ASKaND Sentinel October 2022 - Vol 2 #002

SKN HIGH COMMISSION WELCOMES ASKaND CHAIR!

O

n21stSeptember,Ihad thepleasureofmeeting withtheStKitts&Nevis HighCommissioner,His ExcellencyDrKevinIsaac, andMinisterOfficerElsa WilkinArmbrister.Ihad writtentotheStKitts& NevisHighCommissionto introducetheAssociation; towhichweweredelightedtoreceiveareturn email,withaninvitation, tomeetwithHisExcellencyDr Isaac.

Iwasfortunateenoughtohave HisExcellency’sundividedattentionforoveranhouranditaffordedmeawonderfulopportunitytotalkaboutASKaND,its inceptionanditsaimsandobjectives,targetgroups,andwhatthe Associationwouldliketoachieve. Inaddition,Iexpressedhowkeen ASKaNDwastoknowhowwe couldsupporttheStKitts&NevisHighCommissionwithitsUK planofaction.

Atthemeeting,IaskedtheHigh

In this issue

Commissionerifwecouldseea greaterfootprintoftheHighCommissioninBirminghamcovering clinicsfrom:StKitts&Neviscitizenship,toAngelInvestmentopportunitiesinStKitts&Nevis,tomore centrallyorganisedeventsbeing ledbytheHighCommission aroundthecountry.

Tothatend,wesecuredacommitmenttohaveMinisterOfficerElsa WilkinArmbristerattendingour ASKaNDNovember19thevent.We arecurrentlyintheprocessoffinalisingherNovembertimetable,with moreinformationontheeventto followshortly.

Alsoatthemeeting,wediscussedhowmuchStKittsand Nevishasdevelopedandthe opportunitiesthatitnowaffordsnationalsandtheirdescendantswhowouldliketo makeittheirhomeand/orinvestintheislands.BothHisExcellencyDrIsaac,andIcommentedonhowwewouldlike tobuildastrongStKittsNevis identityamongstthedescendantcommunitiesintheUKand developnewlinksontheislands,alongwithmakingnewlinks abroadwithotherStKittsNevis associationsandorganisations.

Wearecertainlylookingforwardto enjoyingmorecontactwiththeSt Kitts&NevisHighCommissionas webothaimtoraisetheprofileof StKitts& Nevisin theUK.

Jacqui Daniels ASKaND Chair

NATIONAL HEROES

SKN NATIONAL HEROES DAY 16TH SEPTEMBER

ThefirstPremierofNevis,SimeonDaniel,joinedthelistofNationalHeroesin2013;andin 2015,thefirstlivingpersonto receivethishonourwasSirDr. KennedyAlphonseSimmonds, thefirstPrimeMinisterofSt KittsandNevis.

Featured Article Links

• National Heroes

• St Kitts and Nevis Looks to Establish Medical Cannabis Industry

StKittsandNevisNationalHeroesDayisapublicholidayinSt. KittsandNevisandisobserved on16thSeptember.IndependenceDaytakesplaceafewdays afterNationalHeroes'Dayand dependingonwhichdaysofthe weektheseholidaysfallon,eitherholidaymaybeextended.

ThisholidaycommemoratescitizensoftheFederationwhohave givendistinguishedserviceto thecountryandhonoursindividualswhohavethegreatestcontributiontothecountry’sadvancement.

Therearecurrentlyfivenational heroes:RobertLlewellynBradshaw,PaulSouthwell,JosephNathanielFrance,SimeonDaniel andKennedySimmonds.

TheStKittsandNevisFederal ParliamentpassedtheNational HonoursActin1998,establish-

ingthreeclassesofawards:The OrderofNationalHero,theStar ofMeritandtheMedalofHonour.Theactalsoproclaimed 16thSeptemberasNationalHeroesDay.

ThefirstNationalHeroesDay tookplaceon16September 1998.IthonouredRobertLlewellynBradshaw,whowasthefirst PremierofStKittsandNevis. Theholidayisobservedonhis birthday.AbustofBradshaw, donatedbytheRepublicofCuba,wasunveiledinthearrival loungeoftheRobertL.BradshawInternationalAirport.

In2004,theNationalAssembly affirmedformerPremierand ChiefMinisterSirCalebAzariah PaulSouthwell,andformerSocialServicesMinisterandtrade unionistSirJosephN.Franceas NationalHeroes.

Members Meetings

All ASKaND Members meetings

will be held at the BCA, Jenkins Street, Birmingham, B10 0PQ at 1900hrs

Friday 4th November 2022

Friday 2nd December 2022

Friday 6th January 2023

Friday 3rd February 2023

Friday 3rd March 2023

Friday 7th April 2023

Friday 5th May 2023

Friday 2nd June 2023

Friday 7th July 2023

ASKaND HERITAGE DAY

OnSaturday8thOctober,ASKaNDwillbehostingitfirstStKitts&NevisHeritageDayeventat theBCA,JenkinsStreet,Birmingham.Wewillbe deliveringa2hractivitysession(from1100 1300)forchildrenaged5+.Wewillbefocussing onthecarnivalartsof:maskmaking,masquerade,steelpananddance.Thenfrom1300we willbehavingamarketplacewithvendorsfrom

ourcommunity;workshopsthatyouareencouragedtodipinandoutof;andrefreshmentswill beavailableallday.

