published by buxton-friendship heritage fund, inc. august 2011...

Inside this issue:

CXC Success Annandale 2ndy in Top 5

2-6 7

Giving Back Help Make a Difference

8 8

Cultural Extravaganza Commencement Service

9 10-11

Children’s Camp Heritage Museum Tour

12 13

Seniors’ Tea Party Acknowledgements

14 15

Emancipation Covenant Teacher Extraordinaire

16-17 18-19

Agents of Education Heritage Week Review Community Calendar Contact Information

20 23 24 24

Left Photo: Simone Fable, wearing an elaborate head wrap, part of the stunning o u t f i t s h e donned for the Heritage Week African Cul-tural Extrava-ganza.

Heritage Week Museum Tour

The Buxton-Friendship community continues to beam with pride as news of remarkable performances by students from the area at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Cer-tificate (CSEC) examina-tion spreads around the village. This comes just one month after the Na-tional Grade 6 Assessment results were released where some 30 primary school students qualified for top secondary schools.

(Continued on page 2)

Tishana Arthur finished among the nation’s top 10. She obtained 13 Grades 1 and earned 9 distinctions. Tishana aspires to become a certified accountant (ACCA). She attended Friendship Primary (Roman) School and later St. Rose’s High School.

Buxton-Friendship

Express

Buxtonian Among Guyana’s Top 10 at CXC

Some Inside Stories

Father Clifton Elias calls for

establishment of education

programmes at Tipperary

Rennie Parris asks: What

has happened to the Eman-

cipation Covenant?

Ms. Leslie Luke promoted to

head top Georgetown school

Pu bl i s h ed b y B uxt on- Fr i en d shi p H er i t ag e F un d, I n c . August 2011

Rollo Younge spoke with a few of the successful students for this article. (Continued from page 1)

Tishana Arthur (12) She placed among the country’s top 10 performers with 12 subjects, but finished 1st for her school—St. Rose’s High School. She obtained Grade 1 passes in all 12 subjects and earned nine distinctions in the process. Tishana received her primary education from Friendship Primary School (Roman), where she excelled in the 2006 Secondary Schools entry exams. The aspiring Auditor has dreams of attending the University of Guyana to study Accounting and later becoming a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA). She is now looking to obtain a part-time job. She attributed the many sleepless nights and hours of extra lessons for

her excellent performance. Her secret to success was to pay attention to her teachers. She also took advantage of every opportunity to question them when she was not clear on a topic. She is grateful to her teachers for being al-ways patient with her, even at times when it was overwhelming. Some of the teachers who were specially men-tioned are Kester Thompson, Ms. Samantha Success, Ms. Norma Hughes and Sir Blackman.

She also said that she owed it mostly to Jehovah for His mercies and protection since there were many late nights that she spent on the streets in Georgetown waiting for transportation to get home to Buxton. Below is the list of subjects she passed.

Accounts * Agricultural Science *** Economics * English A * English B * Home Manage-ment * Human & Social Biology Integrated Science * Mathematics * Office Administration * Principles of Business Social Studies * denotes distinction ** denotes a double major

Shebiki Beaton (12) This Queen’s College student passed twelve subjects with 11 Grades 1 and two Grades 2. She also got eight (8) distinc-tions. She plans to further her studies at the University of Guyana, majoring in Medicine. She is aspiring to become a Cardiologist (heart specialist). Shebiki also attended Friendship Primary School, where she excelled at the 2006 Secondary Schools entry exam. Subject Grade Remark Agricultural Science 1 Double Major English A 1 Distinction English B 1 Distinction Biology 1 Distinction Chemistry 1 Distinction Geography 2 ——- Human & Social Biology 1 Distinction Information Technology 1 ——— Mathematics 1 Distinction Physics 1 Distinction Social Studies 1 Distinction Spanish 2

CXC Success Buxton-Friendship Express

Shebiki Beaton

Daughter of Clarence & Bonieta Beaton

Lisa Bacchus (10) This Bishops High School student obtained ten subjects with seven Grades 1 and four Grades 2. She is also a product of Company Road Primary (Methodist) School. Subject Grade Remark Agricultural Science 1 Double Major English A 2 English B 2 Geography 2 History 2 Home Economics 1 Human & Social Biology 1 Mathematics 1 Principles of Business 1 Social Studies 1

Kwadjo Garnett (9) This Mae’s Secondary School student also obtained nine subjects with five Grades 1 and four Grades 2. He will move on to Sixth Form at Queen’s College. Kwadjo is the son of Akiva Nkofi. Subject Grade Economics 2 English A 1 History 2 Integrated Science 2 Mathematics 1 Office Administration 1 Principles of Accounts 1 Principles of Business 2 Social Studies 1

CXC Success August 2011

Jevin Kellman (9) This Bladen Hall Multilateral School student passed nine sub-jects, earning five Grades 1, four Grades 2 and one Grade 3 He plans to pursue studies in Biology at the University of Guy-ana. He is the son of Nandi and Gairy Kellman. Subject Grade Remark Agricultural Science 1 Double Major Biology 1 English 3 Geography 2 Human & Social Biology 1 Integrated Sciences 1 Mathematics 2 Principles of Business 2 Social Studies 2

Atkyal Slowe (7) She also attended Bladen Hall Multilateral School. Atkyal obtained seven (7) subjects, earning two (2) Grades 1, two (2) Grades 2, and three (3) Grades 3. Subject Grade English A 1 English B 3 Food & Nutrition 2 Geography 3 Home Economics 2 Integrated Science 2 Social Studies 1


Imani Carmichael (8) She obtained eight subjects with four Grades 1, four Grades 2 and one Grade 1.Imani attended Bladen Hall Multilateral Sec-ondary Scholl after graduating from Friendship Primary in 2006. This daughter of Andrew and Camille Carmichael plans to further her studies in Science, majoring in Biology, at the University of Guyana. Subject Grade Remark Agricultural Science 1 Double Award Biology 2 Chemistry 3 English A 2 Food & Nutrition 2 Human & Social Biology 1 Mathematics 1 Social Studies 2

Donelle Phillips (8) This Annandale Secondary School student obtained eight sub-jects, earning four Grades 1, three Grades 2 and one Grade 3. She also got three distinctions. Donelle is the daughter of Mrs. Marcia Phillips and sister of Denzil Phillips (also featured here). She plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in Biology at the University of Guyana. She is aspiring to become a Dentist.. Subject Grade Remark Biology 2 —— Chemistry 3 English A 1 —— Food & Nutrition 1 Distinction Human & Social Biology 1 Distinction Mathematics 1 Distinction Physics 2 ——- Social Studies 2 ——-

CXC Success August 2011

Kelvin Sullivan (6) This Golden Grove Secondary School student gained seven (7) passes with two (2) Grades 1, three (3) Grades 2, and two (2) Grades 3. He has enrolled at the University of Guy-ana to study for a Diploma in Agriculture Science. He plans to become a soldier. Kelvin is the son of Minerva Joe Subject Grade Agricultural Science 1 English 3 Human & Social Biology 2 Integrated Science 2 Mathematics 3 Social Studies 2

