Culturepulse tribute to jessica huntley by Culturepulse Magazine

November 2013

Tribute to Jessica Huntley

Jessica Huntley A Tribute to a Remarkable Woman 1

This issue of Culturepulse is dedicated to one of the Caribbeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebrated daughters of the Diaspora, Guyanese born Jessica Huntley who sadly passed away on 13th October 2013. Special thanks to Dr Asantewa, Dr Sandra Richards of the University of the West Indies, Michael La Rose from the George Padmore Institute, London and David Abdulah from the Movement for Social Justice in Trinidad for their contribution that has made this issue possible.

Jessica Huntley February 23rd 1927 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 13th

2013

A special thanks also to Claire Shepherd who provided photos from the funeral.

Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo

Exploring the diaspora

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Editorial

My first memory of Jessica Huntley was at a book event at the Emirates Stadium in London, I was in awe of her flowing grey dreadlocks and her beautiful silky skin. Her aura was like a magnet drawing you closer and, very soon you were in conversation sharing thoughts and learning about BogleL’Overture publishing and the work the Huntley’s were doing.

Jessica’s work was not confined to Bogle-L’Overture only, she was an activist and community spirited and co-founder of the Black Parents Movement and the International Book Fair of radical Black and Third World Books as well as the Keskidee Centre in Tottenham, one of the first African Caribbean cultural centres in the UK.

Anyone who has shared a moment with Jessica Huntley will, without a doubt, tell you of her aura and grace, her gentle nature and quiet strength are exceptional, a kind of richness to wisdom that is a beacon, not just the Caribbean diaspora but to humanity.

Her unique quiet strength and warm welcoming smile never waned. The last time I saw Jessica and Eric was at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London. They had joined many other prominent comrades to pay tribute to Tony Martin, though a bit frail, her warmness and glow prevailed and her presence illuminated the room.

Nothing I can say can do justice to the immense work that Eric and Jessica Huntley have accomplished since their arrival in the UK. Their dedication to the struggle of people knew no bounds, colour, creed or class. Anyone hungry for knowledge could always find direction with the Huntley’s. Having made Britain their home in the 60s, the Huntley’s never relented in their struggle for justice and equality. They established the publishing house Bogle-L’Overture Limited and published Walter Rodney’s The Groundings with My Brothers and later, Rodney’s seminal work How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. They published other Caribbean authors including Valerie Bloom, ~Andrew Salkey, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Lemn Sissay.

Jessica and her husband Eric committed not just their lives in pursuit of their ideas but also their home was open to everyone giving support to young people and new ideas. Dr Asentewa in paying tribute to Jessica, a great Caribbean woman and a daughter of Africa said “the Huntley’s became everyone’s parents, aunty and uncle, grandparents and elders.” The foundations laid by the Huntley’s have become a formidable and indelible one, on which future generations will stand and harness the quiet strength of Jessica Huntley.

David Kalloo

To the end: for Jessica Huntley By Dr Michelle Yaa Asantewa

The news of “Aunty” Jessica’s passing should not have been as surprising as it was. But there are some people whose life force and vitality make them seem eternal. It was surprising also because I had seen Jessica two weeks earlier. Though she was frail and seemed to be breathing with difficulty, this didn’t stop her from making us laugh as she bantered with Uncle Eric about a recently acquired black leather sofa. The tale of the acquired and then unwanted sofa, along with the unforeseen decisions about where it would go in the house was one of many stories the two shared in their warming spirit of good humour.

with some sort of secret pleasure made them seem as though a gracious God had blessed them with something other than exquisite beauty. In truth I only properly met the couple when I organised the Walter Rodney Symposium at London Metropolitan University in 2012. It was suggested that they had to be at the symposium since it was Bogle-Louverture Publication, co-founded by the Huntley’s that published Rodney’s internationally acclaimed work How Europe Underdeveloped Africa (1972). I telephoned the house in Ealing to invite them to the event. Eric answered and fooled me by pretending to be someone else. The jesting made me relax but when I later met Jessica I realised that she had her own particular mastery of wit. She would make secret remarks that dislodged any effort at reserve or pretentious composure. I loved her for this and decided then that she was the sort of elder I could only dream of becoming.

