Pepperpot 2014 11 30

Mrs. Marlyn Reid-Clarke

Marlyn Reid-Clarke

Page XXVII

Page XIX

“I’m here to help the best I can in terms of moulding the nation’s children.”

Nadia Buari Page XIII thoughtfully describes how men see love differently from women

Priyanka Chopra: Kashibai in Bajirao Mastani is one of my most difficult roles!

Produced and Edited by C. Naipaul | Graphic and Layout Design by D. Prince

Page XII

II

Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

Scarlet Roses What was her heart saying to her?

– (Conclusion)

For the three days before Arvin and his search party found the spot where she had dropped her ring, Nate took Amelia on nature tours. It was an experience to treasure, in a place that was a world away from home, the scenic beauty, tranquility, pristine waterways and astounding, exotic flora and fauna.

At nights they sat by the small, soft crackling bonfire, sharing the intimate and quiet moments of the night.

An undiscovered paradise, she fell in love with.

And the man in whose comforting embrace she sat, her head resting on his strong shoulders?

What was her heart saying to her?

The days they spent together brought them close, beautiful moments and poetic verses written on the leaves, flowing with the stream and sung by the birds, but she wasn’t sure if those sweet words her lips could say, for in her past she felt there was a bond,but with whom?

For Nate, his heart had spoken to him, the first time he saw her and tonight, his face nestled in the fragranced tresses of

lips and said, “Don’t say anything, just let the moment be ours.”

She closed her eyes, allowing herself to be lost with the animals, birds and flowers in the paradise and he kissed her, an endless kiss as the fire burnt low.

Nate’s father looked at them from the shadows of his hut and raising his head to the Heavens he asked, “What plans do you have, Lord? Will her past take her away from him?”

Arvin’s team was getting ready early on the fourth morning to resume their search when there was an urgent shout from the camp, “Sir!” Arvin looked up and saw surrounding them, a small group of native hunters, bows and arrows poised with deadly intent.

No one had seen or heard them, so soundless was their approach from the foliage of the jungle.

Arvin lifted his two arms slowly to show he was harmless and an arrow, in the blink of an eye, thudded in the earth at his feet. The untrusting native stepped forward a little and asked

her hair, he told her, “I love you, Amelia.”

It was the most beautiful spoken words of life.

She looked at him, his rugged sensuality, the warmth of his smile and the love in his eyes, budded in her heart, something as sweet as a rare orchid but that uncertainty in her mind lingered.

“Nate….” She tried to tell him but he put a finger to her

in halting English, “Who you be?”

“We are searching for a female pilot, whose plane had crashed.” Arvin answered.

The native looked at him for a long moment, then asked again, “What her name and what she look like?”

A r v i n gave a de scription of Amelia and her name and immediately, the natives lowered their maureen.rampertab weapons, @gmail.com knowing they had found the search party, they were instructed to locate.

“We find her, she with us.” The native said, showing him the crest from Amelia’s uniform.

A deep look of relief crossed Arvin’s face and he laughed a little, looking up at the Heavens, “Thank you, dear Lord.”

“Is she okay, how is she doing?” he asked excited as he and his team got set to follow the natives to retrieve her.

“She okay,” the native replied, “But no one allowed in village, only one come get her.”

“Why?” Arvin asked, not pleased, “My team and I have been searching for many days.”

“Only one,” the native insisted.

Arvin’s team was not sure it was a good idea for him to go alone it was a chance he had to take. “It’s a risk I’ll have to take,” he said, “You stay here and send out a message so the aerial rescue team can be ready to take us out once I got her.”

On arriving at the village, Arvin was taken to a benab where the old English missionary, Samuel was waiting for him. He was surprised seeing a European there but before he could say anything, Samuel smiled and said, “I know, Amelia was surprised too when she saw me.”

“Where is she?” Arvin asked anxiously, “I want to see her.”

“You will,” Samuel answered, “but before you do, there’s something you need to know.”

He recounted to Arvin everything from the time Nate had brought her home, her confused thoughts and fragile mind and loss of memory, careful not to mention her closeness with his son.

“She may not recognise you,” he warned Arvin, “So you’ll have to be patient and understanding if you want to help her.”

“I’ve been searching for her and praying for her since day two when her plane crashed,” he told Samuel, showing him her engagement ring, “She’s my fiancé, she means everything to me.”

Samuel relapsed in a short moment of silence, Arvin’s

Continued on page VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

III

By Petamber Persaud

Welcome to Guyana 6

Writers as Tourism Ambassadors

I

t is normal to hear a lover of books, an avid reader confessing that he/she was able to travel the world without leaving home.

It is also normal to hear a reader praising the writer for doing such a service – being a tour guide, historian, linguist, archeologist…Sometimes the reader is so enthused going great lengths to reproduce how the writer had described a certain place.

It is customary for me to prescribe books on Guyana to anyone wanting to learn about this country. An excellent point to start the adventure in Guyana is to be introduced to the literature of the country.

‘An Introduction to Guyanese Literature’ by Petamber Persaud is such a book. It was first published by the National Library of Guyana in 2013 and reprinted in 2014 with support from Sterling Products Ltd. and Guyana Lottery Company Ltd. The book is divided into three sections. For the purpose of this paper, ‘section two’ bears more relevance to the subject. ‘Section two’ deals Norman Cameron with the first writings on Guyana via travelogues, histories, diaries and memoirs. ‘Section two’ also deals with journals, magazines and the rise of the novel. The book shows how you may expand the adventure on Guyana through the writings of imaginative literature and non-fiction literature.

A few examples will suffice: After reading Raleigh’s adventures in ‘The Discovery of Guiana,’ I was constrained to continue the adventure by plunging headlong into Brown’s ‘Canoe and Camp Life in British Guiana,’ first published 1876. And I was not disappointed for this book had me moving on various levels of reading.

‘Canoe and Camp Life…’ took me more on an adventure in research than an adventure of reading for pleasure, forcing me to revisit study notes on the writing of Wilson Harris in reference to the bone flute and to the writing of Waterton in reference to bloodletting as a cure for all ailments and to ‘The Twelve Views of the Interior of British Guiana’ by Robert Schomburgk with reference to Brown’s use of Schomburgk’s map. Then the poetry of the language used by Brown sent me turning the pages of another book in the series, ‘Guianese Poetry 1831 - 1931’ by Norman Cameron first published in 1931.

Herein I settled on the poem of Dr. Henry G. Dalton, titled ‘The Essequibo and its Tributaries.’ Cameron described Dalton as ‘being the first poet to describe the local life and nature.’

Dalton’s poem was published in 1858 in London, about

two decades before Brown’s book. This is pure conjecture: (please remember I am the one doing the reading; when you get to read this book, you may interpret it differently – that’s the vagaries of literature) Brown may have read Dalton’s writing – both persons seem to be going in the same direction, encountering similar features of the land, both fascinated by the flora and fauna.

Both started from Georgetown, encountering the hazard of sandbanks, shooting the rapids, describing the sunset, moonlight, and spine-chilling night sounds, the penal settlement and its hospitality, encountering an old white settler, spending a night in an Indian hut and detail description of each Amerindian tribe.

There was a parting of ways for the two writers. Brown extended the adventure all the way to the Potaro whereas Dalton exploration stopped in the vicinity of the Mazaruni.

Brown extended the adventure in the wilds of Guyana using the map of Sir Richard Schomburgk.

By extending the adventure, Brown is said to be the first European to see Kaieteur Falls. The Kaieteur Falls has become a symbol of Guyana.

In closing, I present this trivia: Brown came upon Kaieteur Falls in April, Dalton started his adventure to the Essequibo in April, Cameron was induced by Dalton’s poem to visit Bartica in April.

Armed with a copy of ‘An Introduction to Guyanese Literature,’ you will be better prepared to choose the direction of your adventure into Guyana.

Armed with a copy of ‘An Introduction to Guyanese Literature,’ you will discover writers as ambassadors of tourism.

(Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email:oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

WRITINGS, PUBLICATIONS and GUYANA (Part 1)

by Terence Roberts

Though all utterance, or oral speech, can express a speaker's desire for power, their lack of knowledge, ignorance, or bias about someone or something, the very act of speaking orally allows for correction, or retraction, as the speaker continues to speak, especially if there is a dialogue with someone present who questions or contradicts what is being said.

WRITING NON FICTION

But in writing (as critic Roland Barthes once said), what is said - and especially when published - cannot be unsaid, except by further writing which contradicts, or changes what had been written before. This process has led to some of the most conscientious and humane writing. The writing we are speaking of here is of course strictly 'non-fiction'; in other words, an intention to state facts seen, experienced, or acquired second hand from someone else's written reports. It is here that the distinction between the credibility of utterance or oral speech, as opposed to written language, becomes acute; since immediate speech often involves dialogue with another, which allows for retractions and corrections as such speech progresses. Whereas non-fiction writing is a monologue of statements, reports, opinions, interpretations, that cannot be challenged on a equal basis, except by further writing, or re-writing, in the future.

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL WRITINGS

Historical and cultural writings, including written critical opinions, particularly about places, territories, countries, and people once colonised, remain an interesting area of 'literature' to focus on, primarilly for two reasons: (1) To show where non-fiction writings and publications, not only by Europeans and North Americans, can become influential opinions affecting citizens/readers anywhere; and (2) to show where this example can become a learned 'model' for writings by post-colonials about their own societies/nations; especially if there is a desire for power among such people. It is also a way of imposing the writer's own personal selections and interpretations of local historical, political, or cultural activities, on any reading public, via publications.

NEW MEDIA HABITS

This topic assumes important contemporary relevance when we consider the effect of new habits, like Facebook comments, on topics that demand knowledge which previously would only receive public exposure from well-informed professionals. Today there are also newspapers deliberately exported for others to absorb without a critical approach; which means irresponsible writers can find encouragement for a preference of deliberate literary tactics aimed at propagating 'selected' data, or half-truths, rather than balanced, uninvolved or detached viewpoints.

FIRST WRITINGS ON GUYANA

The beginning of writings about that area of north coast South America which came to be known by the first early Flemish/Dutch adventurerers and seamen as 'The Wild Coast.'

Terence Roberts because of the lifestyle of Native Indians and the effulgent extremely fertile terrain they found there, actually received its first written reports without specific application of the name 'Guiana' or today's 'Guayana' and 'Guyana,' first used by Spaniards and Sir Walter Raleigh, who both only later applied that name long after Amerigo Vespucci (in 1495) in his stunning little book titled 'The New World', described encountering a gentle, very hospitable coastal Native Indian tribe on the 'Wild Coast' between the mouths of the mighty Amazon, Essequibo, and Orinoco rivers. He wrote that these Amerindians carried him on their shoulders through the jungle to their village, and fed him tasty wild fowls cooked with hot stones buried in the earth. Such reports were born out by the later characteristic fact of the social tradition of Guyanese 'hospitality', apparently rooted in the first early Guyanese social lifestyle belonging to its 'First Peoples'. Vespucci's interpretation of iguanas he saw for the first time,(the Amerindians were eating them, he probably did too) as Dragons, reflected his honest ignorance of a delicious tropical animal he confused with a wishful 'fairy tale' animal the Europeans and Asians called 'Dragons' in their myths.

