The selfless contributions of the island’s National Heroes will be given greater prominence this year when the parishes stage a number of activities, in observance of National Heroes Day.
The celebrations, a joint initiative between the Community Independence Celebrations Secretariat and the Division of Culture in the Prime Minister’s Office, will be held from Thursday, April 27, to Tuesday, May 2. They are aimed at building a sense of nationalism, volunteerism, and nationhood across the island, as part of the Season of Emancipation.
In celebration of the Right Excellent Charles Duncan O’Neal, residents in St. Lucy will stage a Parish Day dooflicky on Saturday, April 29, at the St. Lucy’s Parish Church car park from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Right Excellent Sir Frank Walcott, an international figure in trade unionism, and known for his forceful yet reasonable negotiation skills, will be celebrated by St. Peter with the unveiling of a Monument to the Heroes of St. Peter at the BTI car park on Friday, April 28, starting at 10:00 a.m.
On Sunday, April 30, there will be a lecture to honour Sir Frank at the Speightstown Branch Library, beginning at 6:00 p.m. It will be delivered by historian and veteran trade unionist, Robert Morris.
The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers will be the toast of St. James when a 20/20 cricket match in his honour is held at the Hoyte’s Village Pavilion, on Saturday, April 29, from 7:00 p.m.
School children from Arthur Smith and St. Lawrence Primary Schools, all in Christ Church, will mount pictorial and written displays on Thursday, April 27, to recognise their chosen hero – The Right Excellent Sarah Ann Gill, Barbados’ first heroine.
The activities commence at 11:15 a.m. at Arthur Smith, St. Matthias, and 1:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Primary School, St. Lawrence Main Road. On Saturday, April 29, there will be an unveiling of a bench at the Hawthorn Methodist Church Daycare, Worthing, Christ Church.
Night of the Griots is the theme chosen by St. Philip to reflect on The Right Excellent Bussa, who led the April 1816 revolt against oppressive white planters. The activity will be held at Princess Margaret Secondary School, Six Roads, on Sunday, April 30, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Other activities include: an educational visit to Coco Hill Forest, St. Joseph, on Thursday, April 27, starting at 10:30 a.m., in recognition of the work of the island’s first Premier, The Right Excellent Sir Grantley Adams; a career showcase at the St. George Secondary School, in honour of The Right Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod starting at 9:00 a.m.
There will also be a memorial church service on Tuesday, May 2, at the St. Andrew Parish Church, commencing at 10:00 a.m., to recognise the work of Barbados’ third Governor General, The Right Excellent Sir Hugh Springer, and a lecture at the Lester Vaughan School, in memory of The Right Excellent Clement Payne, a pioneer in the trade union movement on National Heroes Day. The lecture begins at 5:00 p.m.