Jamaica Independence feature 2015

Message

Let us recommit to building on our forefathers’ Independence dream

J C L odge

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HIS YEAR we celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the birth of our nation. It was a memorable night in August 1962 when the Union Jack was lowered and we proudly hoisted the Black, Green and Gold as the symbol of our nationhood.

Many of us can recall with fondness the pride and joy we felt as the new Jamaican flag was hoisted for the first time. For those too young to have been present, the significance of the occasion is made no less enthralling through the stories of heightened excitement and euphoria about this new period in our history.

We knew there would be challenges along the way but we embraced them with the same enthusiasm and determination that had defined and characterised us as a people for centuries.

We can be proud of what we have accomplished not only at the domestic level, but through our contribution to the regional and international socio-political, economic and cultural landscape.

Jamaica is renowned for its vibrant and diverse culture that remains the embodiment of its Motto, ‘Out of Many One People.’

Jamaicans continue to excel on whatever platform and in whatever fields of endeavour they find themselves - we remain a force to be reckoned with across the world. By so doing, we continue that fine tradition of making the best of whatever circumstances we find ourselves in and being leaders as well as an inspiration to others.

We have come a long way over the years. Much has been accomplished and much remains to be done. The belief that we are a people who can accomplish great things, must never be allowed to die - our future and our fortunes lie in our hands.

We all have a role to play in this regard. I wish, therefore, to use this opportunity to publicly acknowledge and to thank the Jamaican Diaspora in the UK for their unswerving commitment to Jamaica. Despite being far away from your homeland, you continue to keep the Jamaican flag flying high and continue to support the growth and development of our beloved country. A special thank you also to our ‘Honorary’ Jamaicans who have embraced Jamaica with open arms and have never looked back.

For our forefathers, achieving independence was itself, a dream.

For us today, building on that independence and the hopes that it generated is the task to which we must dedicate ourselves.

As we celebrate this year under the theme ‘Proud and Free Jamaica 53’, let us recommit ourselves to that task.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful Independence 2015.

Jamaica High Commissioner, Her Excellency Aloun Ndombet-Assamba

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J amaicans attending a recent function in the U nited K ingdom.

Activities to mark Independence AS JAMAICA is poised to mark its 53rd Independence anniversary on August 6, many Jamaicans in the UK are gearing up to celebrate the occasion with church services, dinner and dance banquets and outdoor fun day events up and down the country.

The Association of Jamaicans UK Trust, one of the oldest such organisations in the UK, will be holding their annual charity dinner and dance on Saturday, August 1 at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, Scarsdale Place, Kensington, London W8 starting at 7 pm. Special guests of honour will be Jamaica’s High Commissioner Aloun NdombetAssamba and guest speaker professor Sir Geoff Palmer.

The evening will consist of a rumpunch reception followed by a threecourse meal, live entertainment by popular cabaret singer Deloris Francis and dancing to the music provided by the renowned DJ Popeye. Tickets are £65 and available able from the following ticket hotlines: 07958381663; 02082990580 ; 02088015004 or 07740405739.

INDEPENDENCE RECEPTION The Jamaica High Commission will be hosting a special Independence Reception on Wednesday, August 5 at the International Maritime Organisation, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7RS starting at 6 pm until 10 pm. The evening will include a specially prepared Jamaican buffet followed by exciting entertainment show featuring singer JC Lodge and the Freedom Band UK. Tickets are £60 and part proceeds will go towards providing welfare assistance to distressed Jamaicans in the UK. Tickets are available from the Jamaica High Commission on 0207 8239911 Ext 8056;

Birmingham - 0121 4459816; Nottingham - 07505100458; Manchester - 07951207492.

FAMILY FUNDAY The Jamaica Basic School Foundation will be presenting its annual Family Funday and Food Festival on Sunday, August 2 to mark Jamaica 53rd Independence anniversary at the Crystal Palace Park, Anerley Road, London SE20 starting at 12 noon to 7 pm.

This will also be the 20th anniversary of the Foundation and activities will include music, arts and craft stalls, Caribbean cuisine and entertainment for the whole family.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE The Association of Jamaican Nationals Birmingham, will be hold a Service of Praise and Thanksgiving to mark Jamaica’s 53rd Independence anniversary on Sunday, August 9 at the New Testament Church of God, 240-244 Lozells Road, Birmingham B19 commencing at 3 pm. Guest minister

will be Bishop Michael Wilson of the Church of God Prophecy who will give the sermon.

Special invited guests will be Her Majesty Lord-Lieutenant of West Midlands Paul Sabapathy, CBE and Jamaica’s High Commissioner Aloun Ndombet-Assamba.

The service will include special performances from Black Voices choir, Handsworth Community Choir, Brothers United in Christ along with dancing and poetry presentation. This event is open to all.

FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES The Mount Pleasant Jamaica Association will be celebrating Jamaica’s 53rd Independence anniversary with a fund-raising day of activities on Saturday, August 8 at the Phoenix Centre, London WC1, behind the Mount Pleasant Royal Mail Centre starting at 1 pm to 10.30 pm.

There will be a variety of market stalls promoting cultural items for sale along with food and drink stalls all in aid of the Yutes4change Foundation and Save Our Children Foundation in Jamaica.

George Ruddock photo Guests enj oy the food, drink and music in the grounds of the J amaica High Commission for the J TB summer party.

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Independence Celebrations

Gleaner Photos A solemn Pontifical mass marks the island’s independence was celebrated at Holy Trinity Cathedral.

DOWN MEMORY LANE

Various fruit trees and flowers are placed on this float which paraded through Ocho Rios during Independence Week.

The Earl of Snowdon, and the Premier, the Hon. Alexander Bustamante exchange a few words in the period while H.R.H. Princess Maragaret inspcted the Guard of Honour at the Palisadoes airport.

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London gets sw eeter w ith C aribbean fruit flavours Jamaican candy available through Ashanti Imports

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WEETIE CONFECTIONERY, producer of authentic Caribbean fruit flavoured hard candies, has forged a partnership with two established distribution companies in the United Kingdom.

Ashanti Imports and JLB Shipping have agreed to distribute the company’s hard candy products into Caribbean stores across England where an estimated 4% of persons are of Jamaican heritage.

Only eight-month-old, the novel product was borne out of a need to provide Caribbean people with candy in flavours they could readily identify. “ When your goddaughter asks you what is a blue raspberry and you have no idea what to tell her, something has to change,” commented Petria-Kaye Aarons, CEO of Sweetie Confectionery. She tells the story of buying her 4-yearold godchild a popular blue raspberry candy, and “ since we don’t eat raspberries in Jamaica and as far as I know, they don’t come in blue, it was difficult to explain to her what she was eating” . Aarons then discovered that more than 95% of the candies consumed in Jamaica at the time were imported products, to the tune of £5 million annually.

With the help of the local Scientific Research Council and the only other existing confectionery manufacturer in Jamaica, Aarons now produces that country’s first authentic Caribbean fruit flavoured candy, in the familiar tastes of mango, june plum, guava, jackfruit and pomegranate. A seasoned marketer in corporate Jamaica for some 16 years, she stepped into

the confectionery industry knowing very little. An official Branson Centre Entrepreneur, she credits the teachings of the Virgin sponsored entity in transforming her from being a great marketer to being a great CEO. Last week’s shipment of Sweetie to London by Ashanti marks the company’s first major export effort into the Jamaican Diaspora. “ Truth is, I hadn’t expected to be exporting this quickly” , explained Aarons. “ I knew it was important to

secure markets outside of Jamaica if the business was going to not only be sustainable but profitable, however that objective I really didn’t think possible until year 2 of operation.”

JAMPRO FACILITATION Her export plans were fast tracked because of the Business to Business matchmaking session facilitated by the Jamaica Promotions Corporation ( JAMPRO) at the recently staged Diaspora Conference.

Vice President for Export and Market Development at ( JAMPRO) , Robert Scott said, “ One of the main mandates at JAMPRO is to develop exporter capacity and create routes to market for export clients. All our strategies and executions have this common goal in mind and the Business-toBusiness Matchmaking sessions at the Diaspora Conference were deliberately designed to do this. We wanted to ensure that local SMEs had the opportunity to make connections with manufacturers and distributors in the Diaspora.” “ Our SMEs have the products and the targeted delegates visiting the conference would have the connections within their respective markets; this brings the perfect ‘matchmaking opportunity’ for companies like Sweetie Confectionary, who was able to garner success for export to the UK,” explained Scott.

The Business-to-Business (B 2B) Matchmaking session is one customised product developed by JAMPRO to

Please see FRUIT, 14 Sweetie CEO, Patria- K aye Aarons.

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narrow the gap between local and diaspora SMEs. JAMPRO played a facilitating role between both stakeholders looking to create a mutually commercial benefit. The activity focused on one-to-one prescheduled meetings aimed at assisting local companies in accessing partnerships and equity funding to grow and expand their businesses, attracting investment flows for approximately 50 viable “ ready to go” projects ( using the diaspora as a primary target) and facilitated linkages between manufacturers and distributors of Jamaican-made products.