Sir Thomas More, on the other hand, elevated the vague obscure tropical geographical Caribbean/South American location of an ideal 'primitive' island community (perhaps Maracas island at the mouth of the Amazon, once a highly developed South American indigenous culture) of the Antipodes, into the concept of UTOPIA, the name of his (non-fiction?) famous book, about an ideal society he learnt of from stories by a Flemish sailor who had voyaged and returned from there in the late 16th century. More's writing that the Utopians used golden utensils for the lowest human habits, were scandalously contrary to affluent values in Europe at the time, where such precious metal bore the status of wealth and power, and this became one of the surmised additional reasons the writer was put to death by a mentally unbalanced English king. Nevertheless, More's book UTOPIA increased the positive and moral power of literature, whether non-fiction or fiction.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

V

Harrison Ford

-ranked the sexiest man alive by UK magazine Empire; no other actor in history has box-office grosses as large as Ford’s.

H

arrison Ford was born on July 13, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois, to Dorothy (Nidelman), a radio actress, and Christopher Ford (born John William Ford), an actor turned advertising executive. His father had Irish and German ancestry, and his maternal grandparents were Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire.

He was a lacklustre student at Maine Township High School East in Park Ridge Illinois (no athletic star, never above a C average).

After dropping out of Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he did some acting and later summer stock, he signed a Hollywood contract with Columbia and later Universal. His roles in movies and television (Ironside (1967), The Virginian (1962)) remained secondary and discouraged, he turned to a career in professional carpentry. He came back big four years later, however, as Bob Falfa in American Graffiti (1973). Four years after that, he hit colossal with the role of Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). Another four years and Ford was Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

Four years later and he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for his role as John Book in Witness (1985). All he managed four years after that was his third starring success as Indiana Jones; in fact, many of his earlier successful roles led to sequels as did his more recent portrayal of Jack Ryan in Patriot Games (1992). Another Golden Globe nomination came his way for the part of Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive (1993). He is clearly a well-established Hollywood superstar. He also maintains an 800-acre ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Sexiest Man Alive.

Ranked #1 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. [October 1997] Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.

perienced young Indy hits himself in the chin the first time he tries to use the whip; and in Working Girl (1988), he first says that he got the scar in a knife fight, then admits that the true story is that he knocked his chin on a toilet after fainting during an

HARRISON FORD Listed as one of 50 people barred from entering Tibet.

Disney clashed with Chinese officials over the film Kundun (1997), which Ford's second wife, Melissa Mathison, wrote. [December 1996] Studied at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, but left without obtaining a degree.

His ex-wife, Melissa Mathison, wrote the screenplay for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).

Considers The Mosquito Coast (1986) to be the favorite of all his movies.

Lives in a white-painted ranch house that he built himself in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Has a scar on his chin which he got in 1968 when he tried to "buckle up" while already driving, and lost control of the car. The scar has been explained in two of his films: in the River Phoenix introductory sequence in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), an inex-

ear-piercing.

He was billed as Harrison J. Ford until 1970 for less confusion between him and silent-screen actor Harrison Ford. He actually has no middle name.

While in college Ford appeared as Mac the Knife in the musical play "The Threepenny Opera".

Older brother of Terence Ford.

Piloted his helicopter to rescue dehydrated 20-yearold hiker Sarah George from Table Mountain near his ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. [July 2000] Turned down the romance-action film Proof of Life (2000) (the Russell Crowe role), the summer-blockbuster The Perfect Storm (2000) (the George Clooney role), and finally, another summer-blockbuster, the war-epic The Patriot (2000) (the Mel Gibson role).

Ford has said The Patriot was "too violent" for his tastes,

especially considering that many children were killed and endangered throughout the film. He told People Magazine that he also turned down the film because he felt the story was too simple: "The Revolutionary War boiled down to one man seeking revenge".

Replaced Kevin Costner in Air Force One (1997).

Listed in the 2001 Guinness Book of Records as the richest male actor.

Turned down the role of Judge Wakefield in the movie Traffic (2000).

Credited with "creating" what many believe to be the best scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) because he was suffering from a bout of

dysentery at the time of filming: during the scene in Cairo with the swordsman in black, the script called for a much longer fight, but because of his condition, he quietly asked director Steven Spielberg if they could shorten the scene.

Spielberg's reply was that the only way it could be done would be if Indy pulled out his gun and "just shot the guy."

The rest of the crew, not aware of the change, laughed at this, and it remained in the final cut.

Honoured for his work with the environment, Ford was asked to name a new breed of butterfly. He named it after his daughter, Georgia.

Dragonfly (2002) was written with Ford in mind for the lead role. He turned it

down to take a year off from making movies, and the part was given to Kevin Costner.

His and Kevin Costner's casting choices have crossed paths many times before. Ford turned down the Jack Ryan role in The Hunt for Red October (1990), as did Costner.

Ford instead made Presumed Innocent (1990) and Costner made his Oscar-winning Dances with Wolves (1990).

The Jack Ryan role went to Alec Baldwin.

The U.S. box office grosses of all of Ford's films total about $3.18 billion, with worldwide grosses totaling approximately $5.65 billion. No other actor in history has box-office grosses as large as Ford's.

VI

Dentistry’s role in improving appearance is often misunderstood, underrated People spend billions of dollars each year on services and products designed to make them look more attractive. We all do this if society considers us as normal humans.

Especially in the so-called developed countries, countless women and increasing numbers of men have facelifts and other surgical procedures in an effort to enhance their appearance and remain competitive in job markets where looking youthful is an asset. But while many patients benefit from plastic surgery, others could be helped with cosmetic dentistry alone.

After all, your smile is one of the most important functions of your face. If your smile is attractive and healthy looking, it will take years off your appearance. If, on the other hand, your smile reveals worn, discolored, chipped, or missing teeth, you will look older than you should, and no amount of plastic surgery can change that. In the United States sometimes persons land very good jobs just by their employers looking at his or her a passport photograph on the application form..

If you would like to take years off your smile – and your overall looks – ask your dentist about cosmetic procedures that can help. Your chronological age should never stand between you and a more pleasing appearance. Dentistry’s role in improving appearance is often misunderstood and underrated. For example, many people believe that only dentures can alter the appearance of their smile, yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Cost-effective techniques such as cosmetic contouring, bleaching, or bonding often work wonders – typically in a single office visit.

Here are 10 Tips to keep your smile young: 1. Watch for unnatural wear and avoid grinding your teeth.

2. Take preventative oral hygiene seriously to avoid gum and bone loss.

3. Replace faulty fillings before they cause problems.

4. If crowns or bridges are worn down, replace them.

5. Lighten any discolored teeth.

6. Replace any missing teeth as soon as possible.

7. Correct a bad bite.

8. Never chew ice or hard candy or suck on lemons.

9. Ask your dentist for a video intra-oral exam.

10. Avoid abrasive habits such as aggressive tooth brushing.

As we age, the edges of the front teeth wear until these teeth are about the same length as the others. At the same time, the upper and lower lips lose muscle tone. The upper lip may sag, covering more or all of the upper teeth. The lower lip may also drop, allowing more of the lower teeth to show. The teeth will become darker. These conditions create an older-looking smile. As they get older, people stop taking proper care of themselves, including their teeth. If this sounds like you, remember that it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself again. Many older adults today are seeking treatment to correct dental problems and improve their appearance. Don’t be left out . Visit your dentist today and get an expert opinion about improving your smile.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

She Didn't Care, Then She Started Having Feelings Something For Nothing I met a man my age a few months ago. Nice looking but I didn't think he was my type. He was flirty and persistent and after three dates in 24 hours, we slept together.

I usually don't do this, but I just went with the flow.

We saw each other two or three times a week. During the week he texted and called.

I was fine keeping things sexual. Several times he mentioned he wasn't good at relationships and he had a long-term relationship that ended. All they did was fight.

In the beginning I didn't care, but then I started having feelings for him.

We were supposed to go to dinner and a movie on a Saturday night. That morning I texted him to see what time since we were meeting friends of mine. I got a text back about how he can't make it tonight and I don't deserve this.

I thought he felt bad about bailing out on our date. I texted to ask if everything was all right, and he said, yes, he would explain later. Six hours later he calls to tell me his ex showed up at his house that morning and one thing led to another.

I was upset. He texted saying I am wonderful, he is a mixed-up son of a you-knowwhat and he apologized because he had no intention of hurting me. I missed him.

So two weeks later I texted him and he immediately texted back. Every time I call or text he responds but I have to initiate things. I went on his FB page and guessed which girl was his ex. Accidentally, on my cell phone, I friended her and she accepted!

Apparently he told her about me. I immediately unfriended her but she requested to friend me! Which I didn't accept. Now I don't know what to do. I planned to text him about something he was helping me with, but now I am embarrassed.

This relationship messed with my head. Telling me to keep busy or move on isn't helping. I've tried to do that. It's been three weeks with no contact, and I am not sure how to handle this. I would love to sit down and talk to him.

Eve Eve, people often confuse face value with real value. For example, in Germany after World War I a handful of German marks would buy a week's worth of groceries. A few years later it required a wheelbarrow full of marks to buy the same amount of groceries.

The face value of the marks was the same but their real value had shrunk to almost nothing.

You are in a relationship whose value has shrunk to nothing.

The best way to stop thinking about this man is to change the way you feel about him. You took his original interest at face value, even though he told you its real value.

He said he is no good at relationships. When he said that, he said he wouldn't be good for you. Why would you want to be involved with him?

But he had a line that worked. A few dates, a few dinners and he got what he wanted.

After a simple apology, he was gone.

Who are you in this story? An interlude in the life of another couple, part of a little vacation they had from each other. Maybe they like makeup sex.

There is nothing to discuss with him. You slept with a guy on the rebound and he dumped you. Why do you want to give him the time of day?

You thought it could just be sex, then you found out that doesn't work for women.

With him you have a wheelbarrow full of nothing. With his girlfriend you have even less. Stop texting him, stop calling him, ignore her and change your FB privacy settings.

Wayne & Tamara

Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

VII

Judge’s misdirection causes confusion in jury’s mind -guilty murder accused freed; faces new trial

I

N 1960 the Federal Supreme Court in its Criminal Appellate jurisdiction allowed the appeal of murder accused Baldeo Dihal on the ground that the trial judge’s misdirection on the law, as it related to the facts was likely to cause confusion in the jury’s mind.

The accused, found guilty by the jury, was sentenced to death but he appealed.

The Federal Appellate Court constituted by Justices Rennie, Archer and Wylie allowed the appeal, set aside the conviction and death sentence, but ordered a new trial, in the interest of justice.

The Appellate Court held that in a trial of a person charged with murder the judge should relate the law to the facts in the case.

It was pointed out that when dealing with the question of provocation, mention should not be made of cooling time if the evidence clearly shows that no time elapsed between the provocation and the retaliation and more so, where any such mention of cooling time may cause confusion in the mind of the jury.

