Local

Prime Minister Mottley Remembers Former MP, Mark Williams

This morning, when I received the news of the passing of Mark Williams and reflected on the man I knew, I could not help but think that were he in a position to speak now he would declare that his life was full and complete.

In fact, Mark was involved in so many aspects of the life of this country over the years that I would not be taking too much poetic licence if I said: “If it has not been done in Barbados it is only because Mark Williams did not do it.”

Mark was a “boss” at sales; he was a show promoter at the top of the class; he was a politician who could hold his own against the biggest names; he lived to showcase the Bajan culture and was a social influencer long before social media was even conceived.

And if you had the heart to pick a verbal battle with him, but were not prepared for a war, then clearly you came prepared to lose. He was a small man, but just as you do not judge the power of a stick of dynamite by its size, it would have been a mistake to judge Mark by his physical stature.

While many Barbadians knew the more mature Mark Williams because of the success of his two-decades-old “Looking Back” programme on CBC radio, he was making waves long before that. He started as a salesman in the 1950s with C.F. Harrison, worked with London Transport and merchant marine as well as sold insurance, but one of his most fundamental contributions to the development of Barbados occurred away from the limelight.

In its adolescence days, when its Editorial independence was perhaps at its highest and its fearlessness unmatched, Mark was one of the primary driving forces in the Nation Publishing Company’s Advertising Department. By ensuring, with his colleagues, that the Nation’s advertising portfolio was robust and diverse, the company was able to stand as a strong voice for democracy and change in Barbados, knowing that no single advertiser, no matter how powerful, could constrain its independence.

Then there was the other side of Mark; the young man who helped to promote Bajan legend Jackie Open — both before and after his death. There was the Mark Williams and Al Gilkes duo that organised and promoted calypso shows before the National Cultural Foundation came on the scene, and of course, there was the Mark Williams who filled every seat in the National Stadium, with hundreds more trying to storm the perimeter wall to see the biggest names in international wrestling do battle there.

Closer to home, there was Mark Williams the politician: The man who boasted of convincing National Hero Sir Frank Walcott to contest the St. Michael West seat for the Democratic Labour Party in 1971, handing him the victory, and after a falling out the following year “took the seat from him” in 1976. Interestingly, Mark played the spoiler’s role by joining Al Gilkes and the late Eric Sealy to form the People’s Political Alliance. While he only secured 80 votes, the campaign ended with Sir Frank being defeated by the Barbados Labour Party’s Vic Johnson.

Twenty years later, in 1996, with the resignation of an ailing Speaker of the House of Assembly, Lawson Weekes, Mark was back in the political race, this time as a member of the BLP, contesting the St. Michael North-West seat. He lost to Clyde Mascoll but was not daunted, for three years later he entered the election as the underdog and emerged victorious. Mark was now a member of the House of Assembly.

I wish publicly to thank Mark for the support he has given to me and the Barbados Labour Party over the years, and while I readily admit that his independence of spirit led him to be publicly critical when he felt it necessary, I also confess that it has helped to sharpen my focus. I will always be indebted to him.

On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I extend sincere condolences to his entire family.

May his soul rest in peace.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley

Local

Remembrance Day Parade On November 10, 2024

Barbados will remember the servicepeople who lost their lives during World Wars I and II, with the customary Remembrance Day Parade and a short inter-denominational service at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Square, The City, on Sunday, November 10.

The parade will commence at 8:00 a.m. and will be broadcast live on national television and radio.

Several armed and unarmed uniformed groups will be on parade, including the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides.

Wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by the President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Chief Justice Leslie Haynes, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

The service will be followed by an informal inspection of veterans and a march-past by uniformed groups. Members of the public desirous of attending the event are asked to collect tickets from the receptionist at Government Headquarters, Bay Street, St. Michael, from Monday, November 4, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Local

Key Reminders When Considering Investment Opportunities

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is reminding the public to exercise caution when considering investments in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes. While MLMs may present themselves as legitimate business opportunities, some can be risky or even illegal, leading to significant financial losses.

