Marking an historic moment for the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK, we are launching a campaign in search of relatives of one of the the first Welsh settlers of the uninhabited Islands in 1658.
Marking an historic moment for the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK, we are launching a campaign in search of relatives of one of the the first Welsh settlers of the uninhabited Islands in 1658.
The two first settlers of our previously uninhabited tropical paradise were believed to be a Welshman called ‘Walter’ and a Cornishman called ‘Bawden’ – both said to have been members of Cromwell’s forces in the West Indies. Their names subsequently morphed into ‘Watler’ and ‘Bodden’, which to this day are prevalent family names on the Islands.
The search for relatives of Caymans’ first settlers is part of a campaign to raise the awareness, knowledge and understanding of the 360-year relationship that exists between the Cayman Islands and Wales and Britain.
Commenting on the Cayman Welsh connection, Eric Bush, Cayman Islands Representative to the UK said:
“Just like the Welsh, we are immensely proud of our national identity, culture and history. Cayman has a rich and diverse population today – but it all began with these original two settlers, including a Welshman called ‘Walter’.
“It would be great to find a family or persons from Wales that may have a connection with the Watler who settled in the Islands 360 years ago.”
Research shows that Walter/Walters is a commonly found name in Wales with notable concentrations in around Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and Pembrokeshire – it can be traced back more than 500 years. We are hoping to find those who might be able to prove a direct link, and if we do, our aim is to offer them the chance of a lifetime to visit our beautiful islands and reunite them with Caymanian Watlers.
To enter for a chance to be considered. Welsh Walter/Walters or Watlers should fill in the form above.
Alternatively, entries can be accepted by completing your own research through Ancestry.com; and posting across social platforms Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #IamCayman.
Terms & Conditions
CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT IN THE UK
Welsh Campaign rules
1. Employees of the Cayman Islands Government Office or anyone connected with the promotion are not eligible to enter.
2. The initative is open to all persons aged 18 years or over.
3. To be considered for the opportunity of receiving a trip to the Cayman Islands, entrants must be able to prove they have direct links to original Caymanian Walter / Walters / Watler, after which these applications will be considered by the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK
4. The trip to the Cayman Islands is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash or any alternative. The holiday cannot be sold or auctioned. The sponsor reserves the right to substitute part or all of the prize with an alternative of equal or greater
value.
5. This holiday is for a maximum of two people, (the selected person and a travel companion), flights must be booked together and the selected person and travel partner must travel together. If the selected person does not choose an accompanying travel partner the other ticket will be forfeited.
6. The holiday will be arranged in conjunction with official events and social engagements in the Cayman Islands which the competition winner and their companion are expected to attend. The holiday must be taken within a given validity period provided by the Cayman Islands Government.
7. All entries must be received by deadline date (31st August 2018 – 23:59) to qualify.
8. The selected person will be the entry which has proven the closest links to the original Walter/ Walters /Watler settlers, and with which has been deemed appropriate by the Cayman Islands Government.
9. The judge’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. The selected person and travel partner will abide by and be subject to these Official Rules and the terms and conditions of the hotel booking and the passenger conditions of carriage set by the airlines(s)
10. No purchase is necessary.
11. The name of the selected person can be obtained by sending a S.A.E. to the promoter’s address, or by emailing info@cigouk.ky 12. Only one entry per household.
13. The opportunity includes: two economy class flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Grand Cayman either direct or
via any interconnecting airports, 7 nights’ accommodation – Bed & Breakfast, organised and confirmed by the Cayman Islands Government Office in the UK.
14. The opportunity also includes local (on island) airport transfers to/from the hotel, and reunion arrangements made by the Cayman Islands Government.
15. Any part of the holiday not accepted, unclaimed or unused by the selected person will be forfeited.
16. The selected person will be responsible for all other costs of a personal nature, for example remaining meals, travel to and from LHR and travel insurance, which should be purchased at the time the holiday booking is confirmed.
17. Once the holiday is booked and confirmed any costs incurred due to alterations made by the selected person will be at their personal expense. If the selected person cancels the holiday no alternative booking will be made and the holiday will be deemed to have been forfeited and no compensation or refund will be paid.
18. The actual value of the holiday may vary based on airfare fluctuations and period of travel.
19. The selected person, upon accepting the holiday, agrees to participate in any public relation opportunities to promote the destination.
20. It is the responsibility of the selected person to ascertain if visitors’ visas are required for travel and if so that they ensure these are obtained in sufficient time before travel and that the cost of the visas will be at the selected person’s
expense.
21. Limitation of Liability – Disclaimer of Warranties
Entrants, selected person/s and travel partners agree to release and hold harmless the promotion entities from any and all liability, for loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death which may occur in connection with, preparation for, travel to, or participation in promotion, or possession, acceptance and/or use or misuse of holiday or participation in any promotion- related activity and for any claims based on publicity rights, defamation or invasion of privacy, misappropriation, false association, copyright infringement, trademark infringement or any other intellectual property-related cause of
action, breach of contract, and/or merchandise delivery. Without limiting the foregoing, this promotion, the page, the app and the holiday are provided "as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement, as permitted by law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the promotion entities shall not be liable for any inability on the part of the selected person of the holiday to travel as scheduled due to weather conditions, fire, natural disaster, industrial or labour dispute, war, terrorist activity, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil
commotion, or any other circumstances beyond the control of the promotion entities.
Entrants agree that the promotion entities are not responsible or liable for any damages or losses of any kind, including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages arising out of access to and use of the page, app, holiday and/or the promotion, and downloading from and/or printing material downloaded from any websites or apps associated with the promotion.