Denzil Derick Phillips (6) He obtained six subjects with two Grades 1, three Grades 2, one Grade 3 and one Grade 4. This Bladen Hall Multilateral student plans to rewrite Mathematics and Accounts. Denzil is the son of Mrs. Marcia Phillips and sister of Donelle Phillips (also featured here). Subject Grade Remark Agricultural Science 1 Double Major English A 2 Integrated Science 2 Principles of Accounts 4 Principles of Business 2 Social Studies 3

Nickota Samuels (6) She obtained six (6) subjects, passing them with one Grade 2 and five Grades 3. Nickota attended Bladen Hall Multilateral School, and plans to take up a career in Nursing at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Subject Grade English A 2 Integrated Science 3 Office Administration 3 Principles of Accounts 3 Principles of Business 3 Social Studies 3


Randy DePutron (5) He passed five (5) subjects with one Grade 1and four Grades 2. He plans to return to Golden Grove Secondary School for another year of study. Subject Grade Economics 2 English A 2 Office Administration 2 Principles of Business 1 Social Studies 2

Derk Simon (5) This Golden Grove Secondary School student gained six (6) subjects, earning two Grades 1 and four Grades 2. Derk has enrolled at the Guyana School of Agriculture to study for a Diploma in Agriculture Science. Derk plays Base as a member of the Buxton Pride Steel Or-chestra. He is the son of Anne Simon. Subject Grade Remark Agricultural Science 1 Double Major English A 2 Human & Social Biology 2 Integrated Science 2 Social Studies 2

The general Tuition fee for an undergraduate degree is GY$127,000 (US$635) per year. However for the specialties listed below, the annual fee is higher: Dentistry GY$500,000 US$2,500

Law GY$300,000 US$1,500

Medicine GY$500,000 US$2,500

Nursing GY$251,000 US$1,255

Tourism Studies GY$153,000 US$765

Students incur additional costs for books, transportation and other expenses.

Tuition fees at the University of Guyana

They are: 1.Juan Amos St. Stanislaus Col-lege

2.Rene Adams St. Rose’s High 3.Juan Haynes St. Joseph High 4.Aneisha Azore President’s College 5.Tenisha Booker Annandale Secon-dary

According to data released by the Ministry of Education, neighbour-ing Annandale Secondary School ranks as the 5th top public high school. This is based on this year’s CSEC Grades 1—3 passes for stu-dents obtaining at least five sub-jects at one sitting. Sixteen pri-mary school students from Buxton qualified in this year’s Grade 6 National Assessment to attend An-nandale Secondary School located in the adjacent village.

The top six secondary schools in this category are: 1.Bishops’ High School 96.20% 2.Queen’s College 90.43% 3.President’s College 81.46% 4.St. Rose’s High School 78.49% 5.Annandale Secondary 72.73% 6.St. Joseph High School 71.88%

A total of 24 students who at-tended primary schools in Buxton-Friendship qualified this year to attend one of these senior secon-dary schools at the start of the next school year, 5th September, 2011.

Five children from the village, who attended primary schools out-side the community also qualified to attend senior secondary schools.

At Grade 4 (age 9—10), the stu-dents are again tested in Literacy and Numeracy. Ten percent of this score goes into the final tabulation. The final evaluation occurs at Grade 6 (age 11+), and 85% of the marks obtained at this level is used in the final score.

About five years ago, Guyana’s Ministry of Education replaced the Secondary Schools Entrance Ex-amination, formerly Common En-trance Examination, with the Grade 6 National Assessment. This test is now employed to determine stu-dent placement at a select number

of secondary schools around the country. Primary school students are first evaluated at the Grade 2 level (age 7—8) in Literacy and Numeracy, which require them to write two papers. Five percent of these marks goes towards the final score.

Annandale Secondary among Guyana’s top 5 Schools

Grade 6 National Assessment Score

August 2011

Bladen Hall Multilateral Bladen Hall Multilateral Sec-

ondary School was opened in 1975 to provide students with a general high school education, emphasizing practical applica-tion—”In pursuit of perfection.”

The school located a short Picture of Bladen Hall Multilateral School taken on 26th August, 2011 by Rollo Younge

distance east of Brusche Dam, Friendship accommodates a large number of students from the Buxton community. So far, several of these students ap-pear to have done fairly well at this year’s CXC exams.

The outstanding performance of several sons of daughters of Buxton-Friendship at this year’s National Grade 6 Assessment and the Carib-bean Secondary Education Certifi-cate exams has brought renewed pride and joy to our community. This accomplishment bodes well for a swift redevelopment of our village, once seen as a leader in academic excellence. Education is widely be-lieved to be a catalyst for raising the living standards of people. This ac-complishment may therefore be a good indication that villagers are making every effort to improve liv-ing conditions for themselves, their

served as Budget Analyst and as an Elections Adminis-trator. He studied creative writing at Georgia State Uni-versity. He is a member of Voices of Light-Black Poets Association (VOLBPA) and shares the stage with the First World Writers and Po-etry Atlanta. His published Poetry appears in his four books:

(1) A Brother’s Soul – Writings of a Country Boy © 1992; (2) Another Day’s Journey © 1996; (3) Paths of Freedom © 2004, and (4) The Winds of Change © 2008- a Trilogy of Poems and Personal Essays, his first three books. Charles is cur-rently the Assistant Director of their non-profit, commu-nity service Organization, DESKAN Institute & Train-ing, Inc.

Mobile Phone: 404-234-2702 Home Phone: 770-498-2152 Email: [email protected] Website: www.deskan.net

Giving Back

Make a Difference

Buxton-Friendship Express

Left to Right: Charles Liverpool, Rashaun Graham, Messiah Mussenden, Avery Phill, Althea Charles, Yuon Armstrong and Dr. Joan Liverpool. She is a private consultant in Health Education and an HIV/AIDS specialist.

children and their community. The harsh economic realities which

persist around them pose seriously challenges to their daily existence. Many of them simply cannot afford to provide their children with the necessary financial support so that they can realize their full potential. Many of them have asked us for as-sistance in getting needed help. Throughout the history of our vil-lage, “a we custom fuh brace mattie”, and we should ensure this legacy is kept alive.

You can help these children secure their own educational dreams and a path of a better life for their families

by giving a donation towards the costs of their school uniforms, books, supplies, transportation, meals and other necessities. For students with dreams of complet-ing a university education, you can help them make this a reality. Tui-tion fees at the University of Guy-ana are from GY$127,000(US635) to GY$500,000 (US2,500) yearly. Any contribution will be wel-comed. US residents may be able to make tax-deductible donations. For more information on how you can contribute, please contact Lorna Campbell or Rollo Younge. Information is on back page.

“I would like to give back a little of what I’ve earned/learned.” Those were the generous words of Charles Liverpool, as he offered to assist students of his old Methodist primary school, now Company Road Primary. At a presentation ceremony held in Buxton on 10th August, Mr. Liverpool, along with his wife, Dr. Joan Liverpool gave cash awards and scientific calcula-tors to the students who excelled at this year’s National Grade 6 As-sessment. He has also since indi-cated further interest in helping the students meet their school trans-portation costs.

