The hillside at Morgan Lewis, St Andrew, is now more beautiful after the planting of ten trees yesterday.
According to Kammie Holder, public relations officer/director of the Future Centre Trust, the trees were planted as part of an ongoing reforestation project and as part of International Day of Climate Action.
FCT members watched as Prime Minister David Thompson’s daughters Oya and Misha planted the first five trees on behalf of their mother Mara, patron of the event.
The next five trees were planted by Opposition Leader Mia Mottley.
Holder said Barbados could not “play a wait-and-see game” since weather patterns were changing all over the world and trees were needed to alleviate carbon emissions.
“Today over 7 000 events are taking place simultaneously around the world as part of the International Day of Climate Action, [and] already we can see the change in weather patterns. We can even see rain in areas where there was no rain . . . . People take trees for granted.”
Tree cheers for Day of Climate Action
Another road death
IN THE SPACE of a little more than 24 hours, another young Barbadian man has lost his life.
Windell Williams, 30, of Fairview, Christ Church, was killed yesterday around 12:25 a.m. when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Michael Worrell, 37, of Orange Hill, St James, while attending to a broken down truck on the Arch Hall section of the Ronald Mapp Highway in St Thomas.
His close-knit family gathered at his home to offer comfort to his mother Pamela Haynes at the loss of her youngest child.
Police reported that Williams was travelling with Jamar Chase, 19, who suffered a broken left ankle and head injuries, and an unidentified man who escaped injury.
Haynes said the three were trying to push-start the truck when the accident occurred. (CA)
Johnson to the ninth
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
Not as if there’s anything startling about James Johnson winning the Barbados Open.
Barbados’ premier golfer took the country’s premier event again, hitting a stunning four-under 68 on yesterday’s final round to secure the United Insurance-sponsored championships for an unprecedented ninth time at Royal Westmoreland.
If this was a script, Johnson proved to be more than the star, having first directed this plot since 1997 and as recent as last year.
And just like the 2009 championships, the local 30-year-old (148) had to conquer a final day deficit after trailing Mitchum Jasper (146) by two strokes on the heels of two ordinary rounds.
But Johnson’s renowned Sunday charge must look ordinary by now too.
What wasn’t mundane was the start he had to the front nine, hitting par on the first four holes before improving with birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh to put the Trini in his rear view mirror.
“Playing under pressure tends to bring the best out of you,” said Johnson, who also won the Caribbean Championships earlierthis year.
“I was really scrapping around a bit after two fairly poor scores but then I just got a bit of momentum, and that’s how sports is.”
Shane Costelloe, Jasper’s countryman who started the day tied with Johnson, wasn’t so easily shaken while going toe-to-toe with the Caribbean king along the front nine.
He too fell once Johnson parred the tenth prior to hitting birdies on 12 and 14 to go four strokes up and end the tournament on an even par 216.
“I have an inner confidence,” Johnson affirmed.
“I do believe in my own ability and I believe that I should beat everyone, but I know how sports is and you can’t take anyone for granted.”
Costelloe finished second with a two-over 74 for a 222 total while another Trinidadian, Dave Rajkumar was third with 223 after shooting 72.
Jasper eventually ended up in sixth (226), having put himself out of contention early on by hitting a ball out of bounds on the fourth and double-bogeying the seventh.
But while Johnson was putting the finishing touches on his legacy at the Open, another Barbadian was just starting to carve out hers.
At just 15 years-old, Serena Smith secured her first ever women’s championships, but not without scare, after surrendering all but three-strokes of a ten-shot lead on the final day.
Having scored a one-over 73 on Saturday, Smith hit 42 on both the front and back nine nines, barely avoiding a strong charge from Trinidad’s Lynn De Cambra McLeod (77).
“It was pretty hard [because] I didn’t start off as great as I did yesterday [Saturday],” said Smith of her day’s performance.
“Things weren’t clicking for me today [yesterday]. There was a lot of pressure because obviously I should have won but if I didn’t win that would’ve been pretty bad considering my lead.”
The seniors went down to the wire, with first day leader Kendrick Haynes (76) making up a one-stroke deficit to beat former Caribbean champ Robert Piggott (78) by just one shot.
Piggott actually extended his initial advantage to three-strokes after hitting 38 on the front nine, but faltered along the back after going four over par for the final nine holes.
It followed a similar finish to that of the men’s first flight group, as Trinidad’s Subash Ranjitsingh (251) edged out Ian Winsborrow and Ian Chin (252) to win by a mere stroke.
This was after Trevor Tasker’s final day meltdown a 20-over par 92, which cost the local resident (257) his two-shot advantage at the start of the day.
