The We Gatherin’ exercise is creating renewed and new interest in Barbados and assisting efforts in the country, but there is a knowledge gap which agencies including Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and the National Cultural Foundation need to work more closely along with Barbados’ mission in the United Kingdom.
These are the observations of Deputy High Commissioner of Barbados in London Mackie Holder.
He was commenting after the second We Gatherin’ event by the Mission, the latter held in Reading, where most Barbadians in the United Kingdom (UK) live.
We Gatherin’ promotion in the UK was launched last year at the first Barbados Independence Gala, held in London. The first successful community session was held in early January at the High Commission.
Holder, who is responsible for diaspora affairs and who is leading the We Gatherin’ promotions in partnership with BTMI and, where possible, the local Barbados association, said there has been a fantastic response so far.
He reported extremely positive feedback following the Reading event, with the important outcomes of Barbadians asking for similar events to be held in their areas, including Swindon and Brent, and, significantly, people following up offering to partner on follow-up programmes to further engage communities.
The Reading event, dubbed For The Love Of Barbados was attended by Mayor of Reading, Glen Dennis; leader of Reading Borough Council, Liz Terry and her husband, former Mayor Alderman Tony Jones and Councillor Wendy Griffith, Battle Ward, a Barbadian. She was among those who is already working with the Mission to increase engagement.
Executed in partnership with the Barbados and Friends Association, Reading, (BAFA), the event ran from noon to 9 p.m. It included a passport clinic, various vendors and exhibitors, including one marketing Bajan products, including Ju-C and Shirley biscuits and condiments including the Landship brand, health pressure checks and there was an abundance of Bajan food by Dolphin’s on sale.
There were interviews with vendors and attendees, presentations by Holder and BTMI senior business development officer Stacey Hutchinson, video presentations on Barbados and St Peter, highlighting its history, and a quiz.
Two films by Barbadians, Camouflage and the Esthetics of Love, the former shot in Barbados by Jonathan Temple and the latter by Rodney Victor Wilkinson, were also shown.
There were prizes for the quiz winners and impromptu gifts to Marlene Walrond –who was marking her 60th birthday – the oldest person in attendance, Peter Small, who will be 80 in a few weeks, and the three youngest members of the audience, Shawn and Aurora Dunbreaker, and three-year-old Cairo Collymore who came from Bournemouth with his parents.
While the session was described as informative, educational and fun, and attracted a mix of seniors and younger Barbadians, it was evident that there is much room for updating persons and also getting them to Barbados, as many expressed a lack of knowledge about Barbados’ history, even recent developments and, while interested and with family connections, some have either never been to Barbados or not visited recently.
Holder noted, however, that the events are proving worthwhile in connecting and reconnecting people, sharing information about Barbados and especially generating interest in visiting Barbados.
He said that apart from the favourable indication of people attending We Gatherin’ in Barbados, he was particularly happy that younger Barbadians and their friends were attending.
The Deputy High Commissioner added there has to be ongoing work, involving all relevant agencies, whether Export Barbados or the Barbados Museum, but especially BTMI and NCF, to capitalise on the excitement around We Gatherin’ for lasting impact.
The next event will be held in Birmingham on March 8, under the theme Barbados and Birmingham Building Bridges. Birmingham has one the largest concentration of Barbadians. (PR)
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