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Barbados Comes to Atlanta

Barbadians attending the ‘Barbados Comes to Atlanta’ (BCTA) Memorial weekend events, got an opportunity to share their views with members of the Barbados Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC).

***Barbados’ Consul General to Miami, Rudy Grant, welcoming the audience at the town hall meeting.***

Barbados’ Consul General to Miami, Rudy Grant, in his welcome address at the Town Hall meeting, held this morning at the Clayton County International Park in Atlanta, Georgia, told the audience that the session provided them with the opportunity to say what they wanted to see in the new Constitution, and indicate how it would be shaped.

He stressed consultations such as these were “extremely important,” and persons at home and abroad should seize the opportunity “to contribute to this very important document which will inform how the country will function”.

From left: Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Reform Commission, Senator Gregory Nicholls; Barbados’ Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States, Noel Lynch, and Commissioner, Senator The Reverend Canon Dr. John Rogers, in conversation at the event. (A. Reid/BGIS)

Members of the CRC participating in the final overseas Town Hall meeting were: Chairman and retired Justice Christopher Blackman; Deputy Chairman Senator Gregory Nicholls; Commissioners Senator The Reverend Canon Dr. John Rogers; Attorney-at-Law Sade Jemmott, as well as Secretary to the Commission and University of the West Indies lecturer, Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles.

In his introductory remarks, Justice Blackman (retired) stated that part of the CRC’s mandate was to consult both locally and abroad with persons, about what provisions they would like included in the Constitution “for the development of Barbados”.

He told those attending: “As a Commission, we are here to listen, [and] hear what you want to say to us. I think I should tell you all that every proposal may not be appropriate for inclusion in the Constitution…. However, I will also say, if you say something to us that we think has significance, that may require some alteration to the other substantive laws of the country. We commit to making that recommendation for consideration by the powers that be.”

The main discussion centred around Barbadian citizens living abroad having the right to participate in the electoral process. While most attendees seemed in favour, Father Richard Winston proposed that persons who have registered businesses employing residents could be considered as a category of persons eligible to vote.

***Shamara Callender was one of the many Barbadian citizens by descent who contributed to the discussion on reforming Barbados’ Constitution.***

However, Shamara Callender, a 23-year-old Barbadian citizen by descent said: “I don’t necessarily think that they should be allowed the right to vote in the Barbados General Elections because, as stated, they do not necessarily have to live with the consequences of [the] results of the election on a day-to-day basis.”

Both Ms. Callender and Donna Hope proposed having a Diaspora Representative be part of a Council that submits the views, ideas and concerns of persons living overseas to the Government of Barbados.

Rosalind Sealy, in her contribution, suggested that the President of Barbados and Senators should be elected and not chosen by the Government. She further stated that election times should be regulated and not called “willy nilly”; and leaders should have term limits and not be allowed to serve “as long as they wanted”.

***Audience members listening attentively to the presentations made and responses given by members of the Barbados Constitutional Reform Commission in Atlanta, Georgia.***

Other topics raised included laws regarding the rights of children, parents and one’s sexuality; checks and balances of Government operations; the size of the Cabinet; public sector reform; more involvement of the ordinary citizen in crafting policies; and a suggestion that the relationship between labour and the private and public sectors should be rooted in the Constitution.

Deputy Chairman, Senator Gregory Nicholls, informed the attendees that they could visit the CRC’s website https://www.crcbarbados.com/ and that they could submit any further suggestions via email to constitutionalreform@barbados.gov.bb. Previous to the meeting in Atlanta, the CRC visited the United Kingdom in March; and New York, Boston, and Toronto in May 2023. (PR/GIS)

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Centenarian Celebrates Her Dominica-Barbados-UK Connection

Josephine Bailey Celebrated

One of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Josephine Bailey, celebrated her 100th birthday on September 27, 2024, at her home in Dalkeith Village, St. Michael.

In addition to family members and some close friends, one of her specially invited guests was President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

One of Mrs. Bailey’s daughters, Judith Lockhart, shared that her mother was born in Castle Bruce, a village on the east coast of Dominica, where she also attended school. After school, the centenarian, who worked in agriculture, made an initial visit to Barbados around the age of 18 and decided to stay, working in retail stores in Bridgetown.

Ms. Lockhart also shared that her mother had a stall in town where she would take them as small children, to work with her.

“She had a market stall, fruits and vegetables, and then after that she left…. It was nursing that gave her the opportunity to go to England and train as a nurse,” she said.

When asked by Her Excellency whether the centenarian was a disciplinarian, Ms. Lockhart remarked that as teenagers they were allowed to attend social events with the understanding that they were to return “by a particular time” or face being disciplined.

She said her mother insisted that all four of them attend evening classes, even while at school, to learn additional trades and be better prepared for the future. “Mum was very passionate about us doing something with our lives. Her motto was ‘always be independent …and look out for yourself’,” Ms. Lockhart said.