It is the duty of the judge, in his summing up, to deal adequately with the evidence relating to self-defence, the appellate court ruled, as it allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial.

Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Stanley Hardyal appeared for the appellant while Mr. W. Persaud represented the Crown.

Delivering the judgment of the court, Justice of Appeal Rennie declared that at the close of the argument, they allowed the appeal, quashed the conviction and set aside the sentence.

According to him: “The grounds of appeal are numerous and somewhat wide in scope, but, with the exception of the ground of misdirection, we saw no merit in any of them, and for that reason, refrain from making reference to any ground other than misdirection.”

“Exception was taken to the form of the directions when dealing with the questions of self-defence and provocation. It was submitted to us that the law was laid down in one compartment, so to speak, and the facts were referred to in another, and no attempt was made to relate the one to the other. The directions do seem to deserve this criticism.”

“The law of self-defence

was meticulously explained as a lecturer might well explain it to a class of students,” Justice Rennie said.

But, he emphasised, nowhere in the directions were the jury told what facts they should take into account when considering this aspect of the case. The nearest they got to having the facts related to self-defence is the statement that when considering self-defence, it would be relevant for them to compare the wounds on the body of the deceased with the injuries on the appellant.

This statement, however, deals with only one factor of self-defence –whether

self-defence, so in the case of provocation; no assistance was given to the jury by relating the evidence to the law.”

“We can see a possibility of some confusion being caused in the minds of the jury by this failure to relate the one to the other. Such a confusion could have been caused by reason of their being told: “If there was time for cooling between the time that the provocation was given and the time that the killing was done, then, of course, you cannot get the benefit of provocation to reduce the offence from murder to manslaughter.”

And, in another occa-

there was the necessity to use such force.”

“About this factor of self-defence and the direction concerning it, we shall have more to say at a later stage of these reasons, but now return to the matter under consideration.” The jury was told: “If in all the circumstances as a reasonable man , he feels that he is in danger–serious danger- he is entitled to take steps to defend himself, if necessary to the extent of killing, but though he can do that, it is his duty to retreat if he can reasonably do so in all the circumstances.”

“You may think that it is not a very manly thing to do to run away if a person is attacking you or threatening to attack you. But it is the law.”

“Nowhere in the directions were they told what facts they should take into account in determining whether or not to retreat was reasonable. The evidence I accepted would seem to suggest that retreat was not possible and it must be confusing to a jury in such circumstances to be told that, although it may be considered not manly to retreat, the law nonetheless requires it if the person attacked can reasonably do so.”

“As in the case of

sion:

“But, as I told you, the question for time for cooling is important to considering provocation. If there was time after the provocation was given within which a reasonable person would regain control of himself, then you cannot say that the accused was acting under the impulse of provocation.”

These directions, said Justice of Appeal Rennie, were given in spite of the fact that the evidence, if believed, showed that no time elapsed between the provocation and the retaliation. In another case, such an excess of direction in law might not have confused the jury, but, in the present case, where evidence was given of the relationship that existed between the deceased and the appellant’s mother as a motive for the alleged offence, the jury might very well have found themselves in the position where they would ask themselves the question,- what did the judge mean when he referred to cooling time? Had he in mind the relationship between the deceased and the appellant’s mother? There was nothing else in the case apart from the encounter, that might have affected the appellant’s mind , and if there could have been no

question of cooling tine with regard to the encounter, the jury must necessarily have wondered why they were told about cooling time, and moreso, when they remembered that they were told that it is important, and still more so, having regard to the fact that the directions on provocation ruled out the relationship between the deceased and the applicant’s mother.

Apart from these criticisms of the directions, there is also a serious misdirection on the question of self-defence. It concerns the evidence of the attack which the appellant said

By George Barclay

he repelled. That evidence shortly put, is to the effect, that the appellant was held by the neck, choked and when he fell in the swamp was being stifled.

Justice of Appeal Rennie noted that the choking and

stifling seem to the court to be of far greater consequence and amounts to a serious misdirection.

The appeal was allowed, conviction and death sentence set aside but a new trial was ordered.

VIII

Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

Scarlet Roses

From page II

searching for you since the crash.”

statement stunning him a little, but he recovered and stood up, “Come, I’ll take you to her.”

Amelia was in her hut, the two little girls with her, rearranging the flowers in the wooden vases, waiting for Nate who had gone to find a rare orchid for her when she heard someone call her name.

“Amelia.”

It was the voice she had been hearing, and turning she saw a stranger at the door, not native nor European, tall, with good looks, despite his unshaven face and crumpled clothes. He was smiling at her, tears of happiness and relief in his eyes but she could not recognise him.

“Do I know you?” she asked, a little confused.

Arvin wiped the tears from his eyes and looked at Samuel who nodded his head in consent for him to say something.

“Yes, you do.” He told her, “Only you can’t remember me now. We have been good friends and I’ve been

“Oh!” She exclaimed softly with relief, “I’m sorry, I can’t remember you.”

“That’s okay,” he said calmly, trying not to feel worried, thankful he had found her.

She was looking even more beautiful than he had known her, so different dressed as a native, he could hardly believe she was standing there in front of him.

“Once you’re with family and friends,” he told her, “It will help you to regain your memory.”

The colour faded a little from her cheeks, realising he was here to take her back and she looked at Samuel, a glint of worry in her eyes, her voice quivering a little, “Do I have to leave?”

Before Samuel could answer, Nate returned with the rare orchid, not noticing Arvin and giving her the flower, he kissed her on the cheek, “I’ve found it and I’ve named it Amelia.”

She did not smile or express amazement and he

noticed the worried look.

“What is wrong?” he asked and following her gaze, he saw Arvin.

The two men stared at each other for a long moment, a tense silence filling the hut, broken by Nate asking his father, “Who is this, father?”

“He’s from the search party looking for Amelia.”

“And…?” his question continued.

This time Arvin answered, “I’m here to take her back home.”

That unexpected statement hit Nate hard and he looked at Amelia, the fair beauty he had fallen in love with and who had become such a close part of his life.

He shook his head in defiance.

“That can’t happen.”

“She does not belong here.” Arvin said firmly, “Her family is anxiously awaiting her return.”

Amelia was beginning to look disturbed and Samuel interrupted before the tension got worse, saying to Arvin, “Can you step outside with me please, and give them a

moment?”

Arvin hesitated, a little before complying and Samuel explained to him-troubled that his son would suffer a heartbreak “She couldn’t remember who she was or anyone in her past so she became close to my son because he was a source of comfort for her. It’s a delicate situation you have to deal with until she regains her memory.”

“The sooner we leave here the better,” Arvin said; not too comfortable with Nate’s closeness to her.

That night as Amelia laid in bed sleepless, the two men who loved her sat by the bonfire, distant apart, not looking at each other and not saying anything, each in his own deep thoughts. Nate’s heart was breaking to pieces, not wanting to let her go, but Arvin was her fiancé, whom she had said ‘Yes’ to marrying before she knew Nate.

Now she had to leave with Arvin in the morning to return to the world she had come from of neon lights, airplanes, roadways and fabulous houses.

“Oh God, how do I do this?” she cried in her mind, “Leaving the one whose special to me, to go with the one I can’t remember.”

Saying ‘Goodbye’ to the people who had become like her family, to a place that was paradise on earth was heart breaking.

Nate did not say ‘Goodbye,’ unable to see her leave and she left with his last words, ‘I love you.’ his last kiss and the feel of his strong arms as he held her close.

He sat in his hut, alone, the muscles on his face taunt as he battled with his emotions. Samuel came in quietly, distressed too that she had to leave and after a long moment, Nate asked his father, “Why did this happen?”

“It’s fate, my son. You had to let her go because she belonged to someone else.

If she returns then you will know she belongs to you.”

“And if she doesn’t return?”

The question was left unanswered.

Three months passed as doctors worked with her but she regained only bits and pieces of her memory, the remainder still a blank.

“It will all come back,” they told her worried family.

“Her mind can’t be stressed.

Just let her relax and live a natural life. Just one little thing can trigger an instant recollection.”

She did not fly again, her passion lost somewhere in the jungle with scarlet roses, hoping one day it could be resurrected as she refocused on her world, her life. But not one day passed without

her thinking of Nate, wondering how he must be doing, of his father, Samuel and the two flower fairies, missing deeply the beauty and tranquility of their world.

So far away she was now but coming back and being around familiar people and places was helping with her recollection and she now knew the bond she had felt she had with someone. Arvin, the man she was supposed to marry. A bond strengthened by her deep sense of gratitude when she was told how he searched desperately for her and never gave up because of his love, not wanting to lose her.

Two men, now in her life, both, strong and handsome, loving and sweet – tempered from different worlds.

What do I do?

Arvin was attentive and helpful, taking her to places she had loved and getting her to do things she loved like Latino dancing but somehow it all seemed different. She tried to enjoy it all to be appreciative of his efforts but something was missing.

She worked part time in her father’s office and her mother’s gift shop to occupy her time meaningfully and one day as she was browsing through a National Geographic magazine, she saw the picture of a young, pregnant, native girl, sitting by her hut weaving baskets.

She stared at the picture and suddenly a light exploded in her head as she heard herself chatting over the phone’s radio, laughing a little at something then the heavy winds, her distress call and screams then a heavy crash and it all became dark.

Amelia sat with her head in her hands for a few long moments, her eyes closed and when she opened them, she was not at the airport base but in her mother’s gift shop.

She looked at her watch, noting the date and time and she called on her mother, “Why am I here? I always have bookings to fly on Tuesdays.”

“Oh my God,” her mother laughed, tears of joy spilling from her eyes, realising her daughter had regained her memory.

The fragmented pieces all came together at the picture of the pregnant native girl she was supposed to airlift that day.

Now, she could fly again, now she had gotten her life back.

Arvin was elated, taking her out to a special dinner at their favourite restaurant to celebrate.

He wanted to start discussing marriage plans and though Amelia tried to feel happy and excited, her heart wasn’t in it. She had loved him.She had wanted this but it all changed one day in the deep jungle.

Her heart now spoke to her.

Arvin had known her long enough to know what was happening, the sweetness in her smile was there no more, the spark in her eyes gone and loving her as much as he did, he knew there was only one thing left for him to do.

The night when they were supposed to finalisetheir wedding date, he took her hand in his and said to her: “You really don’t want this, do you?”

She looked at him, a little surprised, “Why do you say that?”

“Because I can feel it in my heart you’re not truly happy, something has changed.”

She didn’t answer for a while then she said, “I’m sorry. I don’t know how it happened.”

“I will always love you, Amelia,” he said, “But I can’t hold on to something that doesn’t belong to me anymore. I have to let you go.”

She looked at him with tears in her eyes, “Arvin…”

“It’s okay,” he said. “You are free to go, he’s waiting for you.”

She sat there for a long time after Arvin had left, crying quietly and looking up at the Heavens she said, “That’s why you made me walk deeper in the jungle rather than help me find a way out, isn’t it?”

