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NEWS
TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2021
CANCELLED
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Trinidad Carnival was spared at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, but it doesn’t look like it will escape the shutdown next year. Speaking at the 'Spotlight on the Economy Forum', on Monday 28 September at the Hyatt Regency, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said, “Today I can put everybody on notice, unless there is some dramatic wind that will blow across us where by Christmas pandemic would have been a thing of the past, Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago in 2021 is not on.”
Carnival was scheduled to take place on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February 2021. It is just one of the Pre-Lenten carnivals that we expect will be cancelled.
NEWS
BARBADOS TO BECOME A REPUBLIC
The government in Barbados has announced its plan for the country to become a republic before reaching its 55th year of independence in November 2021. During the Throne Speech on 15 September, 2020, Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason announced that in becoming a republic they aim to leave their “colonial past behind,” and take full sovereignty.
Barbados first gained its independence from Britain in 1966. However, it is not fully self-governing, with Queen Elizabeth II holding the official position as Head of State. Talk of becoming a republic originated with Errol Barrow, the country's prime minister, who warned that Barbados should not, "loiter on colonial premises". The narrative resurfaced in a constitutional review commissioned in 1998, where the change was recommended - but at that time, nothing was done.
Administrative steps have already been taken towards the status change, as the island has removed the UK-based Privy Council as its final court of appeal. Moving forward, Barbados will have a President, as well as a Prime Minister.
It was also affirmed during the Throne Speech that Barbados can be, “In no doubt about its capacity for self-governance”. Becoming a republic was further regarded as, “The ultimate statement of confidence about who we are, and what we are capable of achieving”. MC
NEW CARNIVAL GUILD
Global Carnivalz, founded by carnival veteran and Hackney Carnival organiser Pax Nindi, is inviting carnival organisers to become members of the National Carnival Organisers’ Guild.
The guild was formed for mutual aid, protection, sector development, support and furtherance of carnival arts in the UK.
Nindi said, “We are pleased to invite organisers to be part of this. It was set up in the Coronavirus crisis, after we witnessed the carnival sector being left behind on some relevant funding, and also a lack of networking with each other.”
If you are a Carnival organiser and would like to join the guild, please register at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/W62KFC5. JC
NEWS
JAMAICA CARNIVAL CANCELLED
Jamaican Tourism Minister, the Honorable Edmund Bartlett, has announced that Jamaica Carnival 2020 will be cancelled. The festival, which had previously been moved from its original April date to Sunday 25 October because of COVID-19, will now be held on Sunday 11 April, 2021.
In an announcement on 18 September, the minister said, “As the country enters the community transmission phase of the COVID-19 virus, we strongly believe it is in the best interest of our people to forgo hosting our annual carnival celebrations for this year.
“We are mindful of the significant economic loss this will have for our country, as this event generates billions annually, with many small and medium sized enterprises benefitting from the celebrations. However, the Government of Jamaica must continue to put strong measures in place to prevent unnecessary exposure of our people and visitors to the deadly disease.”
Kamal Bankay, Chairman of the Carnival in Jamaica stakeholders committee, said, “We have no choice but to reschedule the staging of our 'Carnival in Jamaica' Road Parade. This will allow us the time to do what we need to do to have a safe and enjoyable Carnival in 2021.” He also noted that bands and fetes would honour all tickets and costumes purchased in 2020.
Saturday 5 September saw the launch of a new children’s mas band, Future Mas, a collaboration between UCOM and Caribbean Sessions. For the launch event they were joined by Gemz Mas, who also have a section in the band; their theme is Ashanti Safari.
Future Mas’ theme for 2021 is ‘Moonlight over the Serengeti’, and you can view their costumes at www.futuremas.co.uk.
There are three sections: ‘Serengeti’, produced and managed by UCOM, ‘Moonlight’, produced by UCOM and managed by Caribbean Sessions, and ‘The Peacock’, produced and managed by Gemz Mas. Notting Hill Carnival 2021 is scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend of Sunday 29 and Monday 30 August. JC
NEWS
MEET THE WINNER OF MISS GUYANA UK ONLINE 2020
CINDY GEETANGALI SINGH
Despite the pandemic causing disruption all across the world, the organisers of the Miss Guyana UK Contest 2020 managed to host the contest online. They began on 27 July, with five participants; online voting lasted for two weeks, and the winner was announced on 9 August.
All of the participants displayed extraordinary beauty and elegance, making the decision a tough one for many. The eventual winner, crowned Miss Guyana UK Online, was Cindy Singh; the four runners up were Ablavi Efunshile, Rihanna Levi, Siobhan Watson-Griffith, and Nadine Nichols.
Born in Georgetown Guyana, Cindy Geetangali Singh moved to London at the age of nine. She currently works as a care home manager and is the proud mother of two young boys. As beautiful inside as out, Cindy is passionate about her work. She is also a community organiser, currently working as an ambassador for her local Tottenham Community Press Newspaper and Community Cook-up, and volunteers with the Community Cook-Up Centre and Food Bank.
Cindy says that she has been waiting for this opportunity for eight years. She considers herself a proud Guyanese woman, and will stop at nothing to help her family and friends whenever they're in need. She managed to dazzle the audience and win their hearts, finally winning the crown of the Miss Guyana UK 2020.
Since its formation in 1994, the Miss Guyana UK Beauty Pageant has aimed to provide a platform to showcase the wealth of Guyanese culture alongside its rich heritage. Guyanese culture has been generated by an eclectic mix of six different peoples: African, Indian, Portuguese, Chinese, European, and Amerindian. The pageant is one of a kind, as it celebrates these diverse and unique ethnic groups in traditional and fashionable Guyanese wear.
To stay up to date with all of the Miss Guyana UK Beauty Pageant news, including an imminent call for 2021 contestants, be sure to visit their website at www.missguyanauk.com.
