ASKaND Sentinel March 2023 - Vol 2 #006

Head of RIDU Meets Lord Mayor!

On Friday the 3rd February, we had the honour of having Mr Larry Vaughan Head of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU), in St Kitts with us in Birmingham for an impromptu visit.

Mr Vaughan took the opportunity to meet with St Kitts & Nevis nationals and descendants whilst visiting in Birmingham. The day began with a ‘Meet and Greet’ with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Maureen Cornish JP; who very kindly agreed to receive him in her parlour. Our grateful thanks go out to Councillor Sharon Thompson who worked tirelessly to arrange the reception with the Lord Mayor; all at a moment’s notice! But she did us proud, and the Lord Mayor was delighted to meet with Mr Vaughan on the day.

In addition to members of our ASKaND Executive Committee in attendance, there was representation from the Nevis

In this issue

Development Agency in Leicester, the St Kitts and Nevis Young Professionals Network based in London, and the St. Kitts-Nevis and Friends Association in Birmingham.

Mr Vaughan is no stranger to working with people at all levels as he maintains a close working relationship with St Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Dr Terence Drew. As well as using his engaging manner and his ability to build a rapport when speaking with the wider general public.

At the meeting with the Lord Mayor, discussion points

included: the St Kitts-Nevis 40th Independence celebrations in Birmingham, joint educational opportunities between Birmingham and St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as exploring the idea of St Kitts & Nevis forming greater links with the City of Birmingham in general. In this month’s newsletter is an article on Mr Vaughan’s RIDU role; which can be found on page 8 in the newsletter.

So, all that remains to be said is “Thank you” to Mr Vaughan for meeting with us and creating an air of excitement on how we, as Descendants, can work more closely with the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit in St. Kitts-Nevis.

Jacqui Daniels ASKaND Chair

“Jumbie Corner”

SKN National Dish: Stewed Saltfish, Seasoned Breadfruit, Spicy Plantain & Coconut Dumplings

With Good Friday fast approaching, for those who choose to eat fish on this day, why not give our glorious National Dish a try. Recipes are provided courtesy of the St Kitts Department of Culture.

STEWED SALTFISH

1lb saltfish

1 green pepper diced

1lb chopped tomatoes

5 cloves chopped garlic

4 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tbsp butter

6 scallions finely chopped

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 small onion chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD:

1. Soak saltfish overnight then boil in fresh water until tender.

2. Drain fish, remove the bones and scales and the flake.

3. Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan. Add the pepper (if used), scallions, onion and garlic. Cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add the tomatoes and simmer over moderate heat until heated through for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add flaked saltfish along with butter, salt and pepper.

5. Cover the stew and simmer over low heat until heated through for about five minutes.

6. Arrange the saltfish on a plate. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with dumplings, breadfruit and spicy plantains.

SEASONED BREADFRUIT

3 cups cooked breadfruit chopped in 1” pieces (full breadfruit)

2 tbsp oil

1tbsp unsalted butter

½ cup diced red pepper

1 medium onion chopped

4 cloves crushed garlic

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

½ cup chicken broth or 1 cube dissolved in ½ cup

water

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

METHOD:

1. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat then add oil.

2. Add onions and cook until golden about 5 to 8

minutes stirring often.

3. Add garlic, thyme, red pepper, basil and parsley and sauté for 30 secs. Remove from heat and add breadfruit with chicken broth or other prepared liquid.

4. Toss gently to blend and heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. Serve with dumpling, saltfish and spicy plantain. NB – The breadfruit may be prepared in any other form that you may choose.

SPICY PLANTAINS

3 medium sized plantains peeled and chopped in ½ inch pieces

2 tbsp grated fresh peeled ginger

1 grated onion

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp hot sauce or finely chopped pepper

Oil for frying

METHOD:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Toss until mixed.

2. Fry in batches in hot oil until golden brown and cooked.

3. Remove and drain on paper towels.

4. Serve along side saltfish, dumplings and breadfruit.

COCONUT DUMPLINGS

½ cup grated coconut

1½ cups flour

¼ tsp salt

1tbsp oil

1 tbsp margarine

½ cup water

METHOD:

1. Place flour, coconut, salt, margarine and oil in a bowl. Gradually stir in the water to make a stiff dough.

2. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead for about two minutes.