Ashani Imports proprietor Noel Dempster is one of a few Jamaicans in London importing and selling Jamaican products. He points out that most Jamaican manufacturing companies don’t realize the demand for the distinctive Jamaican flavours. He also cautions that product quality keeps many from being export ready. “ Q uality is crucial. Jamaican manufacturers need to realize it’s them against the world. Not only are your products competing with similar ones from CARICOM, but there is also competition from the Commonwealth and the rest of the world. Whatever you hope to export has to stand up well to these competitors.” He suggests that should Sweetie hope to find success in London, it must maintain the product quality it has started out with.

Ashanti earlier this year made the news rounds when they resumed banana shipments to the

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United Kingdom (U K) after a sixyear hiaatus due to the devastating effects of several hurricanes on the sector, and changes in the preferential agreement with the UK. Aarons estimates that with the addition of the London market, her projected sales figures for 2015 will increase by at least 25% . Already, the first shipment of Sweetie goods transported by Ashanti has arrived in London, and a second order has been placed.

Sweetie is one of only two companies making candy commercially in Jamaica. Aarons is riding on the ‘Buy Jamaica’ ticket, which is gaining traction particularly in the Diaspora markets. “ Sweetie was borne out of a need to serve Jamaicans. Out of a need to serve 2.7 million people who were eating candy in flavours they couldn’t relate to. There are another 9 million Jamaicans the world over that I want to reach” , and I’m actively seeking distributors to take me there” .

Ideally, Aarons is aiming for 60% of Sweetie’s revenue to be generated from outside of Jamaica by 2020. This will be crucial to hedge against foreign exchange fluctuations. “ The intention is to share a little piece of paradise with Jamaicans, wherever they may be.

We know full well that there are many Jamaicans that for whatever reason are unable to come back home and have a piece of Jackfruit.

My intention is to remind them of that taste without the plane ride” .

Sweetie is also currently available in 100 locations across Jamaica.

ABOUT SWEETIE Sweetie Confectionery is one of only two candy making companies in Jamaica; and the only one in the

J amaican Minister of Agriculture, L abour and Social Security, D errick K ellier ( left) , examines banana being packaged for export, while on a v isit to the Agricultural Marketing Corporation ( AMC) Complex in K ingston on F riday ( J anuary 2 3 ) . Others are: head of Ashanti L imited, N oel D empster ( second right) ; permanent secretary in the Agriculture Ministry, D onov an Stanberry ( right) ; St. Mary banana farmer, N oel Clarke ( centre) ; and Rita Hilton of Carita J amaica L imited.

Caribbean producing authentic Caribbean flavoured confectionery like jackfruit, mango, guava, pomegranate and june plum. Sweetie products are available in hard candy and there are plans to produce “ juju” , taffies and lollipops.

Sweetie with its authentic Caribbean flavours will satisfy the sweet tooth of Caribbean people at home and those in the Diaspora markets longing for the tastes of

home. With formulations developed exclusively for Sweetie by the Scientific Research Council, products are manufactured in Kingston, Jamaica using oils extracted from the best Caribbean fruits. Sweetie is co-packed at the island’s only commercial confectionery manufacturing facility, ( in operation since 1988) , for distribution to various wholesale and retail channels.

Sweetie gives the promises of

product excellence and a patriotic commitment to Jamaica first; being made in Jamaica for Jamaicans and Jamaicans at heart.

For more information on Sweetie visit our website: www.caribbeansweetie.com or like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/caribbeansweetie.com

Sweetie is an official Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship business.

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R OA D T O IN D E P E N D E N C E The following are excepts of a series of articles written by communications specialist, Lance Neita for the island’s Independence celebrations and published earlier in The Gleaner.

INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS 1962 - PART 2 Lance Neita Gleaner Contributor

H

ER ROYAL Highness The Princess Margaret opened the first Independence Parliament on Tuesday, August 7, in the midst of a hectic five days of activities following her arrival on August 3.

The next day she boarded the Royal Coach accompanied by her husband Lord Snowden for a train ride which took them through the winding hills of inner Jamaica and the cockpit country and ended with a civic reception in Charles Square, Montego Bay. By then the focus had shifted to rural Jamaica where the festivities and jubilation matched whatever had been taking place in Kingston on the official calendar.

The organisers had taken care to ensure that the ordinary districts would be not be left out, and activities were organised by Sugar Welfare and the Jamaica Social Welfare in over 1,000 villages islandwide.

LARGE TURNOUT From Beacon Hill in St Thomas to Mt Airy in Westmoreland, people danced and sang to digging songs, quadrille, kumina, jonkannu, ring games, and maypole. They enjoyed boat regattas, donkey races, domino, bonfires, cricket, boxing, street dancing, curry goat, speech festivals and drama presentations.

Rains could not diminish the enthusiasm of the 8,000 persons who turned up at Mandeville’s Brooks Park on Sunday night, August 5, for the formal occasion. The function included speeches from Custos R. Williams, MHRs Winston Jones and Ernest Peart, and Mayor Cecil Charlton.

