The We Gatherin’ initiative sparks community engagement among Bajan-Brits in the UK, with Birmingham hosting the latest event to date and local councillors actively seeking to bring the celebration to their constituencies, according to Deputy High Commissioner to the UK Mackie Holder.
The Barbados Building Bridges with Birmingham session was the third held so far by the high commission.
Holder described the interest by councillors as very encouraging as they represent local government and understand the ability of the We Gatherin’ exercise to bring their communities together and update them on Barbados.
He added that the basic format of video and oral presentations on Barbados and the particular month, games session, a quiz, the incorporation of vendors, a passport clinic, surprise gifts and promotion of Barbados cuisine was proving popular.
Four seniors were honoured on International Women’s Day and the chairs of two new Barbadian groups, Dawn Bowen-Browne of 246 Together, (246T), and Richard Yearwood of the Barbados Cultural Society, (BCS), were introduced at the event. The BCS is based in London while 246T, which meets online, is hoping to energise Manchester.
Also attending was Empress Gibbs of Skate Buddies UK CIC, a mentoring organisation through roller skating, who is having ongoing discussions with the Mission. Gibbs, of Barbadian heritage, is interested in expanding and connecting with Barbadian skaters.
In Birmingham, live interviews were conducted with Athelston Tony Sealey and Heather Husbands, both of whom were born in St Thomas, the parish spotlighted this month in the We Gatherin’ festivities.
Sealey is the Special Envoy on Inward Investment and Diaspora Affairs, and patron of 2nd Generation of Barbadians and Friends, Birmingham, which co-hosted the event with the London mission and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., (BTMI). Sealy is expected in Barbados to attend St Thomas activities.
Husbands, who journeyed from Reading, about 40 miles outside London, with fellow members of the Barbados and Friends Association, Reading, (BAFA), which turned up in full force, gave a riveting story of giving up a settled, lucrative career to retrain as a radiographer after her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.
The high commission has partnered with associations and incorporated small businesses in We Gatherin’ activities. A barber shop was an exciting highlight of a mix of Barbadian vendors in Birmingham, which included two book exhibitors and a range of Barbadian products, Holder said.
He highlighted participation by younger Barbadians and friends and the exposure of younger entrepreneurs as other positives of the We Gatherin’ activities in the UK to date.
In April, the UK promotions will continue at the Lewsey club, Luton in Bedfordshire, just north of London, and Tottenham Community Sports Centre in north London, when the parish of St Joseph takes the spotlight, followed by Manchester in May which celebrates St John.
(PR)
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