London Mission Newsletter volume 15 (Feb 2006)

Volume 15

February 2006

Inside this Issue

Designer Daronté with Commercial Attaché Judith Bennett-Henry at the TTHC.

H.E. Mrs. GlendaMorean Phillip praised artist Ainsley Yearwood for his excellent work at the Art Exhibition held at the TTHC.

Nationals celebrate T&T’s 2-0 victory over Iceland at Queen’s Park Rangers Stadium, February 2006.

Calypsonians from T&T meet their British counterparts at TUCO’s office with Attaché Ashton Ford. From second left: Crazy, WenD, Skatie and ABC President Ashton Moore.

Caption

Ag. High Commissioner for Dominica Ms. Agnes Adonis chats with TTHC’s First Secretary Colin Connelly at Yearwood’s Art Exhibition.

Her Excellency Mrs. Yvonne Gittens-Joseph

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End of an Era in Jamaica

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First Secretary visits Manchester

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Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2006

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‘Timeless’ fashion comes to the High Commission

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John La-Rose 1927-2006

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Trini - a synonym for excellence

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The Trinbago

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Singing Sandra who placed 2nd in T&T’s National Calypso Competition at Kaiso House.

Trinidad and Tobago High Commission 42 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8NT Tel: 020 7245 9351 Fax: 020 7823 1065 E-mail: tthc.information@btconnect.com

Tribute paid to Mr. Patterson and

E-mail the Editor at: tthc.information @btconnect.com

New CARICOM Chairman, The Hon. Patrick Manning sets goal to advance regional agenda The following are excerpts from the address by The Hon. Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, at the official launch of the CARICOM Single Market in January, 2006 in Kingston, Jamaica.

I welcome this opportunity to speak to you at the official launch of the CARICOM Single Market. This is my first address as Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government and I wish to start by saying that Trinidad and Tobago is honoured and especially privileged to be in the Chair at this momentous time. We aim to do our utmost to advance the regional agenda.

I am also quite pleased that this meeting is taking place in Jamaica, since it affords us the opportunity to savour the company of a stalwart and icon of CARICOM, The Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, who as a committed regionalist, has made a seminal contribution to the development of the Caribbean. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Patterson in Port-of-Spain next month, to what could possibly be the last time that he would be leading the Jamaican Delegation to a Heads of Government meeting (Mr. Patterson has since resigned and The Hon. Portia Simpson is now the head of the ruling party in Jamaica).

(Continues on page 3)

Her Excellency Mrs Glenda Morean Phillip, High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, London, had the honour of meeting Her Excellency Dr. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, on 1st February, 2006. High Commissioner Morean Phillip was among a host of other Heads of Missions attending the annual reception for the Diplomatic Corps in Berlin. The reception was hosted by Her Excellency Dr. Merkel.

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Her Excellency Mrs. Yvonne Gittens-Joseph The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has appointed Mrs. Yvonne Gittens-Joseph as the new resident High Commissioner to Kingston, Jamaica, with simultaneous accreditation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republics of Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator The Honourable Knowlson W. Gift, delivered the Instrument of Appointment to Mrs. Gittens-Joseph on Tuesday January 10, 2006.

Mrs. Gittens-Joseph has served some thirty (30) years in the Foreign Service and was recently the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for fifteen (15) months. Prior to this appointment, she was the Director of the CARICOM and Caribbean Affairs Division. She also served as Deputy Ambassador to the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. During her tenure there, Mrs. GittensJoseph was elected as Chairman of the Third Committee, which is responsible for social, humanitarian and human rights issues.

Her term as Chairman was significant since it was the first time that Trinidad and Tobago was chairing that important Committee and the first time that a woman from Trinidad and Tobago was chairing one of the main Committees of the United Nations.

High Commissioner-designate Mrs. Yvonne Gittens-Joseph was also posted as Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi and First Secretary at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.

During the ceremony at Minister Gift’s office at ‘Knowsley’, he said that the appointment of Mrs. Gittens-Joseph comes at a very important time in the Region since the CARICOM Single Market came into effect on January 1, 2006 among six (6) Member States, including Trinidad and Tobago. Minister Gift noted to the new High Commissioner-designate that the

evolving relationship within the CARICOM Region, at this juncture, was indeed a pulsating one. He said that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago was confident that Mrs. Gittens-Joseph would continue the excellent work that she had demonstrated throughout her career thereby strengthening relations with all the countries to which she is accredited.