I knew and loved Jessica before I really knew or realised who exactly she was. Or rather who they were. I had seen the couple often enough to imagine or tell myself they were family. When I learnt that they were Guyanese, this only added imaginary confirmation that we were somehow related. I marvelled at their quiet togetherness, an elderly African couple, both with locked hair which I had not seen before. I was a little mesmerized by Eric’s white hair and beard which seemed to perfectly frame his beautiful face, highlighting a gorgeous honey brown complexion. It held a kind of richness and wisdom. Jessica’s cheekbones, her youthful, clear skin and tendency to be smiling

Since becoming consciously PanAfrican I had noticed how stuffy and serious the movement could be – as though “struggle” had to be 4

Jessica Huntley approached with rigid seriousness for it to be legitimate - or rather for the individual to be considered an authentic advocate and activist. Since that first meeting, and in the brief time I have known them, Eric and Jessica have impressed me for a number of reasons which I think can help those of us in the (Pan) African community who are searching for the right kind of guidance from our elders. This I feel is relevant across the generations.

and Garveyism by Amy Jacques Garvey. The bookshop stayed open for 18 years, in spite of racist attacks during the 1970s. They remained focussed on the need to uplift and empower Africans in the community, particularly through education. Eric often recalls that that they didn’t wait for hand-outs from the government or anyone to do the work of community building – they took the initiative. They initiated and inspired others to establish a number of community projects led by Africans with the emphasis on alleviating injustice and marginalisation. For example Jessica’s involvement in the Black Parents Movement which campaigned against the racist “sus” laws. Many African young people were falsely convicted under this law. Jessica was also part of the development of the Keskidee Centre, one of the UK’s first African Caribbean cultural centres. Along with John Le Rose of New Beacon Books, Jessica directed the 1982 inauguration of The International Book Fair of Radical Black and Third World Books.

Humility Despite the ambassadorial, even “regal” profile within the African community in the UK, and their impressive contribution to the world by publishing political, social and cultural works by a range of writers including Andrew Salkey and Linton Kwesi Johnson, I found Eric and Jessica down to earth, modest and humble people. We can learn much from this and it may be the reason they never seem to “burn out” from abusing this good energy with that of arrogance and aspirations of celebrity.

Their community spirit was also expressed by their “open-house” attitude. In fact the bookshop had started at their home, but under pressure from the council it was relocated. The “open-house” culture was adopted from Guyana, where Eric and Jessica used to have political study group meetings in their home in Buxton. When they came to the UK, this would have been a natural transition. But their home was also welcoming for a casual drop in where you might be fed some delicious, though experimental dish by Eric and

Community spirit The book shop they set up in Ealing was a hub of cultural activity and inspiration for a generation of African young people who were introduced to social and political works like Garvey 5

Jessica Huntley sample Jessica’s sumptuous sweetbread – the recipe of which she might have taken with her. In this way they became everyone’s parents, aunty and uncle, grandparents and elders.

are up to these days.” The mother I’d seen and loved from afar was now close and calling me her child. I delighted in the good feeling. Becoming an elder has less to do with aging and is much related to mentoring and imparting wisdoms to anyone willing to sit at your feet and learn. It’s a dual process. The elder and those to whom they must pass on their wisdoms must meet each other; must be ready for the worthwhile exchange. It would be encouraging if more of our elders “owned” that status - rather “earned” it - no matter how great or little they feel they have contributed. But the respect must be genuine – not one of self-aggrandisement or chauvinistic proclamations, grandstanding and pompous overtures. Because Jessica’s work was active, public and instrumental to the way Africans across generations see themselves and what they are capable of doing she could confidently recognise herself as our “mother” and “elder.” These nurturing roles are well earned and offer much to the importance of coupling pride with humility.

Lifelong partners Some of us no longer dream that it might be possible to have a lifelong partner. That is, to share our life – in its fullest spectrum – with someone for more than five let alone 60 years. I know in our community there are elders who have been together for this long (in my experience perhaps no more than 50 years). But Jessica and Eric expressed something rare in that they were partners in business, political and community activism, marriage and homebuilding. In other words, to have the kind of profile they developed and remain committed foremost to each other and their work in the community is remarkable. This was perhaps made possible because they walked, talked, lived “grass-roots” and understood the importance of “grounding” with people – the wellbeing of the people being always their motivation for activism. They shared this conviction, neither desiring to outshine the other but instead being committed to working together in true partnership. Mothering and Eldership Aunty Jessica often referred to “us” (younger generation) as “her children” but not in an arrogant or pretentious way. For example, when she discovered that I had made an impromptu trip to Ghana earlier this year – she seemed to admonish me by saying “I never know what my children 6