They weren’t the only ones to have an enthralling finish either, as Trinidadian and Caribbean golf president Asraph Ali (83) narrowly held off Cally Boyea’s (76) late charge to win the super seniors by the same one-shot margin.
Boyea made up most of the eight-stroke deficit along the back nine but left the rally too late, having only shot a 36 on the front. Alberto Martinez (84) finished a further ten strokes back.
Editorial – It’s evergarbage in,garbage out
People say I’m extravagant because I want to be surrounded by beauty. But tell me, who wants to be surrounded by garbage? – Imelda Marcos, widowof the former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos.
WELL THEN, how do we explain the refuse strewn about the place almost wherever you go? Are we Barbadians as a people not given to surrounds of elegance and grace?
Not really. It is not unknown for residents of the upper end to leave their salubrious environs with trash containers and bags, only to dump them on the streets and corners of the lower level.
Let us not pretend that there isn’t the mindset that the village and the old district are the repositories of garbage – bagged or not. Or that the open highways won’t do.
Yesterday morning on the sidewalk smack in the middle of University Hill, one of the practising culprits of this subtle art of garbage engineering had surreptitiously set down with precision a jumbo bag of garbage for somebody else to pick up.
People have even been reported to have left their homes to dump their old toilet bowls on other people’s terrain.
Maybe, the idea is the rains will come and sweep them all away.
We are not without those neighbours who believe their high-priced residences ought to be kept clean if only at the expense of the much less affluent Bajan and the National Conservation Commission.
Truth be told, too many under the label of “the average Barbadian” do not manage their garbage disposal efficiently. Too often garbage cans stand outside normally ordered entrances like mauled sentries, disembowelled of their plastic intestines by marauding neighbourhood dogs.
Homeowners, eager to dispense with their leftovers and trash, top up their cans to overflowing, unsure of Sanitation Services Authority pickup times, unbothered by canine intervention.
With such a mess, what can we expect when the rains do come?
Our last flooding was contributed to by irresponsible disposal and illegal dumping. And given that Drainage Unit director Keith Barrow has admitted that our drainage system is “not built for the type of weather we had” in recent weeks, it is all the more crucial that our gutters and drains are not blocked by debris through carelessness and callousness.
One of Minister of Environment Denis Lowe’s pet peeves is that construction people are building in watercourses and “redirecting the water flow”. Well, whose responsibility is it to stop them? And more importantly, by whose authority are the builders moving into the watercourses?
Let us deal firmly with the Bajans who litter and block the gutters, drains and canals. Let’s get these construction gurus out of the watercourses.
Who really wants to be surrounded by water – or garbage?
Christian woman looking for an attentive gentleman
Dear Christine,I never thought that in my lifetime it would come to this where I would be writing the media in the hope of finding a partner.
It doesn’t matter if you belong to a social group, work, or are a head of a church. It’s very difficult to meet that partner you’re hoping for.
Anyway, I am a 50-year-old lady and a dedicated Christian. I would like to meet and make friends with a Christian gentleman with the possibilities of getting married in the future.
He must truly, first, love God, carry himself well, have good oral and personal hygiene. He should possess a great sense of humour, unselfish, loving, caring and attentive.
I’m very honest, caring, sharing and romantic. My hobbies are studying and reading the Bible, reading Christian literature, watching family movies, attending church.
Anyone who has an interest can call and I would be more than happy to speak with them.
Thank you very much for affording me a space in your column.– MDear M,
Based on my daily interaction with both sexes, I recognise and wholeheartedly agree with you that it is not easy finding a genuine partner these days.
And, yes, people are really scared of each other because they do not want to make another mistake in their lives.
I urge any man out there who meets M’s criteria to send me your name and number so I can let M get in touch with you.
M, I sincerely wish you God’s blessing now and in the future. – CHRISTINE
Tridents out of Digicel Cup
IN A HOT-TEMPERED goalless final Group “B” Digicel Caribbean Cup qualifying football match between Barbados and hosts St Vincent and the Grenadines three Barbadian and two SVG players received red cards at Victoria Park last night.
Referee Javier Jauregui of the Netherlands Antilles ejected Vincentians Emerald George and Keith Francis.
Barbados’ captain Norman Forde was also redcarded for retaliation from a challenge by Francis and John Parris was subsequently expelled foranother challenge on opposing goalkeeper Dwayne Sandy. At the end of the match, a protesting goalkeeper Alvin Rouse of Barbados, was also shown the red card.
The goalless result means that St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis and Barbados all ended with five points. According to the new FIFA 2007 playing rules, St Kitts-Nevis will top the group, on a superior goal difference between the tied teams, having drawn 1-1 with both Barbados and St Vincent.
The Vincentians will get the second qualifying spot, having scored eight goals and conceded one whereas Barbados will miss out after scoring six and conceding one to be third.