FinallywewillwrapupwithourHeritageDay Quiz,hostedby‘MessiDiamonds’.TheMessi Diamondscrewguaranteeaneveningoffamily funandlaughtercombinedwithgreatquizplay. Socomealongandjoininthefun.

ASKaND Needs More Officers!

The ASKaND Executive Board

in need of member support to cover the

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If anyone is interested in these roles and would like to find out more about it, please contact: ASKaND Chair, Jacqui Daniels or ASKaND CSO, Edlynn Zakers at: askand2022@gmail.com; or see us after the members meetings!

ASKaND “MOVERS & SHAKERS”!

Not so long ago, the idea of a black person sitting in the driving cab of a train was not just unusual. It was resented and begrudged. The common view was that the front of the train was ‘white’; the back and the platforms were ‘black’. That is how life was until Leroy Richards turned up!

Leroy’s first applications for work were rejected out of hand. Undeterred, he secured an apprenticeship and became a qualified electrician. In 1972 he was made redundant, so he applied for the same job as his father and began working for the British Rail in the signal and telegraph division. Leroy said, “All I remember … was the cold!” He was a long way from St Kitts!

Before long, Leroy didn’t see why he couldn't join the footplate grades. After all, he knew he had the necessary skills, technical qualifications, personality and aptitude. There was no reason why he couldn't become a train driver. Except for the fact that he was black.

He regular took insults from passengers back in the day too. Just because he was black, he would be handed luggage to carry when he was on the platform. He would thank them very kindly, tell them he was a driver and leave!

When he was assigned to drive diesel trains at Birmingham New Street, the situation didn't improve. He was constantly under scrutiny, had racist slogans written on walls, and once his car was vandalised in the locked staff car park by fellow workers.

LEROY RICHARDS was the first black train driver in the Birmingham. To get to the footplate, and stay there, was a hard road. He endured unspeakable racism in all its forms. But Leroy was no victim. He won his race, and he did so on his own terms.

Leroy was born in St Kitts and took his first major journey at the age of 16, in 1964. He made the 3 week boat voyage alone and was met at Southampton by his father, who had gone on ahead and had begun a 34 year career as a railway guard at Saltley in Birmingham. Leroy was excited at the prospect of a new life; not knowing what to expect.

1964 was a time at the height of British racism, and where

Every strata of railway society told him that it was not going to happen. Black people did not work on the footplate. But being told firmly that he couldn't be a train driver; made Leroy make it his mission to become one.

His progress was hindered and resented every step of the way, by everyone around him. From the drivers who refused to work with him as a ‘Second Man’ and management colluded with them to exclude him. Instructors, who told him he would never be a driver and failed him within half hour of the driver’s test, while other, less qualified white men, were allowed to continue their tests and passed. These actions left him without the opportunity to drive. But Leroy just thought, “… (I’m) getting paid. I'm going nowhere!”

So, what did Leroy do? He bought a flash car and ‘blinged’ himself up, wearing gold bracelets, rings and flashy watches. He also worked on his accent. He was determined to hold on to his Kittitian accent, to show he was proud of his culture and his background. Leroy was determined to be respected for being what he was. He knew his worth, and it gave him strength.

“

It is all different today,” he said.

“

There is still institutional racism, but some changes to the law have made a difference. You can’t treat people the way I was treated and picking up cash for compensation doesn’t do much. Attitudes need to change.”

The driving force behind Leroy is that he has always walked proud and tall. He broke barriers in Birmingham and the Midlands and bore the full force of overt, covert and institutional racism. He not

only survived; he thrived and became a force to be reckoned with.

St Kitts & Nevis Looks to Establish Medicinal Cannabis Industry

plans to have the citizens and residents of St Kitts and Nevis be the primary beneficiary of the cannabis industry.

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t Kitts and Nevis will soon set up its own medicinal cannabis industry to reap the benefits of the burgeoning international market.

Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew told SKN Newsline today that the country is behind in the market and he noted that Kittitians and Nevisians are in Canada working on marijuana farms.

“

Antigua is ahead, St Vincent is ahead, Jamaica is ahead, and we know that people travel to these countries because they would have an industry that is well controlled, well monitored and so forth that allows for the use of marijuana. And so, we will be on that path, and we will see a lot of action in that

area within the first year,” Drew said.

“

We have a marijuana commission in place and that commission would start functioning in earnest to get us there. We will then move to expunge the records of those who have criminal records for possession of marijuana. We think that that should not be used as a means to limit people’s advancement in their own lives and so we will put the necessary legislation in place to get us there.”

Establishing a marijuana industry was a campaign promise of the Prime Minister and his Saint Kitts and Nevis Labour Party during the recent general election.