Jessica Huntley

To the end Publishing remained central to her life. Over the past year, I’ve been part of a group involved in trying to reorganise Bogle-L’Ouverture Publication so that it is able to meet the needs of technological advances in the publishing industry. We recognise the incredible contribution of BogleL’Ouverture Publication. It was Jessica’s lasting wish that the Publication continue its work of supporting writers from the African community to have a platform from which to express their creativity and concerns. This is an immense legacy for which we should all feel honoured to be part of. The last email I received from Jessica was asking me to forward a book prize notification for Caribbean Literature. To the end Aunty Jessica was thinking how she could help the advancement of her children. I extend prayers and thanks to her family for sharing their mother/grandmother with the community. For her contribution to our understanding of community, her example of commitment, organising and campaigning for justice for the oppressed I feel honoured and blessed. For showing us that although the struggle is serious we can still love, laugh and have some fun as we do it. We can dry our tears for the loss, unless they are for the joy of knowing that she will bless us further as an ancestor and urge us to keep up the good work.

Two ground-breaking publications by Bogle-L’Ouverture Publication.

Jessica Huntley February 23rd 1927 – October 13th 2013 7

IN CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF JESSICA HUNTLEY As Chair of the George Padmore

grants from anybody. They believed in financial independence. Both used the front rooms of where they lived to start their book selling. Jessica and Eric used their house in Coldershaw Road, Ealing. Later, Bogle L’Ouverture moved to the shop front in Chignell Place, Ealing West London. When organised racists carried out a campaign of attack on our bookshops with paint and fire, Bogle L’Ouverture and New Beacon were in the leadership of the organised response and formed Bookshop Joint Action.

Institute, I would like, on behalf of all the people around the GPI, New Beacon Books and the International Book Fair family, to send our heartfelt condolences and pledge our support to Eric, Chauncey and Accabre and the entire Huntley family, on the passing of Jessica Huntley. I last saw Jessica at the memorial event held at the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in celebration of Tony Martin, the Garvey scholar and publisher. She was with Eric and Accabre. Although frail, she had the typical Jessica twinkle in her eye when she smiled and greeted you. You cannot speak of Jessica’s life and achievements without acknowledging the ever-present role of Eric Huntley.

Jessica was committed to publishing important campaigning books. Books such as Walter Rodney’s Groundings with my Brothers, and How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, the groundbreaking children’s book, Getting to Know Ourselves, by Bernard and Phyllis Coard, the new radical dub poetry in Dread, Beat and Blood, by Linton Kwesi Johnson amongst many publications. Jessica organised many memorable political and cultural events at Chignell Place, but I will always remember the exciting annual cultural shows at the Commonwealth Institute Theatre.

Eric and Jessica were friends and political allies of my father John La Rose and my mother Irma. Their anticolonial and independence struggles across the Caribbean brought them together. When they migrated to Britain in the early 1960s, it was only natural and practical that they united again in political and cultural struggles on the issues that they faced in Britain as well as the struggles in the Caribbean, Africa and Asia in particular. Many meetings were held in their homes and in the homes of other Caribbean activists.

Jessica and Eric were part of all the organisations that were formed in the fight against racism, police violence and the struggle for proper education in Britain. When John started the campaigning organisation, the Black Parents’ Movement (BPM), Jessica and Eric were members of the Ealing Black Parents’ Movement. There were also branches in Manchester, and for a short time in Hackney. Jessica and Eric were key members of CARIG –

When John started New Beacon Books, and the New Beacon Bookshop, he actively assisted Jessica in founding Bogle L’Ouverture Publications. These independent Black radical institutions had similar aims and policies. They refused to wait on and or depend on

Committee Against Repression in Guyana, which campaigned against the dangerous excesses of the Forbes Burnham government. They were involved in all the activities of The Alliance which was comprised of the Black Youth Movement, Black Parents’ Movement, the Race Today Collective and the Bradford Black Collective. This became a key formation in the New Cross Massacre Action Committee chaired by John La Rose. The committee organised the Black People’s Day of Action which had such a powerful effect on the politics of Britain. Jessica was an integral part of all these activities.

tradition of strong African and Caribbean women. Jessica and Eric were visited regularly and engaged with a wide spectrum of cultural political activists from around the world. Jessica represents a generation of political activists that have engaged with struggles for social justice and progress wherever they live in the world. As John La Rose famously said “we did not come alive in Britain”. In Britain, people like Jessica Huntley have committed their homes, lives and have made tremendous sacrifices in the pursuit of their ideas. Future generations will stand on the shoulders of these giants. They never forgot their Caribbean roots; neither did they turn their backs on the struggle.