Here are some key things to consider before making any investments:

1. Research the Company/Person(s): Thoroughly investigate the background, business model, and reputation of any of the company or persons involved. Verify whether the company or persons associated with the investment are registered and regulated by relevant authorities like the Financial Services Commission.

2. Understand the Business Model: Genuine businesses generate revenue primarily through the sale of products or services, not recruitment of participants. Be wary of models that emphasise recruitment over product sales.

3. Check for Red Flags: Promises of high returns with little effort, emphasis on recruiting others, or pressure to make large upfront investments are warning signs.

4. Consult with Experts: Seek advice based on your financial goals and wherewithal from regulated individuals or companies set up to provide such guidance.

The public is urged to approach all investment opportunities with caution and conduct their due diligence to safeguard their financial well-being.

It is an offence for persons not registered or licensed with the Commission to offer investment advice, sell financial products or deal in securities.

The public is encouraged to notify the Commission of any situations where entities or individuals engage in these practices without being duly registered and/or licensed. (PR/GIS)

Local

Barbadians Continue To Benefit From UNESCO Training In Cuba

Barbadians continue to benefit from UNESCO training courses in Cuba, despite the country experiencing an island-wide blackout from Friday, October 18.

Three Barbadians are currently in Cuba participating in the Caribbean Cultural Training Hub of the UNESCO Programme Transcultura: Integrating Cuba, the Caribbean and the European Union through Culture and Creativity, which was organised by the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana, and funded by the European Union.

Historian and Genealogical Researcher, Stacia Martindale, is participating in the course Designing Small Businesses in Heritage Tourism Destinations, while Landscape Architectural Technician, Kodi Husbands, and Assistant Coordinator and Researcher of the Barbados National Register of Historic Places, Rhianna Smith, are participating in the course Introduction to the Management of Integrated Development of Historic Centers.

They shared their experiences of being in Cuba and about the courses they are studying.

Ms. Martindale said: “So far, the experience has been very amazing. I’ve been loving the culture of Cuba and the general experience in class.

It’s really been exciting for me. It’s my first time in Cuba. I think I know quite a bit about Cuba just because I’m really interested in History. I’m actually a History teacher, so to come here, where that history has happened, is really, really exciting for me.”

Mr. Husbands, who is on his second visit to Cuba, shared that the first time he visited was on a vacation. “It really resonated with me. I got to understand the culture a lot more [and] I was able to identify with the people after speaking to them about their experiences and how they live. That’s what inspired me to continue working in sustainable architecture and design, and cater for society and the people, rather than doing it for money.

“So far, I’ve found different methods or techniques and practices which can be useful for back home in my field of architecture. And different ways I can further develop my country, whether it’s towns like Bridgetown, Speightstown, or Oistins. Or even smaller communities like in the East Coast, or in St. George or more rural areas as well,” he remarked.

It is also the second time for Ms. Smith, who previously benefitted from a course in June, this year, at the prestigious International Film and Television School of San Antonio de Los Baños, on the outskirts of Havana.

“This experience has been a lot different compared to when I was in San Antonio. Havana is a lot more active and has a lot more to see. And so, I’ve been able to immerse in the culture in ways that I was not able to the first time around,” Ms. Smith said.

She added: “We have been having some tours where we have been seeing examples of not only the restoration of historic sites and buildings, but also the repurposing of those buildings for uses that really fit the community. For instance, earlier this week we visited a daycare. But it was a day care for the elderly which doubles as a day care for babies, and so on.

“And so, what they are trying to do is to integrate those two generations and, of course, develop a consciousness of caring for the elderly. Things like that have led me to conclude that it’s been nothing short of inspiring so far, and I’m just looking forward to seeing where things go.” (PR/GIS)

Caption: From left to right – Rhianna Smith, Barbados’ Ambassador to Cuba, Dr. Sharon Marshall; UNESCO Director Anne Lemaistre; Stacia Martindale; and Kodi Husbands pose for a photograph