She piloted the plane herself, one week later, landing at the nearest airstrip and with the help of the two army friends she had flown in with, she reached the village without any mishap.

Samuel was pleased beyond words, the natives overjoyed, her two flower fairies hugging her, but no one knew where Nate was.

There were so many places he could be but there was one place she was sure she would find him. She ran all the way to a clearing in the woods where he had shown her he wanted to build a cabin, his dream home and she saw him standing there, staring at the empty space.

“Nate,” she called his name softly, just a whisper in the wind.

He turned around slowly, not sure if it was her voice or his imagination and he saw her standing there like a dream, the wind teasing her hair and a smile on her lips.

“Amelia!.” His voice trembled as his heart that had seemed to stop beating since she left came back to life, his passion reborn and he lifted her up in his arms.

“You came back.” He said, as he put her down, tears in his eyes.

Her heart had spoken and now those sweet words, her lips could say, “I love you, Nate.”

“How do I know it’s not a dream?” he asked, hugging her.

“I have an idea.” She said softly and she kissed him-a kiss as sweet as the love that bloomed in her heart.

He had let her go and she came back so she now belonged to him.

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Exclusive: Is Veena Malik’s blasphemy case a publicity gimmick?

The Pakistani actress was sentenced to 26 years in jail along with her husband Asad Bashir Khan…

Queen of controversies Veena Malik was sentenced to 26 years in jail along with her husband Asad Bashir Khan for blasphemy by an anti-terrorist court of Pakistan. The court stated that Malik and her husband should be subjected to imprisonment for airing a blasphemous show on Geo TV and for playing a religious song while staging a mock wedding of Veena and Asad.

Veena Malik has now issued a formal statement regarding the controversy. Here it goes, “It’s a shock to me but I have complete faith in Pakistan’s higher courts and judiciary … This court works separately from the other courts in Pakistan. There are higher courts in Pakistan such as the Supreme Court. Whenever there is an issue a court will look into the facts of the case. We were not even present in the court at the time of the verdict. I have belief and trust in courts.”

Veena and her husband are currently not in Pakistan and ru-

mours suggest that the two went away after receiving threats from militant organisations. The thing that needs to be clarified about the anti-terrorism court which has issued the sentence is that it is a parallel legal system in Pakistan. What Malik has mentioned in her statement is the other judicial system of courts which have the final say in this matter.

Upon looking at the controversy in depth we realised that this incident might also be a publicity gimmick. Our reason to believe so is Veena’s Twitter account. The ex-Bigg Boss contestant retweeted a picture of her baby boy Abram Khan four hours ago. If you ask us, someone who has got sentenced to 26 years in jail wouldn’t quite be in a state of mind to relax on social media. Our belief in the seriousness of the matter further reduced upon receiving a detailed clarification from Veena’s behalf from her PR agency!

Could the blasphemy case be just another one of those controversies Veena is infamous for or is she in for some real and legal trouble? Only time will telL

Priyanka Chopra: Kashibai in Bajirao Mastani is one of my most difficult roles!

Mary Kom’s star Priyanka talks about her role in her next period film Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra says her character in Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s upcoming love saga Bajirao Mastani is one of her most difficult roles and working on the film is draining.The 32-year-old Mary Kom star is currently shooting for the period romance, which

also stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. The film is based on the love story between Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I (Ranveer) and his second wife Mastani (Deepika). Priyanka plays Kashibai, the first wife of Baji Rao. The actress took to Twitter to share her experience of filming the movie.

“Didn’t even realize how tired I

was till I touched my bed. Bajirao Mastani is so intense that I’m depleted! Kashi is one of my hardest parts!” she posted on her Twitter page.This is the second time that the actress is working with Bhansali, after her special appearance in his last movie Ram Leela, which also starred Ranveer and Deepika.

Is Karanvir Sharma from Zid smooching himself to fame to become the new Emraan Hashmi?

The newbie actor has been kissing his way ahead opposite actresses Shraddha Das and Mannara…

Karanvir Shrama’s debut film, Zid produced by Anubhav Sinha and Mushtaq Shiekh is all set to hit the theatres on November 28, 2014. The film has been in the news ever since the makers launched the theatrical trailer of the film. While the story of this psychological thriller looks interesting, it is the sex quotient of the film that is being talked about.

The trailer has a few intimate scenes between Karanvir-Mannara and Karanvir-Shraddha. The dashing young actor has even done a few lip locks because of which, people have already started drawing comparisons between Karanvir and the serial kisser, Emraan Hashmi. So, is Karanvir from Zid the new Emraan Hashmi?

Talking about the same is none other than the man of the moment, Karanvir, “The New Emraan Hashmi? Isn’t it a bit to early for such a comparison? Emraan has been a consistent kisser, I’ve just started out! Jokes apart, the intimate scenes and the kissing were an integral part of the screenplay. My job as an actor is to do what is asked off me. That’s exactly what I’ve done.” Ask him if it was awkward while shooting the scenes in question, the actor reverts, “No, not at all. There was no awkwardness what so ever. Both Mannara and Shraddha are professionals and we did these scenes just like we did any other scenes.”

Well, we need to wait till the November 28 to see if Karanvir actually manages to pull off an Emraan Hashmi. It will be really interesting to know what Emraan thinks about the debutante actor.

(Source: Bollywood.com)

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NADIA BUARI thoughtfully describes how men see love differently from women

Relationships require good understanding and compromises.

But how can that be possible if men don’t really understand how women see love and women don’t understand how men see love? As such Nadia Buari summarized it up perfectly, paraphrasing from the legendary Myles Muroe: “The first basic need of a male is sexual fulfillment; for a female, affection.

The second most basic need of a male is recreational companionship; for a female, communication and conversation.

The third basic need of a male in a relationship is an attractive woman; for a woman, honesty and openness.

The fourth basic need of a male is domestic support; for a female, financial support.

The fifth basic need of a male is admiration and respect; for a woman, family and commitment.”

Nollywood Liz Benson, Nobert Young, Kasimu Yaro For BON Recognition Awards

Lagos, Nigeria – Ageless Nollywood actress, Liz Benson (now Ameye); Nobert Young, Adebayo Salami otherwise known as Oga Bello and legendary Kannywood actor, Kasimu Yaro, have been unveiled as the recipients of this year’s Special Recognition Award at the Best of Nollywood Awards holding Saturday, October 11th in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The quartet would be garlanded by the Chief Host, Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Starting out as an actress when she was barely in her teens, Liz Benson’s first break out role was in the soar away 1994 movie, Glamour Girls. Between then and the next decade, she evolved into a major box office star with an incredible and impressive following. She would however exit the movie industry to concentrate on her evangelical call and new marriage to Great Ameye, Pastor and Founder of the Rainbow Christian Assembly in Warri, Delta State.

A University of Benin trained theatre artiste, Nobert Young, has traversed the entire gamut of the industry – with repertoire spanning stage, television, video and cinema. Though critical of the mediocrity in Nollywood, Nobert has strived to make his works stand out from the crowd. Little wonder he is regarded as one of the most methodical actors to have come out of Africa.

He is married to crossover actress, Gloria Young (nee Anozie).

For the past four decades, Oga Bello has been a permanent fixture in the Nigerian movie industry. The Ilorin-Kwara State born thespian has hundreds of English and Yoruba movies under his belt, and numerous local and international honours and recog-

nition. Like Oga Bello, Kasim Yaro is a legend in the Hausa entertainment industry. He is best known for his 2007 movie, Who Will Tell The President and the Amstel Malta Box Office-produced Cindy’s Notes.

According to a statement from the organisers, “Apart from honouring the stars and stakeholders of Nollywood every other year, we have also taken it upon ourselves to recall the sacrifices and strides of those elders whose arts and artistry have catalysed the growth and global acceptance that Nollywood enjoys today. We don’t want to wait until these veterans are dead to give them posthumous awards, which is why we have decided to celebrate them while they are still alive and active. Besides, this year’s honorees are a source of inspiration to young actors because of their longevity and continued relevance in the industry.”

UCHE JOMBO, JOKE SILVA, YVONNE NELSON, TAKE FOLLY TO CINEMAS After the successful US premiere of Folly, a blockbuster film produced by Elizabeth Daniels, popular screen goddesses, Uche Jombo, Yvonne Nelson and Joke Silva are set to take over Nigerian cinemas with the job.

The award-winning film, which also starred Joseph Benjamin, Belinda Effah and Alex Ekubo, will hit all Nigerian cinemas nationwide from 26 December (Boxing Day).

The highly rated film is finally coming to Nigeria, following its premiere in America and other parts of the world. On 1 November, Folly serenaded the heart of Big Apple, Manhattan, and the following day, it was the talk of the town as it was also premiered in DC, all in the United States.

Uche Jombo, Yvonne Nelson and Alex Ekubo were among the Nigerian movie stars who made it to the States for the double premieres. Folly got a huge applause and rating from the audience, White movie buffs in particular.

The US premiere was held on a Yacht. It was cruising in the beautiful City of Manhattan while fans eat, drink and watch the movie, Folly.

Directed by Alex Mouth, Folly tells the melancholic story of love and sweet life gone sour. It highlights the thin line between promises and betrayal, how a harmless, thoughtless action can alter lives forever.

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TOOLS TO KEEP KIDS SAFE ON THE INTERNET

As wonderful and magical as it may seem, the World Wide Web has more than its fair share of the content that’s unsuitable for children.

Over 5.5 billion of the world’s population now have a mobile device. With 85% of kids owning a phone as to 73% having books! Now that’s a pretty crazy statistic.

On a daily basis, an estimated 30-35 million children are online around the globe, one out of seven have been solicited for sex in the last year-online, by Individuals who attempt to sexually exploit children through the use of on-line services and the Internet. Some of these individuals gradually seduce their targets through the use of attention, affection, kindness, and even gifts.

These individuals are often willing to devote considerable amount of time, money, and energy in this process. They listen and empathize with the problems of children. They will be aware of the latest music, hobbies, clothing, and interests of children.

While on-line computer exploration opens a world of possibilities for children, expanding their horizons and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, they can be exposed to dangers. Only 1/3 of the households with Internet access are proactively protecting their children!

Time spent online is time taken off from outdoor sports. Who wants to play marble or “taga” and “washer” in the streets when you can be “shooting” targets on the internet? The computer -online, is now the child’s new pet! If you go out and play, you would learn teamwork, to cooperate and compromise and to plan. You'll never be tolerant and patient if, in early life, you've never been in situations where you've had to learn these things. Too much time spent kicking and punching on video games can "desensitise" the child to violence. "The rising trend of bullying and violence in schools could have something to do with it". Could this be a contribution to Suicide?

Guyana is on the move with technology; our children are becoming more interested and inclined with the usage of computers, mobile phones, iPAD’s, etc. especially if it’s connected to the internet. Educators can only do so much to teach kids Internet Safety and as long as no one backs them up, most kids are not going to comply with the warnings and advice.

Parents, you need to step in; you need to know about your child’s safety when using the internet.

