ASKaND’s CELEBRATION OF SKN HERITAGE A HUGE SUCCESS! It is with enormous pride
that ASKaND can state that its first public event was viewed as a resounding success. All who attended had nothing but praise for the children’s activities, the workshops, the marketplace and the positive atmosphere which existed throughout the day. A great big ‘Thank you’, to everyone who supported the day. Its successes could not have been achieved without you. To start the day off, the children had themed taster sessions looking at aspects of Carnival. All the children engaged with the maskmaking activity. Creating some wonderful pieces which would fit in very nicely into any carnival setting. Many children and several adults had the opportunity to play the steel-pan for the first time. It was so much fun that most of the adults who took part, have expressed a desire to have lessons in their own right! Fun activities aside; the day was also a great learning opportunity. The posters of our SKN National Heroes were on display and were
flair and creativity. Finally, the evening culminated with a Black History Month Quiz Night with a special round devoted to St Kitts and Nevis. It was surprisingly difficult and everyone learned something new about our Island Federation. Thank you ‘Messi Diamonds!’
highly informative. There was also the chance to learn from an expert on how to trace your Caribbean family lineage. Two sessions were scheduled, yet, there was a clear demand for a third! In each case, the room was full to capacity. Over the course of the afternoon, 20 children were involved with our outdoor sporting activities; while inside, the marketplace was buzzing with lots of interest in fashion, beauty products, food and more. There were lots to occupy everyone who came along; whilst still having plenty of room for growth in the future. We want to find ways to raise the profile of our local entrepreneurs and encourage more of them to come along next time. Without exception, they had some sensational products and enormous
Our Heritage Day was a free event. Many of our families, stayed with us all day, and the children were given complimentary refreshments. We take their firm support as a ringing endorsement that we were able to maintain momentum throughout the day. Everything we set out to achieve (at our first event!), came to fruition. ASKaND would like to thank all of our fantastic volunteers and attendees for their support. You have inspired us to make the next SKN Heritage Day even bigger and better next year!
Jacqui Daniels ASKaND Chair
In this issue
SKN Heritage Day Photos
SKN Movers ‘n’ Shakers
ASKaND Fireside Chat
November 2022 //Volume 2, Issue #003
SKN HERITAGE DAY
NEWSPAPER Featured Article Links
PHOTOS • Arthur France: An African Born
In The Caribbean
• Isalean Phillip hosts interac-
tive session with the SKNAPD and other groups
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November 2022 //Volume 2, Issue #003
ASKaND FIRESIDE CHAT SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2022
On Saturday 19th November, ASKaND will have the
privilege of hosting its first ‘Fireside Chat’ at the Hall Green United Community Church, Reddings Lane, Hall Green. Door will open from 5pm, with attendees settled into their seats by 5:50pm for a prompt 6pm start. We will be introducing our members and friends to Mrs Elsa Wilkin-Armbrister, representative of the St Kitts and Nevis High Commission; Cllr Sharon Thompson JP, for Birmingham City Council and; Cllr Ashley Lewis for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. The evening will have our Fireside Chat participants
sharing their thoughts and insights on: St Kitts and Nevis and how it relates to and benefits St Kitts and Nevis descendants; how we can support St Kitts and Nevis as it strives to be a presence on a global stage; and how we can build and develop our community at a local level. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers, with networking opportunities available later in the evening.
Also on the night we will be having live musical interludes by lyricist ‘CreezOn’ and instrumentalist “Melika the Violinist’. So do come along and meet some of the Influencers in our community and enjoy an evening with us by the fireside!
SKN Junior Minister Host Interactive Session With SKNAPD & Other Groups St Kitts and Nevis is committed to providing better living conditions to the differently abled people in the Federation. In line with these efforts, Junior Minister responsible for Disability, Isalean Phillip, met the members of St Kitts and Nevis Association of Persons with Disabilities (SKNAPD) on November 1, 2022.
