Oops! ASKaND Did It Again...!
Hello Members,
It is with a great deal of pleasure that we begin our June newsletter with the news that for the second time in less than eight weeks, we have been awarded a grant; this time of £2K! The award was given by Birmingham City Council from their Windrush 75 Small Grants programme to deliver a project entitled “The Untold Stories of The Windrush Generation”. The project aims to preserve and celebrate the experiences and stories of those who came to the UK, from the Caribbean, during the post-war period of the 50’s and 60’s. The project will include a live performance, with actors, of those stories as monologues at our Heritage Day in Birmingham on 20th August 2023.
We, as a Team, are absolutely over the moon with this new fund because not only do we deem it to be a fantastic project; but it shows that the time we spent getting our group structure right, is now providing dividends for us when we are applying for grants and funding.
Actor, producer and ASKaND member, Elishah St. Juste, who will be the Lead Facilitator of this project commented; “I am elated and truly grateful that we have been awarded this grant. The idea of 'My Truth Monologues' was birthed a few years ago. A live version was a more recent idea. It's extra special to be starting this initiative with stories from the Caribbean, specifically 'untold stories' of the Windrush generation; (which includes St Kitts and Nevis).
“
Partnering with ASKaND has contributed in bringing this idea
to life; sooner rather than later. ASKaND are contributing to opening up more opportunities, by making this type of funding more accessible for creatives and individuals like myself. Therefore, I intend to deliver a project to make us proud. I am looking forward to getting started and learning more about the impact we made to the city of Birmingham.”
There will be call-outs soon for story contributors and actors; so, keep your eyes peeled!
Jacqui Daniels ASKaND Chair
In this issue
SAVE THE DATE! “JUMBIE CORNER”
ASKaND Consults With Prominent SKN Historian
This month, we have been very fortunate to make contact with St Kitts and Nevis’ foremost historian Mr Leonard Stapleton.
Mr Stapleton was a school teacher for many years; but his passion for St Kitts and Nevis and the need to preserve our history culture and traditions, lead him to his new career path as a historian.
As such, we at ASKaND were very keen to talk with him; primarily to ensure we got the right elements into our St Kitts & Nevis Heritage Day. However, after some discussion, we realised what an accurate and reliable source of island information he was. We saw a way to start developing learning opportunities for us, in the UK, to start learning about our islands in a meaningful way.
Mr Stapleton has already started the ball rolling with his own book, entitled: ‘Places of Memory: Experiences and Contributions of the Enslaved Africans on St. Kitts and Nevis’
The book captures the rich history of St. Kitts and Nevis by focusing on the heritage sites that recall the story of the enslaved Africans. The book describes these heritage sites as ‘Places of Memory’ which provide evidence and echoes of the experiences and contributions of those Africans to St. Kitts and Nevis.
The book takes the reader on a journey through time and also, on a journey around our two beautiful islands. This is brilliantly accomplished by blending rich, rare and lively accounts of the enslaved Africans at the various ‘Places of Memory’ with an abundant complement and array of relevant illustrations.
The book examines the life and times of African slaves on St. Kitts and Nevis using four themes.
The first theme, ‘Adaptation and Survival’, explores how those Africans relied on the strength of their body, mind, and spirit to survive the horrors of their capture, journey over rough terrain and seas, and the hard plantation life on St. Kitts and Nevis. Using stories associated with particular ’Places of Memory’ on both islands, this theme gives rare and significant insight on how those Africans adapted to their new life in the Caribbean. The stories intrigue and inspire readers as they learn of how the slaves were able draw from their rich traditions, and customs, while at the same time learn and draw from the culture, traditions and customs of the European masters in order to adapt to and
survive a life of slavery.
The second theme, ‘Resistance and Revolt’ tells of overt and covert ways the Africans demonstrated their rejection of slavery as a way of life for themselves, their children and other descendants. The ‘Places of Memory’ in this theme recall accounts that serve to inspire readers to persevere and draw from the strength and example of the enslaved Africans who resisted and, in some cases, overcame the terrible circumstances of slavery.
The ‘Human Rights’ theme references the most ‘Places of Memory’. This section of the book focuses on the elements that tell of the experiences of the slaves on St. Kitts and Nevis in a time and place where they were deprived of their human rights. Equally, this section of the book highlights ‘Places of Memory’ that remind us and tell the stories of white European individuals (and institutions) who dedicated much of their time, energy and resources towards the struggle for the rights of the enslaved Africans.
