My Barbados Blog

I ran across Notes from a Small Island blog, and Ingrid Persaud dishes the goings on at Holder's Season in Barbados. Ingrid's account brought back memories of the last Holder's Season I attended - and yes a visit to Wendy Kidd's homes is worth a visit - even if you are not a cultural fan - Linda

Ingrid starts out with . . .
'Tis “the season” to be jolly on our small rock. Visitor numbers peak as the winter birds settle into their villa nests on the West coast. Those who cannot afford to nest here from November through to April make the pilgrimage for a week or two as a brief escape from the punishing northern winter.

We put on major cultural shows for them – international culture rather than the stuff that makes up our other major local culture event, Crop Over. This being little England we particularly thrive on a little of the English cultural and social scene.

Winter birds want to be able to report back to the less fortunate of Abergavenny and Aldershot that they did not miss out on anything and they got a tan. You saw Much Ado About Nothing with the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Festival Hall, London? We did it at Holders Festival in a Globe Theatre, London production. Wish you were there darling!

Read the rest of Ingrid's post at Notes From a Small Island

On Tuesday afternoon February 12, the opening of a new Parliament will take place in Barbados.

The recent general elections gave former the opposition - the DLP (Democratic Labour Party), led by David Thompson, the title of Prime Minister.

The Barbados Defense Force will form an Honor Guard in the National Heroes Square, and Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands has the role of inspecting the Guard. Husbands will then deliver the traditional Throne Speech, which spells out the new government's policies and priorities for the next five years.   

Following the Throne Speech, both Houses of Parliament will take a tour of the Musuem of Parliament, and the National Heroes Gallery. Barbados has the distinction of having a 300 year old Parliament, which is the second longest in the Commonwealth.

The world reknown Royal Barbados Police Band, and the National Youth Steel Orchestra will provide the musical entertainment for the reception.

“The Connection” is a traveling art show highlighting the links between Barbados, the West Indies and South Carolina.

Started through a partnership of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor and the Barbadian Tourism Ministry, the exhibit has more than 70 pieces from South Carolina and Barbadian artists representing the similarities between the two areas in agriculture, horticulture, arts, African-American heritage and maritime heritage.

Carried by trade winds, Barbados was the first stop for many sailing ships trading between the American colonies and Africa or Europe, so many ideas, including art, language and architecture, flowed between the Carolinas and the Caribbean island.

Later, much of the rice, sugar and slave trades would use Barbados as a stopping ground, increasing the Barbadian influence in the Carolinas.

Read full article at the Index Journal - Greenwood, South Carolina 

Related My Barbados Blog Posts

Barbados, South Carolina Connection Revealed

We've been so busy lately, and haven't had time to visit our blog friends and partners.

But, I stopped by Barbados Free Press tonight, and saw their posting "Moses Wood, Tuk And The Barbados Landship" - Linda.

Barbados has the distinction of being the only country with a "Landship Movement", which is comprised of a Navy that never goes to sea.

See our blog page for more information on the Barbados Landship. Also check out the history of The Tuk Band.

Take a little time to check out this Google video, which will give you a first hand look at The Barbados Landship, Moses Wood and theTuk Band. BIG THANKS to Barbados Free Press for bringing this to our attention.

View The Barbados Landship - Preserving the Ship and Its Engine

Barbadian national pledge of allegiance - I pledge allegiance to my country Barbados and to my flag, To uphold and defend their honour, and by my living to do credit to my nation, wherever I go.

The island of Barbados is celebrating 41 years of independence on November 30.

The national flag of Barbados is comprised of three equal vertical panels - the centre panel of gold and the outer panels of ultramarine. A broken trident in black is located in the centre of the flag. Blue represents the sea and sky of Barbados, while gold represents the sand of the islands beaches. The symbol at the centre of the flag represents the Trident of the mythical sea god, Neptune - the shaft of the trident is broken symbolising Barbados' break from Britain.

Actually the independence celebrations last all month with a variety of community events, fairs and sporting events, which lead up to the national holiday on November 30.

The National Independence Festival of Creative Arts celebrates Barbadian music, dance, drama, arts and crafts, photography, and the best in each group are chosen at the conclusion of the festival.

Independence Day starts off with a big parade and ceremony at the Garrison Savannah. By nightfall the parliament buildings and businesses in the capital city of Bridgetown are all lit up with blue and gold lights, as well as all the highway roundabouts on the island. Blue and gold are the national colors of the island.

Keith Clark is a well known Bajan photographer that captures the essence of what Barbados used to be.

Whether it be some old chattel house, an old soft stone house, or some other dilapidated dwelling, Keith says, "you can still find some subtle beauty in them."

Also check out Keith's book, Old Barbados through Photography, which brings Old Barbados back to the forefront via photography.

Visit Keiths site - Barbados In Focus

On Monday No 10 Downing Street lifted a news blackout on Tony Blair’s summer holiday in Barbados - even though his vacation started around the first of August.