Mr. Liverpool and his wife, who reside in Georgia, USA, were members of a medical outreach team in Guyana, which also con-ducted clinic at the Buxton Health Centre.

Charles Liverpool recently re-tired from Fulton County Govern-ment in Atlanta, Georgia, where he

It was a lovely Sunday after-lunch affair partly designated to commemorate International Year for People of African Descent. The unique event, held at the Market Tarmac on Embankment Road, featured distinctive cuisine, fashion, music and history of select African countries. Three churches in the community—Congregational, Methodist and Catholic fielded booths representing the cultures of Ghana, Nigeria and Morocco, respectively. Several villagers donned fashionable cultural wear, but Simone Fable (photo on front page) and Denise Booker stole the show with their stunning and elaborate outfits.

Cultural Extravaganza August 2011

Buxton-Friendship Heritage Magazine Dedicated to the 170th Anniversary of the Purchase of Friendship

Early Shareholders of Friendship

History & Landmarks of Friendship

The First Churches in Friendship

Struggles Waged by the Village Movement

Pioneers of Social Development

The Seaforth Clan

The Portuguese Contribution

Youth & Community

Young Entrepreneurs

& More

US$15 per copy Add $5 for each copy to be shipped within the USA or Canada

Cheque/money order payable to:

Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund, Inc. Address: 454 Vermont Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207, USA

Telephone: 718-342-0040 (Lorna Campbell) 646-727-5937 (Mboya Wood)

E-mail: [email protected]

Above, Father Clifton Elias, departing

parish priest of St. Augustine’s Anglican

Church, delivering the sermon in com-

mencement of the celebration of Buxton-

Friendship Heritage Week. The celebration

also highlighted the 170th anniversary of

the Purchase of Plantation Friendship by

emancipated slaves (in 1841).

——————————————

In a 2006 monograph, church organist

Ms. Blanche Duke, wrote: “In 1838, John

Gardiner Austin, Esq., proprietor of

Friendship and brother of Bishop Austin,

gave for the erection of the church,

school and vicarage, the site of two acres

at Friendship. A school was built, which

was also used as a centre for Sunday

School and the holding of services by the

Catechist-schoolmaster, Mr. Crawford.

By 1841, a small church was erected and

named after St. Augustine of Hippo.

St. Augustine’s Church was the only

church in the post-slavery society to bear

the name of an African saint-Augustine

of Hippo, born in Tagaste, Algeria in 354,

who became bishop of Hippo on the same

continent after a foremost thinker and

writer on Church doctrine.”

In a passionate delivery of an inspiring sermon to inaugurate the celebration of Heritage Week, Father Clifton Elias, par-ish priest of St. Augustine’s An-glican Church, reflected on the common bond shared by the church and its home village, Friendship—both were estab-lished in 1841. He further noted that, as the first church in the Buxton-Friendship community, and the first one in the post-slavery era to be named after an African saint, St. Augustine’s Anglican Church proudly stands as part of the glorious Heritage being celebrated in this the Inter-national Year for People of Afri-can Descent. The theme of his sermon was: Worship; Love Thy Breth-

ren, to which he introduced 1st Peter, Chapter 4:

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so

that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him, be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

He explained that although it was necessary to give God praise, he also cautioned that it was not pos-sible to love God without loving our brothers and sisters, pointing to Matthew 25:40—“…Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, you have done it unto Me.” Father Elias thanked the Heritage Week organizing group for giving glory and praise to God on this significant occasion, and for choosing St. Augustine’s Anglican Church to do so. That our foreparents set about ac-quiring these villages, Father Elias believed was an expression of love for brethren. He exhorted villagers to recognize the goodness of the deeds of their fore-parents by maintaining these villages as their proud heritage. He pointed to Psalm 16: 5-9


“I have noted with interest the restoration of Tipperary Hall. I hope it

will not only be used for tripping the light fantastic toe (dancing), but

that it will also be used as a venue for promoting serious educational

programmes for the development of our children in this community.”

Commencement Service Buxton-Friendship Express

Commencement Service August 2011

educated men and women—Buxton-Friendship! My own headmaster, the late Charlie Agard, lies in the nearby Catho-lic burial ground. He taught me at St. Aloysius Boys’ School in New Amsterdam. I passed my school-leaving under him. The Younges, Thierens and Seaforths have done excellent work. Why is it today that our children are leaving school not being able to read and write? It is not only that we come [together] for a celebration of this nature, but that we also be-gin to re-examine the situation in our community and to see how best, under God’s guidance, we can bring about the necessary changes. Man has got to person-ally recognize the greatness of God. We are all personally an-swerable to Him for what we

Following the church service, members and friends of the Restoration Commit-tee pose for this picture. Seated are Nandi Tyrrell-Kellman (left) and Shurcine Hope-Hines Standing, left to right: Brenda Huntley, Lorna Campbell, Barbara Thomas Holder, Ruth Armstrong-Ross, Cheryl (Donna) Glen-Austin and Hazel (Junie) Carter-Abrams

make of this precious life he has given us.”

The priest prayed that God con-tinue to give the Buxton Restora-tion Committee wisdom and hon-esty, and urged them to stay fo-cused. He also wished villagers well in their future plans for the development of the community. Father Clifton Elias disclosed that his tenure as parish priest of St. Augustine’s will end next month. He has served at this church since 1999. He will next shepherd Kitty’s St. James-the-Less congre-gation. After the service, congregants were treated to refreshments and snacks, which were generously donated by Mr. Aubrey Norton, PNCR Mem-ber of Parliament. Mr. Norton also delivered a stirring presentation as a panelist at the Symposium, which was held the next evening.

5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 7 I will praise the LORD, who coun-sels me; even at night my heart in-structs me. 8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.

Like many Buxtonians, Father Elias has noted, with keen interest, the resto-ration of Tipperary Hall. As an educa-tor himself, he took the opportunity to implore the hall’s administrators and teachers in the community to promote educational programs there. He said:

“I hope that it will not only be used for tripping the light fantastic toe (dancing), day in and day out, in sea-son and out of season; but that it will also be used as a venue for promoting serious educational programmes for the development of our children in this community. I am sad that even though we have quite a few primary schools and a secondary school in this community, too many of our children cannot read. They are leaving school not being able to take their rightful places in society and thus, face a grim world. I hope that particular hall would be used constructively. There are many teachers in this com-munity who can do a lot to help our children up the educational ladder of life. Do not pass by, on the other side, and say that it is not my busi-ness. It is all our concern to do what we can in order to help our people. This is a village with a great history of many, many qualified and highly-

(Continued from page 10)

artwork and several fun exercises. The facilitators were Oleta Al-leyne, Temica Armstrong, Melissa Allicock, Miriam Fredericks, Marcia Harris, Yvette Herod, Ronda Isaacs, Collis Nicholson and Vanessa Phillips. They were as-sisted by Ras. Jerry Hope, Andy Neptune, Malva Pyle-Eversley, Barbara Thomas-Holder and Rollo Younge.

