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Poet Invited To Accompany Prime Minister To UK Lecture

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was so moved by the deep philosophical writings by Poet Laureate Esther Phillips that she publicly invited her to accompany her to the United Kingdom (UK) to deliver a lecture put on by Oxfam later in the year.

Addressing the audience on hand for “An Evening with Poet Laureate” Esther Phillips at Ilaro Court, last Friday, Ms. Mottley praised the poet, saying “we are extremely pleased to have you share your feelings, memories and perspectives, and above all else, the wisdom this country needs to hear”.

She stated: “I tend to use very simple language now because I understand that seeing people, hearing people and feeling people, must become a daily habit…. What you shared with us today reinforces in me why the message of encouraging not just Barbadians, but all across this world to see each other, feel each other and hear each other.”

Ms. Mottley continued: “I want to salute you and I want to publicly invite you. Oxfam has been running me down to do a lecture in the United Kingdom and I probably will accept it later this year. I don’t like to do a lot of lectures now but only when I have something to say and there’s a lecture that I want to give and I found the perfect opening in the poems that you have just read with us tonight.”

The Prime Minister told Ms. Phillips that she hopes she accepts her invitation to travel with her when the dates are finalised.

Ms. Phillips’ poetry readings were divided in two categories: Love and a Selection of Poems from the Plantation Collections of Poems.

Under the theme of Love, she read Seashells, Yesterday, Memory, and Measure. In the Plantation Collection, the poems depicted the horrors of transatlantic slavery and the need for justice.

In that category, the audience paid rapt attention as she read: Drax Hall; The Price of Milk; My Ancestors Gifted Me Their Silence – When Silence is Not; Hard Love; Wanderer; Brother; He Called for Momma – In Memory of George Floyd.

One of the highlights of the evening was a poem written in 2018 entitled A Tribute to The Hon. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

Ms. Phillips was touched by the gesture and assured that she aspires daily to live up to the words in her poems. (PR/GIS)

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley expressing her deep appreciation to Poet Laureate Esther Phillips, who presented her with a copy of the poem A Tribute to the Prime Minister, The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley.

Local

EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

Local

Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

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SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George