Author Archives: Stephen

Barbados officials didn’t take the bribe offered

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If you live in the football world, as most of Barbados does, then you’ll have heard about the accusations against Caribbean football chiefs being offered bribes to vote in a certain manner for world FIFA (the world body that governs football) topics.

FIFA have found some people guilty of taking bribes with some warned about their future conduct. Some officials have not been charged because they resigned before the investigations were concluded.

Barbados had two officials being investigated and both have been totally exonerated from all changes; they didn’t take the bribes offered. They may have been offered $40,000 at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) delegates meeting last May, but they refused the offer.

Dave Hinds is the general secretary of the Barbados Football Association. Mark ‘Bob’ Forde is a long serving FIFA referee. Both were under serious pressure to prove their innocence, but in the end, they prevailed. They have both declared their innocence all the way through.

Good to see that some justice works well in the world. Mind you, it’s sad to see that some took bribes and some ran away before they could be found guilty. Barbados officials can carry on their work with their heads held high.

Pies for the Brits in Barbados

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The Brits just love Barbados and mostly for the difference in weather from their home town. They also look for things to remind them of home. No doubt all nationalities suffer from the same loss of favourite items only available in their old home town stores.

When I talk to Brits in Barbados they often remark that they miss the football and we talk about the differences in weather. We discuss how they’ll sit in the frozen terraces of football grounds on cold and wet winter nights. On every occasion they tell me that their half time delight in the possibility of buying a hot cup of tea and a Pukka Pie. The Pukka Pies have become a tradition at football matches and in recent years have become easily available in the UK’s high street stores. Easy to hold in one hand with tea in the other, they’re hot, taste good and warm you up.

How pleased they’ll be to see the largest food store group, Supercentre, in Barbados, is now stocking a range of Pukka Pies in the freezers. They offer a selection of oven pies together with some of the 3½ minute microwave specials. No longer will the Brits miss their Pukka Pies, but maybe they’ll chase it down with a cold Banks’ beer.

Barbados is one of the few countries around the world stocking the famous pies. Pies are usually called patties in Bimshire (code for Barbados; sounds like a British county – ‘shire’). Available in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Malta, Portugal, Spain and the Canary Islands; they’re obviously available where the Brits congregate, to talk about the football back home.

The pies in the UK are usually about £1.50 in a store and around £2.50 at a football match. In Barbados they’re $9, around £3. For those who like their Branston pickle, a small jar in England is around £1.40, but £3 ($9) in Barbados.

http://www.pukkapies .co.uk/ from Leicester, England.

Oistins Festival 21st to 25th April, 2011

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Oistins Festival
21st to 25th April, 2011

This ever popular series of events returns for Easter, 2011.

The new Heritage Village opening on Saturday April 23rd will feature exhibitions and demonstrations on Barbadian Craftsmanship.

The festival schedule includes;
Thursday, 21st April, 2011

7pm – Flood Lit Tattoo at Christ Church Foundation School.
Friday 22nd April, 2011

5pm – Friday Night Lime
Saturday, 23 April, 2011

11am – Swimming Races
2pm – Net Throwing Competition
2pm – Classic Car Parade
4pm – The Royal Barbados Police Band
4.30pm – Opening Ceremony of the Oistins Fish Festival 2011
5.30pm – Tray Race
6pm – Greasy Pole Competition
7pm – Eastland All Stars Steel Orchestra
7.10pm – Conch Shell Blowing Competition
8pm – Heritage Entertainment, Waki Wayne Show, Trevor Eastmond, Foundation Jazz Orchestra

Sunday, 24th April, 2011
7pm – Gospel Festival at Bay Garden

Monday, 25th April, 2011

6am – 10K Road Race from Queen’s Park to Oistins
1pm – Annual Boat Race at Oistins Jetty
2pm – Tug-of-War – Oistins & Silver Sands Fishermen
2pm – Fish Cook-Off Competition
3pm – The Barbados Landship in the Boatyard
3pm – John Boyce Road Tennis Final by Lexie’s Bar
4pm – The Dolphin Skinning Competition
5pm – National Fish Boning Competition at the Boat Yard
6pm – Greasy Pole Competition
6.30pm – The Wacki Wayne Show with Comedian Trevor Eastmond
7.30pm – Heritage Entertainment, Modeling Jennifer Walker Show

The Holetown Festival 2011

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The Holetown Festival runs from Saturday Feb 12, 2011 to Sunday Feb 20, 2011.

1627 to 2011 The Holetown Festival: To celebrate the Anniversary of the First Settlement of Barbados

For up to date information check the Holetown Festival website

SATURDAY, February 12

12.00p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Holetown Fish Fry – hosted by the American Women’s Club at 69 Cherry Ave, Sunset Crest.