During the meeting, the involved parties hosted an interactive session at the McKnight Community Centre. The session featured some presentations from the President and Vice President of the SKNAPD and the President of St Kitts Society for the Blind. (Continued on page 8) Page 3
November 2022 //Volume 2, Issue #003
NEWSPAPER
ASKaND “MOVERS & SHAKERS”! staying in England for four or five years and then he would return home. Arthur’s ambition was to become an architect and he began to study the building trade. He first found work as a porter with British Railways where he worked from 1957 to 1960. In 1960 he was taken on by the Simpson and Cook Building
Arthur France is a man who
takes his roots and history extremely seriously. A direct descendant of enslaved Africans in the Caribbean, Arthur always describes himself as ‘an African born in the Caribbean’. Thomas Arthur Benjamin France was born in Mount Lily Village in Nevis. He was raised in a Christian household, with his family being members of the local Methodist church. As a child Arthur was always fascinated with the ‘Christmas Sports’ that took place annually on the island. The tradition dated back to the days of slavery and involved people dancing, singing, playing music and performing in the streets. When steel pan bands were introduced to Nevis in the early 1950s, Arthur developed a passion for music too. In 1957, at the age of 21, Arthur travelled to Leeds in England to be with his sister Elaine. The journey was an adventure for Arthur who had grown up hearing great things about England and considered Britain to be the ‘motherland’. However, he found England cold and unwelcoming; but he had come with a plan of
Arthur & LWIC committee members outside Earl Cowper School on polling day - 1974
Company in Huddersfield, and began his studies at Leeds College of Technology. Throughout this period Arthur was active in his local community and led a political life. He supported the Black Power Movement both in America and the UK. Arthur grew an afro and proudly wore the badges of the movement. Alongside Cedric Clarke and George Archibald, he founded the United Caribbean Association in November 1964. The committee was made up of 27 people and the first meeting took place in Arthur’s bedsit. It was
Arthur France, Carnival Day 1975
at that first meeting that Arthur put forward the idea of having a West Indian Carnival in Leeds which resulted in him being kicked out of the meeting! However, in August 1967, after years of research and planning, Arthur France founded the first West Indian Carnival in Europe. Arthur played an active role in organising the carnival, personally recruiting people to be a part of it, making costumes and organising troupes. As a member of the Carnival committee, Arthur helped organise the carnival parade, the Carnival Queen show, the Steel Pan contest, the Last Lap Dance and the Calypso King show. Alongside Courtland Carter, Arthur France formed The Gay Carnival Steel Band especially for the carnival. In 1968 Arthur took a Leeds Carnival troupe to London to take
Arthur & LWIC pioneers reunited in 2017 - L-R Willie Robinson, Arthur France, Rasheeda Robinson, Calvin Beach, and Ian Charles
part in the fledgling Notting Hill Carnival. Over the years, Arthur France and the Leeds West Indian Carnival Team, has helped to organise West Indian Carnival across the UK including: Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Nottingham. Leeds West Indian Carnival (LWIC), grew rapidly and by 1976 the attendance was estimated at 5,000. However, in 1975, Arthur began working for the German construction company ‘Hochtief’. He spent
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November 2022 //Volume 2, Issue #003
the next seven years working in Germany, making regular return trips to England and continued to play a part in the running of the Leeds West Indian Carnival. In 1982 Arthur decided to leave his job with Hochtief and returned to
at the forefront:
stopped. Complete with the most recent honour of being immortalTimeline: ised in one of the portraits featuring people of colour, specially com• In 1984 Arthur became the missioned by the Earl and Countess Chairman of Leeds West Indian of Harewood, as part of HareCarnival wood’s Open History exhibition. • In 1992, the Leeds West Indian Carnival celebrated its 25th anni- Arthur’s portrait will be displayed as a key part of the permanent collecversary and J’ouvert Morning tion at Harewood House in Leeds. was introduced. • On 14 June 1997 Arthur was awarded the MBE by Queen Eliz- Quite an achievement for the “Son of a Small Island!” abeth II. • in 1997 the Leeds West Indian Carnival celebrated its 30th anniversary. • In 2014 Arthur was a guest speaker at the Caribbean Carnival Symposium held at Leeds Beckett University. • in 2015 Arthur was a guest speaker at the Research Project on Leeds Carnival at the West Indian Centre • In 2015, Arthur received an HonArthur France MBE, receives his Honorary Degree from Leeds Beckett University 2018. orary Doctorate of Law by the University of Leeds. Leeds permanently. Upon his re• in 2017 Arthur was a guest turn, Arthur became involved in the speaker at the Carnival Cultures newly opened West Indian Centre Conference at Leeds Beckett which had been set up by his old University. Arthur France portrait permanently exhibited at friend Ian Charles. He also repre• In 2018 Arthur France was Harewood House, Leeds. sented the West Indian Centre in awarded with an honorary docthe Leeds City Council Race Equality torate of Arts by Leeds Beckett Advisory Forum. Further, he beCongratulation Dr Arthur France, University. came involved in many community MBE on being an ASKaND ‘Mover initiatives, but through it all, his car- Arthur’s accolades have not and Shaker’! nival-centric activities have always
Christmas Shipping Dates to SKN Shipping items to St Kitts and Nevis for Christmas? Below is a reminder of the Transpak Shipping dates leaving before and after Christmas.