You can also follow Miss Guyana UK on Instagram or Facebook using the handle: MGUK2019. They have numerous corporate sponsorship opportunities, so do get in touch if that is of interest.
NEWS
MARTIN'S THIRTY YEAR AFFAIR
At 8pm on Sunday 30 September, 1990, a 19-year-old Martin Jay broadcast his first Caribbean Affair. The show continued until 2013 when Choice FM, the host station folded; the last broadcast was on 29 September of that year.
However, by then Martin Jay and his Caribbean Affair were embedded in the hearts of the UK’s Caribbean community. Martin’s duty and determination saw him relaunch later that same year and, in December 2013, www.bakahnalradio.co.uk garnered the honour of hosting this iconic show.
You can still hear Martin on Bakahnal Radio every week. His 30 year journey has seen him grow from a teenage enthusiast to a world renowned and respected soca DJ. When Soca News caught up with him, and asked about his most important moments on the Caribbean Affair, he responded: "Every Sunday was an important moment in my 30 year journey. The Caribbean Affair is the vehicle that takes me on an amazing journey, experiencing various carnivals and countries throughout the world. The biggest reward ever is the enjoyment that the show brings to people's lives."
Soca News salutes Martin Jay, the Black British pioneer of Caribbean music. DC
THE ART OF MAS
If you missed The Art of Mas, the Carnival Arts and Mas Foundation’s (CAMF) documentary that premiered on Notting Hill Carnival Friday, 28 August, then fear not. Well worth a view for anyone interested in the history of Notting Hill Carnival, the film includes insights into some of the early pioneers of this event.
The documentary, which runs for just over two and a half hours, was created by CAMF and features archive video footage alongside stories of its members’ personal mas exploits and experiences.
The Art of Mas may be viewed on YouTube at - https://youtu.be/1cAcSaurQyM. JC
NEWS
ANTIGUAN CALYPSONIAN KING SWALLOW PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 78
One of Antigua and Barbuda’s bestknown calypsonians King Swallow (Sir Rupert Philo) has died at the age of 78. He had been ill for some time and passed away surrounded by family on Friday 11 September, at his home in Willikies.
Born in Willikies on 14 February 1942, Swallow gained his soubriquet at school where he used to sing in class. He first competed in 1961 with his song Raphael Trujillo, credited by former prime minister the Hon Lester Bryant Bird as marking “the birth of the political calypso in Antigua”.
Rupert Philo was awarded the Order of Merit (Gold) and the Grand Cross of Princely Heritage, and in 2011 PM Bird recognised his 50 years of artistry and excellence by nominating him to be honoured with a knighthood.
He has had many hits over his long career some of which include Fire In The Back Seat, I Want To Wine On Something and Subway Jam.
His funeral will be held at 10am (EST), on Monday 19 October at Sir. Vivian Richard's Cricket Stadium.
Soca News sends its condolences to the family and friends of King Swallow (Sir Rupert Philo); we have lost another great one. JC
A LEGACY IN CHOCOLATE
Despite his humble beginnings, Duane Dove, founder and owner of Tobago Cocoa Estate, has created a tremendous foundation for a legacy in cocoa and the production of chocolate in Trinidad and Tobago.
Duane Dove grew up on a farm in Tobago, learning the origins of the trade through simply being a helping hand. He went on to study culinary arts in Canada and then wine and beverages in Europe, before finding his passion in matching artisan chocolates with fine wine and aged spirits.
Years later, at the age of 50, Dove can look with some satisfaction on a well-established luxury chocolate brand and business, which has won several awards. Most recently, he gained a silver award in the plain/origin milk chocolate bar category at the European Bean-to-Bar International Chocolate Awards. This was a massive achievement for Dove, who told Newsday that this competition was “The Big Fish”. That success qualifies Dove’s product for the World Final of the International Chocolate Awards to be held later this year. More information can be found at www.tobagococoa.com. MC
NEWS
MS DESIRE’S SOCA RAISED ME WINS VIRTUAL GROOVY MONARCH
Another first for Notting Hill Carnival was the ACASA virtual Groovy Monarch competition, which saw nine contestants vie for the crown. The groovy competition, which would usually take place around the third week in August, was filmed and pre-recorded at Abbey Road Studios and then streamed online last night via the Notting Hill Carnival YouTube channel as part of their 2020 Access All Areas presentation.
Singing Soca Raised Me, it was Ms Desire who most impressed the audience and won the firstever virtual groovy competition. Soca News asked her how she feels about winning, and about her experience of performing for a virtual experience.
Ms Desire said, “I’m in shock. I honestly wasn’t expecting to win at all! I always take part in the tent because I love the culture and everything it represents. This year taking part virtually was amazing! We got to record in the legendary Abbey Road Studios, a place I’ve always dreamed of recording. This experience has been fantastic, and coming first is like the icing on the cake!”music. JC JAMAICA NATIONAL BANK UK LAUNCH
The launch of Jamaica National Bank (JN Bank), on Thursday 8 October made history as it was the first Caribbean bank to be awarded a full banking licence by UK regulators. Based in Brixton JN Bank will initially offer retail savings and personal loan products.
The bank is wholly owned by the Jamaica National Group (JN Group), which has provided financial services for Caribbean communities in the UK, USA and Canada for more than 30 years. Through its UK representative office, JN Group has been providing financial services support to many Caribbean nationals. It also owns a remittance company, JN Money Services, and The Voice, Britain’s national Black newspaper.
Although the bank will take a digital-first approach, its strong community focus means that groups will be able to run activities, workshops and seminars from the flagship community branch. The bank can be accessed at portal.jnbank.co.uk or contact Customer Services on 0808 196 1945. DC
