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| Bathsheba (FP)?? |
Barbadians, persons of Barbadian descent and friends of Bajans at home and abroad have been encouraged to rediscover the island this Crop Over, with the Barbados Network Consultation (BNC), also known as the 2nd Diaspora Conference.????
Persons who wish to experience Barbados’ heritage and scenic locations should sign up for the Ole Time Bajan Excursion and participate in one of two tours which have been scheduled for Thursday, August 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Event Organiser of the BNC 2012, David Bulbulia, said the excursion had been designed to provide persons with an exciting opportunity to discover or rediscover some of this island’s iconic landmarks.
The team will be led by noted Barbadian historians, Kevin Farmer and Maurice Greenidge and associates. Mr. Bulbulia believes that while these events would be ideal for Barbadians returning home for the Crop Over festivities and the 2nd Diaspora Conference, he is encouraging everyone to take part.??
He stated: "While the core of the conference is from August 7 to 10 at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, BNC 2012 will kick off on Thursday, August 2, with an ???Ole Time Bajan Excursion’.?? It will start at the Garrison Savannah, where persons would see the changing of the guard, and it will then head to Historic Bridgetown."
The excursion would then split into two separate groups, one which would travel to the north of the island, while the other would head to the south.??
After touring Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, the southern group will visit Oistins, Christ Church Parish Church, Callenders, Bournes’s Land, Crane Hotel, Ragged Point Lighthouse, Gun Hill Signal Station, St. John’s Parish Church and culminate at the East Coast where lunch would be served. The cost of the excursion, including lunch is $122.00.
"The northern portion of the Ole Time Bajan Excursion is scheduled to visit Holetown, Portvale, Speightstown, St. Nicholas Abbey, Farley Hill, Morgan Lewis Mill, Cherry Tree Hill, and Bathsheba.?? Lunch would be provided at River Bay," he continued.
Observing that Barbadians enjoy socialising and sightseeing, Mr. Bulbulia said that the BNC 2012 would also provide other recreational and business activities such as Speed Networking sessions; Bajan Road Tennis demonstrations and games; a Creative Economy Showcase; a Career Forum, hosted by the Young Barbadian Professionals Society; screenings of Barbadian films; an Ancestry Research Workshop and a Bajan Cultural Immersion, where participants can learn to cook the Bajan Way.
Persons interested in taking part in the Ole Time Bajan Excursion should reserve their space by registering online at www.foreign.gov.bb/barbadosnetwork or by contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 431-2200; 431-2277; 431-2278 or 431-2255.