It was like a bout of fresh air when I heard during the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Evening News, on Monday night, that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has plans to address the parking issue at that institution.
The truth is that a car park is long overdue for the hospital. That institution is not visitor friendly when it comes to parking and I am sure that the public will agree with me on this.
To be honest, when the hospital was built in the 60s, one could not imagine that Barbados would have developed at the pace that it has, especially when it comes to vehicular traffic.
Although the hospital is not visitor friendly when it comes to parking, it does not give the public the liberty to park on the sidewalks around the QEH.
The big question is – when will the hospital make those plans a reality? When it comes to Government, the engine moves very slowly and usually there are one or two speeds – slow and stop. Let us hope that in this case there will be more than two speeds.
Another good part about the news on Monday night, was that it will be a paying car park. Barbados has too many people who love freeness and we are fast becoming a welfare state.
I do hope that as our planners look to redevelop Barbados, greater consideration would be given to parking. Do not wait until things get out of hand.
Deaths
It is with great regret that we learnt of the death of Canon James (Jimmy) Springer, a former Archdeacon of Barbados, who died on Monday.
He will be buried next Thursday after a funeral service at St Leonard’s Church, where he served for many years at 10 a.m. He also served as vicar of St Bartholomew’s Church before going on to St Leonard’s.
This column expresses its deepest sympathy to his widow Nancy and children. May he rest in Jesus Christ and rise in glory.
It is also with regret that we learnt of the passing of Ralph Straker BSM, OBE (1935-2013) who passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, after suffering from a rare form of Parkinson’s disease during the latter stages of his life. He was born in Hothersal Turning, St Michael, and left Barbados for Britain over 50 years ago where he worked for the London Transport.
He was also a community activist and spent most of his career in race relations, a well-known Toastmaster and verger of his Church. He will be buried in Barbados at the St Matthew’s Anglican Church.
May he rest in peace.
Thanksgiving service
There will be a special thanksgiving service for the Rev. Joel Cumberbatch at the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church in celebration of 25 years of pastoral service there on Sunday at 5 p.m.
180th anniversary
St Paul’s Church continues to celebrate its 180th anniversary of its consecration with a thanksgiving mass on Sunday at 5 p.m. President and preacher will be Archbishop John Holder.
Fish fry
St Jude’s Anglican Church will be holding a fish fry tomorrow at the Ermine Holmes Hall, St Jude’s, St George from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds are in aid of church building funds.
Patronal festival continues
The St Jude’s Anglican Church patronal festival continues with a service at the church at 7:30 p.m. The theme is Hymns we Love.
On Sunday at 9:15 a.m.: Sung Eucharist and sermon. At 6 p.m.: Sung Eucharist, sermon and procession. Servers, Ushers Guild, Sunday School, Youth, and PCC in attendance.
All Saints festival
The All Saints Anglican Church celebrates its patronal festival on Sunday with a service at 8 a.m.: General congregation, confirmation candidates, and family in attendance. Celebrant and Preacher, Dr John Holder, Archbishop of the West Indies and Bishop of Barbados.
At 6 p.m.: Parochial church council, altar servers, eucharistic ministers, Sunday School and youth in attendance. Preacher will be Father Joseph King.
There will be services from Tuesday to Friday starting at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 3 is Gift Sunday. At 8 a.m.: Preacher: Father Selven Lowe. At 6: p.m.: Ushers’ Guild in attendance. Preacher will be Father Charles Morris.
Market day
All Saints Church will be holding its market day tomorrow at the Rectory Grounds, Maynards, St Peter from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This marks the first anniversary of this event and it is therefore being billed as an appreciation day.
Musical tribute
The Barbados Festival Choir with The Royal Barbados Police Force Band will be presenting A Musical Tribute to Dr Christopher Atherley tomorrow at 7 p.m. at The Prince Cave Hall, District ‘A’ Police Station, Station Hill, St. Michael.
Artistes include Amanda Fields, soprano soloist; and “Eggie” Clarke, Robert Best, Kenneth Armstrong and Andre Hoyte, tenors.
Candlelight service
The Women’s Fellowship Council of the Moravian Church invites the public to its Candlelight Service on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Mount Tabor Moravian Church, St John. Come let us light up the world for Jesus Christ.
