Issue 41
December 2016
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Culturepulse would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers, advertisers and contributors a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We could not have come this far without you and your generous efforts. We hope that you would stay with us and help us grow as we take on new challenges in the coming year. 2016 has been a year with many trials but our contributors and readers have remained loyal to the progress of Culturepulse magazine and its commitment to bridging the Diaspora.
Contents Savour the Good Stuff p.4 African Leaders Could use ‘Fake News’ to Control Internet Access p.5 Phoebe Boswell p.10 Top Rums of the World p.8 Christmas Glam Look for Beginners p.15 Angostura in Trouble p.17
Our sincere gratitude to all of you.
Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo
Culturepulse is designed and produced by Cashewmedia ltd and published online through www.issuu.com Copyright 2016 Views and comments expressed by contributors are not necessary those of Culturepulse but of the author/s.
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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Natalie Alicia Dookie Lyndon Brathwaite, Ansel Wong, David Wears, Chris Boothman, Nasser Khan, Malaika Crichlow, Amos Armstrong, Soshina Stephen, David Rudder, Jimmy Kainja, Paul Ade, Akilah Holder-Stewart, Michael La Rose, David Rudder, Dr Michelle Yaa, Dr Juanita Cox-Westmaas, Dianne A Kalloo, Shabaka Thompson, Ron Ramdin, Rhianna Kalloo, Angelique, Dorothy Scott, Memory Pincheck, Erica Williams-Connell, Darren Lewis, Tessa Robinson, Cindy Mollineau, Omardath Maharaj and Afridiziak.
David Kalloo
Editor
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Woodford & Warner
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Savour the Good Stuff Christmas is a time for giving and it is also a time for drinking, so in the spirit of drinking I am attempting to bring you some suggestions to enhance your drinking experience this festive season. I did some perusing and noted what some of the experts of wine and gin recommend. Be sure to look at our rum recommendations on page 13.
its Whisky. However, Caorunn – pronounced Ka-roon, is ‘slightly spicy and aromatic with a clean and crisp invigorating and refreshing’ on the palate. Its botanicals are foraged from the surrounding Celtic hills and distilled at the Balmenach Distillery. Expect to pay anything from £25 - £35 for this quadruple distilled gin at your local liquor store.
Let’s be honest, Prosecco has stormed onto the British market and relegated Cava and the cheap and cheerful Asti Spumante to the warehouse to gather dust. Bisol from the slopes of Valdobbiadene comes highly recommended as a superb Prosecco. It is not the best Prosecco on the market however, it is described as a combination of ‘pure engaging fruit flavours and refined structural elegance’ now, and who can resist that? Bisol retails for around £17 at High street stores.
Whitley Neill gin is truly a superb product and as you may know, gin was first distilled as a medicinal product so it’s no wonder that Whitley Neill is just what the doctor ordered. This gin is distilled from the fruit of the baobab, known in Africa as the ‘tree of life.’ Whitley Neill is made in small batches which, adds to its ‘immense character and complexity.’ The recipe for Whitley Neill is a closely guarded secret but you can certainly pick out coriander, lemon, and sweet orange and cocoa to tantalise your taste buds. This classy African beauty is a modest £20.
I love Gin and for a long time all I really knew was Gordon’s gin. Today, we have so many different varieties of Gin that to really corner a good gin may be just as difficult as selecting the perfect wine. I believe gin is an artisan product and down to perfect a balanced combination of botanicals. I have gone for the next two selections as they are quite exotic and punchy. The first one from the Highlands and as we all knows Scotland is famed for
We all love a bit of sparkling bubbly o toast our Christmas dinner and what better way that to do so with a fantastic English winning wine, Ridgeview. This elegant top-end wine is perfumed with apple, pineapple and honey character. If it’s good for the Downing Street household, it certainly is good for yours. We Journey to New Zealand for our next white, Ara Sauvignon Blanc. This is a wine bursting with ‘nectarine and yellow plum and a kick of zesty grapefruit’ to wake you up.
