Author Archives: Stephen

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.’

No Smoking Barbados

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From October 1st, 2010, Barbados will join those forward thinking countries in banning smoking in public places.

Minister of Health Donville Inniss yesterday announced the ban with rigid fines for both smokers and businesses that don’t stop people smoking in public. Smokers found guilty of breaking the regulations may face a $500 fine or a 12-month prison term – or both. It’s going to be a lot tougher for proprietors found guilty of allowing people to smoke in a public place. They could be fined $5 000 or be imprisoned for 12 months – or both. Proprietors have to display no-smoking signage in at least two prominent places.

The ban covers rum-shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, other businesses, Government buildings and some places of “national significance” such as libraries and museums.

Senior Medical Officer, Chronic Diseases, Dr Kenneth George, detailed the penalties for non-compliance. He said there was a clear and simple definition of “public place”. “A public place is a place that has a permanent or temporary roof, that is either fully or substantially enclosed and to which the public has access. The definition clearly states that if the place has walls, doors or windows it will be considered to be an enclosed space.”

Cabinet had recently approved anti-smoking legislation and the drafted laws “will shortly be laid in parliament”. “This legislation seeks to protect vulnerable individuals and groups from the harmful effects of second-hand tobacco smoke,”

The question that stands is: what about smokers who light up outside, say on a beach or a playing field?

(Photo credit)

Canadian cricket in the Caribbean?

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There are four or five cricket grounds where all top players want to play. There’s Lords, Melbourne, The Oval, (Kennington, London) and of course, the Kensington Oval, St Michael, Barbados.

Mostly rebuilt to host the 2007 World Cup Finals, its outstanding Worrell, Weekes and Walcott Stand provides column-free views of the action in a structure designed to withstand hurricane winds, heavy rainfall and tropical temperatures. All of the stands are quite individual in style and appearance.

The good news

Currently, it’s the home of Caribbean Twenty 20 cricket featuring the larger islands individually and the smaller islands as collective teams. Plus Canada.

Unfortunately, Canada hasn’t caught up with the Caribbean in cricketing terms. They were soundly beaten by Jamaica on 24th July 2010 in a first round match, in front of a very small attendance, despite tickets being just ten Barbados dollars for the game. Perhaps the rest knew how easy the game would be for one team and of course, television were showing the game live.

West Indies captain Chris Gayle sat out most of the match, not being in the first eleven and played the role of drinks provider to his team mates.

His absence didn’t matter as Jamaica ran to a nine wicket win with 42 balls still to play. They rushed to 102 in 13 overs after keeping the Canadians to 101 for seven. A total they didn’t look like reaching for much of their innings, but 14 in the last over restored some pride. Xavier Marshall stared for Jamaica hitting 52 from 43 balls in a game that always looked one sided.

The Oval, near to the port and the city centre, is an excellent modern cricket ground. Easy to get to, effortless to find your seat and simple to get your food and drink supplies. Easy to locate the rest rooms and the shops selling national team shirts at just BDS$80.

The not so good news

However, there is one major gripe; who thought of building a stadium here with no parking for the general public? The local streets aren’t designed to cope with large numbers parking their cars in narrow lanes and the small attendance meant that the park and ride facilities weren’t available. I can see why people stayed at home. Parking could be found in business car parks , but what happens during a working weekday when those car parks are full of employees?

Caribbean T20 Cricket Tournament

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The West Indies gets its own twenty20 tournament this weekend, starting now in Barbados and later in Trinidad.

Eight teams will try to win the trophy. They are Barbados, Combined Colleges and Campuses, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Trinidad and Tobago, Windward Is., and Canada.

There will be two groups of four teams. Teams will first play round matches within their group, followed by semi finals involving the top teams from each group, and then the final.

There will be two matches each day at Kensington Oval, Barbados:

July 22
4:00 pm Trinidad and Tobago vs Canada
8:00 pm Jamaica vs Leeward Islands

July 23
4:00 pm Guyana vs Windward Islands
8:00 pm Barbados vs Combined Colleges and Campuses

July 24
4:00 pm Jamaica vs Canada
8:00 pm Trinidad and Tobago vs Leeward Islands

July 25
2:00 pm Grenada vs Combined Colleges and Campuses
6:00 pm Barbados Vs Windward Islands

Another 8 matches will be played in Trinidad from July 28 to 31. These matches include the semi-finals and the final.

Just look at those prices; just BDS$10 for the first round matches and free for all under sixteen!