MONDAY MAN – ‘Sweet tooth’ for Roebuck Street

Hallam Payne has been a lover of Crop-Over for as long as he could remember and he thinks a lot more could be done for the festival, specifically, as it relates to Roebuck Street.He said he was prepared to make his contribution in his own way.This 63-year-old businessman said Roebuck Street was one of the most important areas for business back in the days as it relates to rum and sugar and it was his intention to rekindle that kind of ambiance. Payne said the history of the area was significant to the Crop-Over festivities and in order to preserve some of it he decided to open a mall in the area and call it the Sugar Cane Mall, and according to him, it is more than just a shopping area.“Crop-Over is based on sugar. It is very interesting that they have recognised Crop-Over but not recognised it in Roebuck Street although they do have some things In Queens Park, but I would think that Crop-Over could have enhanced Roebuck Street a little more.“We could have another section. The Roebuck Street Market should be added because this is where it all started. Crop-Over didn’t start in Spring Garden it is just that it is a bigger venue and can hold a lot more people but certain events should have been held in this area of Roebuck Street,” argued Payne.He said he was in the process of bringing “more life” to the area by introducing plays.“Sugar being one of the predominant things that happened in Roebuck Street I decided on the name Sugar Cane Mall. In addition, it will be a cultural mall. “We will have a small theatre and I am in the process of writing plays on activities that happened in Roebuck Street in the 18th century and it is called: A Taste of Roebuck Street. “This has to do with the plantocrocy, the merchants . . . and the pirates, because Barbados has a history of having pirates. All of that will be depicted and played out at our theatre so the public would get a real knowledge of what happened. “Those plays will be to highlight the linkages of what happened then and what is happening now in Roebuck Street,” explained Payne.This St George resident said he started off by researching and understanding the history of the area and found that it was once the “head location” for most businesses and it was his hope to reintroduce that kind of buzz.“After the set up of the first marl street in the 16th to 17th century, there were the plantation owners who came to Roebuck Street with their rum, molasses and sugar . . . . This was one of the first major business areas of Bridgetown.“There were a lot of huskers and hawkers around that time and those people were instrumental in selling all their goods and services in the city. “They say that the Roebuck tavern was the first watering hole in the city. They say it was built in this area. Some people say it was built where the Central Bank is located. “It is a very significant milestone in Barbados’ history. The first Parliament was held there and it was called the Assembly at that time. “All that history and all that colourful knowledge led me to believe that the revitalisation of Roebuck Street would be a good thing to do,” Payne added.He said that the buildings on Roebuck Street were one and two door shops back in those days and the children of the owners would take over the buildings after the parents died.“But they could never sell the properties or raise money to develop the properties because they never have any official titles and not having any official titles brought to the decline of the area. That is why business went up and then went all the way down.”Payne attended the Lodge School then went on to do a computer programme. He has three children; two girls and one boy. Payne said he wanted to make Roebuck Street a “symbol for Barbados”.“It would need repackaging and new items and ideas added to really bring it to fort. “We are now witnessing sugar and rum being repackaged, but we have lost the essence of it because it is in Roebuck Street that it all started. “We should be having the repackaging of rum and sugar in Roebuck Street so that locals and tourists alike can get a glimpse of what it is all about. If the history of rum could be demonstrated, then it would boost our tourism plant.“We should let it work for us. What we are hoping to do in our plays is to highlight these things. That is how we can repackage the whole of Roebuck Street. “We can have festivals; tavern and beer festivals. We need things to add to what we are currently doing. We need to make it more attractive,” he said.Payne, also known as “The Cleaner”, has been married for the past 38 years. He said he planned to continue helping others. Payne said he had always loved Crop-Over.“I am a want to be calypsonian,” he said with a smile. “I have always loved calypso and I have written a good few songs. I was the Celebrity King one year. That year I sang about Gweneth Squires. The song was titled Maraval Gal. It was about a Trinidadian taking part in costume making in Barbados. I even plan to do another song on her next year when I come out to celebrate her 25th year.“Crop-Over had to take a second place where I am concerned because I have to be trying to finish the mall. I have a lot of songs and will be releasing a CD at some point. I like singing. I also play the piano,” said Payne.He is a member of the St George Parish Church. Payne said he wants to see the youths being more creative.“Remove the chip of slavery from your shoulders and aim high. Utilise your creativity. Use your minds creatively to achieve your goals,” Payne advised.