If you want to protect your child against Internet threats, you must remember that kids can reach the Web from many places. Home, school, and public libraries are perhaps the most common, but there are other locations as well: • At a friend’s house, where rules and supervision might not match those at your home.

• Internet cafes, which are open to anyone willing to pay the hourly access fee.

• After-school programs and other community-based programs.

• Commercial establishments that provide Internet access, such as coffee shops, department stores, or fast-food restaurants. (Some establishments provide access free to anyone with the proper equipment, such as a laptop with wireless connection.

To that effect, I give you a few tools and advices that will help facilitate a safer computing experience for your children.

Signs that you’re Child May Be at Risk Online • Your child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night.

• You find pornography (adult content) on your child's computer.

• Your child receives phone calls from people you don't know.

• Your child is quick to turn off the computer monitor when you enter the room.

• Your child becomes withdrawn from the family, does not want to participate in family events such as; religious function, picnic, etc.

• Your child is using an online account belonging to someone else.

• You find you child speaking in a harsh and arrogant manner, especially when they cannot use the computer.

• If they go to places where they don't have continuous access to the internet, they don't know what to do and experience severe anxiety.

Things you can do to avoid these risks • Avoid leaving your child alone in a room with a computer connected to the Internet.

• Educate yourself on basic computer knowledge and learn how to block objectionable material.

• Never allow your child to upload a picture of him or herself onto the Internet.

• Make sure to have an open line of communication with your children. Show them the love.

• Talk your child about the dangers of the Internet and sexual victimization.

• Keep the computer in a common room in the house, where you can watch and monitor its use.

• Spend time with your children online. Have them show you their favourite online destinations.

• Always maintain access to your child's online accounts, and randomly check his/her e-mail.

• Create a standard/limited user account on the computer for your child. This will restrict them from doing certain things that might cause harm to both them and the computer.

• Instruct you kid to never give out identifying information such as their name, home address, school name, or telephone number On windows 7/8, using the in-built Parental Control feature; activated from the Control Panel (Start-control panel-parental control/user accounts)-you can set up separate accounts for your children; enforce when and for how long they can use the computer; which program they can use and what kind of games they can play. The Parental Control is a handy feature to have, especially during exam time when the child should be spending more time with books, rather than on the internet.

The most important thing; Software (programs) are only a mild form of censorship and parents should also make time to educate their children, as well as create and maintain ground rules for them with regards to Dos and Don’ts on the internet…weather if it’s on the computer or mobile phone.

It’s important to be aware of what your kids see and hear on the Internet, who they meet, and what they share about themselves online. Just like any safety issue, it's wise to talk with your kids about your concerns, take advantage of resources to protect them, and keep a close eye on their activities. After all they are our priceless prize.

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(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY) GOVERNOR HOOGHENHEIM’S SLAVE REVOLT DIARY (Daily Chronicle January 14, 1974)

Guyanese historian and lecturer at the University of Guyana Dr. Robert Moore will present a Diary written by Governor Van Hooghenheim who was Governor of Berbice during the Slave Revolt to the Ministry of Information.

The Diary covers nearly the whole period of the rebellion and it relates the Governor’s view of how the rebellion went and what he did to overthrow it.

The Diary compiled by Dr Moore consists of 597 typescript pages and was translated by a couple from Leyden Holland Mr and Mrs Geramey Banks.

The whole thing was done through Dr. Moore’s negotiations financed by the Government of Guyana and the University of Guyana.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Daily Chronicle January 1, 1974)

The Rock Opera that rocked the world is now here; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR: a super show…powerful acting, great singing and gorgeous music…Astor 4 Shows. Extra added attraction : Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in their funniest

comedy “Buck Privates.”

ACCUSED TO MAGISTRATE-HAPPY NEW YEAR (Daily Chronicle January 1, 1974)

A man charged with using indecent language brought a smile to Senior Magistrate William Alexander’s lips when instead of pleading he said: ”Sir, I wish you and your whole family a happy new year.”

When the Magistrate repeated the question :”Guilty or not guilty” the defendant Oscar Moore admitted the charge.

The court was told that on Sunday morning, Moore was under the influence of liquor, cursing and behaving in a disorderly manner at the Georgetown Ferry Stelling.

Moore told the Magistrate he was begging at the Stelling when a T &HD employee told him to remove and beg “outside.”

He said that he reminded the employee that it was better to beg than to steal.

Moore told the Magistrate that someone he knew was about to give him a “raise” when the employee came up

and told him “get away from there.”

“I then used the words on him,” Moore said.

The Magistrate asked Moore what was the highest amount of money he got from begging on any one day.

Moore said: “ Well Sir, during CARIFESTA I worked for as much as $30 a day-begging.”

He was reprimanded and discharged.

RAIN: 1973 ONE OF OUR WETTEST YEARS (Daily Chronicle January 8, 1974)

Georgetown recorded 108 inches, four parts of

Continued on page XVI

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(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY) From page XV rainfall for 1973, according to figures disclosed by the Meteorological Department yesterday.

While the Department could not immediately say whether it was the wettest year for Guyana , the figures indicated that it was one of the rainiest exceeding 1972 when106 inches and 67 parts were recorded.

For December 1973 28 inches and 16 parts of rain fell in

Georgetown alone.

MAGISTRATE EDUN GOES TO TRAFFIC COURT (Daily Chronicle January 4, 1974)

Magistrate Shirin Edun who will have served her 16th year on the bench in May has been transferred to the Georgetown Traffic Court.

Miss Edun has been in charge of Court VIII where she decided landlords and tenants cases.

Magistrate Clinton Wong who had been presiding in the Traffic Court has switched places with her.

Magistrate Edun who was called to the Bar in 1954 served as Traffic Magistrate in 1962-1963.

INTERIOR PLANES MUST CARRY “BLEEP” LOCATORS AND SURVIVAL KITS (Daily Chronicle January 8, 1974)

All aircraft operating within Guyana including the interior must be equipped with devices that will ensure maximum safety for passengers at all times, according to a directive from the Ministry of Works and Communications.

The Ministry said yesterday that the directive effective from January 1 this year would be “rigidly enforced” and “no aircraft will be permitted to operate in the hinterland unless it is equipped with a serviceable emergency locator transmitter and survival kit appropriate to the number of persons the aircraft can carry as part of their basic equipment for their hinterland projects.”

The emergency locator transmitter is an electric device which enables an aircraft which has crashed in a jungle or mountainous terrain to be more speedily located thereby

Continued on page XVII

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(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY) facilitating search and rescue operations.

The Director of Civil Aviation notified all aircraft operators since September 5th last year of his intention to enforce the new requirements with effect from January 1 this year then giving them adequate time to equip their aircraft appropriately.

It was learnt that most aircraft operators had since complied with the terms of the directive.

WOMAN HEADS MINERS ‘ ASSOC.

and CV Lampkin as Treasurer.

Twelve Committee members represent various mining areas of the country.

BABY ABANDONED ON DOOR STEPS (Daily Chronicle January 12, 1974)

Up to press time the police and officials of the Georgetown Hospital were trying Guyana’s miners and tributors voted a woman as Presi- to trace the parents of a dent of their Association in a move that was “nearly beyond seven-month old baby girl imagination.” who was abandoned on the Mrs. O Glasford representing Triefus and Company Lim- doorsteps of a Lodge resident ited in Guyana was elected to the office at the recent annual Thursday afternoon. general meeting.

The resident Winifred And Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the interior Cowdrey told the Police she Mr. Kenneth Bancroft commented smilingly: ”Imagine an was attracted by the screams organisation comprising hardy miners and tributers electing of a baby on the steps of her a woman as President…this is bound to come as a surprise to home at 15 D’Urban Street Guyanese. It is almost beyond their imagination.

Lodge.

The new Executive of the Association would meet on JanShe said that the baby was uary 19th to discuss resolutions adopted at the annual general fully clothed and appeared to meeting and iron out the action program which would be based be in perfect physical condion decisions taken at the general members meeting. tion.

The new executive comprises Glasford as President, Mrs. Cowdrey took the Robert Lampkin as Senior Vice President , Dennis George as child to the Casualty DepartJunior Vice President , C Edinboro as Organising Secretary ment of the Georgetown Hos(Daily Chronicle January 8, 1974)

pital after notifying the police but it is expected that the baby will be transferred to the Red Cross Convalescent Home.

In the meantime the Police are seeking the assistance of anyone who may know of the whereabouts of the parents of the child.

Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 694 0913.

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G rove olden

A fusion of smiling faces and bustling activity

By Alex Wayne THIS week, I trekked to a quaint little village way up ‘in de countryside.’ It is nestled in an almost cozy ‘nook and cranny’ quite close to the Atlantic Ocean, as some would say.

I was taken aback by its appealing picturesque appearance and just marvelled at the manner in which villagers bustled about their business, intent on getting the day’s chores done as the ticking clock signalled the onset of the darkness, when the day is done and billowing clouds, in almost religious ritual, seemingly unburden themselves and drench the village in torrential downpours.

Actually folks I was there on a media assignment of a different nature but the moment I realised the positive impact our

Street, Sandy Street and a few others.

With latitude reading of 6.7000°, and longitude recordings of 58.1667°, this small village is nestled between the quieter villages of Haslington to the west and Nabaclis to the east.

Populated mostly by persons of African descent, the village has a population of about 3,000 according to some residents.

HISTORY Golden Grove is one of a series of villages stretched like a string of beads along the narrow coastland of Guyana; all are a few feet below sea level.

In times gone by, travelling through this location one would have observed, among other things, a filling station,

Places of worship in the village

‘village focus campaign’ was igniting. Actually at that event it was highlighted by the chairperson that this feature in the Guyana Chronicle has now made it a must read supplement on weekends. Therefore it is only fitting that we showcase the intriguing makings of this location where smiling faces mirrored their jovial existence.

My dear readers, I was in the village of Golden Grove, located on the East Coast Demerara just over 16 miles from Georgetown, and quite popular for its bustle as the feisty and smiling residents always seem to have a chore left to complete.

This village is divided into sections named Golden Grove Housing Scheme, Centenary Street, Collins Street, Third

cinema, a coconut oil factory, and several shops and small stores along the roadway.

The majority of the population estimated at about 3,000, are descendants of former African slaves, who over 150 years ago, pooled their savings and purchased the abandoned sugar estate of Plantation Williamsburg, now renamed Golden Grove. This cooperative spirit shown by the village founders is a splendid heritage on which the present inhabitants built and made further improvements within the community.

Embracing an area of about 2,300 acres, the village is laid out in typical local fashion. The residential section is on the front lands. Many years ago, one would have seen houses built

on stilts clustered on both sides of the public road and internal streets. Small farms, averaging between two and three acres in size, and many of them in scattered holdings, were found in the backlands. Like their ancestors, most of the people earned their livelihood from farming, but today things have changed, as persons have sought professions that are more acquainted with evolving modernisation.

Back in the 1850s, villagers travelled each day from their homes to their farms and back, several miles in some cases, either by boat along the canals, or else by foot over the dams.