Writing, reading, art and other educational materials, as well as a variety of snack treats, were pro-vided by Buxton Heritage Fund, Inc., while a delightful assortment of pastries, cakes, nuts and ice cream was donated by Aubrey’s Café, which is owned by Aubrey Stephenson’s Federal Management Systems, Inc. and located at 120 Peter Rose Street, Georgetown. FMS also supports Buxton’s an-nual Children’s Christmas Party.

Children’s Heritage Camp Buxton-Friendship Express

Two of the volunteer teachers: Mrs. Marcia Harris, Headmistress of Buxton Primary School (Missionary), and Mr. Collis Nichol-son, Grade 5 teacher at Company Road Primary (Methodist).

Restoration Committee president, Barbara Thomas Holder (at left), Friendship Nursery School headmis-tress, Vanessa Phillips (centre) and a volunteer packing lunch for the participants. The assortment of pastries, cakes, ice cream, nuts and other treats was donated by Aubrey’s Café of Peter Rose Street, Georgetown.

Some of the nursery school children engaged in an exercise Some of the Primary School students in attendance

About one hundred and twenty-five schoolchildren, from nursery to sec-ondary, participated in the Children’s Heritage Camp, held at Buxton Sec-ondary School (Anglican) on Mon-day, 25th July.

A considerable portion of the day’s programme was dedicated to the his-tory and culture of Buxton-Friendship and other villages. The children also enjoyed story-telling,

Heritage Museum Tour August 2011

Above: Outside the National Museum, North Road, Georgetown

Lunch Time at the Guyanese Heritage Museum, WCD Left: Restoration members: Vanessa Phillips, Barbara Thomas-Holder and Malva Pyle-Eversley. Right: Friendship Primary School Grade 6 teacher: Shemlyn Stephen-McKenzie (directly facing camera) and a student.

Above: Group poses in front of the Guyanese Heritage Museum at Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD. At far right is Resto-ration Committee member and retired teacher, Ms. Yvette Herod wearing the yellow Buxton Heritage Week tank top.

Wednesday, 27th July, first visited the African Heritage Museum in Bel Air Park, where the group saw a collection of African artifacts and paintings. This resulted in the showing of the documentary film “Gifted Hands” in Buxton by the Museum the following week. The next stop was at the National Museum in Georgetown and the last, but the best part of the day, was spent at the Guyanese Heritage Museum at Meten-Meer-Zorg,

As part of this year’s Buxton Heri-tage Week celebrations, the US-based Buxton Heritage Fund, Inc. sponsored a one-day bus trip to three museums in Guyana. The 43-member tour party included 27 of the top-performing students at this year’s National Grade 6 Assess-ment, 3 secondary school students, 4 Grades 5&6 teachers, 7 Restora-tion Committee members, and 2 Buxton Heritage Fund members. The tour, which took place on

WCD. The group was greatly im-pressed by the wealth of cultural items, especially those related to the African-, Amerindian- and In-dian-Guyanese; the rich collection of rare coins, stamps, maps, books, quaint bottles, jars, domestic and commercial items. They also en-joyed the breathtaking facilities and warm welcome offered by the curator, Gary Serrao and his staff.

Almost one hundred senior villagers were feted at a lavish Heritage Week tea party held in their honour. The event was held in the first-floor audi-torium of Friendship Primary (Roman) School. Many of them trav-elled long distances to enjoy a re-freshing afternoon of social tea and classic entertainment. From Buxton Front came Evelyn “Kun-Kun” Per-saud, Babalo, Daphne Moffatt, Inez Hamer, Sigfried Watson and Pearl Osborne. From Friendship Front came Edwin (Buddy Wa-Wa) and his wife Pauline Thomas, Beryl Watson, Mrs. Rutherford, Mr. Assanah, Eula Gonzalves and Eula Simon. Also there, were the mother and daughter duo-Elaine Huntley and Brenda Huntley. Elaine is looking forward to celebrating her 90th birth-day this November. Other familiar faces included Ruby Ifill, Carmen Phillips and her sister-Uranie, Clau-dette Graham, Maureen Ageda, Ruby Greene and Catholic church custo-

dian Mr. DaSilva. Joyce Gardner and her sister, Christine, were also in attendance. In keeping with the observance of International Year for People of African Descent, some guests wore cultural outfits; others donned their traditional fancy dan-dan. Students from Friendship Primary School—girls dressed in long white gowns and boys in black pants and bolero with white long-sleeved shirts and black felt hats, danced to the oldies hit “When You Dance” by the Turbans into the hearts of the seniors. This reju-venated their memories to their own years, perhaps at the famous Tipperary Hall. Octogenarian “Aunty Pearl” wowed the audience with a poem while another of their peers showed off her vigour with a gyrating dance. The assortment of delicious cakes and pastries was provided, compli-ments of Benjamin’s Bakery of

Buxton Middle Walk, while sand-wiches were donated by Ashford Ambedkar, Marcia Harper, Marcia Phillips, Shondelle Phillips and the Methodist Church Missionaires. Tea-ware, tea supplies and per-sonal care hampers were supplied by Buxton Heritage Fund, Inc. At the conclusion of the event, the seniors were given hampers con-taining grocery items and personal care products. This was made pos-sible through the generosity of sev-eral natives of the village. They include Mr. & Mrs. Odinga Lu-mumba, Dr. Leslie Carter, Magis-trate Hazel Octive-Hamilton, Messrs. Colin Talbot, Ronald Per-cival, Kevin Gonzalves, Ivelaw Graham, Rawlins Miller, Rollo Younge, Corwin Peters and Deo Persaud Nehaul (Sadhu). Personal care products were supplied by Buxton Heritage Fund, Inc.

Tea Party for Seniors


Evelyn “Kun-Kun” Persaud and Daphne Moffatt are seen seated while Ruby Greene is seen standing. Clockwise are Sigfried Watson, Buddy Wa-Wa, Elaine

Huntley, Uranie Phillips and Pauline Thomas.

We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the success of Heritage Week festivities. With the continued sup-port of friends like you, we will continue to experience pride and progress in Buxton-Friendship. Kindly accept our sincere apology for the inadvertent omission of any person who contributed to the success of our celebration.

Barbara Thomas-Holder President, Buxton-Friendship Restoration Committee

Cash & Kind BUSINESSES & ORGANISATIONS

Aubrey’s Café (FMS) Georgetown Benjamin’s Bakery Buxton Computer World Georgetown Deo Persaud Nehaul (Sadhu) Vigilance GT&T (Staff) Georgetown Harris Paints Georgetown Methodist Church Missionaires Friendship Corwin Peters Friendship Toucan, Inc. Georgetown Waterchris Restaurant Georgetown Wieting & Richter, Ltd. Georgetown

INDIVIDUALS CASH Mr. & Mrs. Odinga Lumumba Mr. Colin Talbot Mr. Ronald Percival (Rannie) Dr. Leslie Carter Mr. Kevin Gonzalves (Mala) Mr. Ivelaw Graham (Pluck) Mr. Rawlins Miller (Mojo) Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton

ITEMS Mr. Ashford Ambedkar Sandwiches Mr. Enchiri Blair Beverages Mrs. Marcia Harper Sandwiches Mr. Aubrey Norton, M.P. Lunch snacks Mrs. Marcia Phillips Sandwiches Ms. Shondelle Phillips Sandwiches

Thank You Buxton-Friendship Restoration Committee gratefully acknowledges the generous

contributions of the following sponsors, donors and volunteer participants of the 2011

Heritage Week celebration in Buxton-Friendship.