Just down the road at Porus, some 2,000 attended the religious services led by Rev Neville DeSouza and Rev E.A. RitchieHaughton.

Above Rocks in St Mary celebrated the day with foot and sack races, grease pig and pole climbing. Miss Lilly Wall was declared “ Miss Above Rocks” and sent on her way to Spanish Town to vie for the parish title.

The Falmouth Jaycees organised a one-half mile float which curved through Duncans, Sherwood, Clarks Town, Duanvale, Bunkers Hill, Deeside and Wakefield, culminating in a grand fair at Hague. Later in the evening, Trelawny’s custos, Val Parnell, led a crowd of young and old in dancing the mash potato and twist or to calypso and rock and roll

all, the choice of Chaguaramas in Trinidad as the capital site had not gone down well on our side. Further, both Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante had declined to run for a seat in the West Indies Parliament. The absence of these two leaders suggested a lack of commitment to the federation, although Manley continued to champion its cause.

Then came Bustamante’s dramatic announcement on the night of May 30, 1960, that he was recalling the Jamaican members of his party from Trinidad.

Bustamante’s withdrawal was a signal that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was now determined to oppose federation on all fronts. Stung by this move, Premier Manley announced the next day that he would call a referendum for the people to decide.

The referendum was held on September 19, 1961, and the JLP captured 54 per cent

of the vote. There was no question that having voted to secede, Jamaica would now seek independence outside of the federation. And there was no question that an election would have to be held to determine which party would lead the country into independence.

FAST PACE Events continued to move at an even faster pace. The two leaders led a joint delegation to England in February 1962, to discuss the new Constitution and to set the date, August 6, for independence. The JLP and People’s National Party ( PNP) worked in unison during the conference, prompting Bustamante to quip in his final speech, “ I am happy that Mr Manley and I were able to work as if there was only one party - the Jamaica Labour Party.” Much laughter all around.

The election date, April 10, was announced

by Manley immediately following the conference.

The campaign was officially launched on the tarmac of the Montego Bay Airport on February 12, when the two leaders returned to Jamaica on separate British Overseas Airways Corporation flights.

Jamaica was once again plunged into election fever, this marking the fifth time in eight years that the country was going to the polls.

Please see CELEBRATIONS, 16

Both oldsters and youngsters enj oyed themselv es riding the F erris Wheel, which was one of the attractions at the Parish F ete organised by St Thomas Independence Celebrations Committee at L yssons Recreation Centre on Thursday, August 9 . Abov e, a full load occupies the wheel while eager onlookers await their turn. music at Water Square.

St Elizabeth drew the largest rural crowd with some 25,000 turning out at Pepper to watch a 30ft diameter bonfire and join in the Byron Lee dance party organised by Kaiser Bauxite.

Back in Kingston, it was entertainment around the clock as a series of roadside concerts toured the Corporate Area featuring Louise Bennett, Ranny Williams, Charles Hyatt, the Frats Qu intet, Eddy Thomas and Ivy Baxter dancers, the Mapletoft Poulle orchestra, and Count Prince Miller.

FLOAT PARADE But it was the two-mile National Float Parade from Cross Roads to Victoria Park on August 11 that put the icing on the cake.

According to The Gleaner, “ every conceivable aspect of the country’s life was depicted in the pageant, magnificent in concept and in execution” .

The colourful parade had thousands lining the streets to greet the beauty queens, costumed groups, cyclists, youth clubs, students, and representative floats from the Chinese, Indian, and African communities.

Caricatures of Busta and Manley, Miss Lou and Mass Ran drew gales of laughter, while bands, uniformed groups, agriculture, tourism, religion, industry, commerce, trade unions, the civil service, sports teams including Senator Frank Worrell, saluted the viewing platform graced by the governor general, Sir Kenneth Blackburn, the mayor, Frank Spaulding and Miss City of Kingston, 18year-old, Mitsy Constantine.

It was an unforgettable show, and a fitting prelude to the next grand event, the opening of the IX Central American and Caribbean Games which took place at the Stadium that night.

PARLIAMENT THE EVENTS leading up to Jamaica’s independence moved at a fast pace between 1958 and 1962. The West Indies Federation, formed on January 3, 1958, had raised many questions in the minds of Jamaicans. First of

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Manley took off from the airport on a motorcade to Charles Square and then through all the major towns, en route to a monster meeting at Kingston Race Course that evening.

The JLP wound up a similar motorcade with a giant meeting at Coronation Market the following day.

The leaders put everything they had into the eight-week campaign. The PNP urged Jamaicans to “ vote for the man with the plan” , in reference to Manley’s successful development programmes that he had introduced since coming to power in 1955. The party also campaigned on its record of championing a vision for independence since the early days of the political movement in

Norman Grindley/D eputy Chief Photographer The Coronation Market marching band participates in the float parade.