SUNDAY, February 13

4.00 p.m. Opening Celebrations at the Holetown Monument (in Super Centre car park) with Dancin’ Africa, the Queen of the Festival Sakina Alleyne and the contestants for 2011, St. Leonard’s Boys Choir, Torisha Holder, Sabrina Fallah, The Advent Boys, saxophonist Ricky Niles, Rhea Borman and presentation of awards. Presentation of the Haringey/Holetown Twinning Document. Blessing by Pastor Victor Payne and Feature Address by the Honorable Stephen Lashley.
5.30 p.m. The Ceremony of Beating Retreat by the Zouave Band of the Barbados Defence Force. The evening presented with the compliments of SUPER CENTRE, HOLETOWN
6.30 p.m. – 12.00 midnight BARBADOS LIGHT & POWER COMPANY LTD Pan Fest featuring The Olakunde Steel Orchestra, the Reddy Panners and Haringey Young Musicians from England

MONDAY, February 14

10.00 a.m. The Alfred Pragnell Memorial Talk “Duppies, Hags and Steel Donkeys – The coming of Light, the Disappearance of Myths in Barbados” by Dr. Pedro Welch at the Holetown Methodist Church. Compliments of ROTHERLEY CONSTRUCTION INC.
10.30 a.m. Opening of Exhibition “Heritage Sites” in the Holetown Library
6.00 p.m – 12.00 midnight The Holetown Liming Tent opens with the BANKS/COCA COLA Karaoke competition from 9.00 p.m
7.30 p.m. PRICESMART NIGHT at the Seaside Theatre (Free Concert) featuring Sing Out Barbados, the Ziggy Walcott Ensemble, The Singers, Signers and Dancers from the School for the Hearing Impaired, Kathy Payne, Sabrina Fallah and 2 Island Girls

TUESDAY, February 15

9.30 a.m.1st Bus Tour of Historic Holetown with Morris Greenidge (Limited seating)…Tickets $10.00 from the Holetown Festival Information Booth. Bus leaves from the Holetown Library.
10.30 a.m.Exhibition continues “Heritage Sites.” in the Holetown Library
12.00 p.m. 2nd Bus Tour of Historic Holetown with Morris Greenidge (Limited seating)…Tickets $10.00 from the Holetown Festival Information Booth. Bus leaves from the Holetown Library.
12.30 p.m. – 3.00 p.m.Lunchtime Concert, featuring Haringey Young Musicians from England at the Surfside Restaurant
6.00 p.m – 12.00 midnightThe Holetown Liming Tent opens with the BANKS/COCA COLA Karaoke competition from 9.00 p.m
7.30 p.m. GOSPEL FAVORITESat the Seaside Theatre (Free Concert) featuring The Royal Diedems, Solid, Kimberley Inniss, comedian Carson Small and Praise Academy of Dance

WEDNESDAY, February 16

10.00 a.m. The Alfred Pragnell Memorial Talk. “Investigating the Barbados Environment” by David Ellis at the Holetown Methodist Church Compliments of ROTHERLEY CONSTRUCTION INC.
10.30 a.m. Exhibition continues “Heritage Sites” in the Holetown Library
6.00 p.m – 12.00 midnight The Holetown Liming Tent opens with the BANKS/COCA COLA Karaoke competition from 9.00 p.m
7.30 p.m.SURFSIDE RESTAURANT NIGHT at the Seaside Theatre (Free Concert) presenting Willie Kerr and friends, The Redmen, Urban De Coda, Lisa Griffith and the Festival dancers

THURSDAY, February 17

10.00 a.m. Bus Tour of Historic Holetown with Morris Greenidge (Limited seating)…Tickets $10.00 from the Holetown Festival Information Booth. Bus leaves from the Holetown Library.
10.30 a.m. Exhibition continues “Heritage Sites” in the Holetown Library
12.30 p.m. – 3.00 p.m.Lunchtime Concert, featuring Haringey Young Musicians from England at the Surfside Restaurant
6.00 p.m – 12.00 midnightThe Holetown Liming Tent opens with the BANKS/COCA COLA Karaoke competition from 9.00 p.m
7.30 p.m. RBC ROYAL BANK (BARBADOS) LIMITED/RBTT NIGHT at the Seaside Theatre (Free Concert) featuring Ayana John and Blue, Rhapsody of Barbados, Lorenzo and Mikey Richard Stoute, Adrian Clarke, Desmond Weekes and Extra Hype Dancers

