Former Prime Minister, the Hon. David Thompson

Barbadians have been assured that former Prime Minister, the Hon. David Thompson, will be accorded the type of farewell befitting his prominence and exemplary contribution to this country, when a State Funeral for him is held on Wednesday, November 3, at the historic Kensington Oval.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Maxine McClean, made this known today after a meeting at Government Headquarters with representatives of various agencies to plan the funeral arrangements for Mr. Thompson, who passed away last Saturday morning.

Senator McClean, the Government Minister charged with the responsibility of overseeing and coordinating activities for the period of official mourning and the State Funeral, was at the time giving an in-depth outline of plans for the occasion.

She said: "there will be park-and-ride facilities offered to the travelling public at various points, and admission to the service at Kensington Oval will be by ticket only.

"The entire service, which will be preceded by half an hour of musical tributes by the Royal Barbados Police Force Band, starting at 9:00 a.m., will be broadcast live on radio and television here and across the region. The service will be followed by the interment at the St. John Parish Church. Details regarding these matters will be forthcoming from the Barbados Government Information Service," she revealed.

The Minister explained that as a lead-up to the funeral, there would be the lying-in-state and the provision of condolence books for signing at a number of locations. Starting on Thursday, October 28, the body will lie-in-state upstairs in the East Wing of Parliament where, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., there will be private viewing by dignitaries in the order of the Table of Precedence, from the Governor General to current and former Members of Parliament.

From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. that same day, as well as on Tuesday, November 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., members of the public may view the body upstairs the East Wing of Parliament.

The public will also have an opportunity to see Mr. Thompson on Friday, October 29, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at his alma mater, Combermere; the following day, Saturday, October 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the??George Street Auditorium; and at the St. John Parish Church on November 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Persons will be able to sign condolence books at the following locations: downstairs the East and West Wings of Parliament on October 28 from 1100 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on October 29 and 30, and November 1 and 2.

Condolence books will also be placed at Government Headquarters for public officers on October 29??and on November 1 and 2 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day; at the??George Street Auditorium, on October 29 and 30, and November 1 and 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day; at Combermere School on October??29 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.;??at the St. John Parish Church on?? October 29 and 30, and November 1 and 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day; the St. John Post Office??on October 29 and 30, and November 1 and 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day; and at the Grantley Adams International Airport on October 29 and 30, and November 1 and 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

Senator McClean is expected to unfold additional details when she speaks to the news media at a press briefing tomorrow, Wednesday, October 27.

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