typically begins in August.[65]
Antigua and Barbuda
Barbuda
