O worship the king, All glorious above; O gratefully sing His power and His love; Our shield and Defender, The Ancient of days, Pavilion’d in splendour, And girded with praise. – (Hymn 167: verse 1, Ancient Modern)
AS WE CELEBRATE our 50th anniversary of Independence, the older ones among us should be able to reflect on those 50 years and pass on our experience to our young people.
When Barbados became Independent, this writer was in his ninth month as a schoolteacher receiving $88 a month, out of which were taken union dues and a monthly contribution for the school phone. It was the staff who joined together and put in the phone and paid the rental for it.
Female teachers received a monthly salary of $84. It was also the time (pre-Independence) that female teachers, nurses, female civil servants were not allowedto marry. If they did, they had to leave the public service. All of that has changed.
We should not forget that it was a time when few people had running water, electricity and water toilets.
I can remember doing homework at night using an oil lamp, and bathing at the standpipe in those days. Secondary education was limited to a few. Thanks to private secondary schools like the Modern High, Federal High, Arlington High, Washington High, Wakefield High, Community High, Cooperative High, Regent High, Lynch’s Secondary, Christ Church High, Unique High, Barbados Academy, Progressive High and Metropolitan High, secondary education became more accessible to the masses – people like this writer.
Our public transport system is not perfect, but it is a lot better in this era than it was then. Private concessionaires like the St George Bus Company, Rocklyn, Boston, Blades Hill Bus Company, Federal, Diamond, Progressive and Liberty operated then.
In some areas like Bathsheba and Chalky Mount, the last bus from Bridgetown was 6 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, but where I lived in Ellerton, St George, the last bus was 8 p.m. I remember while at schoola girl had eyes for me, but she was from St Lucy and I asked her how I was going to get to St Lucy. And that was the end of the line.
We can all agree that during these 50 years we have had good governance in Barbados. We have come a long way since Independence. Let us continue to work hard so that we can leave a better Barbados.
Happy 50th anniversary to Barbados. Let us celebrate for the nation will never have another golden anniversary.
Concert
Christ Church Parish Church will hold its annual Independence concert tomorrow at the church’s Ivan Harewood Centre at 6:30 p.m. There will be a stellar entertainment package and refreshments will be on sale.
Luncheon
The All Saints Church will hold its annual luncheon on Sunday at the parish centre, Pleasant Hall, St Peter, from 12 noon.
Bazaar
The Holy Innocents Church will hold an Independence bazaar tomorrow, at the church rectory, Ayshford,St Thomas, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Appointment
The Rev. Richard Kellman has been appointed curate of St Michael and All Angels Cathedral, effective December 1.
Independence walk
The St George Community will be having an Independence Walk Zumba Fitness Session, under the patronage of St George Parish Church on tomorrow, starting from the church car park, at 6 a.m.
Advent in the city
The Cathedral Church of St Michael and All Angels presents Advent in The City: Celebrating The Hope, Peace, Joy and Love we have in Christ from November 27 to December 24.
Patronal festivals
The St Andrew Parish Church will hold its patronal festival next week, beginning with sung Mass on Sunday at 8 a.m. On Wednesday, St Andrew’s Day,there will be solemn Mass with procession at 10 a.m. presided over by Bishop Dr John Holder. Next Friday,a mission service for young people will take placeat 7:30 p.m.
• The Church of Christ the King’s feast of title will continue this evening with Youth to Adult Engagement at 7:30 p.m. Tomorrow the CTKleaders conference will be held at the church’s Basil Ullyett Centre from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. On Sunday, solemn Eucharist takes place at 8 a.m. and evensong at 6 p.m.