For security reasons the prime minster's press chief asked news organizations back in the summer not to report that he was indeed in Barbados.

But Blair accepts an invitation from the Barbados Legion to attend to a public World War Two commemoration on the island to commorate Barbadians who served in the war - and the so called vacation secret finally hit the print media.

When asked how the Barbados Legion knew Blair was on the island, the press chief stated that since Barbados is a small place, and it was obvious that some people would know he was there.

The media is still being asked not to report his exact location. So, Tony Blair is vacationing in his usual favorite island in the Caribbean, and exactly where he is staying is unknown - but you can be sure its somewhere on the west coast, perhaps at a private home.

So much for a slow news day . . .

 

The business of travel is an extremely competitive market. Travelers are looking for new locations and adventures, and those of us in the travel industry are constantly looking to improve our competitive advantage with new technologies, niche markets and speciality travel packages.

While the islands of the Caribbean are obviously known for sun, sea, sand and romance - marketing the regions other attributes such as historical artifacts and buildings is often overlooked.   

I stopped by Living in Barbados blog, and read the posting "Let's hear it for heritage tourism", and read the following:

As Caribbean countries strive to find new products to market, other than sun, sea, sand, and romance, I hope that they will give serious thought and support to exploiting the rich history that exists in the region.

Professor Henry Fraser (Dean of the School of Clinical Medicine and Research, UWI, and former president of the Barbados National Trust) wrote in The Nation on June 17, 2007 about heritage tourism.

His focus was on the "...wealth of fine buildings throughout the island exemplifying the highest order in architectural design and building craftsmanship" and making the clear argument that preservation of buildings could offer economic gains.

He lists seven wonders of Barbados, which include St Nicholas Abbey, The Historic Garrison complex (including George Washington House), Sunbury Plantation House, The Jewish Synagogue, Tyrol Cot and its Heritage Village, The Morgan Lewis Mill and Gun Hill Signal Station (pictured here).

Read entire article at Living in Barbados Blog

Barbados Mount Gay Rum is said to be the "oldest rum in the world", and its history dates back to 1663.

Mount Gay continues to be internationally known, and recently the EU (European Union) provided part of the funding ($4.2 million), of the approximate $14.2 million to build a larger facility.

Previously the blending and ageing was done in two locations around the island, but the new facility in the parish of St Lucy brings the rum refining, storage, ageing and blending under one roof.

The Mount Gay Rum Tour is always a favorite attraction with Barbados clients and visitors alike.

Yesterday was Emancipation Day on the island of Barbados. Emancipation Day is celebrated annually on the 1 of August in recognition of the abolition of slavery.

The island's slave revolt was led in 1816 by a man named "Bussa", and on the island there is a statue of him which stands on the Emancipation Roundabout in the parish of St. Michael. Each year the emancipation ceremony is held at this location with parades, speeches and performances.

As you enter the roundabout, the figure of "Bussa" stands tall, with his chains broken and arms held high. I can remember years ago when I asked the driver to stop so I could get a picture of "Bussa". I nearly got run over trying to get a closer look at this impressive national hero.

"Bussa" led the well planned revolt in 1816 with 400 freedom fighters by his side. Although he was killed, the fight for freedom continued in his name.

Karl Broodhagen, a Barbadian sculptor, created the figure of the national hero. The statue was unveiled in 1985, and serves as a constant reminder of the infamous slave leader.

Stopped by Barbados in Focus blog and saw that Keith H. Clarke has published his first book - Old Barbados Through Photography

Keith says, "It is my mission to bring Old Barbados back to the forefront via photography.

Whether it be some old chattel house, an old soft stone house, or some other dilapidated dwelling, you can still find some subtle beauty in them."

Best of luck Keith - your photographs are awesome!

Visit Barbados In Focus, and check out Keith's new book, along with viewing his photo archive on the blog 
http://barbadosinfocus.blogspot.com/2007/06/old-barbados-through-photography.html

The Art of Drink Blog reviews Cockspur Old Gold Rum and Mount Gay Rum

Cockspur Old Gold Rum
The Cockspur brand of rums is the second one in this review from Barbados, the other being Mount Gay Extra Old.

Of course the Barbados may very well be the birthplace of rum, many hundreds of years ago, but Cockspur has only been around since 1884. It was started by Valdemar Hanschell who ran a supply store in the Barbados, and since this Caribbean Island was a main hub for shipping in the 1800's, selling rum was a must.

Eventually the rum became the main product and with a merger with another producer rum producer and the company became Hanschell Inniss. They continue to produce Cockspur rum in three varieties, the five star, the Old Gold and the VSOR. The Cockspur Old Gold is the rum of choice for this review.

Mount Gay Extra Old also reviewed

http://www.theartofdrink.com/blog/2007/03/cockspur-old-gold-rum.php

The site in the Garrison Historic District, just outside Bridgetown, includes a yellow home in the Caribbean Georgian style with green shutters and louvered windows, stables, a bath house and a windmill.