Jamaica, and portrayed Manley as the ‘Father of the Nation’.

ELECTION CAMPAIGNING The JLP countered with their slogan, ‘the party with the programme’, presenting Bustamante as the hero who had pulled the country out of an unpopular union. Night after night, the JLP crowds would chant, “ Let eye water fall on the man with the plan, Busta come back again.”

This was the election where a third party made its debut, with Millard Johnson’s People’s Progressive Party fielding 18 candidates running on a Black Nationalist slate.

They all lost their deposits. The election also saw three future prime ministers in the hustings: Clem Tavares, who acted as prime minister when Donald Sangster became ill in 1967; Sangster himself who acted for Busta as PM 1965-67, and who won the election as JLP leader in 1967; and Edward Seaga, who took on ‘Burning Spear’ Dudley Thompson in Western Kingston and went on to serve a record 45 years in Parliament.

By April 5, the election race seemed headed for a photo finish. The parties were wrapping up their campaigns. Busta was being serenaded in Spanish Town as the comeback kid, and Manley was dancing to the singing of some lively party tunes in Highgate. And two Russian ships were nosing their way from the Atlantic into the Kingston Harbour. The exciting last lap was about to begin.

Sir Alexander Bustamante ( left) , Premier of J amaica greeting N orman Manley.

Bustamante, in a race to the finish.

Age made little difference to either of these two political giants. Manley at 69, and Bustamante (B usta) at 78, were displaying the vim, vigour and vitality of much younger men.

Excitement across the electorate was at fever pitch, with the meetings pulling out massive crowds, and daily broadcasts urging voters to cast their ballots for ‘The Man with the Plan’ - PNP or the ‘Party with the Programme’ - JLP.

ELECTION TRAIL

OTHER EVENTS

THE COUNTDOWN to the general elections of 1962 commenced on Sunday, April 1 with giant meetings held by the Peoples National Party (PN P) and the Jamaica Labour Party ( JLP) at strategic points all over the island.

The election day had been set by Premier Norman Manley for Tuesday, April 10. This was to be the election that would determine which party would lead Jamaica into Independence, and the PNP and JLP were consolidating their positions with the two leaders, Manley and Sir Alexander

Meanwhile, other events of national interest were sharing the headlines. The West Indies cricket team was whipping the pants off India in the fourth test in Barbados, beating the visitors by seven wickets to go up 40 in the series.

A Royal Charter was granted on April 2 to make the University College of the West Indies a full-fledged university under the Great Seal of the Realm.

In news overseas, the Cold War was on, with President John Kennedy of the USA facing down Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Jamaica as a British colony sided with the West, but the PNP had continued to flirt with socialism, leaving it open to Bustamante’s continuous populist taunting that “ if you have two cows Manley going take away one” .

All seemed ordinary when two Russian ships, said to be on a scientific investigation in the Atlantic, sailed into the Kingston Harbour on April 5, ostensibly for fuel, water and food. Their presence earned a small news item in The Gleaner and may have gone unnoticed, but not by the politicians.

Stories started to circulate that the arrival of the ships was an omen of things ‘red’ to come.

Public opinion was whipped up into a frenzy on the eve of the election. Manley reacted with concern, denying that the ships had been invited by the Government. “ Please keep calm and do not let liars deceive you,” he announced. With just four days to go, the presence of the ships turned into a big political issue, although modern polls would probably have shown that little, if any, fillip had been provided for the JLP. The ships slipped out as quietly as they came on April 8, and the campaign continued. A total of 112 candidates were nomi-

nated, with the PNP and JLP fielding a full slate of 45 each. Over in Spanish Town, 1,200 lit candles heralded Bustamante’s arrival at a meeting with the crowd singing, “ Coming, coming, he is coming back again.”

And Manley took a swing at the Opposition when he told a Four Roads crowd that “ I wouldn’t put the JLP in charge of a fowl coop much less to run a government” .

On election morning, Bustamante voted quietly at 208 Mountain View Avenue.

Manley voted at 21 Washington Drive. “ Who yu vote for” , asked an enthusiastic supporter.

Manley smiled and replied,” A person’s vote is secret.”

The secret was out that night. The proverbial JLP river came down bank to bank with the voters handing them a 26-19 seat majority in the House. There was dancing in the streets at the offices of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and at Bustamante’s residence on Tucker Avenue. “ I accept the decision of the people” , said Manley. And from Bustamante, the Prime Minister-designate of Independent Jamaica: “ There will be no victimisation ... nor will there be any communism in this island,” he added, as a final barb in the PNP’s side.

CELEBRATE

The three stages of independence is the name of this float which was awarded first priz e for the most original and second for most J amaica float at the F estiv al Parade.

