Human Chain Link 2016 Coverage

THE HUMAN CHAIN Link in celebration of Barbados 50th anniversary of Independence is gradually forming around the island.

In Holetown, St James a number of people started to started to gather just before 10 a.m.

Some of them participated in the first attempt at a chain link in 1979.

The group included tourists, students of the St James Primary school and families who all want to “hug Barbados.

Though still missing many links, the hope of those on location is to see a complete chain. (TKS)

At left, in Speightstown, little Myles Rock’s family ensured he was part of the experience. (Picture by Tameisha Sobers.)

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BARBADIANS DRESSED in National Colours have turned up in their numbers at Bay Street, St Michael to take part in the Human Chain Link. 

Some groups had assembled from as early as 8:30 a.m. and those who came later had to travel elsewhere to fill in gaps along the stretch. 

Government senators including Maxine McClean and Darcy Boyce were spotted near the Bay Street Esplanade, along with representatives of corporate entities and school groups. Among them were staff of Dollarwise, the Seventh Day Adventist School, St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Primary School and St Ursula’s. 

There was also great fanfare and cheers when two military officials made a parachute descent onto the nearby Browne’s Beach and the YMPC pasture. (TG) 

At left, students of St Ursula’s along Bay Street. (Picture by Tre Greaves.)

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PARENTS AND TEACHERS connected to the St Mark’s Primary School were this morning busy preparing the children to be part of the historic human chain link around Barbados for its 50th year of independence.

Things were not as hectic however just a half mile further up as the only visible sign of preparation was a lone police officer anticipating the link to connect at the entrance to Blades Hill, St Philip. (JS)

 At left, The little ones at St Mark’s Primary School getting ready to be part of the human chain link. (Picture by John Sealy.)

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EXCITEMENT WAS BUILDING on one of the major arteries in St Michael.

The human chain started to form as students of the Westbury Primary School joined workers from the area in the One People One Barbados effort at uniting the country for the 50th anniversary of independence.

Traffic continued to wiz by on the busy Spring Garden Highway but participants maintained a safe distance under sunny conditions. The hand-holding is a second attempt at a 1979 event.

It was Rhonda Phillips’s (above) second chain link since she participated in 1979 effort when she was a child.

“I feel great. I don’t know if I’ll get another one,” she said. (AC)

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EXCITEMENT filled the air along the South Coast during the Human Chain Link this morning.

Smiles flashed across the faces of local and visitors who gathered with family and friends to show their national pride.

People from all walks of life, many of whom sported national colours, joined hands while braving the hot sun. At some parts of the link, typically areas without shade, there were gaps.

Some participants whispered “we don’t want to be in no hot sun” as the marshal stationed at the area tried to convince them to fill the spaces. Maurice Foster, who was intimately involved in the November 30, 1979 human chain link, also participated. He was standing along Rockley, Christ Church. (LT)

Staff from Moore Paragon enjoying the Human Chain Link in Rockley, Christ Church. 

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BRAVING THE HOT morning sun many Barbadians made it their business to show unity via the human chain link. Along the Oistins to Maxwell route the Nation Online team witnessed students, visitors, fisherfolk and many companies take part in the symbol of nationhood.

English visitor Pauline Williams said she could not be happier to be a part of the initiative and was very thankful to the organisers. “I will not be here for the 75th, so I’m really happy right now to take part,” she said.

Entertainer Tamara Marshall who was just outside of Massy Supermarkets Oistins said she was taking part in honour of her grandfather Joseph Marshall. “I’m really happy to be here sharing this very special moment and I will never forget it as long as I live,” she said before linking hands with the Nation Publishing’s gym instructor Patricia Evanson.

Evanson said she was so ecstatic to be a part of this as she was in the first chain link in 1979. National surfer Joseph Burke, who was with his dad Alan Burke and immediate family along the Maxwell, Christ Church stretch, said that they were just happy to celebrate in such a way with the rest of Barbadians. (MR)

Students from Christ Church Girls’ School in Oistins, Christ Church.