Principal crops at that time included fruits (sapodillas, mangoes and citrus), ground provisions (plantains, cassava and eddoes) and coconuts. They also had some livestock – mainly cattle – along with some swine and a few sheep.

In the olden days, the farmers of Golden Grove earned for their home village the proud title of “the granary of the East Coast of Demerara.” But today, low fertility of soil, small farms and poor drainage, to name a few constraints, pose challenging problems to farmers.

An indication of the old, flourishing days is the fact that an Agricultural Show – said to be the first ever held in British Guiana – was staged in Golden Grove in 1894.

Two years after the purchase of Golden Grove, a survey of the newly-acquired settlement was made in 1850, and the land was divided into building lots. An area of 450 square rods was given to the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society for building a church and school, both of which still stand to this day. In 1873, another and more detailed survey was made which, no doubt, contributed to the fact that Golden Grove is fairly well laid out, including cross-roads.

It was in 1892 that Golden Grove became a village in the true sense, and a Village Council was established.

While the face of Golden Grove has changed much since those early years, links with the past, such as the Methodist Church and School for example, still remain. Another reminder of days gone by came to light recently when, on the village foreshore, some strange relics became exposed through erosion of the foreshore, where the water had eaten away the land for a depth of about seven feet. The erosion revealed about sixty square yards of solid red brick which looked like the remains of some Old Dutch building. In the black earth were seen pieces of broken plates, coins black with age, jugs, jars and demi-johns with peculiar drawings.

And so life goes on at Golden Grove amidst relics of the

Continued on page XX

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Golden Grove

ber-December of that year.

As history dictates, President’s College was the brainchild of founder leader President L.F.S Burnham. Through its conception, completion, inauguration and evolution, the golden thread and key thing to remember about its origins is that the President’s College was built by the people of Guyana, for the people of Guyana.

The idea of living on past achievements bothered President Burnham. He was keen on extending the horizon of expectations of what Guyana could achieve as a nation beginning with our educational aspirations.

The definitive year for the College was 1983. On February 22, 1983 the concept and its rationale were enunciated as a part of a broad national ambition. “We cannot live on our past achievements” President Burnham said in an address to the nation. “The momentum has to be kept up and there are new circumstances which have to be grappled with and new challenges which have to be met. There are new victories which have to be won…” The new circumstances, new challenges and new victories President Burnham recognized, probably concerned the need to move Guyana to the next level.

Once the College was conceived and announced, it appears that things began to move very quickly. On Wednesday, August 3, 1983, local architect George Henry Associates unveiled a model of President’s College and by August of 1983 President Burnham unveiled a plaque commemorating the College at a simple ceremony.

Construction was to be accomplished in five phases with completion slated for 1986 and expected to cost well over $55M. Phase 1 included dormitory accommodation for 72 students, teachers, some parents, medex, nurses, security officers and other staff. It also includes an auditorium, library, infirmary, kitchen and dining hall. A single teaching block was also included in Phase 1 with nine classrooms, four of which are specially designed and equipped for industrial arts, home economics, integrated science and technical drawing. Second Phase 2 was also started and included the establishment of rice, vegetable and provision farms, administrative building and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The farm was successfully completed but the swimming pool was never done.

The President’s College Fund was also launched in 1983 with a $250,000 donation from the Peoples National Congress as a 60th birthday gift to President Burnham. Plans were expanded to include an endowment scheme to boost the Fund.

During late 1983 and early 1984 the contributions continued to trickle in. Among the published contributions, was a $50,000 donated by the Community of Indian Nationals in Guyana made on Friday April 27 which represented the first part of a $100,000 commitment by the organisation. On Friday June 23 corporate donations were publicly made to the College Fund by JP Santos, British American Insurance Company, Chase Manhattan Bank.

On May 7 the National Parks Commission began to clear the undergrowth on site for the College, a 200-acre plot of land at two miles behind the village of Golden Grove. This was part of the plan is to increase the acreage of the College to between 750 – 1000 acres as necessary.

During August, 1984, construction work began on the site. Many people from the surrounding villages and other areas willingly did self-help work on the construction site.

Many more people were bused in to the site daily to perform voluntary civic duty by working on the site. It was a massive cooperative enterprise. Women and men turned up in droves to clear brush and do all kinds of manual labour President Burnham visited the site several times each week. He lived at Cove and John so it was a stop on the way for him travelling to and from home. There was more fundraising on Friday, August 24 a gala dinner and show was held in aid of the President’s College Fund. More specifically, on Friday December 14 was designated as ‘Donations Day’ for the President’s College.

Donations were made at a special function at the public buildings. Donations for that day amounted to about $4.9 million.

By early 1985 construction was proceeding at a hectic pace and student selection had commenced in earnest. On Thursday March 28, it was reported in the local newspapers that at a two-hour meeting in East La Penitence and Tucville Housing Scheme areas, the Minister of State within the Ministry of Education told hundreds of teachers and parents that it was not compulsory for children to accept entry to the President’s College but he advised that it would be in the best interest of the child to take advantage of the high standard of education that will be offered there. In answer to a question from a parent, the Minister said that Guyana was not training personnel for other countries but for the achievement of our national goals.

On Saturday June 1, Minister of Education, Malcolm Parris addressed a group of education officials in Berbice and told them that the College will be a science oriented institution where children of the highest caliber will be educated to serve Guyana. He explained that students will be selected from the Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (SSEE) and that students will have to maintain an 85% academic average of performance for each school term and that much emphasis will be placed on developing them into young people with rounded personalities. He stressed that the College will be an institution for children with exceptional ability who are prepared to serve Guyana and that the students will be provided with everything – uniforms, meals and accommodation

past and the challenging community problems of the present.

The church steeple, the school, the community centre, the roadside market, the fishmonger’s cart, the stores and the provision farms – all reflect the day-to-day life of the people.

But deeper than these lies the community spirit which created Golden Grove and which today is being rekindled to foster its further development, not only of the village, but of the people who live there.

Today, the village has greatly evolved, and sports a bevy of new houses; businesses, inclusive of the New Generation Barber Shop, Central Point Snackette and Bar, Lester’s Internet Cafe and the Sumners’ Enterprises for rental of chairs, tents, tables and other items for hosting of weddings, birthday celebrations and such like activities. They can be contacted on telephone numbers 255-3133, or 687-2117.

LIVELIHOOD Today this village has somewhat lost its grip on the old colonial aura, and with its transformation has come a change in its residents’ means of livelihood.

Many have now opened stalls at the Golden Grove Market Square, from which they peddle snack foods, vegetables, confectionaries and other items. Some of these structures are actually temporary fixtures and are normally taken down after the day’s sales, as the owners wait the next ‘customer rush hour.’

Some structures are however permanent, and would customarily be locked up late at nights after the owners retire to gather strength for the next day of sales.

That aside, some villagers have taken up teaching in and outside the village, while there has been a recent upsurge in the amount of young men converting their vehicles into taxis or hire cars that ply the ‘Road Front/President College Route.’

Many male residents are working in the interior as pork-knockers, while some unleash their masonry and construction skills, especially when a new business or house is to be built in the village or in its environs.

EMPLOYMENT The village is rapidly increasing in its population and with it comes the increase in the number of youths that are unemployed. And it appears that amongst them are several who have acquired great grades at the CSEC Examinations and are still trying to find proper employment.

Speaking on this issue was the young Oslen Michael Shepherd, who possesses seven CSEC subjects with great grades, but cannot seem to find useful employment. “Golden Grove is definitely in the grip of a vice-like employment problem, and this is evident in the amount of youths one can find liming by the street corners in the afternoons. There is not much to be done here as the village population increases, and it’s extremely difficult for even qualified persons to find jobs, since the few loopholes for meaningful employment have already been filled. This results in many persons sitting around without jobs, and hoping for a positive change.

“Even if a qualified person tries to get employment elsewhere, they are then faced with the problems of finding accommodation, and the out-of-town addresses on applications most times leave them at a disadvantage, since employers prefer those that reside in the city,” he said.

Shepherd is of the view that erection in the village of an industrial facility of some sort would reasonably solve this problem, since it would provide ready work for villagers.

ENTERTAINMENT Golden Grove residents have learnt to come to grips with their not-so-sophisticated entertainment calendar, and a few ‘rollicking hotspots’ have sprung up there not so long ago.

Every weekend (starting from Friday), droves of villagers will converge by the Market Square for wild revelling as ‘Mason,’ who owns the Kyle and Vickie’s Fish Shop, will set up for the weekend fiesta.

This will involve loud music from popular one-man bands, and of course the Determine Sound System, owned by Eon Havercone a/ka ‘Father Moey’ will feature.

On Tuesday nights also, villagers will gather at this same location for karaoke sessions, or just to listen to their favourite hits as they enjoy delicious fish and chips, black pudding, and other snacks that have become ‘must haves’ on their agenda of tasting craves.

In times gone by, the village would gather for massive emancipation celebrations in August month each year, but with the death of a female villager who customarily would have spearheaded such activities, this feature has dwindled, except for a very small ceremony which is hosted at the Golden Grove/Nabaclis Community Centre Ground to acknowledge the annual celebrations.

That aside, villagers go for recreation at their own pace at the lone Nightclub in the village called ‘Diamond Ice.’

REMINISCING ON THE OLDEN DAYS If this village has lost most of its traditional touches, it still holds fast to the rich harmony and deep connections shared among residents.

Today there are smiling faces everywhere, despite challenges they face; and jovial laughter and merry spirits abound in every ‘nook and cranny’ as villagers bask in the glory of rich camaraderie.

And to share the tale of how this was passed down from generation to generation, village elder, 76-year-old Jane Rita Persaud, a merry soul with the twinkle of girlish fire still in her eyes, declared: “Boy, I might look bright and peppy today because of the rich life I enjoyed here in my girlhood days, filled with the love and affection of my children, other relatives and my lovely neighbours.

“In my time as a girl, Golden Grove was a simple village with lots of bushes and not so many houses or businesses. We had no electricity back then, and the streets were really bad during the rainy season. I can remember how we slipped and fell into the mud as we tried to go to school, but even that, too, was fun, because for many it meant that they would be allowed to stay at home on account of their soiled clothing.”

“Many yards flooded during rainy season; and oh, how we welcomed the warm sunshine! When the weather was good, I can still remember how we hurried to fetch water from a roadside stand pipe, and tried not to get into fights or quarrels with the village bullies.”

“I can remember the little children coming around to sell tomatoes and bora on trays, and the fishermen bring fresh fish and shrimp to our doors. Oh! That was really good times, and things were really cheap then”.

Mrs. Persaud relished how the men would come around selling the ‘coconut banga’ which was much needed to light the coal pot fires or firesides, whichever a family used to cook their meals on. “In those days, the milk man would come around ringing a bell to announce his arrival, and mothers rushed to the door with their mugs and sent their children scurrying in all directions to find the relative utensils.”

While she was in high praise of the intervention of the paved President’s College road and many side streets, she reminisced on the era when they would move from village to village on donkey-or horse-drawn carts, and even on bicycles, before the dawn of hire cars and mini-buses.