FRIDAY, February 18

10.00 a.m. The Alfred Pragnell Memorial Talk”Barbados Magna Carta, the foundation for freedom in Barbados” by Robert “Bobby” Morris at the Holetown Methodist Church Compliments of ROTHERLEY CONSTRUCTION INC
10.30 a.m. Exhibition continues “Heritage Sites.” in the Holetown Library
6.00 p.m – 12.00 midnight The Holetown Liming Tent opens with the BANKS/COCA COLA Karaoke competition from 8.00 p.m
8.00 p.m CHEFETTE RESTAURANTS NIGHT
Grand Floodlit Tattoo and night march at the Trents Playing Field with the band of The Royal Barbados Police Force, The Mounted Police, and the cadets of the Regional Police Training School. Reserved seating by Ticket ($5.00) available at Surfside Restaurant and the Holetown Festival Information Booth.
12.00 midnight STREET FAIR STALLS CLOSE

SATURDAY, February 19

The 35th BANKS/COCA COLA Street Fair…Bajan Arts and Crafts… Food from Barbados and the Caribbean…The Prison Service Arts and Craft Centre, This That and T’other Shop… The Banks Beer Garden. Traditional Tuk Band Music. Ital food, books, jewelry, shoes, clothing, Kiwanis Health Centre, Children’s Play Park, toys and lots more
11.00 a.m. THE MEGUIARS/AUTOMOTIVE ART STREET PARADE featuring Vintage and Classic Cars, The Queen of The Festival Sakina Alleyne and the contestants for 2011, the Barbados Cadet Corps, Dancin’ Africa, The Barbados Regiment Band, St. James, Gordon Greenidge, Erdiston and Luther Thorne Primary Schools, the Learning Centre, The Reddy Panners, Haringey Young Musicians from England, Youth Uprising and the Parish Ambassadors.
12.00 noon The Holetown Methodist Church…Food for the Body and Soul…A home cooking restaurant on the lawn and in the flower decorated Church, short recitals by performers from 1.00 p.m to 6.00 p.m (Performances co-ordinated by Maurice Greenidge)
1.30 p.m. Radio controlled auto racers display
2.00 p.m. THE BARBADOS TOURISM AUTHORITYpresents “The Holetown Dooflicky” with Folk Parade and Bajan Carnival.
3.00 p.m. Mini Concert at the Chattel Stage
6.00 p.m THE BANKS / COCA COLASunset Concert with the Royal Barbados Police Force Band at the Seaside Theatre.
8.00 p.mDJ Face Off with Verseewild and other popular DJ’s
12.00 midnight STREET FAIR STALLS CLOSE

SUNDAY, February 20

9.00 a.mThanksgiving Service at the Holetown Methodist Church…To mark the Anniversary of the First Settlement in 1627
10.00 a.m. Street Fair Stalls re-open
3.30 p.mThe Barbados Pathfinder Band drill and musical display
3.30 p.m. The Michael Parravicino Memorial 7K Road Walk, from Speightstown to Holetown. Sponsored byREALTORS LTD and organized by St. Clair Ward for Walk Barbados
4.15 p.m. FESTIVAL 7K Road Run on the same route. (Organized by Jim Wedderburn)
5.15 p.m. Presentation of Prizes at the Chattel Stage
6.00 p.m. Gala Concert “CLASSICAL STEEL” at the St. James Parish Church. (Tickets $20.00 from the Holetown Festival Information Booth and the Church)
6.30 p.m. The Spiritual Baptists Candlelight Procession and Worship Service at the Seaside Theatre
7.30 p.m. The Grand Finale… THE QUEEN OF THE FESTIVAL PAGEANT with seven beautiful contestants in the Auditorium of the St. James Secondary School
(Admission $30.00 – Tickets at the door)
8.00 p.m. STREET FAIR STALLS CLOSE

Barbadians moving back home

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The Barbados returning nationals programme is to be significantly changed in 2010. The age restriction for bringing your goods in duty free has been lifted; before it stood at age 50 to receive the full benefits, like bringing in your own car.

This will allow younger Barbadians to bring their entrepreneurial skills home much earlier, rather than waiting until retirement age when the skills may be unused.

Also, the returning nationals programme will now be known as the Barbados Network Programme to reflect its changes.

To quote the government:

‘A Barbadian national who is a citizen by birth, descent, registration or naturalisation will qualify for the programme once he was continuously resident abroad for ten years immediately prior to resettlement,’

This ten year rule hasn’t changed.

The Acting Prime Minister said that the necessity that a Barbadian by descent or marriage must have resided at least 183 days in Barbados prior to emigrating in order to be eligible under the programme, would be removed.

He also said ‘the qualifying period for annual Barbados Network Renewal status under the programme would however be increased from three to five years, to help reduce the incidence of abuse, especially in respect of the motor vehicle concessions.’ This means that to those bringing in a car duty free, you now have to keep it for five years before you can sell it to maintain its duty free status.

It would also appear that the longwinded administration connected with returning nationals and the duty free concessions, will be made much easier to complete. This should also make the process much shorter.
The changes will allow the Comptroller of Customs to ‘Grant automatic exemptions from the payment of import duties and taxes to those returnees whose eligibility has been appropriately certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.’