When John La Rose founded the International Book Fair of Radical, Black and Third World Books in 1982, the component organisations were New Beacon Books, Bogle L’Ouverture Publications and Race Today Publications. The joint directors were John La Rose and Jessica Huntley. The book fair, held in London, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds and Glasgow, had a tremendous impact in Britain and internationally with networks of cultural and political activists which exist today.

Jessica Huntley and all those who went before her will always be remembered by those who seek social justice and equality. I will end with an extract from the great Guyanese poet Martin Carter from the poem “Death of a Comrade”: “…dear Comrade I salute you and say Death will not find us thinking that we die”

When my father saw the importance of forming an archive of the struggle in Britain of people of Caribbean, African and Asian descent, he founded the George Padmore Institute (GPI). Jessica and Eric also believing in this idea, with the support of the London Metropolitan Archives, instituted the Huntley Archives at LMA. The Friends of the Huntley Archives have been organising tremendous annual events and lectures within the traditions of all that went before.

Travel well, Jessica. Michael La Rose Chair, George Padmore Institute

Jessica always gave support to young people and new ideas. She was grounded and practical, in the true 9

Queen Mother Elder Jessica Huntley (1927-2013) It is with deep and profound sadness

that provided my entry. It is on their shoulders that I could boldly write about white supremacy and discriminatory social policies.

that I learn of the passing of Elder Mother Jessica Huntley on Sunday 13th October 2013. I am comforted only in knowing that her illness was very brief.

Elders Eric and Jessica received me warmly into their home, their consciousness, their hearts and their library as I conducted research for my own book. I was hungry for knowledge and they created the environment to satisfy my appetite. They trusted me and I trusted them.

This transition means the world has lost the physical presence of a dignified Queen Warrior of great standing. Mother Jessica and Elder Eric Huntley stood at the vanguard in terms of black publishing in Britain. Their publishing house Bogle L’Ouverture Press (named after Paul Bogle and Toussaint L’Ouverture) was based in west London and their publications were sought globally. Some considered them to be radical; indeed they were subject to racist attacks for advocating for the prominence and recognition of Black authors and their works. Others considered them to be freedom fighters and campaigners for equality and human rights.

They introduced me to the land of their birth Guyana, spoke of the revolution in Grenada, were aware of the developments in Barbados, spoke with great insight about the movement for education equality and human rights throughout the Caribbean and beyond. They gave me access to a library of treasured publications and recordings unavailable anywhere else and supported the securing of the seminal work “How the West Indian child is made educationally subnormal in the British school system: the scandal of the black child in schools in Britain” authored by Bernard Coard.

The historical contribution of Elders Jessica and Eric Huntley are held in The Huntley Collection at the London Metropolitan Archives. Mother Huntley was my community mother and an important person in mobilizing the activist in me. She quelled my thirst for a dignified and majestic role model who would not fear speaking out in the face of inequality and injustice. She offered a framework of how to contribute to the struggle for justice in education and beyond. Indeed, both Elders Jessica and Eric urged me to publish an African-centred post-colonial contribution to the esteemed works

They made it possible for many Caribbean people to see their reflection in school books in terms of accomplishments and beauty not just a warped view of African people seen through a racist lens. Elder Clare Sobers, Claire Villaruel and my community Father the late Willis 10

Wilkie alongside my other community mother Elder Mollie Hunte were a part of an African village that provided me with a Rites of Passage into community activism advocating for justice for children subjected to exclusion and marginalization just because they were Caribbean Africans. On a personal note, my own children benefitted from attending Saturday School in Southall and Hanwell as a direct result of my exposure to these great Elders. They would attend community events as organizers and also as distinguished guests and despite the capacity in which they attended they were always gracious and remembered the name and personal experience of absolutely everybody. Their legacy is embedded in the archives, memories and hearts of institutions and people all over the earth. Elder Mother Jessica, your legacy is beyond the limited language of the tongue. Your transition is recognised and your contribution acknowledged. We Give Thanks and will pour libation.

Jessica Huntley - 23/02/1927 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 13/10/2013

Sis. Dr. Sandra Richards University of the West Indies

David Abdulah pays tribute to two outstanding Caribbean daughters Two Caribbean women in their

I met Eric and Jessica in London through John and we shared many an evening during the International Book fair of Radical Black and Third World Books and its accompanying Book fair Festivals.

eighties, living in countries where they weren’t born but who, in their own ways contributed to their adopted countries, passed away within hours of each other. I refer to Sheliah Solomon, born in Jamaica, but who made T&T her home and Jessica Huntley, born in Guyana, but who made England her home.