St Kitts had defeated winless Montserrat 4-0 in the evening’s first game but the lop-sided victory by St Vincent (7-0) and Barbados (5-0) against Montserrat did not come into the equation.
Barbados were without Riviere Williams, through a soft tissue injury to the right ankle while St Vincent made six changes to the team which started in the last game versus St Kitts-Nevis.
Captain Shandel Samuel and Barbadian-based sweeper Oscar Nero were among those not starting with the tough-tackling Roy Richards comingin.
Barbados, who also had to replace striker Mario Harte with Bryan Neblett after 35 minutes, came close to scoring when Forde, used in a forward position, shot just wide of the right post.
Referee Jauregui was kept busy from the first half, booking Omar Archer, Neblett and Rouse of Barbados and George and Chester Morgan of St Vincent.
Just before half time, Rouse had to push away a stinging shot from Romano Snagg, at his near post, for a corner.
The hosts made a double substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Seinard Bowens and Damol Francis for Darren Hamlet and Chad Balcombe. Bowens had a golden opportunity but lashed his shot into the stands. A free-kick on the edge of the penalty area by Cornelius Stewart, was also parried away by Rouse.
Rouse also had to retreat to push a long shot by the dreadlocked Francis over the crossbar after a weak pass back by Archer.
However, the Vincentians were reduced to ten men for the last 19 minutes when George was ejected after receiving a second yellow card for an off-the-ball skirmish with Parris, who was also booked.
Earlier, the Kittitians, after drawing with both Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines, failed to get the required number of goals against Montserrat and were eliminated, finishing in third position.
Alexis Saddler got a brace in the 17th and 31st minutes while captain Keith Gumbs scored a free kick after 20 minutes and substitute Ian Lake scored in the 90th minute.SQUADSBarbados: Alvin Rouse (GK), Barry Skeete, Jonathan Straker, Omar Archer, Rudy Grosvenor, John Parris, Jason Carter (Kadeem Atkins),Rommel Burgess, Jeffrey Williams, Norman Forde, Mario Harte (Bryan Neblett, 35th).
St Vincent and the Grenadines: Dwayne Sandy (GK), Chad Balcombe (Damol Francis, 46th), Emerald George, Joel George, Darren Hamlet (SeinardBowens), Keith James, Chester Morgan, Roy Richards, Reginal Richardson, Romano Snagg (Oscar Nero), Cornelius Stewart.
Red CardsSt Vincent: Emerald George (71st), Keith James (90th).Barbados: Norman Forde (89th), John Parris (90th) Alvin Rouse (after game)
HIP! HIP! HIPPOLYTE!
HIP! HIP! HIPPOLYTE!Out of almost two million children from around the world, 15-year-old Crystal Hippolyte of the Garrison Secondary School has placed third in the 39th International Letter Writing Competition for Young People.
According to the jury, she wrote a “clear and concise letter” under the theme Write A Letter To Someone To Explain Why It Is Important To Talk About AIDS And To Protect Yourself Against It.
During a prize-giving ceremony at the General Post Office on Saturday, World Post Day, Hippolyte was presented with her bronze medallion and a framed certificate from the Universal Postal Union and other gifts from the Barbados Postal Services.
She was first in the national competition in March, while schoolmates Shanice Seale and Ashley Phillips placed second and third. (MM)
British students to pay more for university
London – Universities in England should have no upper limit on tuition fees, Lord Browne’s review is set to recommend.
But government support will only be guaranteed up to a maximum of £7 000 (BDS$22 345) per year – which is likely to make this the upper fee for most degree courses.
This would mean more than doubling the current tuition fee of £3 290 (BDS$10 501).
The National Union of Students said students and their families would treat such plans for higher fees with “contempt”.NUS president Aaron Porter suggested that such a radical recommendation would be used as a scare tactic – so that the government could then deliver a more moderate increase.
The recommendations would mean a three-year degree typically costing students £21 000 (BDS$67 025) or more, with many also likely to face a higher rate of interest for loan repayments. (BBC)
BC’S B’DOS – Under the yolk
LAST FRIDAY was World Egg Day. How do I know this? Because it was the lead story on the television news last Thursday night. World Firetrucking Egg Day.
Fan me. I almost can’t stand the excitement. Clearly life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be in Barbados.
Okay, maybe it was the second lead story – I hesitate to call it “a number two story” – because I did tune in at two minutes past seven, and there may have been an even more thrilling report before.
But, even if they’d scrambled, or resorted to poaching, I doubt the TV news could have found a story to beat World Egg Day, though I suppose the Grasshopper Appreciation Society of St Lucy might have held a cake sale that might have taken the top spot.