Those were the days when vegetables were kept for a week and over by being sprinkled with cold water or covering with a damp towel (soaked at intervals), and according to Mrs. Persaud, the vegetables rarely rotted because they were not grown with artificial fertilisers.

PRESIDENT’S COLLEGE President’s College is a senior secondary school, heralded as ‘A School of Excellence’ located in the village. Students can enter the school through the National Grade Six Assessment, and the lower sixth form in the academic performance of the student at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

President’s College, opened in 1985 and was the brainchild of the late President Forbes Burnham, who launched the project in 1983 but died before the school was opened.

Students used to be selected from the top two percent of candidates in the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (SSEE) and were subjected to an evaluation process, including interviews with school personnel. Now preference is given to those students from more remote areas. The school allows students to attend without being residential, thereby functioning as a boarding and a day school.

On April 26, 2004, a large fire destroyed the boy’s dormitory, resulting in damage worth between $45 million and $100 million in property damage, but no injuries or fatalities resulted.

As a result of the fire, more than 100 students had to find alternative housing, many off-campus. Reconstruction was started a year later, but was delayed due to the floods of 2005.

In June 2006, the Ministry of Education announced a new plan for rebuilding the dormitory, and blamed the then contractor for the delays.

In November 2010, President’s College participated in the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s Science and Technology Quiz, competing among fifteen other schools nationwide. Members of the team representing the institution included Kevin Garbaran, Sheena McLean, Randol Schwiers and Sheena Chin. They emerged as the winners of the competition, with the team winning full scholarships to the University of Guyana.

The students with the most accumulated points for the entire competition were Kevin Garbaran and Randol Schwiers from PC. The Quiz was aired for television during Novem-

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An impressive section of the village The Golden Grove Nursery School

Sheltering from the scorching rays of the tropical sun

Taxi drivers ply their trade by the street corner on campus and that guidance and counseling services will also be provided at the College and that the students will be involved in every activity that other schools participate in. He also explained that the College will be governed by a Board comprising representative of the University of Guyana, the Ministry of Education, the Teachers’ Training College and the Guyana teacher’ Union.

On Wednesday July 10, Education Minister Malcolm Parris met with SSEE students (and parents) from 18 schools at the New Amsterdam Town Hall, Berbice at which he announced that Deputy Chief Education Officer Oswald Kendall, a curriculum specialist has been appointed the first principal at the President’s College for a period of two years. He also said that the College is an important part of the plan to provide children with the best facilities for study. He described it as an “investment”. He also said that at the beginning students will be permitted statutory fortnightly visits to their homes since for some it will be their first experience away from home.

On Thursday July 17, one hundred prospective students were invited to the College to complete interviews and a written examination. The plan at that stage was for 60 students to be selected from the 100 to qualify for the first term entry into the College. The College later decided to accept 72 students for initial entry.

This very Thursday was the day that President Burnham delivered his only speech to prospective President’s College students and teachers. It was a surprising full length speech. It was a surprise because President Burnham was asked by the parents to say something even though he was not expected to speak because of a throat problem. Among many other things he told us that President’s College is an “exercise in catching up.” He gave a very detailed outline of his expectations of the College and its students and said that it is intended to be a “school of excellence”, and made his famous statement that “if I leave nothing behind me but the President’s College, I will feel in my conceit that I have contributed to the building

The Golden Grove Secondary School

Taking a breezy afternoon stroll

Come get your fresh fruits and vegetables of a monument more lasting than bronze.”

He told students that by the end of the century we will be 20 years old and in a position to help steer Guyana to be in line with the developing world. He said: “This will be the best school in the English-speaking Caribbean.

This is the school that nowhere in the English speaking Caribbean has been thought of…but you comrades have to work hard to maintain it… this school does not intend to produce hustlers…we are spending millions of dollars of taxpayers money not to develop selfish persons but to develop brilliant people who feel that the development of the country is their duty.”

In his address he also spoke directly to the teachers about their expected role, he said “Teaching at the President’s College is not a job hunting exercise. The salaries I can tell you are going to be better than you will find elsewhere in the teaching profession but the salaries will hardly compensate for the extra duties you will have to undertake….You see this President’s College is a serious business; we have no time for mere careerists. We’ve got to get a number of people who are going to guide the cream of our youth, our leaders of the 21st century and who have got to help to mould a different Guyana from the one which we have inherited. Working at the President’s College in whichever capacity you happen to work will have to be a vocation and not a mere profession or location or employment.”

It was Thursday Aug 1 at the Plaque Unveiling Ceremony that he made more definitive statements about his vision for the College and its status.

CHALLENGES Every village has its setbacks and Golden Grove is no exception.

We interacted with several residents along the Market Road, and were informed that amongst the challenges faced was an increasingly high rate in teenage pregnancy. Other

Housewives would customarily set up ‘sweetie stands’ as they try to make ends meet in the village

Villagers join hands to assist with renovations in the village issues of great concern to villagers was the lacklustre manner in which the NDC body was maintaining irrigation drains and trenches in the village. This, they claimed, caused instant flooding in the rainy seasons.

Youths standing by the roadside indicated that the level of work done by the NDC in this respect is unacceptable and not satisfactory.

That aside, villagers are begging for a boost in their sports sector, since there are many talented and sports-oriented youths residing at Golden Grove.

Presently, there is vibrant football sessions ongoing there, and this practice is spearheaded by village sportsman Andrew Walcott. The training in this sport is made available to youths between the ages of 15 and 20. However, according to Walcott, it would be a welcome relief if football gear and clothing can be donated to these youths who are unable to access same because of financial constraints.

Some are calling for repairs to the Golden Grove Secondary School, which they claim badly needs a facelift. Students from that school informed that their washrooms are in a deplorable condition, and that the water coming from the taps is at times unfit for drinking.

Science students at that institution, who requested to remain anonymous, related that their science laboratory is in a bad condition, which is certainly not conducive to effective learning.

(Next week we feature Supenaam) CONCLUSION Come join in the joys and abundant love of this village.

Come bask in the glory of the rich laughter of its inhabitants.

Come folks, get lost in the bustle of the residents, or join them by the roadside for humorous ‘countryside gaff’.

Whatever you do, do not hesitate to visit Golden Grove, where the sun shines in its brightest glory as residents make the best of their simplest of existence.

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Catching up on some good ‘countryside gaff’

This endearing little lad insisted I enjoyed a ball game with him

Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

Some of the hottest dancehall queens have originated from Golden Grove

Residents share a deep sense of commitment and harmony

A happy Golden Grove family

Fashion is on the upsurge in the countryside

Such deep, refreshing camaraderie...

Even the little ones try to make an honest dollar in the village

Villagers prefer to sun dry their laundry

The busy Golden Grove Market Square Some sell juicy mangoes by the roadside to make a fast dollar

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Henri Becquerel-Academic, Physicist, Scientist (1852–1908) Henri Becquerel was a French physicist best known for his work on radioactivity, for which he won a Nobel Prize in 1903.

He was born in Paris, France, on December 15, 1852. Born into a family of scientists, Becquerel followed his father into the academic field of physics. In 1896, he discovered radioactivity, which was to be the focus of his work thereafter. Becquerel won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903, sharing the prize with Marie and Pierre Curie. He died in Brittany, France, on August 25, 1908.

EARLY LIFE AND CAREER Antoine Henri Becquerel was born was born into

Continued on page XXV

Henri Becquerel

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from Socrates Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.

Socrates

A multitude of books distracts the mind.

Socrates Remember, no human condition is ever permanent. Then you will not be overjoyed in good fortune nor too scornful in misfortune.

Socrates He is rich who is content with the least; for contentment is the wealth of nature.

Socrates Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.

Socrates Give me beauty in the inward soul; may the outward and the inward man be at one.

Socrates Think not those faithful who praise all thy words and actions, but those who kindly reprove thy faults.

Socrates Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.

Socrates To fear death, my friends, is only to think ourselves wise, without being wise: for it is to think that we know what we do not know. For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them: but they fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils. And what is this but that shameful ignorance of thinking that we know what we do not know?

Socrates The hour of departure has arrived and we go our ways; I to die, and you to live. Which is better? Only God knows.

Socrates If I tell you that I would be disobeying the god and on that account it is impossible for me to keep quiet, you won't be persuaded by me, taking it that I am ionizing. And if I tell you that it is the greatest good for a human being to have discussions every day about virtue and the other things you hear me talking about, examining myself and others, and that the unexamined life is not livable for a human being, you will be even less persuaded.

Socrates Whenever, therefore, people are deceived and form opinions wide of the truth, it is clear that the error has slid into their minds through the medium of certain resemblances to that truth.

Socrates Life contains but two tragedies. One is not to get your heart's desire; the other is to get it.

Socrates The fewer our wants the more we resemble the Gods.

Socrates False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil.

Socrates Whom do I call educated? First, those who manage well the circumstances they encounter day by day. Next, those who are decent and honorable in their intercourse with all men, bearing easily and good naturedly what is offensive in others and being as agreeable and reasonable to their associates as is humanly possible to be... those who hold their pleasures always under control and are not ultimately overcome by their misfortunes... those who are not spoiled by their successes, who do not desert their true selves but hold their ground steadfastly as wise and sober -- minded men.

Socrates An education obtained with money is worse than no education at all

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Henri BecquerelAcademic, Physicist, Scientist (1852–1908)

Continued on page XXV a family of scholars and scientists. His father, Alexander Edmond Becquerel, was an expert on solar radiation and phosphorescence. His grandfather, Antoine César, had invented an electrolytic method for extracting metals from their ores. Becquerel followed in the footsteps of his forebears, studyinh chemistry and physics through his university years at the École Polytechnic.

Becquerel joined the government department of Ponts-et-Chaussées in 1874, quickly rising through the ranks. He maintained an appointment at the Museum of Natural History. Becquerel ultimately decided to pursue this academic path. He returned to school, earning a doctorate in 1888. In 1892, he was appointed Professor of Applied Physics in the Department of Natural History at the Paris Museum. Three years later, he began teaching at his alma mater, the École Polytechnic.

SCIENTIFIC WORK Becquerel's early work focused on the polarisation of light phosphorescence and terrestrial magnetism.

In 1896, he made his greatest discovery: radioactivity. Following a discussion with Henri Poincaré on the recent discovery of X-rays, Becquerel devised an experiment that proved the existence of this naturally occurring force. Although his initial experiments were not successful he came upon evidence of natural radioactivity nearly by accident, when an unexpected reaction occurred in one of his laboratory drawers.

Becquerel was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1903, sharing the honour with Pierre and Marie Curie.

LATER LIFE AND HONOURS Becquerel was an esteemed member of the European scientific community. He was elected a member of the Academie des Sciences de France in 1889, serving as Life Secretary of the organization. He also belonged to the Accademia dei Lincei and the Royal Academy of Berlin, amongst other scholarly societies. He was named an officer of the French Legion of Honour in 1900.