3. Make dumplings in desired shape.

4. Slide dumplings into boiling salted water. Cover and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes.

“JUMBIE CORNER”

Sweetheart and the Jumbie

Walking from Pinney's Beach to Cotton Ground, the darkness can't touch him, as he's happier than you and I. It doesn't matter that the moon is a slither, as his grin is wider than everything. And the stars seem to have enhanced their spangling, as the young man walks home, floating, after an evening with his beloved.

Life feels good, Sweet to be alive, Time to shine and thrive.

Then the most joyous walk a solitary man has ever taken, is interrupted; by something with a foot on one side of the road, while the other is placed the other side of the thoroughfare. The spell of dream time beauty is broken, brutally. Instead of kisses, his mouth is now full of curses; silent ones though, as he doesn't want to antagonise the one called jumbie. He takes off his clothing, putting them back on inside out, but that old counteraction, doesn't work, so he runs.

Run, run, Don't turn around, Jumbie gaining ground.

The crickets have stopped their chanting, too scared to sing; their partners in song, the frogs, have run away, gone to chant elsewhere. Owl feels redundant, as the apparition can out-hoot him easily; the lizards go scuttling, frantically in the undergrowth: and the young man runs. Runs like he's never run before and never will again. The darkness can't hide him, neither can the banana fronds. He runs; empowered by fear, with a new knowledge of speed, like the Spirt of Usain has passed through him. Running, running, as cold shivers pass over his body and sweat begins to camouflage him. And as he opens his door and flies in, he hairs the clink clink of chains, a few moments after. A little while later, when his heart had returned to its regular beat, he'd washed his face and drank a glass of water, he sat back and remembered her.

Yes, yes, She gave me a kiss, My Sweetheart of Nevis.

“A tale from Nevis. I've changed the title, location, ending – he get's home safe in the original version also - and I added a verse. In the abridged tale I've read, Willis Taylor walks from Westbury to Cox's Village.”

©Natty Mark Samuels, 2023. African School

ASKaND “MOVERS & SHAKERS”!

However, he arrived in Southampton in one piece and took a train to Birmingham. His destination was Small Heath where his uncle, who emigrated to England in the 40's, also resided.

For over 4 decades, the people of Birmingham City and beyond, have been coming out in droves to dance the night away to the sweet sounds of ‘Studio City’. A son of St Kitts and Nevis also known as, Lewis Fyfield.

Lewis was born in Nevis in the 1940's and at the age of 15, moved to the neighbouring island of St Kitts. There, he resided in a small district, called 'Old Road' which has the distinction of being the area where on 28 January, 1624, Thomas Warner, his wife Rebecca, his son Edward and 14 others first settled on the island. It was there that Lewis began an apprenticeship as a Mason (today’s equivalent of a bricklayer) and carpentry.

In the 1960's, Lewis decided to follow his dreams of travelling to England to develop and maintain a skilled trade. So, at the tender age of 18 he set sail. After 3 weeks at sea, he arrived in Southampton. The whole experience was deeply unpleasant because for most of the journey he was unwell!

On arrival in Small Heath, he immediately set about seeking employment and secured a job as a bricklayer. In those early days in the UK, it was so cold! At times when he was holding his tools, he found that he could not hold the hammer! Even his fingertips were numb! So much so, there were times where the skin on his fingers would split and bleed from the extreme cold. He went on to work for a variety of well-established building companies such as: G T Hunt and Sons, Wimpy, Thorney Works, John Laing and many more. At the same time, Lewis was also attending Hall Green College to study plastering and construction. Through the successful completion of his course, he developed the skills necessary to become a Site Foreman on a

Lewis went on to work on the construction of the original BullRing City Centre as well as the construction of the first block of flats above New Street Station from start to finish. As an established plasterer/ foreman; business began to flourish in the plastering trade. Therefore, Lewis decided to run his own business as a plastering contractor. At one stage he had a team of 21+ plasterer's, working for him, along with various other members of the team, which included van drivers, administrators and so forth.

