Generations of Barbadians, from teenagers to a 90-year-old, came together recently for the first annual Barbados Independence Gala 2025 which delivered a fine evening of entertainment and cuisine in a spectacular setting.
Two hundred Barbadians and friends braved horrible weather occasioned by Storm Darragh, which caused flight and train cancellations, to gather at the new Park Hyatt River Thames Hotel in London, England, for the celebration. The gala also served as the official launch of We Gatherin’ in the United Kingdom (UK).
Guests gathered from 6:30 p.m. for a cocktail hour, a four-course meal curated by London-based chef Jason Howard, and performances by saxophonist Carlston Medford, a former Barbados Police Service Band member now living in London; and from Barbados, DJ Jamarr The Star and Cultural Ambassador The Most Honourable Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire.
The event was produced by the Barbados High Commission in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), 2nd Generation Barbadians and Friends based in Birmingham, and the London-based Barbados Cultural Organisation, with associated organisations the Barbados Overseas Association, Manchester; the Barbados Labour Party UK; the Barbados and Friends Association, Reading and Barbados Heritage UK.
High Commissioner Milton Inniss, in his address, acknowledged the contributions of Barbadians and invited them home for We Gatherin’, a point reinforced by senior business development officer of the BTMI Stacey Hutchinson.
Deputy High Commissioner Mackie Holder, who organised the gala and was MC for the evening, said the range of attendees, with many seniors and young Barbadians among them, represented the kind of unity the Mission was seeking to engender between associations, various individuals, seniors and youth.
The highlight of the night was the awards ceremony which saw 12 Barbadians being honoured for contributions to their communities, building the image of Barbados in the UK and support of their homeland.
There was special applause for recipient of the Excellence Award, 85-year-old Sigill Cragwell, and youth awardee Jaden Payne.
Cragwell, familiarly known as Siggy, is a Barbadian legend in railway circles who still works daily for Thameslink.
Payne, who was born with sickle cell disease and was revived after being involved in a car accident, has pushed forward to be an honours student at high school and university levels. He performed his first poem, What Independence Means To Me, at the function.
Others honourees were Brenda A. King and Merrison Gittens – Pinnacle Award; Cedric Lynch – Leadership Award; Ricardo Wilkinson and Ramon Marshall – Enterprise Award; Orlando and Sonia Clement – Innovation and Bridge Awards; the Daniel family – Transformative Award; Olivia Worrell – Association Award; Anderson Connell – Community Award, and Jacqueline Austin – Staff Award. (PR)