Service & Participation GROUPS

Arundel Congregational Church Friendship Methodist Church Grace Assemblies of God Church St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church St. Augustine’s Anglican Church Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra Friendship Primary School Dance Troupe Toucan II Multipurpose Club AGAPE Network Artistes In Direct Support Mangrove Restoration Project National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS)

INDIVIDUALS Teachers at Children’s Camp Ms. Oleta Alleyne Ms. Melissa Allicock Ms. Temica Armstrong Mrs. Miriam Fredericks Mrs. Marcia Harris Ms. Yvette Herod Ms. Ronda Isaacs Mr. Collis Nicholson Ms. Vanessa Phillips

Panelists at Symposium Ms. Ayanna McCalmon, Attorney-at-Law Mr. Eton Moses Mr. Aubrey Norton, M.P. Mr. Tommy Payne, Historian

Others “Father Moey” Mr. Omari Cromwell Mrs. Marcel Harper Mr. Gavin McPherson Mrs. Pearl Osborne

August 2011

The month of August may be classified as the most memorable month for Afro-Caribbean people. It was on August 21st 1791 that Boukman issued the final orders to the rebel leaders in St. Domingue to start the Haitian Revolution. It was on August 1, 1834 and August 1, 1838, respectively when most black people of the Caribbean re-gained their ineffable faculty of humanity – FREEDOM. On that date, enslaved Africans became free from “chattel slavery.” Kwayana defined chattel slavery as a form of bondage that dehuman-ized enslaved Africans and made them into “talking tools” – shov-els, pick axes, cutlasses, forks, etc. Every August, therefore, Afro-Caribbean people must come to-gether to commemorate the sur-vival of the gory experiences of our African ancestors who struggled, suffered and were slaughtered for the sake of the FREEDOM we enjoy today.

The Emancipation Act of August 1, 1834 did not come about be-cause the European oppressors

eventually became conscience-ridden. Our ancestors never ac-cepted their enslaved status. They struck out repeatedly against their oppressors for their freedom. Wil-liams (1944) claimed that the en-slaved Africans were emancipated because the industrialization of Europe made Britain no longer dependent on slavery for economic success. Rodney (1972) posited that Emancipation occurred be-cause a wage slave rather than a bound slave was needed to pur-chase European goods.

On 1st August, 1838, our ances-t o r s e s t a b l i s h e d a n “EMANCIPATION COVE-NANT.” The

Covenant stated that Emancipa-tion was not a single event that occurred ONLY on 1st August. It was the beginning of a continuous process in which the emancipated must continue to emancipate them-selves. It consisted of the acquisi-tion of land for economic activities and the establishment of villages; the construction of houses for eve-ryone to have a home in which to live; the building of schools to en-able everyone to achieve universal

literacy; and the setting-up of churches to practise their tradi-tional religion. In addition, our forefathers withdrew their women and children from the plantations and pledged not to let them go back to the social wilderness of neglect, abuse and exploitation.

The newly emancipated Afro-Caribbean people did not expect any charity from a vengeful plan-tocracy or a hostile colonial gov-ernment. The plantocracy and the government continuously chal-lenged the Emancipation Covenant. The planters suppressed the village movement so as to prevent the suc-cessful establishment of a free peasantry. The colonial govern-ment imposed a credit squeeze on the new village movement, inflated the purchase price for lands, and set 100 acres as the minimum quantity to be sold. These efforts sought to keep the ex-enslaved LANDLESS. However, these emancipated Black people did not depend on the plantocracy or the colonial government to solve all their problems. They knew that they had to work hard and long to achieve self-reliance and commu-nal independence.


Emancipation Covenant Buxton-Friendship Express

On stage is Ras. Jerry Hope, delivering one of his classic po-etic pieces to the large crowd, part of which is seen at right. This was on the eve of Emancipation Day, and the event was held at the Embankment Road Tarmac.

By Rennie Parris

Jamaine Slowe Mosa Telford Toucan II Multipurpose Club The Village Theatre Chrisandra Wilburg

Drummers Barabas Grant Dwayne Headley Osafo Jarvis Andy Neptune

Individual Donors Faye Azore * Margaret and Gillian Barnes * Trevor Barrett * Randolph Blair * Dr. Leslie Carter * Mr. Gulliver * Faye Hunte * Ingrid Nelson * Sam Persaud * Clyde Roopchand * Corbett Victorine

Corporate Donors Benjamin’s Bakery John Fernandes, Ltd. Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry Kaieteur News

Buxton-Foulis NDC Region 4 District Council

Spiritual Leaders Elder John Aaron Sister Joycelyn Downer Mother Linder-Griffith Mother Pamela Vallerdars

Artistes / Performers ACDA Devine Starz Ras. Jerry Hope

education with a passion and zeal that made them highly literate and skilled for employment as civil ser-vants and tradesmen. Finally, the new village development movement succeeded to establish villages that were economically self sufficient.

As we seek to compare the imme-diate post-Emancipation village economy with the contemporary village economy, the likely question is: What has happened with the Emancipation Covenant?

Despite the various barriers erected to prevent the realization of the Covenant’s objectives, our an-cestors built a rich heritage. Their accomplishments were great. They set up an economic system and civilization that rivalled capitalism. They pooled their money and bought lands collectively at infla-tionary prices. Kwayana (2002) wrote that Africans are spiritually bound to the land. They considered the land to be their MOTHER.

(Continued from page 16) Rodney (1981) stated that land ac-quisition by the freed Africans rep-resented the ownership and control of the means of production. Each piece of land purchased gave the Africans a small but significant measure of independence.

Our ancestors rehabilitated the lands, established farms and oper-ated them with marked business acumen. In addition, they con-structed housing units, built schools and churches to establish communal villages. They pursued

Emancipation Covenant

August 2011

At left, Ms. Brenda Huntley, one of the many volunteers for the Emancipation Day feast, transporting food to the Buxton Market distribution site. At right, Patsy Moses and other members of the Buxton Restoration Committee, also assist with the packing of food boxes.