Antoine Henri Becquerel died in Le Croisic, Brittany, France, on August 25, 1908. His work with radioactive materials, leaving him burned and scarred, may have contributed to his death.

PERSONAL LIFE Becquerel married twice. He married Lucie Zoé Marie Jamin in 1874. She died shortly after giving birth to their son, Jean, in 1878. Jean would go on to become a physicist, carrying on the family tradition. In 1890, Becquerel married Louise Désirée Lorieux.

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Marlyn Reid-Clarke

XXVII

“I’m here to help the best I can in terms of moulding the nation’s children.”

By Telesha Ramnarine

MARYLN Reid-Clarke, the current headmistress at Ketley Primary School in Charlestown, believes that a good teacher would not only focus on assisting students with basic skills and knowledge but would try to enhance their attitude towards learning as well.

Furthermore, such a teacher would help children cultivate healthy lifestyles that will enhance their development and full potential for life, Reid-Clarke told the Chronicle in an interview a few days ago.

Born in New Amsterdam, the 53-year-old grew up at Plaisance, on the East Coast Demerara. This village remains close to her heart as she spent most of her years growing up there.

She attended Plaisance Primary School but could not manage to write the then Common Entrance Examinations.

“In those days, it was more like if your parents were affluent in the community so I didn’t get to write because my parents were not prominent. Even though you might have had the po-

She then wrote the Preliminary Certificate (PC) and College of Preceptors (CP) Examinations before going off to Cummings Lodge Secondary.

Because of her ability though, she spent just one year at secondary school before being asked to become a Pupil Teacher (PT) there. “I started teaching since 1977 at age 16. I wasn’t 17 as yet. I spent one year there and the school wanted a PT and so they recommended me. I came out of school and started to teach,” she recalled.

Attending lessons in the afternoons after teaching helped her with her new responsibilities but she eventually made it to Cyril Potter College of Education where she became a trained teacher. In time, she attended the University of Guyana where she obtained Mrs. Marlyn Reid-Clarke her degree in sociology and has also participated in the BEAM’s Management Programme for teachers.

After training, she taught at several primary schools including Enmore, Kuru Kururu, Golden Grove, St. Andrew’s, St. Stephen’s, and St. Sidwell’s. She went to Ketley Primary in 2005 and has remained there since.

You don’t just sit down in the office just because you are a manager, she expressed.

PTS, ATS AND TQMS Ms. Reid-Clarke said she at times gets tired of the school system. She recalled that when she started to teach, she was attached to a senior teacher. “So I learned what teaching entailed. I wasn’t just pushed into a classroom. I was able to become an effective teacher.”

“We don’t have Pupil Teachers (PTs) and Acting Teachers (ATs) in the system anymore. I think that is one of the downfalls. I think teachers coming on to the job now should be given a chance to learn the job and not to be placed straight into the classroom. They will be in a better position to manage a class.

Ms. Reid-Clarke also spoke about Temporary Qualified Mistresses/ or Masters who came on the job as untrained teachers but eventually had to go for training.

She has thoroughly enjoyed her years in the school system and has no regrets even though she initially wanted to become a soldier while growing up.

She is married to Mr. Colin Clarke.

THE OFFICE CHAIR

Mrs. Reid-Clarke can still be found teaching in the classrooms at times tential if they felt you couldn’t pass, they wouldn’t send you to write the exams,” she explained. However, the government eventually made it mandatory for each child to write the exam whether or not they would pass.

Plaisance Primary was at the time an “all age” school and so Reid Clarke managed to complete up to Form Three there.

Reid-Clarke may not be in the classrooms so often these days as she has to concentrate on administrative work. Nevertheless, this doesn’t stop her from taking a class every now and then or knowing the goings-on at her school.

“I’m here to help the best I can in terms of molding the nation’s children. I may not be in the classrooms as often but I try to be a role model for the teachers; have moral talks with the students. If a teacher is not there, I would take a class. So I’m still in the classrooms on a part time basis but most of the time I have to be in office for administrative work,” she said.

During the day, she would also walk around to see what is going on during the instructional period. “I walk around to see what the children are doing, what the teachers are doing, what MY auxiliary staff is doing. I do that all the time because I am not bound to the office chair. I have to walk around to see what is going on. I feel I have the responsibility of seeing for myself. I want first-hand information. I go to check pupils’ books, sit in a classroom for clinical supervision, or just to observe. And I think that is the way of being a good manager.

Mrs. Reid-Clarke has thoroughly enjoyed her years in the school system

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 23, 2014

THE WATER UNION

T

By Neil Primus

he river carved its way towards the ocean, creating a winding course from deep within the interior. The dark opaque water lay glassy and calm with no wind to disrupt its luminous body. There were no boats to crack and destroy its polished beauty. Below the dark mysterious surface a lonely figure lurked searching for a mate.

The “Wata Muma� has seen many come and go. Few of those humans had interested her. Those she felt attracted to had to be approached. At the first encounter some had panicked and fled. A few had dared to enrage her. None of the latter had survived. For a few others greed had killed them all.

The group of youths swam, splashed and chased each other playfully. They were on an outing and were spending the day at the river. As they frolicked the creature scrutinised each of the men. She chose the one who was having the most

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THE WATER UNION

fun. He might be a little more open minded. She glided silently towards the group keeping well below the surface. Each time she tried to get closer to the chosen one; another swimmer would get between them. She retreated and decided to use another strategy. She would contact him in a more direct way.

Tonight she would visit him in his dreams.

Bruce and his three buddies had all brought their girlfriends up the river for a day of fun. They had walked with enough food to feed two groups their size. Everyone swam and played thoroughly enjoying the experience. As Bruce moved around in the water, he had the weirdest sensation of being watched. He kept checking both banks of the river but saw no one. He shook off the nagging feeling and continued to enjoy his day. After a splendid day they all returned to the city.

Bruce took Fay home and then headed home himself. At home he took a long, cold bath and then watched television for a while. The movie being shown was ‘SPLASH.’ It was about a mermaid and its adventures above water. He fell asleep during the movie. When he caught himself he hurried off to bed.

That night he dreamt that he was sitting on a bench by the seaside watching the rough waters as it smashed against the dock. A beautiful woman with long flowing blond hair approached him with a warm smile. She told him she loved

him and wanted them to live together. The lady promised him that she would make him rich if he agreed. In an instant he blurted out a “Yes!” The chance of riches was something he could live with.

By the end of two weeks he began to experience phenomenal luck. He won the Lotto which jackpot was 60 million dollars. Each time he gambled he won. Pretty soon he had more money than he knew what to do with.

A few nights after his run of success he again saw the beautiful woman in a dream. This time she was sitting on the koker combing her long blond hair. She told him that he would join her the next day. Early the following morning Bruce went down to the koker which feeds the river. The spellbound man waded into the water until he was knee deep. He was being steadily drawn forward. Before long he was waist deep. Small fish began to nip at his legs. He jumped and seemed to come awake from a trance. He hurried back to shore with his clothes soaked. That was when the true significance of his situation

hit him. He had gotten rich as promised but he would not be able to spend it. He strode boldly home.

Each night for the following week he had the same dream over and over. The gorgeous creature kept reminding him of his promise. It became impossible to sleep. Tormented by sleepless nights, he decided to give in. The next day he ran down to the koker and jumped in.

BRAPS! It was low tide so he hit the mud hard. Embarrassed and in pain, he stormed back to his house. That was that! He would not be going back. The next night the same creature appeared in his dream. She begged, wooed, and threatened him in order to persuade him to keep his half of the bargain. With a silly

rush of bravado he told her he would never come to her. He demanded that she leave him alone.

“So be it Bruce. You will die for your greed. The next time you set foot in water I will get you!”

The dreams suddenly stopped. This new development delighted Bruce. Things had worked out pretty well after all.

He now had plenty of money and decided to marry Tracy.

Remembering the threat issued by the “Water Spirit” he made up his mind never to go swimming again. And he never did.

One fateful moonlight night, Bruce got very drunk at a fete. After the dance, Bruce stumbled and staggered his way home falling twice. The last fall was fatal. Bruce fell into a shallow trench and drowned.

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Part 3 GROWING CULINARY HERBS

T

By Clifford Stanley

Website Rainforest Garden says that turmeric might be one of the urmeric, scientific name world's healthiest foods; so healthy in Curcuma longais has fact that it wouldn't hesitate to call it a been described as the miracle drug. most effective nutriThe root of turmeric is used tional supplement on widely to make medicine for treatthe planet and a herb with great ment of arthritis, heartburn (dysmedical benefits which can be easily pepsia), stomach pain, diarrhoea, grown in your backyard. intestinal gas, stomach bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, liver problems TUMERIC IS A COUSIN and gallbladder disorders.

OF GINGER. It is also used for headaches, bronchitis, colds, lung infections, fibro As one of the most fetching cu- myalgia, leprosy, fever, menstrual linary spices, turmeric has an intense problems, and cancer. Other uses golden hue. include depression, Alzheimer’s disIt is the major ingredient in Indian ease, water retention, worms, and kidcurries and is the component responsi- ney problems. ble for curry’s dizzying colour.

Some people apply turmeric to It’s also commonly used to imbue the skin for pain, ringworm, bruising, mustard with its radiant glow. leech bites, eye infections, inflamma Europeans and South Asians have tory skin conditions, soreness inside of been cultivating the plant and using the mouth, and infected wounds. it for over five thousand years for Other reliable sources online says treating themselves to some delicious that turmeric not only contains a curries as well as treating ailments. healthy serving of iron and mangaIn India almost all Indian vegetable nese, but has proven itself as a cancer dishes use turmeric either separately or treatment, both preventing and deas part of the massala (spice mixture). stroying cancerous cells.

It is also used in recipes comprisCurcumin, turmeric's active ingreing rice, lentils and dry beans: a small dient lowers cholesterol by working pinch of turmeric powder is enough to in tandem with the liver to remove add a pleasant orange-yellow hue to harmful cholesterol from the body. salad dressings.

These are just to name a few of

the too numerous to mention evidence based benefits of turmeric.

Think of it as Motrin, but with none of the harmful side effects.

(Rainforest Garden) The turmeric plant looks just as great in the garden as it tastes on the table.

The whole plant is edible; the roots can be boiled, dried and ground up to produce turmeric powder, the leaves make a wrap for steamed fish, and even the flowers can be eaten as an exotically beautiful vegetable, like lettuce with a kick.

Who grows this plant says that anyone can grow it their own provided it receives enough moisture.

Turmeric will handle anything you throw at it, returning from drought and sailing through floods.

Turmeric can grow in full sun, but only if the soil remains constantly wet.

Otherwise, provide midday shade since if the plant is stressed by drought or too much sun the leaves will hang limp and develop burnt tips.

But turmeric powder and roots are readily available at a few grocery stores and supermarkets in Georgetown but most notably so at N&S Mattai and Company at 4 Water Street Cummingsburg.

(To Be Continued)

Farm Manager of the St. Stanislaus school farm Mahadeo Mansaram aka Panday an avid grower of turmeric with a plant in his backyard garden at Sophia.