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acidity’ and I really love the way another puts it. “It’s not a showy wine, but it has a definite elegance that makes it a fantastic partner for food.’
It would be a sin to leave out France in our selection and Levin Sauvignon Blanc fits in nicely and believe it or not is well liked by the Scots. It boasts a ‘fresh citrus with notes of quince and pear with subtle herbal aromatics’ out of the Loire valley and it’s not that expensive either and will make a great gift too at £12 a bottle.
You’ve done the food and now you’re sitting in front of the television to relax and, there is no better way than to do this in style so kick back your fluffy slippers and pull on your Christmas jumper and pour a delectable glass of Penfolds Father Grand Tawny. Its characteristics of nutty fruit are succulent with spicy, chocolate and velvet consistency to put you in a mellow mood.
Finally, we come to the reds and, there are so many options to choose from and the expert sommeliers appeared to have done some extensive research so it was difficult for me to arrive at which ones to pull out of the hat. It is not surprising why I chose this Catena Alta, its South American, from Argentina. This Malbec is produced from one of the world’s highest vineyards, Catena’s Adrianna in the Andes. When sommeliers describe wines with having a ‘juicy mix of summer pudding fruits plus lavender, spice, liquorice and vanilla’ I just salivate, at £33 a bottle I will savour it well. The other selection comes from the Tuscan estate of Chianti Classic; Castello di Albola is indeed a classic Italian red. Such is its characteristics that one sommelier said it was a wine ‘with beautifully integrated 5
The London Air Ambulance was established in 1989 in response to a report by The Royal College of Surgeons, which documented unnecessary deaths from trauma and criticised the care that seriously injured patients received in the UK. Since then the pioneering and effective delivery of time critical interventions has proven to be one that have saved many lives. The service has a strong sense of responsibility for patients both through social and medical innovation. The London Air Ambulance is a charity that operates in partnership with Bart’s Health NHS Trust and London Air Ambulance(LAS). The Trust employs and remunerates the advance trauma doctors who are seconded to the service, as well as providing some direct financial support and helipad facility for charity operations. The LAS provides paid paramedics who are seconded to the service and operate from the LAS control room and are responsible for dispatching the service to critically injured people in London 24 hours a day. The London Air Ambulance service serves over 10 million people who live, work and travel within the M25. They can perform open chest surgery for patients in cardiac arrest at the roadside with an 18% survival rate, noted as the highest in the world. On average, five people every 24 hrs in London are seriously injured and need advanced life-saving treatment on the scene. The London Air Ambulance trauma team and paramedics can be on the scene within minutes to provide medical aid that is normally only available at a hospital emergency department. To date, the London Air Ambulance has treated over 35,000 people. The service is a registered charity and its survival is dependent on funds raised to keep the service operational. London Air Ambulance has many ways in which you can help make a difference and to keep them reaching people in time of need. To find out more about donating and to get involved with the charity please visit: www.londonsairambulance.co.uk or to donate: www.londonsairambulance.co.uk/donate You can also telephone: 0203023 3300 or email: info@londonsairambulance.co.uk 6
Registered Charity No: 801013
African Leaders Could use ‘Fake News’ to Control Internet Access
journalism play in promoting and safeguarding democratic values. Barack Obama may be right to feel vindicated about this issue. Interacting with political reporters in March this year, the outgoing US president reminded reporters that the job of a political reporter is “more than just handing someone a microphone. Our democracy needs you more than ever … So, I believe the electorate would be better served if your networks and your producers would give you the room to cover substance.”
By Jimmy Kainja Social media and technology companies have emerged as major culprit of the 2016 American elections for allowing publication and promotion of ‘fake news’. For some time, journalists and media researchers have warned and argued against the increasingly influential role that technology companies are playing in determining journalistic decision within the mainstream media.