The fourth and final theme, ‘Productivity and Contribution’ brings a sense of pride and inspires industriousness to readers, especially the descendants of those African men and women. Some of these ‘Places of Memory’ are time capsules and enduring testimonies of the productivity and
contributions of those Africans. The Bath Hotel in Nevis and the Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts are two outstanding examples. This section of the book also puts the spotlight on those ‘Places of Memory’ built by the Africans that have become associated with events and personalities of universal renown and significance.
‘Places of Memory’ is written to enlighten and inspire both old and young readers. It is written in simple language with ample illustrations to accommodate readers as young as Grade 3 students. The book is divided into four themes that are relevant to the themes covered by Secondary School History students. However, though the language is simple and easy to read, the content is deep, well researched and profound enough for the serious adult reader and tertiary scholar to appreciate.
Page 2 June 2023 //Volume 2, Issue #009 NEWSPAPER
Leonard Stapleton
Building Livelihoods in St. Kitts and Nevis Using Local Heritage and Culture
In the May edition of the ASKaND Sentinel (vol 2, #008) we wrote about how St Kitts and Nevis was ranked St Kitts No. 1 in The Travel Online Newsletter's listing of the “10 Most Scenic Destinations You Can Visit in The Caribbean in 2023. The hidden treasures of the Federation are certainly making their mark, which, in no small part, is due to a Community Tourism Capacity Building Programme, developed and led by Leonard Stapleton, in partnership with Ministry of Tourism in St. Kitts and in Nevis.
implementing marketing and promotional programmes/campaigns; training and assisting participants to write for and access grant funding for community tours and projects; and assistance and supervision in the execution and reporting phases of grant projects.
The programme facilitates:
• The appreciation and protection of natural, cultural, and heritage assets by community members
• The sustainable use of natural, cultural, and heritage assets by community members for entrepreneurial and educational purposes
• The inclusion of rural and community-based individuals and groups in the decision making and product development of tourism sector
• The provision of direct and indirect entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for rural based and vulnerable demographics such as women and youths
The Community Tourism programme is designed to assist communities by providing continued training in tour guiding; organising the community participants into well structured, purposed and positioned Community Tours Associations; developing business plans and creating and
This proactive initiative will allow for a holistic approach to Community Tourism; giving all sections of the community a chance to get involved.
Page 3 June 2023 //Volume 2, Issue #009 NEWSPAPER
“Jumbie Corner” The Mango Ambassador
I think you would have been proud of me Mum, if you could have seen me standing in the classroom, first week in secondary school, talking of St. Kitts and Nevis. In a class of thirty, only two had heard of your homeland.
You see, we were in Geography and talking of food festivals. One boy, of Italian parentage, spoke of a lemon festival; a Jamaican girl, of ackee; a Filipino boy of banana and so on. Then I remembered a conversation, one of our last, you telling me of a new annual celebration. So, first I explained that Nevis is the smaller of the two islands, that make up the country of St. Kitts and Nevis. Then I got into the item of the festival, which about half of the class had tried, mainly as juice. Finishing my talk, I got them voicing the chant you taught me that day, called Amory Polly: words I'll never forget. I spoke of mango and we sang of the fruit.
They say there's forty-four, Many varieties. For sherbet and slaw, Juice and sauce: Everybody talking Amory Polly.
All over the islands, A great utility. For cocktails and puree, Jellies and salsa: Everybody talking Amory Polly.
A new summer fixture, June July jamboree. On skewers and ice cream, Chutney and biscuits: Everybody talking Amory Polly.
I remember you telling me of the yam festivals of Ghana and Nigeria, centuries old. Although it's a recent addition to your traditions, one of your grandchildren, or greatgrandchild, may one day win the bronze mango trophy, for the best example of Nevisian mango cuisine.
It felt so good Mum, introducing them to Charlestown, Basseterre and the national flag. I remember you saying that the colours in the flag, were a reflection of mango; and that the two stars in it, represented two kisses from you to me, one on each cheek. I think you would have smiled throughout and maybe shed a tear, as I stood and spoke of your country. I put the homeland on the map! They gave me a round of applause and the teacher gave me a credit. I felt like the Mango Ambassador.
©Natty Mark Samuels, 2023. African School. Rootical Folklore
June 2023 //Volume 2, Issue #009 NEWSPAPER Page 4
Brief History of St. Kitts
(Extracted from a Community Tours Manual by Leonard Stapleton):
• Around 2,000 BC. the Arawaks and Caribs settled on this island and called it Liamigua (meaning: fertile land). Christopher Columbus made contact with the island on his second voyage in 1493. He called it St. Christopher.
• The Spanish chose not to settle on St. Christopher because it did not possess the mineral wealth they wanted.
