A statue costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, bearing the likeness of cricket legend and former Government minister Reverend Sir Wesley Winfield Hall, will soon grace the landscape of the island.
The contribution Sir Wes made to Barbados through his cricketing and political careers were identified as the factors behind the initiative by Chris DeCaires, committee member of the Sir Wes Hall 80th Committee spearheading the effort.
DeCaires told the DAILY NATION, following a church service at Abundant Life Assembly yesterday, that Sir Wes had “done a heck of a lot, so we wanted to do something that will be there for a long time, so the idea is to build a statute”.
He said the committee was finalising discussions with an artist and would then decide the size of the statue and its location.
“We are not just relying on Government; we started collecting money through fundraising activity and we have raised over $100 000. But a statute is going to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars so we have got a lot of work still to do.”
Sir Wes, an ordained minister, was recently in London as part of the World Travel Market to promote Barbados and got an opportunity to visit Accrington where he first played cricket in England.
“In England and around the world, he is still seen as a big icon, which is good for us. Obviously it helps us with our promotion of Barbados,” DeCaires said, adding they were hoping the project would be completed by August next year.
Sir Wes, who also attended the church service, said he was humbled by the accolades bestowed on him in Barbados and throughout the Caribbean. The former West Indies fast bowler expressed gratitude to his friends and cricketing fans all over the world, but also his team-mates whom he called “partners in pace”, namely Charlie Griffith and Roy Gilchrist.
“Wes Hall could not bowl out people alone, and in those days it was a team and it still is a team.
“When a statue of one man is erected, you can bet your life that there were another 30 people helping him, so I am grateful for them. It is a good thought, and something that I never thought could be my lot,” said Sir Wes, who celebrated his 80th birthday in September.
Acting Governor General Sir Philip Greaves, and cricketing legends Sir Everton Weekes, Cammie Smith, Rawle Brancker, Charlie Griffith and Desmond Haynes were among those at the service. (LK)