Good relationships were built with well-established construction firms such as Barrett’s Homes, E Mantons, J J Gallagher, Wimpey Homes, W & M Perks, Parkfield Construction, M & J Mahoney, Fallons Construction, and many more. Additionally, Lewis went on to train a diverse groups of plastering apprentices, who have gone on to become successful plasterers in their own right. Including his son and his eldest grandson.

However, in the midst of becoming a successful business man, Lewis maintained one particular passion; his love of music and Sound Systems. During the 1970's, he had identified a lack of entertainment in his local area of Small Heath. So, Lewis, along with a friend of his, decided to build a Sound System. Half way through the project, his friend lost interest but Lewis continued in his quest to develop a Sound to provide the community with entertainment. When it was completed, Lewis

construction/plastering work site.

decided to call his brand-new Sound System: 'Studio City Down Beat'.

Once he had his Sound, Lewis went on to play-out at small blues parties and wedding receptions, whereby he began to build a following and an entourage of ‘Sound Men,’ as he now was becoming a very popular Sound Man himself. He played at voluntary youth clubs all over Birmingham and a wider range of blues parties and Association dances. These Associations included that of: St Kitts, Nevis

Having submerged himself into cultural events, Lewis then moved over to bringing well-known groups, bands and acts from St. Kitts, Montserrat, Trinidad, Antigua and Jamaica to play with his Sound. Over the years Lewis has won several awards for outstanding service in the playing of Reggae and Soca music and a special achievement award for outstanding service to Black Music.

The highlight of his Sound System hobby and his passion for cultural events has been the development of ‘Strictly Vinyl’ Dances - Bringing Back Revival: Bluebeat, Ska, Rock Steady etc. These dances have proved to be very successful and are still ongoing today.

and in doing so, received four awards for long service and celebrating emancipation, in his time there.

and Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados; along with Jamaican Independence dances.

Being so involved with music in the city, it seemed a natural sidestep for Lewis to become involved in the organisation and planning of the Birmingham carnival. As a result of his involvement, he began managing his own carnival troop (in Birmingham). He then furthered his position by becoming one of the Directors of Birmingham Carnival 2000 Ltd

ASKaND Discussion Group

The prolific nature of Lewis’ work ethic from the teenager arriving on these cold English shores, right up until this very day, has understandably left him quite proud of his achievements. As he quietly thanks everyone for all the support they have given him over the years, as he continues to entertain the community whenever he can, we would like to thank Mr Lewis Fyfield for the example he has set, in all his endeavours and congratulate him on being an ASKaND Mover & Shaker.

A big ASKaND ‘thank you’ goes out to Cllr Sharon Thompson and Cllr Ashley Lewis for facilitating our online discussions on “Why We Should Participate in The Political Process at All Levels.”

The discussions were very enjoyable and informative. It was also great way to check in with members and have a bit of a laugh at the same time. We were also quite good at sticking to our 1-hour timeslot!

If members would like to see more online discussion groups happening, then please let us know. Come and talk to us or drop us a line at: askand2022@gmail.com

At BBC Pebble Mill, Birmingham on the local programme 'Reggae Reggae'.... promoting the fight to get reggae music played on mainstream radio.

L to R: Quaker City, the late Eric Jarrett, Studio City, Lloyd Blake and Spangles.

ASKaND Event - Easter Bonnet & Fashion Show Playscheme

We, at ASKaND, are delighted to announce that registration has opened for our Easter Bonnet and Fashion Show Playscheme! We will be working with the children to design and make Easter bonnets and hats, along with new fashion ideas and styles using their recycled clothes! So we will be doing lots of arts and crafts, fashion designs and our young people will be learning how to walk a catwalk!

On Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th, and Thursday 6th April we will also be providing lunch from 12pm along with afternoon snacks.

We would like to ask that all children attending bring with them some old clothes that they don’t mind being up-cycled for the fashion show.

The fashion show will take place on Saturday 8th April at the BCA, Jenkins Street, Small Heath (as will all the playscheme sessions during the week.) An Easter Marketplace will also be on the 8th too. Finally on Easter Sunday our young people will have another opportunity to show their hard work by joining the Easter Bonnet Parade at Hall Green United Community Church on Reddings Lane, Hall Green. The church is looking forward to having us join them. So-much-so, some of the adults are keen to join in too!

We look forward to seeing you in the Easter Hols!