Though Obama was not explicit about it, he was talking about Trump who was growing in popularity and influence among disfranchised, mostly white Americans. Yet, at the time many, including the media felt Trump would disappear as primaries take shape – believing in political ‘natural selection’ in which Trump never fitted. They say when America sneezes the whole world catches the cold. The ‘fake news’ issue could play into the hands of unscrupulous African leaders refusing to be transparent and accountable to their people. As social media, has become an essential tool for political engagement in many African countries, guarding against ‘fake news’ could become a convenient excuse for most African leaders to control social media.
Emily Bell, a journalist and journalism professor for digital journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism has warned that “Facebook has swallowed”, while Jemima Kiss, head of techno at the Guardian has called Facebook a “giant that might eat us”. This time ‘fake news’ has grabbed the headlines because of the surprise victory of Donald J. Trump who beat Hillary Clinton in the presidential race, against all the media projections and opinion polls. Postelection period is always for post-mortem – reflecting on national gains, loses and prospects. Worries if not fears about ‘fake news’ its impact on issues of national concern are justified.
Already internet shutdowns are taking a hold on the continent. Digital rights group, Access Now has in the last two years been recorded internet shutdowns in Africa and its records shows that Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo Brazzaville, DRC, Ethiopia, Niger, Togo, and Uganda have all switched off internet at one point or the other with intention of denying access to its citizens.
The good thing though is that the concern about ‘fake news’ does not underplay the importance of journalism in democracy, it only emphasizes the crucial role
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In Africa, there is something called “benchmarking”, meaning that what happens in one African country is likely to happen in another country as well. As it is, the internet shutdown phenomenon is going into this direction. Just as it was the case with Africa’s post-colonial leaders who turned into dictators almost overnight. This was also the case with third termism; as the so-called third wave of African leaders refused to give up power after complete their time in office.
Jimmy Kainja Academic* communications * media * journalism Malawi http://www.africablogging.org, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi, www.jimmykainja.co.uk
Ultimately, the issue of ‘fake news’ in Africa is likely to have a completely different outlook – a draconian one – that of limiting citizen’s access to the internet. After all, ‘Fake news’ has always been there in most African countries – only that it is peddled by state media, especially through broadcasting. The job of state media in most African countries is to promote the incumbency – insuring that they stay in power for all means. As the discussion of ‘fake news’ goes on around the world, it is vitally important that Africans be steadfast guarding against their governments trying to use the ‘fake news’ argument to justify restriction on internet access. Any African government talking of ‘fake news’ online with the aim to control internet and social media access must first let go their control of state media, especially broadcasting, which only serves narrow interests of the privileged few and not serving wider interests of national importance. This is more malicious and it does much harm to African democracies than the internet.
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Ulysse Nardin Chronometers From the movement of the sea, to the motion of Haute Horlogerie. Since the peak of seafaring trade in the 19th century, Ulysse Nardin has been crafting precision timekeeping instruments, helping navigators find their way across the sea. The Swiss watchmaker combines 170 years of craftsmanship and constant innovation in each elegant timepiece. The Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer is one of the Swiss watchmaker’s most iconic pieces, a stunning example of the most extreme precision in mechanical watchmaking. With its UN-118 caliber movement, designed and manufacture red entirely inhouse, and its distinctive design that pays homage to those early marine chronometers, the Marine Chronometer is beloved by collectors and amateurs alike. Discover the story of the Marine Chronometer, and explore more unique Ulysse Nardin timepieces on the Ulysse Nardin YouTube channel, or go to the website to find to find your nearest retailer. www.ulysse-nardin.com
www.ulysse-nardin.com
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Phoebe Boswell London. She went on to do a Fine Arts degree at the Slade School of Arts at the University of London. After working as an artist in London and Bahrain she returned to Central St Martins to complete a PostGraduate Diploma with Distinction in Animation.