THE INDEPENDENCE celebrations began in earnest immediately following the raising of Jamaica’s flag at the National Stadium at midnight August 5, 1962. The skies above Kingston and major townships were lit up with giant fireworks displays. Bonfires blazed on hills and mountaintops across the countryside. Jamaica was greeting its Independence with a spontaneous outpouring of joy and pride.

The top 10 tunes on the hit parade kept us dancing with lyrics and rhythms that reflected the mood and emotions of the people. Derrick Morgan’s Forw ard M arch, Lord Creator’s Independent Jam aica, and Al T. Joe’s Independence Time Is Here invited us from every jukebox and every bandstand to “ rise, Jamaica, rise, and let us celebrate” .

Please see CELEBRATIONS, 20

J ames Verity, a J amaican musician who had come from England for the Independence celebration, conducting the band and the J amaica Regiment, formerly the West India Regiment at Hope Gardens. The occasion was the first concert to be giv en by the band since its change of name.

Please see CELEBRATIONS, 20 16

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Let T ranspakship handle y our C aribbean move w ith care I

N 1960 Steve Oldershaw formed a partnership with his brother Philip and Oldershaw Removals was formed. The company soon grew and very soon Philip and Steve purchased three vehicles and employed a team of removal crew. The possessions coming in to the country belonging to the immigrants from the West Indies were being handled by Philip, Steve and their colleagues at Oldershaw Removals.

From here international movements grew rapidly and it was decided in 1969 that Philip and Steve dissolved their partnership and that Philip would concentrate on the light haulage service that had served them so well and that Steve would develop a new company called “ Transpakship” ( so called as it incorporated TRANSport PAcKing and SHIPping) and develop it into a key player in the global market of removals worldwide.

As the household removals trade and the West Indian market continued to grow at a fast pace and Transpakship were prospering in the volumes of cargo which were being shipped out to the Caribbean Islands it was inevitable that soon a new purpose built site would be required, one that would match all the criteria that a modern day company needs to service its clients to full potential. It was decided that the land on the aptly named “ Export Drive” situated closely to the M1 and A38 on the outskirts of Sutton-In-Ashfield in

Nottinghamshire.

Elizabeth Oldershaw took control of Transpakship in the mid 90’s and has guided the company to the forefront of the national and international removal scene. With her modern approach to business, ideas and forward thinking Elizabeth and her dedicated team look forward to embracing you in the future of Transpakship.

Transpakship are now known as THE Caribbean shipper and mover dealing with small scale shipments and full scale overseas removals.

Shipping to all Caribbean destinations our most popular of which are Jamaica, Barbados, St Kitts, Nevis and many more! We also offer a full relocation service for those who need reliability and peace of mind. We are recommended more than any other West Indian shipper. Our best form of advertising is through referrals please see the testimonials below…

TESTIMONIALS Everything arrived on schedule and as always superbly packed and in perfect condition. Huge thanks to you and ALL your team for going to so much trouble and want you all to know how much we appreciate the care and attention you put into it all.

Elizabeth Pettifer, West Indies I am glad I came across your compa-

nies advertisement in the Jamaican Gleanor. Everything was well packaged and came intact. I will certainly use your service again if needed and will recommend you to friends. Everyone was courteous and supportive, from you coming to see me in Sheffield, the men who came to pack and ship, and the people at your offices in Montego Bay. Thank you again for a very efficient service.

Mr & Mrs Edwards, Jamaica I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team of packers for the tremendous work done when my husband and myself were emigrating to Jamaica.

Furthermore, I would like to stress, my gratitude towards the efficient way your team worked. As returnees moving back to our homeland in Jamaica, after so many years in England, the move was a stressful period for both my husband and myself.

However, due to the efficiency and competency shown by your team of packers the stress was less so.

Furthermore, I was offered complete assurance by yourself and the team and felt confident that my furniture/ goods would arrive to its destination intact which was the case Mr & Mrs James, Jamaica

Let Transpakship handle your Caribbean move for you with care.

File photos L ord William Morris ( left) with Eileen Ware and Bev erly L indsay Chair Association of J amaican N ationals at the Birmingham church serv ice.

F ormer High Commissioner to the U nited K ingdom, Anthony J ohnson ( centre) ; U K Member of Parliament, D iane Abbott ( left) ; and chair of the Association of J amaican N ationals, Bev erly L indsay, cut the commemorativ e cake to mark J amaica’s 4 9 th anniv ersary of Independence, at a reception held on August 5 at the High Commission in L ondon.

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V irtually H ere - for ex ceptional real estate ex perience R

EAL ESTATE in Jamaica can be a minefield, but Beverley Palmer has not only found ways of making it easier and less troublesome, it can really be a pleasure to do business when handled properly.

