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MONUMENT IN BRIDGETOWN PORT

Minister in the Prime Minister ‘s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight said the decision to erect a monument in National Heroes Square in honour of the Barbadian family was part of government’s wider plans for urban renewal.

She expressed this view today during a press conference to announce the winners of Ministry’s Monument Design Competition in the Courtyard of Parliament.

The team of Vincent Jones and Hugh Holder emerged victorious from 11 competitors with their design We Loyal Sons and Daughters All. They received a cash prize of $15 000.

Brian Talma’s The Monument to the Barbadian Family earned him the second prize of $ 7,000. Reunionby Sheena Weekes, Israel Mapp and Jamal Weekes, received $ 3, 000 for their design.

The Minister underscored the importance of renewing city spaces and pointed out: “If we think about all of the things that are happening within the context of this City space, that will in the future transform it in fundamental ways, [and] we look across to the Fairchild Street Market upgrade, where the government is ensuring that what we would call the hucksters and the vendors now have proper accommodation, that is safe, and is well lighted and is secure…It is the ordinary people and the social transformation that this process is about,” Senator Dr. Munro-Knight underlined.

She further stated: “When we look at the renaming of the bus stand. Again, who does that reflects? Us. The Jackie Amphitheatre, who does that reflect? Us. So that when we talk about monuments and when we talk about urban renewal in this context, it is about imbuing national consciousness for us. It is not just about the statue itself, it’s about the message that this sends to our society. That is the journey….”

Minister Munro-Knight also encouraged Barbadians to continue the journey for generations to come, so that they would have a better understanding of the legacy left by previous generations and prevent past mistakes.

Caption: Minister in the Prime Minister ‘s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, presents Hugh Holder (centre) and Vincent Jones with their prize for winning the Monument Design Competition, today. Their design is entitled We Loyal Sons and Daughters All

She added that a monument depicting the struggles and successes of the Barbadian family, whom she described as the “greatest national hero, should be erected in the heart of the family since there were other monuments and places of significance in recognition of the island’s national heroes.

Senator Dr. Munro-Knight told her audience: “That the family, the men and the women and the children who are here, are critical in forging the Barbados that my grandchildren, your grandchildren, great grandchildren will come to know…..it is the family and the stories of the Bussas and the Nanny Grigg’s and their struggle that defined this country.

“And why should they not be celebrated right in the heart of Bridgetown and our City. All throughout this country we have other monuments and places of significance for our national heroes. What better national hero than a family?

The Minister further stated: “What better national hero than the family. What better national hero than the men and women…the average men and women who by their hands and their toil and their struggle, continue day-to-day life [with] their love and pride for this country are the ones who have helped us and I’m exceedingly proud of all of us as a country that we have come to this particular moment.”

Dr. Munro-Knight reflected on the process from the launch of the Competition on May 15, during the Season of Emancipation, on the day recognised as the United Nations International Day of the Family, and reiterated that the decision to erect a monument to the family in National Heroes Square was one that was transparent and involved the input from society. (PR/GIS)

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SPECIAL POLLING DAY NOTICE

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FundAccess To Host Legal Clinic Workshop from May 13th

Entrepreneurs will soon get another opportunity to learn about critical legal matters that are key to the operation of their businesses.

FundAccess will be hosting The Legal Clinic Workshop, which will commence on Tuesday, May 13, and continue each Tuesday, until May 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The workshop will be facilitated by Attorney-at-law Ondene Kirton and participants will discuss Understanding Business Legal Structures; Contracts & Agreements; Employment Law & Compliance; and Examination of the Various Laws Relating to Small Business.

During those sessions, the participants will be exposed to sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations – pro and cons; how to choose the right legal structure for a business; the importance of contracts in business operations; avoiding common contract pitfalls; and employee rights & employer responsibilities, among others. Some of the pieces of legislation to be examined include the Employment Rights Act and National Insurance and Social Security Act.

Interested persons may attend the workshop in person at FundAccess’ Pinfold Street, Bridgetown location, or online via the Zoom Platform. To register, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/3Fu09Jv.

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Centenarian Built On Firm Foundation Set By Grandmother

“Trust God first” is the mantra of one of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Athelstan Browne, who celebrated his 100th birthday on April 29, 2025, at his home in Montrose, Christ Church, surrounded by family and friends.

One of his specially invited guests was President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

Mr. Browne shared that he grew up “not knowing a mummy” as his mother passed away at age 23, when he was two years old, and his brother was only one year old.

Crediting his grandmother for his upbringing, Mr. Brown remarked: “I had a real good, good grandmother that raised two of us, and everything we learn before we went to school, she taught us.”

Pointing to a humble yet deeply religious upbringing, Mr. Browne said: “I and my brother slept on the floor. Our grandmother spread things down there, and she just put the pillow under our head.”

He recalled that they had to sing the hymn “Under the Blood” before going to bed, and first thing in the morning before they had breakfast, which usually consisted of “a cup of tea and two biscuits”. Adding that the hymn was “our song”, Mr. Browne sang the hymn from memory.

Stressing that his grandmother was a great provider, he noted: “My grandmother had land, and she would work the land…. We would eat raw potato, raw okras, (green) peas, cucumbers…. The only thing we did not eat was raw yams and eddoes.”

Mr. Browne continues to enjoy his ground provisions “with a little rice”, as he likes his rice with green peas, and if available, chicken boiled with the rice. “I am a fish man,” he remarked, eating it either fried or with a “stew sauce”.

Continuing to nurture his Christian beliefs, he joined the Mount Ararat United Holy Church (currently in Dayrell’s Road, Christ Church) in 1967, at age 33, and has continued there ever since.

Once the Superintendent of the Sunday School at the church, Mr. Browne is still instrumental in providing leadership to the youth there. “I have a crowd of young people at church that love me…especially when I have to talk to them…. It is what they should hear and what they should have,” he said.

The centenarian was raised in Montrose, Christ Church, and attended the Christ Church Boys’ School (now Milton Lynch Primary School). After leaving school, Mr. Browne initially took to agriculture but then worked cutting soft stone in two quarries in Christ Church.

In 1947, at the age of 22, he decided to join the US Farm Labour Programme and took the first Pan American Airlines flight out of Barbados. Over 10 years later, Mr. Browne returned to Barbados and married Monica Browne (deceased). Together, they built the house where he currently resides.

Returning to his roots in agriculture, the centenarian worked at the Ridge Plantation, Christ Church, until retirement. He also planted and reaped ground produce at home, as well as planted and cut canes.

Mr. Browne, who is generally in good health and has a sharp memory, still works around the home and enjoys reading, which he does without glasses. He also keeps in touch with his family in New York and North Carolina, and will do some travelling, but he is always ready to return home.

After toasting the centenarian, Her Excellency remarked: “You are in the midst of a lot of love, and I am sure you are going to enjoy the rest of your birthday. I am really happy to have met you. I am grateful for the work that you still continue to do with our young people because a lot of them lack direction, and we, nowadays, don’t take enough time to sit down and speak with them…. We don’t remind them that they are important, that they are somebody.”

Mr. Browne responded: “You got to make them understand what … the Lord expects of them… We have to acknowledge the Lord.”

Mr. Browne has two children, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. (PR/GIS)

Caption: President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and Barbados’ newest centenarian Athelstan Browne take a walk outside during his birthday celebrations in Montrose, Christ Church