At ASKaND we have committed ourselves to developing a fundraising strategy, without asking our Members to bear too much of the cost.

Therefore, did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for Association of St Kitts and Nevis Descendants with easyfundraising?

There are over 7,000 brands on board ready to make a donation, including: eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds!

All you need to do is:

1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/askand/?invite=6wiJed%26referral-campaign=c2s% 26utm_campaign=admin-trigger%26utm_content=nst and join for free.

2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.

3. After you’ve checked out, the brand will make a donation to Association of St Kitts and Nevis Descendants at no extra cost to you whatsoever!

There are no catches or hidden charges and Association of St Kitts and Nevis Descendants will be really grateful for your donations.

Thank you for your support.

ASKaND Entrepreneurs! Sign Up

For New ASKaND Directory!

ASKaND is planning to build a directory of all local services, businesses, social enterprises, and products owned and delivered by our members. If you would like to be included in the directory, it is important to act quickly. There is a MS Forms link below which will take you to the registration form. This will allow you to give your basic details along with a more comprehensive outline of what your business/enterprise offers. Where possible, please include reviews/testimonials. Please, submit this form by 12th March 2023.

There will be a £15 annual fee for inclusion in the directory for members. Whilst non-members are welcome to submit their details for a £20 annual fee. Therefore, we would encourage members to share this form with all those who might be interested.

For all who enter our directory, with your agreement, we will share your details with the High Commission (Minister Counsellor Elsa Wilkin-Armbrister), which is similarly intending to compile a directory of St Kitts & Nevis businesses and enterprises, at a national level.

Our growing membership and the wider St Kitts Nevis national diaspora is a potential new market for your enterprising activities. Share your story with us. Sign-up today by clicking this link: https://forms.office.com/r/YjF4KA3iaz.

St Kitts & Nevis Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit

Saint Kitts and Nevis continues to be a progressive small-island developing state that is mindful of the need for sustainability in the implementation of its strategic plans. Successive administrations have recognised that as a micro-state we are limited and underserved by our population size and our level of expertise which reside within the country.

Kittitians and Nevisians have long been a migratory people. Our nationals were among the thousands of the Windrush migrants who helped to rebuild war torn England. We travelled with our culture – our lingo, our food, our music – and later sent back home for our other members of our families. We established roots in the many cities of various countries across the globe and so today, it is believed that there are more nationals and descendants of Saint Kitts and Nevis living in the diaspora than there are natives living in our land of beauty.

The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis holds firm to the view that the best prospects for holistic growth and development come through an integrative and facilitative approach which recognises and empowers all the citizens and descendants. Such an approach increases our pool of human capital from merely 55,000 individuals to a more formidable economic and social force of over 120,000. There is strength in numbers.

As part of the inclusive ethos of the new Dr. Terrance Drew led administration, the government has set about to refocus the work of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU) to bring about greater benefits for the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis from the country’s membership of the regional bodies and strengthen the bonds between all our people, at home and abroad. Mr. Larry Vaughan has been charged with leading the Unit which forms part of the Prime

Minister’s Office.

Mr. Vaughan recently met with nationals and descendants of Saint Kitts and Nevis at the Heartland Centre in Birmingham where he introduced himself and the work of the Unit he leads. He outlined that Unit operates on the priorities of facilitation and information. He outlined that the role of the government is to provide solutions for the people whether they are at home or abroad and that it is role of the RIDU to facilitate nationals and descendants to access government services. At the same time, the Unit will serve as a conduit of information that helps nationals and descendants in the diaspora to be actively a part of the development agenda of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The Head of the RIDU outlined that the short to medium-terms goals of the Unit included the creation of Diaspora Skills Database in collaboration with our embassies, missions and high commissions; the formulation of a quarterly diaspora publication; and closer coordination between the Unit and the national organisations including ASKaND.

Mr. Vaughan believes that his visit to Birmingham was the first of, what will be, many successful engagements with the Saint Kitts and Nevis Diaspora. He expressed thanks to the Association of Saint Kitts and Nevis Descendants (ASKaND), the Saint Kitts and Nevis and Friends Association of Birmingham, the Saint Kitts and Nevis Young Professionals Network and the Nevis Development Association of Leicester. These associations collaborated to make the Birmingham meeting a success.