In fact, from the moment you engage her bespoke services a successful outcome remains at the heart of all that can be done to ensure an exceptional real estate experience. Which begs the question, what exactly is on offer?

Enter the internationally renowned Coldwell Banker Jamaica. Real estate is what they have done for more than two centuries, with around 3000 offices in almost 50 countries and territories, including Jamaica.

SYNERGY As a licensed Realtor Beverly found a synergy with Coldwell Banker, who have a clear understanding

of the overseas markets.

Beverley has certainly come a long way in developing and honing her entrepreneurial skills in the land of her parents.

Working with Coldwell Banker, and under the auspices of her own company, Virtually Here, Beverley will be your first point of contact, using her knowledge and resources to make sure all your business transactions in Jamaica go as smoothly as possible. You will find her expertise is not limited to Real Estate.

Originally from the East End of London, Beverley has earned her professional credentials living and working in Jamaica for more than 23 years. Not to mention knowing the value of getting the very best advice.

Of course, proper consultation won’t be your only consideration. That’s why Beverley believes insight and wisdom are vital too, in com-

ing to the right decision.

Says Beverley: “ Good and sound information is the key, plus an open mind. “ We all know that in years gone by our parents have dreamt of returning to that elusive home in Mandeville, or their childhood district to a home built on three levels

to accommodate the children when they come to visit. “ But similarly, we know that in many cases this is not the reality, and those same properties remain empty, or with estate agents left with houses they cannot sell because of problems that appear impossible to resolve.

“

To contact Beverley to learn more about how Virtually Here can assist you with anything Jamaican you can contact her at: Virtuallyherejamaica.com Beverley@ cbjamaica.com Or on Facebook ( 1 876) 371 0984

Bev erley Palmer

U K charity helps J ’can institutions PEARL JARRETT, a citizen of the United Kingdom (U K) with Jamaican heritage, established the Jarrett Foundation, which includes second- and third-generation Jamaicans.

She recently took educational and personal supplies for students attending under-resourced schools in St Mary, Portland, St Thomas, Manchester, and St Ann. “ We have a country director who assists us with organising our trip, and we asked persons in Jamaica to nominate schools which they identified as being in need. We consulted the JNBS Foundation which recommended schools that are a part of its iLead Programme, Jarrett said.”

Since its official establishment in 2011, the Jarrett Foundation has been visiting Jamaica annually. With generous support from various UK-based organisations, Jarrett says that the impact has been tremendous over the years. They also get assistance from the JN Foundation’s Act! on Volunteers.

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independencefeature CELEBRATIONS C onti n ued

more for his extravagant Latin American sambas, did a formal waltz with Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret. Fans hurried to catch the street dances or to enjoy the roadside concerts with Miss Lou and Maas Ran. The partying paused on the morning of August 7 for the official opening of Parliament. It was a solemn moment as the prime minister received the Constitutional Instruments from Princess Margaret, sister to Q ueen Elizabeth II, while Norman Manley, leader of the Opposition, seconded the address of thanks.

There was more to come. The largest crowd ever assembled in Jamaica, up to that time, turned out to watch the Independence float parade on August 12, where every conceivable aspect of the country’s life was depicted in a grand and colourful pageant.

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The flag-raising ceremony was not confined to Kingston. Ceremonies took place that night in towns, village squares, and remote districts around Jamaica. In Annotto Bay, the British flag was lowered by scout Vincent Walker, while the Jamaican flag was hoisted by scout Cecil Khouri. Evon Grant conducted the combined church choirs of Mandeville at Brooks Park. The service at Porus was conducted by the Reverends Neville deSouza and E.A. Ritchie-Haughton.

The Reverend K. Braithwaite spoke on the topic ‘The old order changeth, giving place to the new’, at a function in Mount James, St Ann. On Monday, August 6, Independence Day, Jamaicans poured out on to the streets, schools, community centres, district commons, beaches, racetracks, playing fields, towns and the city to enjoy the holiday.

The Ministry of Education had summoned all schoolchildren to assemble at their various schools that morning for flag-raising, tree-planting, the national pledge, and the national anthem. Each child was given an Independence pack of sweets, aerated water, a pack of sweet biscuits, an Independence cup, badge and ballpoint pen, and a Jamaican flag.

1,000-VILLAGE CELEBRATION The Ministry of Development and Social Welfare had earlier unveiled a plan for a 1,000-village celebration programme across the island. Above Rocks in St Andrew hosted a picnic, dancing, foot and sack races, grease

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UNFORGETTABLE

Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer Spectators watch the ‘ Word, Sounds and Power’ media float as it trav els along Half- Way Tree Road during the Independence D ay F loat Parade. pig and pole climbing, and crowned Lilly Wall Miss Above Rocks. Wait-A-Bit in Trelawny selected its own beauty queen, Sonia Wright, while the village enjoyed a float parade which wound its way from the Alps down to Water Square in Falmouth.