Phoebe Boswell was born in Kenya and grew up in the MiddleEast, she now lives and work in London. Born to a Kikuyu mother, Joyce and a British Kenyan father, Timothy, a pilot. She moved with her parents to Oman, when she was two and then to Bahrain a few years later. Phoebe studied for her GCSEs at St Christopher’s school in Isa Town, Bahrain. She was offered an Arts Scholarship at Hurtwood House where she studied English, Art and Theatre Studies. With a growing passion for art, after her A- Levels, Phoebe moved to London where she did an Arts foundation course at Central St Martins, University of the Arts
Phoebe is also a multimedia artist and her work expresses a diasporic nature, not surprising giving her upbringing. Her art embodies migration and she uses her skills collectively in her art and, more often; her work is an expression of her own journey or re-telling those of her family. True Africa magazine has called her ‘one of the
most exciting young artists’ whose work have already gathered international attention; especially with her exhibition at the Gothenburg Biennale where she re-created her grandmother’s living room. The installation titled The Matter of Memory 10
engages all of Phoebe’s skills and cultural heritage. She explores Kenya’s colonial past and the ‘remnants of entrenched brutalities’ which encourages the audience to be active. Speaking about the exhibition she said. “It is a way for me to take ownership of these histories and to acknowledge their presence, to try to determine my own fragile definitions of ‘home’. It is a piece very much rooted in family.” Dealing with, and expressing migration through her art, Phoebe says. “My own narrative anchors a lot of my work in notions of belonging and how we determine what ‘home’ means. I strive to create multilayered visual languages which are robust and expansive enough to house the kinds of complex stories I want to tell; stories of migrations, conundrums, dualities and middle points.”
time or the other. There are voices that speak to you from her work, full of expressions and emotions of struggle and pain that is constantly inviting you in. She has become a global communicator with her art and a
voice in Kenya too, the place she once said she was ‘amputated’ from. However, she says. “It’s still the place I go to re-energise” a classic example of finding and identifying ‘home’. Phoebe Boswell has exhibited at the Royal Academy, Carroll/ Fletcher, Kristen Hjellegjerde, Iniva, Bonhams, the 1:54 Contemporary African art Fair (New York) and more recently the Gothenburg International Biennial of Contemporary Art and the Denton’s Art Prize in London, where her work with pencil and paper was showcased. Phoebe also completed residencies at Florence Trust(London) and IASPIS at Konstepidemin(Sweden).
Cultural identities are at the core of Phoebe’s work and exploring the bridge between memories of childhood, both of her parents and her own to engage in the identity of ‘home’ which most people in the Diaspora have struggle with at one
By David Kalloo All Photos courtesy the artist website: www.phoebeboswell.com 11
Great Books for Christmas Jane Harris Gillespie and I is also a novel dominated by its narrator. Harriet Baxter is an elderly English woman embarking in 1933 upon the memoir of an artist she describes as a "forgotten genius". Forty years have elapsed since Ned Gillespie committed suicide at the age of 36, having burned almost all his paintings, but the narrator still suffers an "eternal aching sadness" when she thinks of him. He was, she says, her "dear friend and soul mate", whom she understood "through his merest glance"; his own family, she remarks regretfully, proved at least as much burden to him as inspiration. In passing (and in parentheses) she alludes dismissively to "all that silly white-slavery business and the trial", but this is brushed aside so that she may begin her story. It is a story she feels uniquely qualified to tell: "Who, if not me, was dealt that hand?" Ron Ramdin ‘Historic day…The British Museum is closed.’ This was the sensational headline in British newspapers of the day. Why was the Museum closed? Over the centuries, waves of people have visited and settled in the British Isles, but few have chronicled their lives; fewer still have written an in-depth, full autobiography, spanning the years from birth to later life. In this sense, TURNING PAGES is a first.