Washington came to Barbados — the only foreign country he ever visited — at age 19 with his older half-brother Lawrence, who suffered from tuberculosis. Doctors had recommended Lawrence try to recover in the island's warm tropical weather.

For information on the house, visit http://www.georgewashingtonbarbados.org/

It's just a month before the island of Barbados celebrates its 40th Anniversary of Independence. 

The theme of the celebration will be "Barbados forty, a proud past - a world class future." 

The Independence Celebration begins on November 1 with a lighting ceremony, a Bajan folk brew and culminate with an awards ceremony on December 10.

Source: CBC Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation

One of our clients Susan Overton, who lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina contacted me today on an update to our posting on this subject - Thanks for the info Susan

September Guest Speaker Michael Stoner Revealed Connection between Barbados and Carolina

The HHI chapter conducted a series of presentations on the South Carolina-Caribbean connection in exploring the subject of this year's Archaeology Month poster. We at the Hilton Head Island Chapter were honored to have Mr. Michael Stoner, the designer of this year's poster, as the first speaker of the series.

In the spring of 1670, three ships loaded with passengers and supplies converged on a small hummock tucked along the muddy banks of the Ashley River. Although their landfall was the conclusion of seven years of exploration, a failed settlement attempt, and a nine-month trans-Atlantic voyage, the settlement at 1670 Charles Towne was also the beginning of Charleston and South Carolina.

Archaeological investigations at the site of the colonists' first landing, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, suggest the settlers of 1670 Charles Towne brought with them the influences of not only their English motherland, but also the Caribbean, specifically Barbados.

Using data from the 1968 and -69 investigations in addition to the recently completed South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology's 1670 Charles Towne Archaeology Project (2000-1), Stoner and South reveal aspects of the connections between Barbados and Carolina in settlement patterning and material culture.

In so doing, the authors demonstrated the importance of Barbadian influence in settling Carolina starting with the 1663 Carolina Charter and continuing until the abandonment of 1670 Charles Towne in 1680 for the deep waters of the Cooper River at Oyster Point.

The presentation took place Tuesday September 19th, at the Coastal Discovery Museum.

Susan did not attend the meeting, but found this article in one of the local newspapers. If any residents of South Carolina attended this meeting, please let us know.

Here's another subject that I've received numerous e-mails about - many from students here in the U.S. who are writing term papers and involved in research projects. Barbados and America have ties that go back to the colonial days.

There's been a lively discussion in the postings on this subject, that I did in March of this year. The information I gathered for the article was obtained from articles, books, and sites around the Internet.

While some disagree on the dates as to whether Barbados influenced the American Declaration of Independence, or the whether the U.S. influenced the Treaty of Oistins, I'll let the article stand without revision until further investigation.

These historical ties are well known in the Charleston, South Carolina area, and the residents there are well informed on the historical ties.

If you haven't read the post, or even know about the history ties, you can read the March, 2006 article at the link below:

http://www.barbadostravel.squarespace.com/journal/2006/3/19/colonial-barbados-and-american-ties.html#comment498408

One of our blog subscribers from England sent me an e-mail asking if I was aware that the early history of the U.S. was directly tied to the island of Barbados. I was aware of this, and while going through past blog posts, I realized this had not been mentioned. So here goes . . . and there's so much more.

In the mid 1600's England's Charles II made a royal grant to eight wealthy Barbadian plantation owners. This grant was the "title" to a region that was called "Carolina".

South Carolina's historical register states that 200 immigrants from Barbados founded Charles Towne (named after Charles II), which is today called Charleston, South Carolina.

The leader of the colonists was Sir John Yeamans, a powerful plantation owner from the island of Barbados. The group of original settlers called themselves "The Barbadian Society of Gentlemen Adventures".

Seven of the first 21 Governors of the Carolina's were Barbadian, and Hilton Head, South Carolina was named for Captain Hilton, who was from Barbados, and he was originally sent to explore the Carolina region.

The Treaty of Oistins, negotiated and signed at The Mermaid Tavern in Oistins in Barbados in 1652, and the American Declaration of Independence also have important ties.

The Treaty of Oistins contains a clause that reads "That no taxes, customs, imports or excise shall be laid, nor levy made on any of the inhabitants of this island without their consent in a General Assembly."

In 1773, this same principle was adopted by the 13 American colonies when they dumped tea in  Boston Harbour (The Boston Tea Party) in revolt of British taxation.

This concept of 'No Taxation Without Representation' was subsequently included in the American Declaration of Independence in 1775.

About half of the Treaty of Oistins has been incorporated into the American Declaration of Independence.

The book, "The Barbados-Carolina Connection by Warren Alleyne and Henry Fraser explores the historical link.

Linda, Travel 2 the Caribbean