EMPIRE CELEBRATES SIR FRANK WORRELL’S CENTENARY

(Article and photos by Christopher Williams)

The Empire Club members paid tribute yesterday and celebrated one of its outstanding members and one of Barbados’ great cricketers, Sir Frank Worrell. It was indeed a fitting acknowledgment to a son of the soil who went on to change the status quo of the white world when people of colour were marginalized. Starting from a humble Bajan upbringing Frank Worrell would use his cricket talent to climb to the top of the world of cricket. He became the West Indies team’s first black captain and led them with distinction.

Yesterday, therefore saw the celebration of both significant landmarks for our country; Emancipation Day and the centenary of the birth of Frank Worrell. President of the Empire Club Melvin Ibo Oxley has promised that the Empire Club will celebrate the birthday of Sir Frank Worrell and its illustrious members each year on 1st August. The early morning ceremony included a visit to the house where Sir Frank Worrell lived. This house is perfectly located just beyond the boundaries of the Empire’s grounds. Prayers, poetry, tributes, and steelpan music formed part of the ceremony at the house.

President Oxley also rededicated the main gate at the club to Sir Frank Worrell. He noted that work has started on transforming the gate into a fitting monument to a great Barbadian, a true statesman, and an outstanding member of the Empire Club.