THERE IS hardly a more tranquil area than Four Hill, St Peter – perhaps too tranquil.
Residents there say they loved the peace and quiet at times but also disliked how “dead” the area could be activity-wise.
However, Marsaline Griffith is working on that. When the Street Beat team passed, the men of the area were engaged in various activities, even some usually done by children.
Hopscotch
“Kartel” as he asked to be identified, was unashamedly playing hopscotch. He said it was a pastime of his and as he had not seen it played in so long, he could not resist giving it a try.
“I ain’t see it in long but I is a man who used to play it back in the day so I had to try and I still got it. Back then, we ain’t had no toys, we had to make up games,” he said.
In addition to hopscotch, the men ran egg and spoon and pick up potato as well as participated in road tennis and smallest kite competitions. Griffith, who organised it all, said it was in an effort to build community spirit.
“I had held something for Independence two years ago but this is the
first time I held something like this. It’s all just to build community spirit,” she said.
“Kartel” appreciated the effort, saying Griffith Grocery and Bar was the life of Four Hill.
“Without it, there is nothing. Don’t get me wrong, it cool here and I ain’t vex but it dead without this shop,” he said.
Further up the road, Maureen Sobers was leading some goats home. She said life was quiet in Four Hill, just the way she liked it.
“We got goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits and ducks. Sometimes you kill some for food and others you breed and if anyone want any, you sell.
“Life is quiet out here. I live here all my life and I prefer to stand here,” she said.
However, the younger people felt differently. Sobers’ daughter interjected Four Hill was “boring” although she declined to take further part in the interview. Nearby, Jan Payne was heading home after leaving Griffith’s shop. She too said it was way too lifeless in Four Hill.
“It need more action, there is nothing besides drinking and liming here. I would like to see more activities – karaoke, something. That’s why we got to go outside to party – it don’t have to be every week, but something to liven the place up,” she said.
However, Payne admitted the tranquillity of the area meant it was largely trouble-free.
In addition to the lack of action, there were a few more issues the people of Four Hill wished to air. Sobers said public transport was a hassle as the buses servicing the area also had to go through Boscobel and The Whim and the trip took ages.
“By the time you go all round, you could have get town,” she said.
Also, water is an issue as the taps were dry when the team passed. “Kartel” said this plus the large mound of garbage next to Griffith’s shop was among his concerns.
“The last time the sanitation people come here was two weeks ago. They suppose to come on Thursdays and if not, then Saturday but we ain’t see them now for long,” he said.
Griffith said this was the worst her garbage had ever been, adding the problem may be due to new drivers.
“The cans up front get empty so if the drivers are new, they might now know to come down here,” she said.