***** Thank You ***** The First of August Movement wishes to convey its sincerest thanks to the Government of Guyana and the contributors listed below for their generous support towards this year’s Emancipation festival in Buxton-Friendship:

Primary benefits from the services of a Literacy facilitator provided by the National Centre for Educational Re-source Development (NCERD), an arm of the Education Ministry. Such facilitators are specially trained teachers who are assigned by the Centre to work with a select number of Grades 3 and 4 students in order to improve their Literacy capability. Company Road Primary School was also assigned a Literacy facilitator under this agreement. “Only a small percentage of children come into the school knowing to read,” disclosed Ms. Luke. The minimum intake age is 5 years 9 months and, according to the principal, indications suggest that many of those who already know to read come from homes where read-ing is introduced and encouraged early. She commended the work be-ing done by the facilitator by saying: “The children have shown much im-provement in Reading,”

Prior to her tenure as Headmistress at Friendship Primary (2008—2011), Ms. Luke served the school as a Grade 2 teacher, from 1992 to 2005. She was then promoted to head Com-


After six years as head of two Buxton primary schools—three years at Friendship Primary and three at Company Road Primary—Ms. Leslie Luke will leave at the end of this month to take up the headship at Stella Maris Primary, a top primary school in Georgetown. She will take with her an impres-sive record of achievements and a strong commitment to introduce a set of modern techniques in the delivery of education at her new school.

For the last three years, she spearheaded significant academic achievement at Friendship Primary School (Roman), despite the trauma left behind by the six-year violent crime spree that engulfed the area in which the school is lo-cated. This year, 17 students gained places to five of the nation’s leading secondary schools, follow-ing outstanding performances at the National Grade 6 Assessment. Four of them scored above 500 points. Last year, two students also secured more than 500 points, with the top one qualifying for Bishops’ High School. In 2009, another two scored above 500, and the top stu-dent went on to St. Stanislaus Col-lege. The high achievements of this school is a testimony of the dedica-tion and sacrifice of its headmis-tress, Ms. Leslie Luke. She is an extraordinary teacher.

Friendship Primary School is the only primary school located in the southern section of the village. It caters to a very large and economi-cally challenged area. According to Ms. Luke, some families are find-ing it very difficult to sustain them-selves with nutritious meals daily, and this affects some children’s performance at school. The Educa-tion Ministry provides the school

with nutritious juices and biscuits, which are served to students in Grades 1 and 2 every morning. Moreover, teachers would often pitch in to help, while students who take lunch to school are encouraged to share their meals with those in need.

Some children, the departing headmis-tress revealed, con-tinue to display signs of agitation, which she said may be attributable to the frequent drills they under-went on how to evade gunshots during the siege. She also lamented their tendency to be vociferous, which she reasoned might have developed from having to talk over pervading noise. In spite of these problems, the teachers continue to work tirelessly, going the prover-bial extra mile, to gain the full co-operation of students.

Ms. Luke expressed great con-cern about the lack of necessary interest and support shown by too many parents. She said that during the years the children attend school, some parents would never visit to discuss their child’s per-formance with the teachers and, at the same time, obtain helpful infor-mation that they can themselves assist their children. She has noted, however, that when their children complete the Grade 6 level with low achievement results, some of these very parents venture to ex-press their disappointment by ver-bally abusing their children.

As part of several agreements reached last year between the 170th Anniversary Village Committee and the Government, Friendship

Teacher Extraordinaire Buxton-Friendship Express

HM Leslie Luke, as she delivers her

final report at the Friendship Pri-mary (Roman) School graduation,

July 2011

efforts made to interact with other groups, both in and outside the vil-lage. She would also like to see the adoption of more effective tech-niques to promote the work and ac-tivities of the group.

Leslie Luke was born in Linden, Upper Demerara, to Berbician par-ents, Constance Luke and Alvin Fra-ser. Her father worked for the bauxite mining company, while her mother was employed as a domestic helper. In 1970, following her parents’ sepa-ration, her mother relocated her fam-ily to Buxton. The family took up residence along central Buxton Mid-dle Walk, and the children attended Buxton Congregational School. Les-lie considers herself a Buxtonian. “I grew up here, and have also grown to love this community. I have my home here. I will give all my ener-gies to see Buxton return to the Bux-ton I knew when I came here as a child. Everybody was neighbourly and lived in peace. We had leaders to look up to and students who ex-celled,” she recalled. She also re-called the many role models who inhabited the village, noting the grace and scholastic achievements of the late Faye McEwan, a Bishops’ High School graduate and Guyana scholar. “We need to bring the vil-lage back to what it was; it is not hard to get there. I’m willing to give back,” she offered.

By Lorna Campbell

pany Road Primary School (Methodist), a Grade C school. The Primary School rankings are based on each school’s population of stu-dents and teachers.

During her tenure at Company Road Primary (2005—2008), she also taught and prepared Grade 6 students for the National Assess-ment test. Under her tutelage there, one of the students, Abike Amster-dam, finished among the nation’s top 10 performers in 2007 and gained a place at the supreme Queen’s College institution. Ms. Luke proudly recalled: “That was a joyous occasion for both the school and community. It was also a spe-cial moment; it took away much of the negativity. It made a differ-ence!”

In addition to Friendship Primary and Company Road Primary, Ms. Luke also served at LBI Primary and Golden Grove Primary, as a Senior Mistress, in a teaching ca-reer, which now spans 31 years. She started teaching in 1980 when she accepted a post at an Interior-located primary school. One year later, she enrolled at Cyril Potter Teachers’ Training College, where she successfully completed the pre-service programme, majoring in Health Education. Her minor was English. She also since obtained a Bachelor’s Degree, in from the

(Continued from page 18) University of Guyana. Her new appointment at Stella

Maris follows a successful applica-tion, which involved both a written and oral process. She eagerly looks forward to the new environment which she believes would better afford her plans to implement more technology-based teaching tech-niques and audio-video educational tools. She also plans to encourage the development of young leaders in the school, since she believes young people can lend valuable ideas which could accomplish dis-cipline and effective communica-tion, management and decision-making measures.

Her wish list includes a vibrant Parent-Teachers Association (PTA). This, she lamented, was a big problem in the rural school districts, but expects it to be better in Georgetown, where parents tend to become more involved in their children’s education.

Apart from being a mentor in the community, Ms. Luke is a member of Buxton-Friendship Restoration Committee, which was formed last October following the successful celebration of Buxton’s 170th An-niversary. She considers the ex-perience a really good one. “I have learnt so much from the group. Ms. Barbara [Thomas-Holder] is a true and strong leader,” she shared. She would, however, like to see greater

Chelsea, Nakeisha, Nicolas, Nathan and Bertram; grandmother-in-law of Ke-shanna Hetsberger and Ronald Murray; great grandmother of Kezia, Keron, Joshua, Jedia, Ezra, DeAndre and Monifa. Interment took place in Buxton, Guyana

WINIFRED BEAtrice Marcus of 88 Company Road, Buxton and To-ronto, Canada, passed away on August 17, 2011. She was born on June 17, 1923 at Fyrish Village, Corentyne, Berbice. Mrs Marcus was married to the late Conan James Marcus of Buxton and is the mother of John, Gladstone, Lyn-

ette, Maylene, Edwin and the late Claudia; sister of the late George Wil-liams, Dianna Profitt and Clifton Wil-liams; mother-in-law of Desiree Mar-cus, Desma Marcus, Eula Marcus and Ronald Hetsberger Snr.; grandmother of Ronald, Ronette, Abosede, Adunola, Faith, Michelle, Gillian,