Drew said his government

At this point in time, we are not looking at any outside people necessarily coming in and dominating this industry. This industry is for our people to develop. We will not make that mistake, and therefore we will, of course, meet those who are involved in this industry and we will work out ways of how we can make sure that they are a part of the industry… I would say at this time, the goal is and what we will do is to make sure that the local growers are protected [and] our people are protected within that industry,” he said.

The Prime Minister said his government will respect a 2019 court ruling that allows islanders to legally use marijuana in the privacy of their homes.

The ruling also made it legal for adults in the Rastafari religion to use marijuana for religious purposes.

Congratulations Mr Richards on being an ASKaND ‘Mover & Shaker’!

CELEBRATING 39 YEARS OF ST KITTS & NEVIS INDEPENDENCE—WITH ASKaND!

Onthe10thSeptember,inadditiontocelebratingStKittsand NevisIndependence,thenewly formedAssociationofSt.Kitts& NevisDescendantswassuccessfullylaunched.Itwasawonderful nightwitheveryoneinhighspiritsforStKitts&Nevisseeingits 39thyearofIndependence.Its

themeof‘Refocus,Re create,andRedesign’ epitomisesthehope ASKaNDhasinthatwe reshapeandrefocus oureffortstosupport ourStKitts,Nevisand widerblackBritish communityinBirmingham.

Thateveningwehadanumberof newmembersjoinandabunchof newnamestoaddtoourmailing list.Itwasveryencouragingtosee peopledeciding,thatnight,tobe apartofASKaND;withaviewto helpingusdevelop,deliverand supporttheAssociation’sobjectives.

Thenightstartedwithcomplimentaryrumpunchandfollowedbya threecoursemeal.WehadAlvin Davis,oneoftheMidlands’most successfulSaxophonist,serenadingusduringdinner.Onceitwas completed,itwasdefinitelytime toparty!Helpingusdothat,we hadCaribbeanMelodySteelBand, BajanTouch,CommissionerBenji &DJDaniel,JusUs,andDJBuff, allplayingonFatalAttractionsupersoundsystemandP.A.equipment.

Wewouldliketothankall thosemembersandsupporters whotooktimeoutoftheir busyschedulestohelpprepare theroomandtables;along withthoseinvolvedwiththe cateringandserving.Their

helpwasinvaluableandmuch appreciated.Thesuccessofthe nightwasdueinnosmallpart tothem.Inaddition,wewould liketothanktheHSuitefor hostingus.Theservicethey gaveuswassuperb.

Nextyear,StKittsandNevis withbecelebrating40yearsof Independence;andweare lookingforwardtocelebrating

Items Needed For St Kitts & Nevis Christmas Care Packages!

We are in the process of collecting:

• Dried and tinned food stuff

• Children’s toys

• Perfume, aftershave and toiletries gift packs

These items will be made up into care packages and distributed to nationals in St Kitts & Nevis for Christmas. If you can help by donating any of these items, then please get in touch with any of the ASKaND Executive Team or send us an email at: askand2022@gmail.com who will be happy to arrange a collection, or drop off points for your items.

The items will be transported by Transpak Shipping to St. Kitts on 29/11/22, with an estimated arrival date of: 16/12/22. When the shipment arrives it will be received by the St Kitts Basseterre Lions who will then distribute the items between recipients on both St. Kitts and Nevis.

The St Kitts Basseterre Lions are a charitable organisation working within the community, whose motto is “We Serve”. You can read more about them and their work on their Facebook page: ‘Skblions ~ St. Kitts Basseterre Lions Club’ Thanking you in anticipation.

Diary Markers

Jacqui Daniels ASKaND Chair

ASKaND Events

We,atASKaND,arepleasetoannouncetwodatesforthediary:

• Saturday19thNovember 2022:A FiresideChatwithElsaWilkin

Armbrister(StKittsandNevisHigh Commission)andFriends.

• Saturday4thDecember:ASKaND Christmasevent.

Moreinformationonbothevents,will bedistributednearerthedate.

However,inthemeantimedogetus intoyourdiaries!

Young Peoples’ Page!

St Kitts and Nevis Wordsearch Competition

ind all 16 words that relate to St Kitts and Nevis in the wordsearch. Print this back page and complete the puzzle. Take a photo of your sheet and send it to askand2022@gmail.com so you can be entered into a prize draw! The winner will receive a £10 Amazon Gift Voucher! Open to all young people under 13! Rules will be sent by return email to all those who enter. Winners will be announced in November’s

F

Did you know …?

That during the last ice age, sea levels was 91 metres lower, and St. Kitts and Nevis were one island along with the islands of Saba and Sint Eustatius?

known as Saint Martin/Sint Maarten!

and that name ended up being accidentally transferred to another island, which is still

there was a mix up with a number of poorly charted small islands in the Leeward Island

In 1498, Christopher Columbus gave Nevis the name San Martín (Saint Martin). However,

Did you know …?