Dr Michelle Asantewa Dr. Asantewa has written three books that are all intricately tied to the Guyanese experience however her main book, called Guyanese Komfa: The Ritual Art of Trance was borne from Asantewa’s PhD research. The research explored Komfa through the postcolonial lens, through literary criticism, through social anthropology; it was even viewed as literature, which clearly indicates the dynamic nature of Komfa and the multidisciplinary ways in which that Guyanese practice is so rich in meaning. Dr. Asantewa, book is a dynamic representation of artistic, spiritual and cultural identity of Guyanese identity.
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Top Rums of the World If you are a serious rum drinker or connoisseur then you need these suggestions of the world’s top rums from man, known as the Global Ambassador of rum, Ian Burrell.
James chosen by the ambassador is the St James Cuvee 1765. It was created to celebrate 250 years of rum making in Martinique and, again if you are possession of a bottle or two I envy you as only 800 bottles was available. I am sure the £550 price tag is now much higher.
Topping Mr Burrell’s list is a Venezuelan rum, Diplomatico Ambassador. Matured in bourbon casks and then left in sherry casks for two years before bottling. This gem of a nectar will set you back on average around £200. A superb choice.
I have not had any rum from Panama however, with the ambassador selecting Abuelo Centria and at a price tag of £123. This 30year old rum was crafted to celebrate 100 years of rum production from a sugar plantation that began in 1908 and is still producing sugar to this day. The next gem hails from Jamaica, Appleton Rare Blend 12Year-Old rum. This is a blend of 20 different rums filled with Caramel flavours, orange peel and mocha, so nice flavours on the palate and at an affordable £35 so get a few bottles. The Appleton estate have been making rum since 1749 so they know a thing or two about rum.
It is important to note that Mr Burrell knows good rum territory as all his top rums come from the Caribbean region. Next up is the 15-year-old Havana Club filled with Cuban spices and aromas and retails for around £150. Count yourself lucky if you got your hands on a bottle of this beauty as only a limited number is available in the UK. Without a doubt this is one of my favourite rums, I discovered it in France about two years ago, and I am hooked. Clement XO Rhum from Martinique is made from fresh cane juice. Described as having ‘a complex, wellstructured blend’ of liquid from 1970, 1976 and 1952 vintages are a must for your Christmas stocking at a mere £150. Another Martinique favourite of mine is St James. The St
Next stop is Trinidad for Angostura Cask Collection No.1, now we all know Angostura is famed for its world class aromatic bitters so no surprise that a Trinidad rum is in Burrell’s top selection. This rum has complex tones as it is aged in oak barrels for ten years then a further six in French oak cognac casks which accentuates its flavours of 13
sweet spices and vanilla. We can’t forget Barbados, another rum making Caribbean island with an amazing collection of rums. The ambassador may have had some deliberation when choosing Foursquare Rum Distillery Port Cask Finish, a sixyear aged rum with a ‘medium-bodied dry finish’ that retails at around £31.00 Puerto Rico is another country that produces fine rums and the Reserva De La Familla Serralles. This rum was crafted to celebrate the 150th birthday of Don Q rum makers. It boasts ‘subtle fruit, oak and vanilla notes’ that’s delicate fruity and dry. Sip it slowly and savour as this beauty will set you back a cool £1,200
DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!
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Christmas Glam Look for Beginners. Everywhere you turn, someone is talking about the must go to Christmas party, and the perfect cocktail dress and the much-needed makeup to go with the entire outfit! Meanwhile, you're stuck in the corner feeling selfconscious because the only two times you had makeup done, was at your brother's wedding and parents anniversary!
do not want your lids becoming oily and your eye shadow to crease. Step 2: Use a flat eye shadow brush or the cream eye shadow brush by Younique to apply. Step 3: Use a small amount and sweep the brush over the lower lid. Step 4: Use a fluffy eyeshade brush to blend the product from lower to the upper eyelids.
Well, have no fear! There are options. The easiest and most logical would be to book in for a makeup session before your big Christmas do. However, you may not know a makeup artist, or they are already booked up... it’s the season, right?
Step 5: Apply more of the creamy eyeshadow to the lower lids if needed and repeat step 3.