Teacher Extraordinaire

Transition

August 2011

He was succeeded by Mr. J. Waddy who was later transferred. Next was Mr. James Niles, who was an indus-trious worker. School was kept in Mr. Adam Rankin’s house at Bux-ton, and was later removed to the chapel. It continued there until 1870, when the Friendship Methodist School was built. Mr. Niles resigned and Mr. W. Osborne took over. He left soon afterwards and was suc-ceeded by Mr. Edward Pieters of Kingston, Georgetown who worked there until he died. Among other head teachers were Mr. Mc Lean Ogle, Mr. Whitney Ogle and Mr. D.V. Jacobs who were all former pupils of the school. Friendship Methodist was the first ‘country’ (rural) school to win the Colony’s Inter- School Cricket Trophy. Arundel Congregational School (‘Missionary School’) was first situ-ated on the spot where the manse now stands. One Mr. Boston Castello was the first headteacher. He was succeeded by Mr. Evans and then Mr. Emanuel Joseph. During Mr. Joseph’s tenure the school was re-moved, in 1922, to its present site. Mr. Joseph resigned in 1924 and was succeeded by Mr. George Henry and then Mr. F.H. Pollard, a Buxtonian, who served for 13 years until 1937. St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic School (‘Roman School’) was first held under the Catholic Presbytery with Mr. Giles as Headteacher. In 1910 the building was brought out to the front, and in 1914 a new building was erected, which was subsequently enlarged and renovated. It was the only Primary school in the southern part of the village and thus catered for the education of the majority of children in this area.


A familiar quote says: “we must know where we came from, to know where we are going.” And thus this introduction is necessary for us to understand the importance our fore-parents placed on education and the value that we should too. The village of Buxton was the centre of coffee, cocoa and arrowroot indus-tries. After Emancipation, Buxton was bought by ex-slaves of Annan-dale in 1841 from Mr. James Archi-bald Holmes of Plantation New Or-ange Nassau. The land was surveyed and allotted a few years after. Its sis-ter village of Friendship was for-merly a cotton estate and was also bought by ex-slaves (at a higher price than Buxton) and the two were merged. Buxton comprised 580 acres and Friendship 700 acres. Buxton’s size and value therefore contribute to two of the many factors that go to make it regarded as the ‘Premier Vil-lage “of the Colony. At the time of the allotment reserves were left for schools, churches, cemetery and a playing field or recreation ground. The transport was passed in the name of the Stipendiary Magistrate on be-half of the proprietors, since very few of the slaves could read or write. This, however, caused them to realise the urgent need for education; and thus their interest and urge towards this attainment was manifested when they ensured that reserves were set aside for schools. At the very inception of the village, education got its early start from the churches. Church-schools were first established to teach ex-slaves how to read the Bible and Hymn-book so that they could sing hymns and ac-tively participate in the church ser-vices. The first of these was the St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, which started in 1838. At that time there was no established building for wor-

ship until sometime later in the same year when one was built on a piece of land which was donated by one of the proprietors of Friend-ship. The building served the dual purpose of church and school until 1841 when a church was built. Af-ter that it was used solely as a school. One Mr. Crawford was the first head teacher. The building lasted until 1951 when it was dis-mantled, and the present building constructed by the late Mr. David Abrams, with financial aid from the government. At one time, the Anglican body had two separate schools. One was known as the St. Augustine’s Lower School, which was primar-ily an infant school; and the other which was the older building, was known as St. Augustine’s Upper School. This came about when a building which was formerly used as a chapel was given to the Dio-cese along with a piece of land. Since the older school was over-crowded, the gift was used as an infant school under Miss A.L. Jo-seph, Headteacher. Pupils contin-ued up to Standard Two and were then transferred to the Upper School. When a vacancy for a head teacher arose at the Upper School, Miss Dorcas Glasgow, the head teacher at the Lower School, was ap-pointed. As there was no one to fill the new vacancy at the Lower School, the staff and pupils were then transferred to the Upper School and the two schools were amalgamated in 1929 as St. Augustine’s Church of England School. Next was the Friendship Methodist School (‘Wesleyan School’) which was started in 1853 under Mr. Jo-seph Claxton, who died in 1863.

The Early Agents of Education in Buxton-Friendship


By Nandi Tyrrell-Kellman

continued to excel academically and was considered the ‘Premier High School’ on the East Coast of Demerara. At the time of this research there were five kindergarten schools in the village; the oldest one being started in 1952 by a Miss Roache. The other teachers who had kindergarten schools were Miss Leander, Miss Ada Easton (‘Teacher Ada‘) Miss Agatha McKinnon (‘Teach’) and Miss McLennan (‘Miss Mac’). These schools were all held at the bottom-flat of the homes of these teachers and the curriculum was pri-marily picture-reading, story-telling, learning the alphabet (or ‘ABC’), learning to count and learning nursery rhymes and action songs-all ‘dished-out’ with healthy doses of love and discipline. From the aforementioned it must be noted that very early in the life of Bux-ton, Education was given the impor-tance it deserved and Buxtonians (and others who benefited) did excel.

SOME SCHOLARSHIP rECIPIENTS B.B. Nehaul (He became a Bacteriologist) Claude Holder (Head Teacher) Winifred Thierens-Gaskin J.H. McKenzie Ms. A. Lee S.W. Stephenson Martin Fredericks George Talbot F.E.C. Smith R.C. McRae R.L.S. Baird Millicent Jarvis Ms. C. Pollard C.B. Baird Felicia Baird J.P. Ally R.E. Fung Daphne Willis-Booker M. Sankies Ms. Noel Noreen Cockfield Jennifer Lee-Ninvalle Sholto Fox Charis Newton-Thompson Rabindranath Tiwari Myrna Baird-Wilson

In 1930 the first Handicraft Centre (‘Trade School’) was started. It was housed in the building which housed the St. Augustine’s Lower School. Mr. A.D. Philadelphia, a skilled cabinet-maker of Friendship was appointed as Head of this school, as there was no trained Handicraft teacher at that time, living in the village. Later his nephew Mr. William A. Philadel-phia (then Headteacher at St. An-thony’s) took a training course at the Kingston Handicraft Centre in Georgetown. Classes were held here, until it was transferred some years after to the building at Friendship Middle Walk and Rail-way Line. This School served as a training ground for boys who in-tended to take technical courses at the Government Technical Insti-tute, or to learn a skill (or ‘Trade”). Each day of the week, boys from the Upper Division of the primary schools in the village, as well as those from neighbouring estates, attended classes at the centre. The boys from Friendship Government School (formerly the Anglican School) attended on Mondays, Catholic School on Tuesdays, Con-gregational on Wednesdays and Methodist on Fridays. On Thurs-day evenings, the master held classes for adults. Emphasis was placed on woodwork and leather-craft. County High School was the ‘Pride and Joy ‘of Buxton. It was de-signed to enable parents to give their children a ‘high-school ‘or secondary education, at an afford-able cost. Previously, children had to go to the high schools in Georgetown or to the Commercial School in Beterverwagting. Before the County High School was estab-