In congratulating Mrs. Gittens-Joseph on her new appointment, Minister Gift wished her well and offered her his full support and that of the Ministry in the conduct of her new assignment.

In response, High Commissioner-designate Mrs. Yvonne Gittens -Joseph thanked the Minister for the honour to serve her country and the people of Trinidad and Tobago at this higher level. She added that having served as the Director of the CARICOM and Caribbean Affairs Division and as Acting Permanent Secretary, she was directly involved, at the bilateral and regional level, with issues pertaining to her new portfolio.

The High Commissioner-designate noted, for example, that she chaired the Meeting of Officials of the Trinidad and TobagoCuba Joint Commission last year in Port of Spain, at which a number of important decisions were taken to boost relations between both countries.

The High Commissioner-designate has also participated in a number of meetings of CARICOM and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), at which numerous recommendations were made with respect to critical issues of importance to Member States of the Region.

She also endorsed the view of Minister Gift that relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica would continue on their dynamic path, for example, in the areas of trade and energy. High Commissioner-designate Mrs. Yvonne GittensJoseph will soon be embarking on the usual orientation exercise of meetings with Government Ministries and Agencies in preparation for assuming her new assignment in Kingston, Jamaica.

End of an era in Jamaica Jamaica’s Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Percival Noel James Patterson, more popularly known as PJ Patterson, received warm expressions of affection from his Prime The Hon. PJ Patterson Ministerial colleagues at his last CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting as Prime Minister.

CARICOM’s new Chairman, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, said that he felt privileged to be among the fortunate few who would, for the last time around the CARICOM head table, experience first hand, Prime Minister Patterson’s love and commitment for the Caribbean people. He said that Prime Minister Patterson played an important role in bringing CARICOM into being with the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Mr. Patterson announced his intention to retire from active politics before the end of his tenure as Prime Minister, after more than 30 years in the service of the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Manning said that he felt honoured that this aspect of Prime Minister Patterson’s life’s journey should end on Trinidad’s soil.

He held several Cabinet posts under Prime Minister Manley and after Manley’s resignation in 1992, became Prime Minister and leader of the People’s National Party. He was re-elected to Office three times making him Jamaica’s longest-serving Prime Minister.

Also expressing his views was The Hon. Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony, who described Mr. Patterson’s presence as “calming”. He further said that he would miss “his thoughtful and analytical mind, his capacity to focus on incisive issues, his friendship and his sincerity”.

VACANCIES Lecturer in Entrepreneurial Studies Faculty of Social Sciences Department of Management Studies

Linguistics) and Ph.D. levels; supervise postgraduate research in Linguistics, and design and implement research programmes in Linguistics.

Qualifications Post-graduate qualification in Entrepreneurial Studies, preferably at the PhD level

Personal Attributes Broad interest in linguistic theory and applications, a strong focus on research, and a solid commitment to undergraduate teaching excellence. Ability to work in a team. Positive disposition to the deployment of Information and Communication Technology in teaching for the delivery of distance and web-based instruction.

Experience/Competencies/Skills At least three (3) years in teaching and research in the field of Entrepreneurship at University level Experience as an Entrepreneur or an Entrepreneurial Advisor highly desirable Special Expertise The ability to significantly impact the work of the Department in respect of teaching, research, curriculum development and graduate supervision in the field of Entrepreneurship.

Expertise in the areas of Managing Start-up and Family Business Management desirable Personal Attributes Must be a team player and student-centred Closing Date: Friday, March 31, 2006 LECTURER IN LINGUISTICS Faculty of Humanities and Education Department of Liberal Arts Qualifications Applicants must possess a Doctorate in Linguistics.

Experience/Competencies/Skills Teaching experience in Phonetics/Phonology and/or Syntax.

Fieldwork experience. Experience with the supervision of postgraduate research.

Special Expertise/Area of Concentration Demonstrated competence within theoretical, formal linguistics with a principal research focus on any Caribbean language. Research and teaching interests in the area(s) of Phonetics/Phonology and/or Syntax are preferred. Although the area of specialisation is open within core theoretical linguistics, preference will be given to candidates whose research and teaching interests complement the Department's existing strengths.

Special Responsibilities The appointee will be required to effectively teach a total of five Linguistics courses per year (both undergraduate and postgraduate) in any of the following areas: Bachelor of Arts (in Linguistics), Dip. TESOL, Master's (M.A. in Applied Linguistics and M.Phil. in

Closing Date: Friday, March 31, 2006

U.W.I. Application procedure Complete two copies of the application form provided and submit with the application form, your full particulars of qualifications, experience, date of birth, marital status and addresses of three (3) referees (one of whom should be from your current organisation).

