As one who was born and grew up in the countryside of Barbados – Lowes Road, Ellerton, St George, to be precise – I, like other country people, had no need to buy sugar cane.
We could beg the owners of the canefield for a piece of sugar cane. Or we would also beg the watchman at the various plantations around the parish for a piece, which was usually granted.
It must be noted that the cane was for eating purposes only and was not for selling. As I still live in the countryside, I have found it very strange to see people selling pieces of sugar cane for a living along the streets and especially at the roundabouts.
My question this week is: Where are those vendors getting the cane from? When a reporter questioned the vendors recently as to where the cane came from, he was told that they sourced them from a friend. But what was the friend’s source? Are they planting their own canes? Are they buying it wholesale from the cane growers (plantations)? These are things we must know.
If the answer is no, then the law enforcement agents must act. Do not tell me that I am stopping a poor black man from earning an honest dollar.
I felt the pain of farmer Richard Armstrong from Sunbury Plantation when he recently spoke on David Ellis’ programme 6:30 on the Voice Of Barbados when he highlighted the problems of daily crop theft.
I was disappointed that the WEEKEND NATION of Friday, May 2, could carry an article dealing with some sugar cane vendors who claimed that the sale of the sugar cane was slow. I do feel that the police should interview all those sugar cane vendors and find out where they are getting the product from. Come on, police, let us get some action from you.
Anglican Synod
The annual Synod of the Anglican Church will be held from Sunday until Tuesday from 5 p.m. each day Archbishop Dr John Holder will deliver his charge to the church at the Cathedral of St Michael and All Angels.
The business session will be held on Monday and Tuesday at the Christ Church Parish Church.
Commemorative service
The annual Commemorative Service of Codrington College will take place tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the college.
It begins with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, followed by the graduation of seminarians and candidates of the diploma in theological studies.
Deepest sympathy
It is with great regret that we learnt of the death of Glencora Titus, who died on Saturday, May 10. She was a former principal of Alexandra School. Titus served as head of the St Peter institution from 1986 to 1994.
She is survived by her husband Canon Noel Titus, former principal of Codrington College, and children.
May she rest in Jesus Christ and rise in glory. This column expresses its deepest sympathy to her husband and children.
We also learnt of the death of Thelma Anita Jordan, the sister of Canon Winston Layne. She was buried at St Catherine Church yesterday. Deepest sympathy to Canon Layne.
100th anniversary
The Penuel Moravian Church, Sweet Vale, St George, will be celebrating its 100th anniversary service on Sunday at 5 p.m. The celebration continues with three nights of renewal services from Wednesday to Friday at 7:15 p.m. The preacher will be the Rev. Dr Cortroy Jarvis out of Antigua and chairman of the PEC.
