Ten outstanding members of the St Thomas community were recognised for their sterling contributions during the Pride of Barbados Awards at a ceremony held at State House on Monday, as part of the year-long We Gatherin’ celebrations.
After the ceremony, during which seven individuals received their awards from President Sandra Mason, St Thomas MP Cynthia Forde expressed immense pride in the honourees, acknowledging their invaluable service to the community.
“I am indeed extremely pleased to see the individuals who have been identified and have been able to receive the recognition,” she said. “I want to say that I am really happy to see the individuals and the wide scope of persons [rewarded]; they are not only civil servants, they are ordinary people in society who have made indelible marks on the lives of the people in the community.
“It is really a wonderful moment for us, and I want to congratulate them. On behalf of the people of St Thomas, I thank you ladies and gentlemen, honourees, for the excellent work you would have done.”
Among the recipients was Patricia Ramsay, a stalwart of Arch Hall, who was recognised for volunteerism, philanthropy, and a decades-long career as a nurse and community leader.
“I feel honoured to be receiving such an award,” she said. “I’ve always done this work not looking for any reward; it’s part of my Christian principle, it’s part of my profession as a nurse for over 46 years to do diligence to my people, not only in Barbados but internationally.”
Dr Donley Carrington, an administrator, educator, financial expert and mentor, was also recognised for significant contributions to educational development in St Thomas.
St Thomas MP Cynthia Forde.
“I’m humbled to be able to receive the Pride of Barbados Award. I have been working in the parish of St Thomas for over 50 years, and it is, you know, humbling to be able to receive such an award,” he said. “Where I work at the University of the West Indies, we are always encouraged to give in terms of teaching, in terms of research, but more importantly in terms of service. So I feel honoured that having performed that service, I was recognised today, and I am thankful for such an honour and really grateful to the people of St Thomas for bestowing this on me. So thank you very much.”
Dr Adrian Lorde was rewarded for his advocacy, community activism and outstanding voluntary contributions to sports in the parish, and for “selfless work” as a family physician.
“I’m humbled by this award,” the sports medicine expert said. “I’ve received awards regionally and internationally, but to be honoured by my parish feels great to me. I have been living in St Thomas for the last 35 years and I always want to give back. I’ve been fortunate to get free primary education, free secondary education and tertiary education—and that costs the government a lot of money—and I always felt since 1970 it had [to be] given back in various ways. I’m honoured really to receive this; just being nominated was an honour to me.”
Pedro Greaves was recognised for his tireless efforts in sports administration and other community initiatives.
Reflecting on his honour, he said: “I feel lost for words because normally you’ve been giving back—volunteering—for pretty much all your life, from the age of 14 years old, to the community and to Barbados on the whole. So this really is an honour because it is a word from the people of St Thomas; they would have recommended us for what we’ve done for them in the parish. So it feels good to know that people that you serve have recognised what you’ve done.” (SB)
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