This information should be forwarded to: The Campus Registrar The University of the West Indies St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. Fax: 1 868 663 9684 Email: appts@admin.uwi.tt Particulars of advertised posts and applications forms are available at the above address and at http://www.uwi.tt. In order to expedite the appointments procedure, applicants are advised to ask their referees to send references under confidential cover directly to the Campus Registrar at the above address.

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Prime Minister Manning’s CARICOM Address continued It therefore behoves us, on this occasion, to pay tribute to the founding fathers of the Caribbean Community on whose work we continue to build. It is their vision which has led us to this point; a vision born from an understanding of our common experience; the desire of our people; and the need to make our future more secure.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held its first ever Carnival celebration on 24th February, 2006.

Dwight Yorke celebrates after scoring the first of his two goals against Iceland.

That vision has been sufficiently strong and of enduring relevance to survive the many challenges it has faced over the years. I am sure that it will ultimately prove to be a source of inspiration and foundation of the Caribbean Civilization that has been in the making ever since History brought our ancestors to these shores.

Moco Jumbies in action at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Carnival celebrations.

Her Excellency Ms. Gail Mathurin, High Commissioner for Jamaica to the UK, was among the many patrons enjoying Carnival in Trinidad.

The Hon. Patrick Manning addressing the distinguished audience

I am sure that we would then have ample opportunity to pay very deserving tribute to this towering figure of the Caribbean, whose work contributed most significantly to the attainment of the Single Market that we inaugurate today.

On January 1st of this year, our nations undoubtedly reached an important milestone in the integration movement with the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market.

PS Efebo Wilkinson with Maximus Dan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Carnival celebrations.

It has been tough, time-consuming work, involving, among other labours, implementation of the protocols, policy formulation, enactment of domestic law and institution building; all requiring decisiveness, commitment and careful political management.

Those countries which are already signatories to the Single Market, as well as those which will become members by the end of June, all deserve our congratulations. We also look forward to the day when all member states will be part of this most significant development.

We must pay special tribute to the Government and people of Barbados whose Prime Minister is assigned the responsibility for spearheading our efforts towards the Single Market and Economy. Under the dedicated leadership of The Rt. Honourable Owen Arthur, we have been taken to the point where vast possibilities now lie before us.

German nationals Monique Plehn and Theo Delfmann show their support for the Soca Warriors while enjoying the atmosphere of the T&T Carnival. ‘Ole Mas’ lives on at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the form of a Blue Devil, a traditional Carnival character.

It has certainly been a long and arduous road from Chaguaramas in 1973. And like PJ Patterson, I too am proud of the fact that I was present on that very historic occasion. From there, we managed to reach that historic Declaration of Grand Anse which marked one of the most significant turning points on the journey of unification on which we have been embarked since we assumed responsibility for our destiny.

We should be pleased that we have been shaping the History ourselves. Too often are the smaller developing nations of the world described as hapless victims of larger global developments.

With this achievement, we in CARICOM are proving that we are, in fact, in charge of our lives.

The Caribbean Single Market is a critical step in the growth of our Caribbean Society. It will certainly advance our economic integration, stimulating sustainable growth, jobs and social development in all our countries.

It is absolutely necessary to coordinate and harmonise, among other things, our economic policies, interest rates, laws and tax regimes in order to create more even development across member states; enter more effectively and smoothly into trading arrangements and economic links with other countries and regional groupings; and ensure that our region improves its attractiveness for the increased inflows of new capital for the development of all our nations. Our region must become more internationally competitive.

Our survival depends on our growing togetherness. The world has always been a harsh place for the small and vulnerable, but is so even more now, as the intensified global competition for markets and investment increases the threat of marginalization.

As we can see, the developed countries continue to pay particular attention to creating and improving their advantages, getting into regional and global arrangements across borders, oceans and cultures, enlarging their markets, efficiency and production capacity, as they further consolidate their lead in the race for development and succeed in improving their societies and economies.

The truth is that we who are bonded together by history, geography and culture ought to have been much further ahead in the pursuit of our own solidarity. Having now reached this point, we must now move much faster than before. We must step on the gas.

We need prosperity and development to deal with our own common problems. Poverty and underdevelopment for example, aided by the international trade in illegal drugs and arms, have increased violent criminal activity to unacceptable levels in many of our countries.

