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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

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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.