• It was not until 1623 that the British began their first settlement in the Caribbean here. The named their mother colony St. Kitts.
• In 1625 the French also co-habited this island and named their mother colony ‘St. Christophe’.
• In 1627 the English and French divided the island into four quarters.
• The northern quarter and the southern quarter belonged to France and were called Capisterre (Top Land) and Basseterre (Low Land) respectively.
• The British owned the middle portion of the island falling between Capisterre and Basseterre. They called their portion ‘Middle Island’ and divided it into two parts – the Old Road Quarter to the west and the Cayon Quarter to the east of the central mountain range.
Purchase ‘Places & Memory’
Would you like to own a copy of ‘Places & Memories’? This book is being introduced into the curriculum of public primary schools in St. Kitts and Nevis. The 141-page publication is an excellent chronicle of the history of St. Kitts and Nevis as told by a citizen of the Federation. ASKaND Chair, Jacqui Daniels, will be travelling to St Kitts and will be meeting with Mr Stapleton, and he has agreed to sell us copies of his book for EC$50. If you would like a copy, please email the Chair at askand2022@gmail.com for payment details. Payments must be made by Friday 9th June.
June 2023 //Volume 2, Issue #009 NEWSPAPER Page 5
GET ON OUR SOCIALS!
Our Socials are up and running now, so please look for us on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askandbrum
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askandbrum/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/askandbrum
Also on our Linktree link, you will notice a few ’extras’! Find us at: https://linktr.ee/askandbrum
In addition, our ASKaND JustGiving page is up and running, so please share; and don’t forget, you can now scan our QR Code too! https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/askandbrum2skn
NOTICES
June 2023 //Volume 2, Issue #009 NEWSPAPER Page 6
NOTICES
Brum To SKN Challenge — JustGiving
Please don’t forget to encourage your contacts to support our walkers by sponsoring us at our JustGiving page. All generated funds will be used to deliver localised projects in our community in 2024. (if typing this address into your browser, remember no spaces!) https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ askandbrum2skn
Upcoming Members Meetings
ASKaND Members meetings will be held at the BCA, Jenkins Street, Birmingham, B10 0PQ at 1900hrs
Friday 7th July 2023
Friday 4th August 2023
June 2023 //Volume 2, Issue #009 NEWSPAPER Page 7
Brum to SKN Update
We are now approaching a full month of our Brum to SKN sponsored walk and our walkers have been working hard to build up their daily step count.
Forget a mere 10,000 a day - we have walkers regularly posting 13,000-16,000 steps on a daily basis. We have one walker (Brenda!) who has regularly provided figures well in advance of 20,000 steps per day; and another walker who is worthy of a notable mention (Paulette), has climbed enough stairs over the course of the 28 days, to reach the first base camp at Mount Kilimanjaro!
On the opening weekend of the sponsored walk, Everton Merchant competed in a half-marathon and achieved 32,582 steps (7th May). Yet, on 30th May, one walker racked up a monumental 31,755 steps in the course of their normal day. How did they do it? We now have 3-4 walkers who see themselves as seriously competing to achieve the most steps in a day.
I, along with several others, are catching up; as we see our fitness levels improve each day. We are making distinct progress by getting as close to the magic 10,000 steps per day, an we are catching up the high-fliers! As a group we enjoy great banter, but regardless of that I believe we all are pressing on; happy in the knowledge that every step counts. Cumulatively, we have accumulated over 2 million steps, so I am pleased to report, we are well on our way to St Kitts and Nevis when at the end of week 3 we had a whopping 1,102 miles under our belt! Well done Team!
New Walker Joins Brum to SKN Challenge!
ASKaND is sending out a warm welcome to Pauline Thomson, located in West London who is taking part in our ‘Brum to SKN Challenge!’
Pauline works alongside one of our ASKaND members, and when she learned of the challenge; not only did she agree to sponsor our member, but she actually asked if she could join in!
Of course we said “yes”, and we are delighted to have her on board. Pauline commented; “When I heard about the challenge, my jaw dropped! It seemed like an impossible figure to cover by foot. But then, I felt it! That strange ‘itch’ when you feel the challenge calling you to take it on. So I asked if I could join the challenge by contributing my steps on a daily basis, and I was told yes! I’m delighted that I am able to take part because although I do like to walk, I haven’t been doing much recently. So this Challenge has reinvigorated my desire to walk and I’m really enjoying it. Thank you ASKaND for giving me the opportunity to join your walking group. Can’t wait to start sending in my steps!”
June 2023 //Volume 2, Issue #009 NEWSPAPER Page 8
