The Barbados Deputy High Commissioner, posted on Facebook today.
Good Gatherin’ in Reading
Team Barbados, led by DHC Mackie Holder, were in the home of Barbadians in the UK, Reading last Saturday to promote We Gatherin’, with a focus on Barbados, in partnership with the Barbados and Friends Association, Reading, (BAFA).
The Apollo was a hive of activity with vendors – you could get your JuC and Shirley biscuits and other Barbadian products as well as sweet bread and a range of Barbados branded items. Books were marketed as well as a radio station and photography business. And the Passport section was on hand to assist Barbadians with filling out passport forms and respond to immigration matters.
The event, from 12 noon to 9, featured interviews with vendors, addresses by the DHC and Stacey Hutchinson, Senior Business Development Officer, BTMI; video presentations on Barbados and St. Peter, highlighting its history, a quiz, which was met with some comedy as well as groans.
Two films by Barbadians, Camouflage and the Esthetics of Love, the former shot in Barbados by Jonathan Temple and the latter by Rodney Victor Wilkinson were also shown.
There were prizes for the quiz winners and impromptu gifts to Marilyn, who was marking her 60th birthday, the oldest person in attendance, Peter Small who will be 80 in a few weeks, and the three youngest members of the audience. Shawn and Aurora, and three year old Cairo Collymore who came from Bournemouth with his parents.
The We Gatherin’ For the Love of Barbados event, was attended by Mayor of Reading, Glen Dennis; Leader of Reading Borough Council, Liz Terry and her husband, former Mayor Alderman Tony Jones and Councillor Wendy Griffith, Battle Ward, a Barbadian.
A lot of information and knowledge was shared; reconnections and connections made, some fun was had for sure and Barbadian food by Dolphin’s Caribbean Catering – fish cakes, cou cou, souse and rice and chicken stew were banging – topped off a good day.
Definitely some knowledge gaps to be filled and already work has started on that.
Thanks to all who attended, especially those who drove for hours, BAFA and thanks to my Mission team and the BTMI team for great execution.
Next stop – Birmingham, Saturday, 8 March, Cap Centre @ 12.
Report Credits ; Anderson Cornell
Caribbeans Eye
PHOTO CREDITS; BAFA READING UK
FEEDBACK IS ABOUT THE EVENT ABOVE…
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