The St James Parish?Independence Committee brought its project They Taught . . . Let’s Teach to an official end last Sunday in a well organized, elegant and impactful awards ceremony at the picturesque Holders House, St James.
The project focused on the residents of St James who have made an outstanding contribution to their community.
Invited guests listened intently as emcee Maurice Norville took the audience down memory lane, examining the lives of the 14 awardees, two of whom were honoured posthumously.
The awardees, from all walks of life, were Dorial Branch, Sir Albert Graham, Oscar Lovell, George Francis, Peter Skeete, Gwendolyn Coggins, George Forte, Morris Greenidge, Wilma Bovell, Violet Downes, Neville Blackman, Franklyn Stephenson, Edwin Hurley and Everton Hinds. All but three personally accepted their awards for lives well lived in service to their community.
Stephenson did not attend the ceremony and Lady Graham, wife of the late Sir Albert Graham, accepted the award on behalf of her husband, while Eulalie Blackman accepted the award on behalf of her brother the late Neville The Great Carew Blackman.
Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for St James South Donville Inniss delivered the feature address.
Entertainment was provided by St James Primary School students who performed two pieces written by awardee Francis entitled Boom, Tick, Tick and Keep Your Eye On The Flag.
Singer Kenneth Armstrong gave two inspirational performances of Beautiful Barbados and He Raised Me Up. Armstrong was in fine voice and left his audience truly inspired. Accomplished pianist David Reece delivered Island In the Sun and an interlude of steel pan music was played by Jason Williams.
The evening was brought to a fitting close when surprise guest artiste and calypsonian Popsicle took centrestage and performed some of his tunes.
The awardees were presented with their awards by Jodie Kidd, model and resident of Holders House, under the watchful eye of her mother Wendy Kidd. (PR/NS)