I salute these two women and thank them for their contributions! And express my condolences to their families. Their life’s work is now finished – may they rest in peace.

In the past decade or more, Sheliah worked tirelessly as the guiding light of T&T Citizens’ Agenda Network (T&TCAN) an NGO that sought through advocacy to bring about governance reforms. It is perhaps very symbolic that Sheliah passed away just days before the 2013 local government elections as she and TTCAN did a lot of work on the issue of local government reform. Sheliah and I would meet at many a forum or meeting around issues of reforming governance and earlier this year she shared with me her latest efforts at getting reform.

David Abdulah Movement for Social Justice, Trinidad

Not many here in T&T would know Jessica Huntley. Jessica and her husband Eric were political activists in Guyana with the PPP led by Cheddi Jagan and had to leave the land of their birth due to the political conflicts in the early 60s. They established the publishing house Bogle L’Ouverture Books in London and its first – and more famous book titles was Walter Rodney’s Grounding with my Brothers. The Huntleys were active in the political struggles of West Indians against racism in the UK as well as in the establishment of Caribbean culture. For many years they collaborated with John La Rose who had earlier established New Beacon Books.

Mourners paying their last respects to Jessica Huntley

Photos courtesy Claire Shepherd

Jessica Huntley February 23rd 1927 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; October 13th 2013 14

FASHION FORWARD AW13/14

By Nichola McDonald Breaking News, while we are not ready to ditch our summer clothes yet, we cannot come to terms that summer has ended and the Autumn Winter 2013/14 shopping period is here.

name a few. If you’ve not notice yet, pretty pink is the ultimate roving colour of all this AW13 season. Oversized sweatshirts are also a classic must have completing the look with a pair of Skinny Jeans or Midi skirts.

When it comes to the Autumn Winter 2013/14 stylish fashion trends, looking at the runways from the recently concluded shows from across the fashion capitals my caption for this season is “the vivid colours are still ahead in the marathon” not forgetting the high shine metallic pieces, it’s time to wish 100% black goodbye.

Another look featured on the runways were Florals, for a long time Florals have been associated with Spring/Summer however, in AW13/14 we are graced with the phase “Winter Florals” creating bright bursts against dark backdrops with its rich leafy, vine or bloom based theme.

The fashion Gods has blessed us this AW13/14 season with oversized sweaters, coats and boyish suits to

The recurring use of leather and leopard print pieces are still fixtures for this Autumn/Winter life these are not going anywhere soon, in shops you can find basically anything in leopard print. If you are not daring enough to rock a leopard print outfit or you’re wary about rocking this bold print, go small with accessories. Leather, Leopard Prints, Florals and Pinky are my Autumn Winter 2013/14 fashion love “what’s yours”?

15th Annual FIU Eric Williams Lecture Hails “The Mighty Sparrow” as Chronicler of History MIAMI, FL. (November 3, 2013) — Rawle Gibbons and ―Lord Relator‖ literally brought down the house with their stirring tributes to both Eric Williams and The Mighty Sparrow at the 15th Annual Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture on October 18th. The event was held at Florida International University’s Modesto Maidique Campus as part of its African & African Diaspora Studies Program Distinguished Africana Scholars Lecture Series. With a combination of the spoken word and excerpts of Sparrow’s numerous calypsoes – covering the rise of Eric Williams; the history of Trinidad and Tobago, the region, and indeed, that of the world – Gibbons and Relator skillfully wove the tapestry of the symbiotic relationship between the two men – the one, elucidating his intellectual vision for his country, the other, in a sense, giving it ―street cred.‖ ―One From Ten Leaves Nought, Ten To One Is Murder: Eric Williams, The Mighty Sparrow and the Arithmetic of Caribbean Self-Definition‖ completely engaged the listeners with its blend of wit, fun, yet serious scholarship. The audience frequently sang the refrains of the various calypsoes, utilized to showcase the development of a national and regional consciousness in Trinidad and Tobago, authored by Eric Williams, and parlayed into the language of the street by ―The Calypso King of the World‖ – Slinger Francisco, aka the Mighty Sparrow.

