A consummate professional, a visionary and a man of high standards.

These were some of the accolades heaped on former Cinematographer, Peter Roy Byer, during a service of praise and thanksgiving at the Bajan Culture Village today.

Mr. Byer, an employee of the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) for nearly four decades and tent manager of the Kingdom of Super Gladiators, was laid to rest today following his passing on October 29.

Calypsonians, politicians, friends, family and Barbadians from all walks of life gathered at the Village to pay their respects to the 68-year-old, who was described by many as ???a man ahead of his time???.

Former government Minister, Glyne Murray, and close friend and business associate, Winston Alleyne, were among those who praised Mr. Byer for his work in the field of cinematography, as well as his enduring love for the calypso art form.

Calling him ???a walking encyclopedia???, Mr. Murray urged the audience to not let Mr. Byer???s vision go unheeded, particularly his calls for a centre of the arts for young Barbadian performers.

Acting Chief Information Officer of the BGIS, Sharon Lynch, noted Mr. Byer???s contribution to the department???s development in the 1970s and 80s, particularly his efforts at creating many of the popular programmes of the period, such as Journal 5, On Camera and Agroscope.

???He was not one to settle and be satisfied with the status quo, or be happy with what was done last week. He always wanted to push the envelope and develop something better for his next project.

???He understood the importance of bringing the work of Government to the attention of the population in a more attractive way, and this was achieved with those new programmes. Each one had a different intent with material to be treated differently,??? Ms. Lynch recalled.

Former calypso monarch and friend, Dr. Anthony ???Gabby??? Carter, who honoured Mr. Byer in song, remembered him as a brilliant man always bursting full of ideas.

He described the former cinematographer as ???one of a kind???, who had a great love for the calypso art form, photography and young people.

andre.skeete@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Andr?? Skeete

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