(Continued from page 20) lished, one Mr. Goliah held a sec-ondary school in Flora’s Hall around 1919. This school had about 20 pupils. After he left Mr. Wilson and Rev. Algernon held schools simultaneously. Mr. Wil-son’s school was known as Cum-mingsburg College. These two schools continued for about ten years. Later, Mr. S. A. Thierens carried on a Private School. There were over 100 pupils but there was little progress since he was the only teacher. On the 1st of Septem-ber, 1956, Mr. Sydney King (now Eusi Kwayana) started County High at the Ebony Club. He was then the Principal and only teacher. On the first day only one pupil at-tended (Miss Princess Amster-dam). Within a few months the number steadily increased, and the Principal sought help from his brother Mr. Malcolm King. Pupils comprised Buxtonians and nearby villagers. In 1957 the school was removed to Flora’s Hall and two new teachers joined the staff – Mr. Benn, a retired Headteacher, and Mr. J Singh. In 1958 the school registered its first batch of pupils to sit the General Certificate Exami-nation (GCE). Most were success-ful. Later that year, seven pupils registered for The College of Pre-ceptors Examination (i.e. C.P.) They were all successful. In 1959 the school removed again, this time to the [former] home of Mr. Thier-ens. Since there continued to be a steady increase of pupils and staff, a bottom flat was constructed at the Principal’s residence to house two forms. From the time of its incep-tion, the school had a functioning ‘commercial’ branch which taught secretarial skills (typing, shorthand etc.) Ms. C. Rogers was the teacher for this branch. This school

The Early Agents of Education in Buxton-Friendship

August 2011

Members of Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra show off their certificates which they received following their successful completion of a three-week training programme in Georgetown by the Ministry of Culture.

Restoration Committee member, Nandi Kellman, pre-sents a copy of Buxton Heritage magazine to the cura-tor of Guyanese Heritage Museum, Gary Serrao, dur-ing the tour of his facility on 26th July.

Following the Heritage Week Op en i n g S er v ic e a t S t . Augustine’s Anglican Church on Sunday, 24th July, Danette Booker and Nicolette Graham (left pix) and Fr. Clifton Elias and Tippe-rary building contractor, Ivelaw Graham (right pix), seen in these Rollo Younge photos.

Photo Gallery Buxton-Friendship Express

Ambassadors for Christ, a church group led by Pastor Terry Thomas, recently distributed book bags to a number of schoolchildren in Buxton-Friendship.

Some of the participants in this year’s Emancipation Pageant organized by Buxton Youth Developers, a group led by community activist, Mr. Robin Phillips.

enough interest until they later heard friends glow about them.

The wealth of support from local sponsors, especially the construction, religious and business sectors in the village was very encouraging. Sev-eral villagers also chipped in with donations and support of various kinds, and they must also be com-mended. Above all, the joy and ex-citement shown by everyone, espe-cially the young and the elderly, told us “Let’s do it again”. And we will!

Lorna Campbell, Secretary Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund, Inc.

Lorna Campbell (left), Secretary of the Buxton-Friendship Heritage Fund, Inc. and Editor of Buxton-Friendship Ex-press is seen sitting next to Barbara Thomas-Holder, President of the Buxton-Friendship Res-toration Committee in this Mboya Wood photo, taken at a Heritage Week 2011 event.

Environmental Awareness should also be covered more extensively. The presentation by the Mangrove Restoration Project was a wel-comed breath of fresh air, but more work needs to be done to develop a greater sense of environmental health and aesthetic pride in the community.

My last recommendation calls for the employment of more effective techniques to promote certain ac-tivities. Too many folks com-plained about not knowing of events sufficiently early, although some seemed to not have attached

Keon Smith, at left, Manager of Federal Management Systems, Inc (FMS) in Guyana displays one of the 50 specially emblazoned shirts donated by the company to Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra. The donation was ac-cepted by the band’s manager, Rollo Younge, at right.

Tenisha Nero (left) and Danetta McCurchin (right) per-forming at the recent graduation ceremony for steel band trainers. They are attired in two of the 30 T-shirts donated to the band by Buxton Heritage Fund, Inc. The logo was designed by Jonathan Azore (Fury).

Heritage Week August 2011

The inaugural Buxton-Friendship Heritage Week celebration suc-ceeded in presenting a rich blend of culture, education and entertain-ment. The programme of activities reflected the ingenuity and hard work of the Buxton Restoration Committee, which deserves praise and thanks for a job well done.

In the areas for improvement, I would suggest that greater impor-tance be placed on economic devel-opment. Though this was briefly addressed at the Symposium, broader inclusion is required to achieve success in this department.

E-mail us at: [email protected]

Visit us on the web @

www.buxtonguyana.net

Embracing Our Heritage; Empowering Our Community!

P u b l ish ed b y B u xt on -F r ien dsh ip H er i t age Fund , In c .

Buxton-Friendship Express August 2011

2011 Community Calendar DAY & DATE EVENT PLACE DETAILS PROMOTER(S) CONTACT INFO

Friday September 2

Pre-Labor Day Fundraising

Dance

Nazareth Hall 475 East 57th St Brooklyn, NY

11203

De Untouchables Band

DJ Cracker Jack Ticket: $25 Ca$h Bar

BESAC, Inc. (Buxtonians for the

Educational & Social

Advancement of the

Community)

718-843-3690 347-228-6939 917-648-8383 718-284-0911 718-510-2687

Saturday

24th Sep-tember

Jam Session

SWAREE Buxton Tarmac IYPAD

Presentation

Andy Neptune

&

Ras Jerry Hope

(592) 638-0865

(592) 274-0583

Sunday 9th October

FOOD FAYRE 2:00 — 7:00 p.m.

DANCE 7:00—10:00 p.m.

St. Augustine;s Church Hall Broadway Road Tooting SW17

London, England

Music by GT Promotion

Adult: 3 pounds Child: Free

BAFUKA

(Buxton and

Friendship UK

Association)

0795-153-0102 0208-885-2393 0793-064-7724 0790-326-8590 0798-524-3397

2012 Community Calendar DAY & DATE EVENT PLACE DETAILS PROMOTER CONTACT INFO

Sunday 26th February

BUXTON MASH (Part I)

Buxton-Friendship-Annandale-Vigilance

Costume Float Parade

Mogene’s Buxton Spice

Creations

Mon—Sat 9th April

— 14th April

EASTER FEST

Buxton-Friendship

GUYANA Kite-flying

Sightseeing Tour Children’s

Rainbow Party Seniors’ Banquet Concert, Dance

& More...

Buxton-Friendship Restoration Group

&

Heritage Group

454 Vermont Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207, USA

Writers/Editors Phone E-mail Address

Lorna Campbell (718-342-0040) [email protected]

Rollo Younge (592-639-9035) [email protected] Dr. Clayton Quintin Bacchus [email protected]

t Photographers

Fitzroy “Rollo” Younge (592-639-9035) [email protected]

Mboya Wood [email protected]

published by buxton-friendship heritage fund, inc. august 2011...

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