We must focus on disadvantaged groups and create the fully inclusive society; provide our young and unemployed with skills (Continues on page 4)

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WDS Power Walk on May 6 2006 The Women in Diplomatic Service (WDS) would like to invite you to take part in the WDS Power Walk on Saturday 6 May when London’s women ambassadors will swap their tailored suits for trainers and tracksuits for a sponsored walk through Central London to raise funds for the WDS Scholarship Programme. The event is aimed at encouraging more young women to become diplomats.

The walk starts from 10:30am, with the 6km (4 mile) route taking in the monuments to great British women. It will end with an international picnic lunch in Hyde Park, where participants can get to know each other better over food, Caribbean music and festivities .

Luxury prizes are up for grabs for those walkers who raise the most sponsorship money. All proceeds will be donated to the WDS Scholarship Fund, which brings talented young women diplomats from around the world to London for an intensive attachment programme.

Trini - a synonym for excellence

So do join us and burn some calories for a good cause! If you would like to attend, please contact Ms. Samuel of the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission at 020 7245 9351, Ext. 683 in order to obtain sponsorship forms.

Prime Minister Manning’s CARICOM Address continued training as an essential part of our poverty alleviation programes; modernize our education policies to ensure a workforce that can take advantage of the new jobs and opportunities; make better health care more accessible to all; improve national and regional security; place emphasis on the provision of housing and the strengthening of family life; upgrade and extend the physical infrastructure for the provision of basic amenities; and do everything possible to ensure that all our people, in each of our relatively small populations, can find opportunity for fulfilment and in the process contribute to national development.

How is it possible to achieve these goals without self-generating resources on a sustainable basis? My dear colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, we need, as a matter of urgency, the fullest possible flowering of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy which will develop and sustain the inner economic dynamism that we need.

There are other global threats both man-made and natural. The Aids Pandemic continues its toll amongst us. The Bird Flu can easily alight in our region. Rising sea levels are altering the shape and quality of our coast lines. And changing weather patterns are producing more numerous and fiercer storms and hurricanes with their accompanying devastation. We need the resources to protect ourselves and ameliorate the effect of these and other challenges.

Additionally, and most significantly Ladies and Gentlemen, the creation of a free and fair multilateral trading system continues to elude the international community. The Doha process is merely inching around instead of taking the bold steps that will generate the wealth to benefit all of humanity and lift billions of people mainly in the developing world out of grinding poverty. In our own hemisphere, the stalling of the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas is tied to the unresolved issues at the WTO. And so we continue to wait for the promise of special trading arrangements for the small, vulnerable economies at both the global and hemispheric levels. And whilst we wait, we witness the ongoing erosion of favourable access to one of our major markets, a process through which we now stand to completely lose a major instrument of essential revenue for the development of our people.

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These are the bald facts before us on this day when we inaugurate our CARICOM Single Market. All I can say is thank God we have done it. Could you imagine how floundering we could have been without the S.S. CSM to ride the treacherous waves of the turbulent global waters? In spite of all, we are still on course.

Our challenge now is to expand and further equip this precious vessel, making it stronger and more seaworthy as we sail towards our goal.

That goal is the development of a confident, secure and unique Caribbean Civilisation which is rooted in our history and the hearts of our people. It is the dream of a society of abundant talent that can produce more Nobel laureates, more great statesmen, intellectuals, artists and sportspersons, including a cricket team that will one day rule the world again.

We want a region where our entrepreneurs, big and small, have the conditions for the phenomenal growth and expansion to match those at the global level and for which they have already proven their capability.

We want a community of nations where democracy thrives and good governance reigns based on integrity, transparency, accountability and the rule of law; where the welfare of the people is the pre-eminent concern; where the people themselves are secure and prosperous; where the talent does not drain away to apparently greener pastures; but where the young remain and find the opportunity for fulfilment and make the future of the region more assured.

Such is the Caribbean Society and Civilization of which we dream and towards which we are further embarked, now with greater certainty as we inaugurate the CARICOM Single Market.

Let us continue moving forward and May God Bless our region.

Thank you Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen.

LM

The Tourism Development Company (TDC) recently completed the UK leg of its road show entitled ‘Small Country - Big Passion.’ This is part of the Trinidad and Tobago promotional campaign that is taking place throughout Europe.

Mr. Edwin Phillip M.A.