tradition.‖ Both addressed the issue of the apparent decline of this form of social commentary, affirming its continued existence and relevance in Trinidad and Tobago at least – the birthplace of the art. In the lively Q & A that followed Lord Relator, a seasoned Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian noted for imitation and his ability to sing extemporaneously – ―the art of composing impromptu lyrics about any subject, at any time, without previous thought or study‖ – ably demonstrated his considerable talent by responding to the 165-strong crowd with humorous ditties as questions were posed to him. The Memorial Lecture, FIU’s first named and longest running, was established in 1999, and honours the distinguished Caribbean statesman Eric E. Williams, first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Head of Government for a quarter of a century until his death in 1981. He led the country to Independence from Britain in 1962 and onto Republicanism in 1976. A consummate academic and historian, and author of several books, Dr. Williams is best known for his groundbreaking work, the 69-year-old Capitalism and Slavery, which has been translated into seven languages, including Russian,

Rawle Gibbons, founding Director of the Centre for Creative and Festival Arts at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and Willard Harris, aka Lord Relator, pointedly made the case for calypso being institutionalized worldwide as a chronicler of history, much as has been done for the West African Griot storyteller, long recognized as a ―repository of the oral 17

Chinese, Japanese and this year, Korean and Turkish. Popularly referred to as The Williams Thesis, this landmark text continues to inform today's on-going debate and remains ―years ahead of its time…this profound critique is still the foundation for studies of imperialism and economic development,‖ according to the New York Times.

Ltd; Sylvia Worrell and Christine G. Wray, M.D. The Lecture is also supported by The Eric Williams Memorial Collection Research Library, Archives & Museum at the University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago campus), which was inaugurated by former U.S. Secretary of State, Colin L. Powell in 1998. It was named to UNESCO’s prestigious Memory of the World Register in 1999.

Among prior Eric Williams Memorial Lecture speakers have been: the late John Hope Franklin, one of America’s premier historians of the African-American experience; Kenneth Kaunda, former President of the Republic of Zambia; Cynthia Pratt, Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas; Mia Mottley, Attorney General of Barbados; Beverly AndersonManley, former First Lady of Jamaica; Portia Simpson Miller, now Prime Minister of Jamaica; the celebrated civil rights activist Angela Davis; and prizewinning Haitian author Edwige Danticat. The Lecture, which seeks to provide an intellectual forum for the examination of pertinent issues in Caribbean and African Diaspora history and politics, is cosponsored by FIU: College of Arts and Sciences, School of International and Public Affairs, Latin American and Caribbean Center, AADS Graduate Students Association, Student Government Association; Daniel Alfonso; Pascale Becel; Rhea Mokund Beck; Sandra Bernard-Bastien; Bilmor Advertising – Irvine Headley; Lenore Cameron; Consulates General of Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Lucia; Edwards & Partners; Eglantine Gordon Memorial Fund; Jennifer Jagbir; Glenn Joseph; Joy’s Roti Delight; Nina Khell Garcia; Miami Dade College – Dr. Leroy Lashley; Neki Mohan; PAS Cargo; Aryian & Gieowar Singh; Mervyn Solomon; Linda SpearsBunton; Trinidad and Tobago Independence Ball Committee; Lillith Trewick; Welch, Morris & Associates,

Muraldo D.C will be celebrating 16 years of their unique Caribbean annual celebration of Caribbean culture 'Quadfest' by the extension of this event to include knockout heats at the renowned Destinations Travel Show at Event City, Manchester from the 2326th January 2014 and at Earls Court, London from the 6-9th February 2014. Quadfest is an educational showcase of some of the rich tapestry of Caribbean folk forms centred around Caribbean Quadrilles that began back in 1998 by Caroline Muraldo, Managing/Artistic director of Muraldo D.C. The event consists of a range of workshops throughout the day and a wonderful evening of entertainment by Caribbean artists (and guests) from around the Caribbean. The evening culminates with announcement of the quadrille group performers of the year. The idea of the event is to not only highlight Caribbean quadrilles along with other Caribbean folk forms such as folk singing, pan, Anansi stories etc, but to put the spotlight on Caribbean culture generally so as to demonstrate the diversity, quality and uniqueness of Caribbean culture. Muraldo D.C. now has the opportunity to take the event to another level by teaming up with the organisers of The Destinations Travel Show, this event itself celebrating 20 years. This is an amazing opportunity is not only for all Quadrille groups nationally to compete in the only competition of this kind in this country but to show off their expertise and their culture for an audience of 10,000 people per day! So all Caribbean Quadrille groups where ever you are based make sure you don't miss out on this opportunity fly the flags of the Caribbean and show your expertise to the nation!

To recieve details of how to register your group contact Caroline Muraldo by email at carolinemuraldo215@btinternet.com