Member of Parliament Tacius Golding presided over the Old Harbour celebrations.

And in Port Maria, some 200 Maroons led by Colonel Phillip Latibeaudiere danced in the

square before moving on to Richmond.

Fishing regattas were held at Port Royal, Puerto Seco, Rocky Point and Port Morant, complete with dominoes, tug of war, cricket matches, beer-drinking competitions, and cross-the-harbour races.

Jamaica was partying as never before. The newly opened Sheraton Hotel was the venue for the Independence Ball, where the prime minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, known

As one of the representatives of my school, I was privileged to march in the parade that started at Cross Roads and ended at the corner of King and Tower streets. Taking the salutes on the dais were the governor general, Sir Kenneth Blackburn; Donald Sangster, representing the prime minister; the mayor of Kingston, Frank Spaulding; and Miss City of Kingston, Mitzie Constantine.

The staging of the IX Central American and Caribbean Games at the National Stadium, which opened that night and closed two weeks later, ended the round of extraordinary and unforgettable activities which marked the celebrations of Jamaica’s first Independence in 1962.

The success of the Games was a fitting ending to a remarkable chapter in Jamaica’s history.

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independencefeature

H anna outlines E mancipation, Independence schedule Shereita Grizzle Gleaner W riter

M

INISTER OF Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna officially launched activities to mark Jamaica’s 2015 Emancipation and Independence Day celebrations under the theme ‘Proud and Free, Jamaica 53’. The theme and slate of activities were made public in a ceremony held at The Pegasus hotel, New Kingston in mid-June.

The large audience at the Talk of the Town was given a taste of what is to come as finalists in the Festival Song Competition performed parts of their songs. The gathering was also introduced to the finalists in the Festival Q ueen Competition, as well as the finalists in the Gospel Competition before the minister gave her address.

Performers entertain the crowd at Grand Gala 2 0 1 3 .

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Hanna outlined the activities for this year’s celebrations. They include selection of the winning festival and gospel songs, Mello-Go-Roun’, the World Reggae Dance Championships, and selection of the 2015 Festival Q ueen.

On Saturday, August 1, the country will observe National Jamaica Day with the opening of the Independence Village at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road, St Andrew. There, booths will showcase the best of Jamaican culture, and the country’s creative industries will be highlighted through literary and film festivals. The Independence Village will run from August 1 through to August 6, Independence Day. In addition to the Independence Village, Hanna also said a section of Hope Road

Rudolph Brown Photo Her Excellency Mathu J oyini ( left) , South Africa high commissioner to J amaica, chats with L isa Hanna ( right) , minister of youth and culture, and Patricia Holness at the J CD C launch of Activ ities for Emancipation and Independence Celebrations at the J amaica Pegasus hotel.

Rudolph Brown Traditional attire is displayed in different styles at the J amaica Pegasus hotel, N ew K ingston, last Wednesday during the launch of this year’s Emancipation and Independence slate of aciv ities.

would be transformed into a marketplace for what she described as “ bringing ‘Corrie’ uptown” .

This year, August 2 will be designated as Family Day, and the minister encouraged all families islandwide to spend quality time by organising reunions and excursions to various attractions and places of interest such as Port Royal, Hope Gardens, and Devon House. She also encouraged public participation through a wide range of activities, extending to the workplace.

Even the media were included in the list of activities as the minister said there would be a competition where there would be a prize for the media house best displaying the spirit of Independence.

It is not all about Kingston. “ We are not leaving out rural Jamaica because the community spirit which it is best known for will once again be rekindled and re-energised as

rural Jamaicans will be included in the planning of activities to commemorate the Emancipation and Independence celebrations,” Hanna said.

On August 6, the country will stage the annual Grand Gala at the National Stadium. “ The Grand Gala event this year will unite the country in one major celebration of our culture,” Hanna said.

She was in a reflective mood as she reminisced on Jamaica’s development since Independence in 1962. “ Look at how far we have come since Independence,” Hannah said. “ We have proven to the world that we are a nation that can succeed. “ We urge you all to start getting excited, and above all things, let us remain proud as a country and free as a people because certainly, the rest of the world wants to be Jamaican,” Hanna said.

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DOWN MEMORY LANE

Q uadrille dancing is watched intently by the large crowd which attended the wayside concert in F almouth as part of the parish of Trelawny Independence celebrations.

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Miss Independence 1 9 7 2 , Rita F aye Chambers

A group from F letcher’s land and D enham Town hold a sign displaying j ust what the Grand Gala Independence Celebrations are about.

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