On behalf of Her Excellency Mrs. Glenda Morean Phillip and staff of the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London, congratulations are extended to Mr. Edwin Phillips on the successful completion of part of his academic fulfilment in the United Kingdom.

The road show has been a huge success thus far and its flagship car - The Trinbago (pictured above) has attracted a lot of attention.

Under the patronage of Her Excellency Mrs. Glenda Morean Phillip, High Commissioner for The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago

Mr. Phillips recently graduated with a Masters of Arts in Mass Media and Communication Research from Leicester University in England, a world renowned academic institution for mass media communication research. The ceremony was opened by Sir Peter Williams who was installed as Chancellor of the University in December 2005.

Mr. Phillips now has his sights set on attaining a PhD in Political Science at the London School of Economics and revealed that his Masters degree has since propelled him ‘to engage in political research issues related to philosophy, history and logic.’

Originally from Malabar, Arima, he is keen to encourage a greater merger between British academic institutions and The University of the West Indies and believes that such ventures will make ‘our region the seat of learning.’

He remains a close friend of the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission and believes that ‘The Mission is making a significant difference to its nationals in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.’

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS ARE:

Must be a resident of the UK

Miss Trinidad and Tobago UK

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John La-Rose (1927-2006)

First Secretary Colin Connelly visits Manchester

John La Rose was born in Trinidad in 1927. He was a poet, essayist, publisher, film–maker and Director of the International Book Fair of Radical Black and Third World Books.

Mr. La Rose had been a cultural and political activist since the 1940s. He worked in folklore research, produced a radio programme 'Voice of Youth' and co-authored with the Kaisonian Raymond Quevedo (Attila the Hun) 'Kaiso A Review,’ subsequently published as 'Attilla's Kaiso' (1983). He was General Secretary of the West Indian Independence Party in Trinidad and executive member of the Federated Workers Trade Union (now merged into the National Union of Government and Federated Workers), before coming to Britain in 1961.

John La Rose founded New Beacon Books in 1966 where he had been its editor-in-chief from its inception. He was co-founder of the Caribbean Artists Movement (1966), the Caribbean Education and Community Workers Association (1969) and the Black Parents Movement (1975).

He co-produced the documentary film 'Mangrove Nine' and produced a short film on the black church in Britain in 1973. He was the editor of the half-yearly journal 'New Beacon Review'.

John was was also chair of the George Padmore Institute, an educational library and research centre housing materials relating to the Caribbean, African and Asian communities in Britain and continental Europe.

'As a writer, publisher and cultural activist,' says the Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong'o, 'John La Rose has helped in the growth of many writers in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and America. Rarely has anybody come into contact with him without being affected by his generous, searching, modern renaissance spirit.'

A very useful visit to Manchester was undertaken by the First Secretary, Mr. Colin Connelly, over the period February 17-19, 2006. The purpose of the visit was two-fold – to attend a multi-cultural evening of performances organized First Secretary by the University of Manchester Mr. Colin Connelly Students Union and to meet with a few nationals resident in Manchester.

The multi-cultural performances saw a wide range of acts that were enthusiastically executed. Ranging from song and dance to recitals and exhibits, the evening was a success since the performances were good and the audience proved to be a very appreciative one.

represented Trinidad and Tobago nationals resident in that city.

Having met with four persons, including Mr. Alti Daniel and Mr. Rupert Caesar, I was quietly impressed with the hospitality extended to me. I was also impressed with the current and relevant information that they had of Trinidad and Tobago. Our informal discussions touched on virtually all aspects of life at home and one could not help but leave with the impression that although they were many miles away in Manchester, Trinidad and Tobago was still very much a part of their psyche. Our exchanges were useful and hopefully, would pave the way for future visits to Manchester by representatives of the High Commission.

I fully expect that their plans to invite Her Excellency The High Commissioner to visit Manchester for the Carnival there in July 2006 would materialize, for they were quite determined to bring it to fruition.