ST KITTS
NEVIS
Load
Sail
ETA*
Load
Sail
ETA*
01.11.22
06.11.22
18.11.22
01.11.22
06.11.22
25.11.22
29.11.22
04.12.22
16.12.22
29.11.22
04.12.22
23.12.22
19.12.22
01.01.23
13.01.23
19.12.22
01.01.23
20.01.23
24.01.23
29.01.23
10.02.23
24.01.23
29.01.23
17.02.23
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November 2022 //Volume 2, Issue #003
NEWSPAPER
REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR ASKaND’s CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Registration closes Friday 25th November 2022 or sooner if fully subscribed! Page 6
November 2022 //Volume 2, Issue #003
NEWSPAPER
Mobile Household Recycling Centre Coming to an Area Near You! Details of the next Mobile Household Recycling Centre (MHRC) in North Edgbaston ward: Date & Time: Address: Ward: •
•
•
Monday 21st November 2022 between 07:00 and 12:00 Cape Street B18 4JU North Edgbaston
Please be aware that the map location is approximate but the crew on the day will park as close as safely possible. No commercial waste can legally be accepted at any of the MHRC’s and any such material will be turned away. Vans are accepted at the MHRC’s subject to a 10 item limitation and a legal declaration that the waste presented is not commercial in nature. As with the Bulky Waste Collection service, 2 black bags equals 1 item. BCC Housing vehicles/crews and private housing associations are not permitted to use the MHRC.
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November 2022 //Volume 2, Issue #003
Diary Markers– ASKaND Events We, at ASKaND, are please to announce three dates for the diary: •
Wednesday 9th November @ 1pm “Arthur France: The Driving Force of the Leeds Caribbeans” - on Zoom a Lecture by The Thoresby Society. Ticket available on Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arthur-france-the -driving-force-of-the-leeds-caribbeans-on-zoom-tickets-437161310247? utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utmmedium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
•
Saturday 19th November from 5pm @Hall Green United Community Church, Reddings Lane, Birmingham. “Fireside Chat with Mrs Elsa Wilkin-Armbrister (St Kitts and Nevis High Commission), Cllr. Sharon Thompson JP, & Cllr. Ashley Lewis”
•
Saturday 3rd December from 4pm @ The BCA, Jenkins Street, Birmingham. “ASKaND Children’s Christmas Party”. Please register your child’s attendance by Friday 25th November.
SKN Junior Minister Host Interactive Session With SKNAPD & Other Groups…(cont.) (continued from page 2) … Members of both bodies and parents/guardians of persons with a disability also attended the session hosted on November 1. According to the President of the SKNAPD, Joseph Bergan, the Association values engagement such as the meeting (on November 1, 2022) as they allow for an honest discussion and exchange of ideas.
are trying to build out what this department and unit of the Ministry will offer and what we are going to do. During the meeting, the Association and Junior Minister Phillip discussed various subjects. The chief of them being to find a permanent place for the home of the Association.
Members Meetings
ASKaND Members meetings will be held at the BCA, Jenkins Street, Birmingham, B10 0PQ at 1900hrs. Friday—2nd December 2022 Friday—13th January 2023 (Venue: TBC; Time: 1800hrs) Friday—3rd February 2023 Friday—3rd March 2023 Friday—7th April 2023
Friday—5th May 2023 Along with issues like Friday—2nd June 2023 Bergan stated, “We are fighting for equal opportunity,” updating legislation Ultimately, they aimed to have differently-abled perto include mandates sons become self-sufficient and lead independent lives. in the UN Convention Friday—7th July 2023 on Persons with DisaFriday—4th August 2023 Junior Minister Phillip held a presentation during which bilities; protecting she explained that the focus of the Government is on designated parking uplifting the vulnerable segments in society, including for the differently-abled and adjusting other traffic regat-risk youth, senior citizens and differently-abled indi- ulations along with housing issues. viduals of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis. Finally, discussions around reducing the stigma towards Junior Minister Phillip also stated, “We realise the need disability and increasing employment opportunities to pay more attention to and invest more in supporting were had, amongst other things. our persons with disabilities/differently-abled. Further, she stated that In their capacity as new ministers, they Page 8