Always goal oriented, Mrs. Bailey applied to be trained as a nurse in the United Kingdom (UK), and became a member of the Windrush Generation, who emigrated there at the invitation of the British Government to be trained and to help rebuild England after the Second World War.

*Barbados’ newest centenarians, Josephine Bailey poses with President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason and family during her birthday celebrations*.

After four years of training, she worked in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), in hospitals such as St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington and Royal Free Hospital in Camden. While in the UK, Mrs. Bailey (nee Lockhart) married a Barbadian and continued living there.

In the latter part of her career with the NHS, Mrs. Bailey worked at the Community Health Centre, which included family planning and home visits to patients. Earning the respect of her patients, peers, and leadership team, she was selected to meet Queen Elizabeth II, during an official visit to open a section of the Queen’s Park Heath Centre.

Mrs. Bailey retired at age 65, returned to Barbados, and settled down in Dalkeith Village, St. Michael, an area with which she was familiar.

She kept active in her kitchen garden and in church at the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church. She also taught at the St. Patrick’s Primary School; spent time with family and friends; did some cooking and travelled.

Her Excellency presented Mrs. Bailey with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a personalised card, which was followed by a toast to the centenarian.

Mrs. Bailey, a widower, had four children, nine grandchildren (one deceased), and seven great-grandchildren.

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Millie Ifill Fish Market At Weston, St. James Re-Opens

The Millie Ifill Fish Market facility, at Weston, St. James, reopened on Saturday after receiving a BDS $2.7 million upgrade, thanks to the Barbados Port Inc. (BPI).

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, the BPI began upgrading the facility designed by Architectural Designer & Project Manager, Rianne Greaves, in May 2023. Completion of the state-of-the-art vending and fish processing disabled-friendly building occurred in July 2024.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, under whose portfolio the BPI falls, noted that similar to other large-scale community developmental projects, the Millie Ifill Fish Market project is expected to demonstrate a high level of benefits, including enhanced social experiences for residents and visitors, and improved infrastructural development.

He added that the initiative is part of a wider undertaking of Government to upgrade the island’s fishing facilities.

“We hope that this building will serve as a beacon of inspiration to a new generation of workers in the fishing industry, and a testament to this Government’s commitment to upgrading fishing facilities in line with the requisite standards that support fish handling and the retail of fresh catches to the domestic, hospitality, packaging, and distributing sectors,” Mr. Gooding-Edghill stated.

He also highlighted other initiatives under the BPI’s Social Responsibility Programme, including the renovation of the Speightstown Jetty, the Pile Bay Fishing Facility, the Bridgetown Port Fire Station, and the Shallow Draught Marina.

The Minister encouraged users of the facility to be forerunners in the maintenance of the property and upkeep of equipment.

Minister of the Environment, National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy, Adrian Forde; Member of Parliament for the area, Edmund Hinkson; and Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox, agreed with Minister Gooding-Edghill that it was important for those using the facility assist with its maintenance and care the equipment.

Dr. Cox said the upgraded Millie Ifill Fish Market in Weston stands out in the community “as a diamond on the West, not only aesthetically pleasing but fit for purpose”.

She added: “This world-class facility raises the profile and catalyses the sustainable development of the fisheries sector. In our thrust towards aspiring to excellence and promoting seafood quality assurance in the post-harvest sector, this building epitomises the highest standard of excellence. It is outfitted with the amenities and equipment to support the processing and sale of good quality fish and promote the improvement of sanitary measures. The facility also provides a space to encourage social interaction and a hub for fisherfolk and members of the Weston Fisherfolk and Community Organisation.”

The upgraded facility, constructed by Empire Building and Construction, boasts a main office, shutters, an ice machine, a chiller room, a walk-in freezer, a high-tech security system, fish offal storage, a public toilet with disabled provisions, a public shower, separate fish retail and processing areas, vendors bathrooms with showers, a lunchroom, and improved sidewalk with disabled access.

The facility is named after former centenarian and well-known fish vendor Millicent Ifill, who touched many lives in the Weston, St. James community. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Member of Parliament, St. James North, Edmund Hinkson and Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, unveil a plaque to commemorate the reopening of the Millie Ifill Fish market facility on Saturday, while Ministers Chad Blackman and Adrian Forde and government officials look on.

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ETA For Travel To Kenya Required

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade advises that all persons, including infants and children, must complete an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) form in order to travel to the Republic of Kenya.

This new requirement results from policy changes, which took effect this year, whereby holders of Ordinary Barbados Passports have to obtain an ETA at least 72 hours before their intended visit to Kenya. However, it is recommended that applications be submitted at least two weeks prior to travel to ensure adequate time for processing.

The cost for Kenya’s ETA is US $32.50 per traveller, plus banking and processing fees. The ETA is valid only for a single trip, and a new authorisation must be obtained for every subsequent visit to Kenya.

Holders of Diplomatic Barbados Passports must apply for an ETA at least 72 hours before their intended visit to Kenya, but they will be exempted from payment if certified by letter that they are on official duty.

For ETA applications and guidelines, persons should visit the official website https://www.etakenya.go.ke.