Audley Walker, the septuagenarian Barbados Honorary Consul who has lived in Trinidad all his working life, told me (in the As Bajan
As Flying Fish feature I do for the Thursday NATION) that, when he comes to Barbados, he confirms he’s on vacation by watching the television news.
“I listen,” he told me, “and chuckle. It’s a different sort of news.”
Now, coming from Trinidad myself, where three people were shot dead in one month in separate incidents in the riverbed a stone’s throw from my desk, and where five people I’ve had Christmas lunch or meals of celebration with have been murdered – four in their own homes – I don’t relish excitement enough to want the Six Dead In Robbery brand of lead horror story we had recently. That’s too much excitement.
Given the choice between being put in fear for my life and being bored to death, I’ll take boredom every time. But, really, World Egg Day?
Dude, that’s taking the “sunny side up” approach to news way too far.
Barbados, as an entity, has done a better job of making its way in the world, alone, than the other English-speaking Caribbean territories. In my wilder flights of fantasy, though, I imagine what a united Caribbean could have been like; perhaps even could still become, with serious-minded Bajan leadership harnessing Trini creativity (and cash), Guyanese grace (and land), Jamaican aggression (and ganja/reggae) and small-island good nature.
If we had the sense, if we could discern ourselves and our potential, we could take care of, and live for ourselves; and I include amongst “us” the “foreigners” who choose and love these islands. They are every bit as Caribbean as people born here by fluke.
To have a chance of achieving the one Caribbean which Bob called One Love, though, we have to be real, as well as true, to ourselves. No news might be good news, but “news” that makes headlines of eggs is nothing to write home about. Airing that sort of non-story is asking people to watch the BBC or CNN.
If Barbados is to amount to something more than a well appointed destination for others to arrive at, its media – and its top stories – have to do its people justice. It’s bad enough having to throw off the yoke of our history without having to also throw off the yolk of World Egg Day. BC Pires will be seen as Eggs Benedict Arnold. ID cards next week.
WILD COOT – What of unions?
The idea of Mr Peter Boos that there is need to think outside the box is a good one. That he is able to pull together some big names is not surprising, since he is supposed to be a man of good standing and influence.
But I saw no mention among the elite panel of the unions. I saw a lot of money and I am aware of the old time saying, money makes the world go round.
And I know that money breeds money.
To my way of thinking, two elements must accompany the initiative. One is people’s attitude to work and credibility and Government bureaucracy.
In spite of the occasional tourist praising an individual for exceptional services – perhaps because it was an oasis – the general customer service inBarbados can do with upgrading.
I do not know if it has something to do with our high education standard, whereby we are made to feel a sense of superiority, or if it is a relic of slavery, or even that the last bad hurricane was Janet in 1955, but what makes it necessary for us to be constantly reminding people that we must be NISE?
Therefore it may be well to seek the inclusion of the unions in dealing with any effort to upgrade our services. The quiet and seamless resolution of confrontations could go a long way in showing the world that we are ready.
Yes, we have the schooling, but we must show that we have the learning. Even so, although we may have the assistance of unions there is need to be competitive when we are seeking to confront the world. The report is dead right when it says that we need to “reset” and not to expect that business will be as usual when and if the world economy settles down. In these economic times many countries are faced with what we are confronting, and like ourselves must be thinking outside the box.
Thus we must have a competitive edge in service, attitude and financial services.
Above all, our Government must be in the loop. Although I see many big names and corporate “magguffies”, all our efforts will come to naught (like Kensington Oval which was supposed to generate riches galore) if the proposed foundation becomes only a talk shop. Government needs to be told, or reminded of, what the roadblocks are, both bureaucratic and cyber, to the freeingup of businesses, not only as far as the outside world is concerned, but also for the ordinary citizens.
Two examples come to mind. Why is there a line as long as a rope outside the Tax Office at the beginning of October? It is a waste of time. Why do we spend two hours each morning going to work because of traffic congestion?
Maybe you say in the case of the latter that it happens everywhere, even in New York or London. But we should be saying “not in Barbados”. Find a solution!
One day drive in the right lane, the next day in the left. Women drivers on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; men drivers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Everybody drive on Sunday. Or something like that!
Think outside the box, Ministry of Transport and Works. How about the conflicting diagrams of how to or not to exit Observatory Road?
More than anything else, expedite compliance regulations so that businesses can be registered and off to a start in quick time – like in competitive jurisdictions. Do something about land titles so that lawyers do not live off the fat of the land; and that land transfers and such things can be simplified and expedited.
Out of the summit on November 16 and 17 should come a memorandum to Government challenging it to become an urgent partner in this effort.
Remember, senior citizens are growing not only in age, but also in numbers.
Legislation on banking cooperation should enfold them before the earth does.
Harry Russell is a former banker. Email [email protected]