The second, and more important purpose of the visit to Manchester, was to meet with a few key persons who

Mark your calendar TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO HIGH COMMISSION & NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MARCH - MAY 2006

NATIONALS MEETING DATE: Wednesday 29th March,2006 VENUE: Trinidad and Tobago High Commission

SPIRITUAL SHOUTER BAPTIST SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING DATE: Saturday 8th April, 2006 VENUE: All Saints Church, Ladbroke Grove

A CONVENTION OF SPIRITUAL BAPTIST CHURCHES DATE: Saturday 15th April, 2006 VENUE: Capital City Academy

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW DATE: tba

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NATIONALS MEETING DATE: Wednesday 26th April,2006 VENUE: Trinidad and Tobago High Commission

BOOK &CD LAUNCH ‘The History of the Steelband’ & ‘Pan in Education’ DATE: Tuesday 2nd May, 2006 VENUE: Trinidad and Tobago High Commission LUTON CARNIVAL DATE: Saturday 28th May, 2006

NATIONALS MEETING DATE: Wednesday 31st May,2006 VENUE: Trinidad and Tobago High Commission

Attention nationals and interested persons! Tired of the hassle and fuss of arranging your trip to watch the Soca Warriors in action at the World Cup? Let Poison UK do it for you!

We’re offering:  return luxury coach travel from London to German match cities  2 nights accommodation, including breakfast, in a deluxe 4 star hotel  return coach transfers from the hotel to the match venue  meals and entertainment

For prices and further information or to find out about the flight packages please contact the Poison UK office at 02076094545 or 07795364648.

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“Timeless” was the title of the fashion show presented by Trinbagonian designer Daronté at the High Commission recently. The designer showed his 2005/2006 collection to a stellar crowd of 100 comprising Dame Jocelyn Barrow, members of the diplomatic corps, media and other specially invited guests.

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The show was organised by Ms. Jackie Koon-How, the well-known Trinidad-based designer, who was flown in to fine-tune all aspects such as catwalk logistics, models’ presentation and décor. Ms. Koon-How also performed MC duties.

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Photos courtesy the Trinidad Guardian , The Daily Express, Gavin Barker and Donald Chambers.

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(1) A Blue Devil sets the night alight in Paramin, Trinidad on Carnival Monday(2) Dimanche Gras winners ‘Luta’ (centre), Calypso Monarch, Pamela Gordon (left) and Geraldo Vieira (3) Panorama winners Digicel Phase II Pan Groove (4) King of the Bands Geraldo Vieira playing Might of Rome (5)Queen of the Bands Pamela Gordon and her Winged Jewel (6) Masquerader from the band Island Events (7) Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca monarch winner Shurwayne Winhester (8) Road March winners Machel Montano and Patrice Roberts. Trini Revelers (not pictured) was judged Band of the Year.

Commercial Attaché, Mrs. Judith Bennett Henry, coordinated the event and played host on behalf of the High Commissioner who was attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Ministers (CHOGM) meeting in Malta.

The evening began with a pre-show reception of wine and snacks with the accompaniment of a steelband quartet providing light background music. The Reception Room was transformed into a romantic setting of draped Roman columns and chaises-lounges in the heavily-embroidered, gilded Roman style.

Timeless fashion comes to the High Commission 7.

Male and female models paraded outfits which showed Daronté’s skill in mixing western styles with a calypso reference of colour. The linen suits for men spoke of cool Caribbean evenings on the beach at sunset while the women’s dresses and summer suits showed expert cut and eye for colour and detail.

Daronté is well-known in the UK fashion circles for his elegant designs for women, especially plus-size figures and older models. His designs have been presented at various top-level fashion events and won numerous accolades. He was keen to be part of the High Commission’s initiative to showcase the talent of Trinbagonians in the UK with a view to reaching a wider audience, while helping to boost the image of Trinidad and Tobago and its creative talents.

HELENA B - BRITAIN’S CALYPSO MONARCH SCORES HIGH MARKS IN T&T Britain’s Calypso Monarch Helena B gave a good account of herself when she performed as a guest for three nights at the Kaiso House Calypso Tent in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, during the Carnival season.

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She sang her winning song entitled “Soca Lady” and received an encore before a large crowd at the City Hall following her first appearance.

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Helena B said that she was surprised at the reception she received because it was the first time she had to perform outside of London.

Helena B on stage in T&T It was a rewarding trip for the British Calypso Monarch and she was sad that her stay lasted only one week, “but it was a great experience,” she said.

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Top and above: models transform the Reception room of the TTHC into a designer runway as the “Timeless” styles of designer

Daronté are elegantly displayed.

The female calypsonian is a member of the Association of British Calypsonians (ABC) which is the only such organisation of calypsonians in Europe reaching out across the world promoting UK based calypsonians.

Helena B has been singing calypso for three years, prior to which she was a back up singer.

The Calypso Monarch trip was sponsored by one of the largest travel agencies in the United Kingdom - Newmont Travel, 21 Uxbridge Road, Shepherds Bush, London W12 8LH. Tel. # 020 8920 1155.