So, the next step is to create a look that is simple enough for you to pull it off but still look glam!
Step 6: Apply your primer and leave to set for about 3 minutes before moving on to your foundation. Step 7: Apply your foundation to your face, blend and dust some translucent powder over the entire face to set your makeup and make it last longer.
Younique Cosmetics have this amazing little pot of velvety, creamy goodness that can wash over the eyes without making them appear like panda eyes! They are called Splurge Cream Eye Shadows. These little pots of heaven come in matte or shimmery shades. A popular shade this season is called Noble, a soft wine shimmery shade that makes a beautiful smokey eye with specks of sparkle! Plus, it goes well with any colour dress you may be wearing.
Step 8: Dust some bronzer or blush to the hollows of the cheeks to give bit of definition. This can act as a contour.
Application is simple. Step 1: Prime the eyes using the Eye Primer. This is an important step. You 15
Step 9: Line your lips with a neutral or similar colour pencil to your lipstick, then apply your favourite lip colour. Blot any excess with a tissue and you're ready to go!
Do you have a story to tell, an event happening in your community or just want to explore your writing? Culturepulse magazine would like to give you the platform to express that creativity.
To see how this can be applied, click here to see the You Tube video. All Younique products can only be purchased through an Independent Presenter... so if you do not know Presenter, one of the easiest ways of finding out who is near to you is to ask on social media‌ You might be surprised that your neighbour is a presenter! You can also contact me; I am a Presenter and can help with tips and tricks as well as possibly create your look for you. For further information on Younique Cosmetics click here...
We particularly want to encourage young people from all walks of the diaspora to share their experiences and achievements with our readers. Whether you’re a budding travel writer, blogger or an aspiring journalist or simply want to explore your potential as a writer, send your story or articles to: cashewmedialtd@gmail.com
Cindy Mollineau Beauty & Holistic Therapist Independent Distributor for Forever Living Products and Independent Presenter for Younique Products.
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Angostura in Trouble Could the integrity of Trinidad and Tobago’s rum company, Angostura be called to accountability and thereby damage its global reputation? Earlier this month the company was accused of bulk buying rum and exporting its products as local origin. The process is in breach of European Union’s rules of origin in regards to rum blending.
The company discovery of the wrong doing came to light when the board of directors was asked to ‘sign off on a $16.5 million-dollar purchase of heavy rum concentrate(HRC) to meet its production for 2016/17. Like most countries that do not have sugar processing plants, Angostura imports its heavy rum concentrate. HRC is the initial distillation of cane molasses fermentation which should be further processed and aged and then repackaged and sold. It has been reported that Angostura’s management could not guarantee that integrity of ‘products over the past few years had been sufficiently transformed during the distillation process.’ According to board minutes, obtained by the local media, it was noted that. “The board observed that the afore said practice amounted to an illegal act and indicated its strong disapproval that management would attempt to ask the board to approve the purchase of HRC to produce rum intended for export, in breach of the law.”
The discovery by the board have resulted in action and so far, Angostura’s chief executive Robert Wong has been on administrative leave and appointed Genevieve Johan as the acting chief executive. The company has since retained PricewaterHouseCoopers (PWC) to commence an audit in relation to the misdemeanour. According to an insider, Angostura has been allowed, since the sugar industry closed, to ‘buy rum, process, distil and add local value before selling it on the local market by licence.’ Once substantial value has been added, it can then be sold to the export market. It is being argued that the product is a CARICOM product and it’s been labelled and branded a’ local product when it doesn’t originate’ in Trinidad. Neither the chairman of Angostura, Dr Rolph Belgian and Mr. Wong offered any comments to the local media. Mr. Wong response was simply. “I won’t comment yet. I am not guilty of anything.” However, in hushed circles it is whispered that the current board wants ‘a changing of the guard’.
The scandal has thrown Angostura into a compromising position. If the company does not purchase HRC it could have serious implications resulting in up to $12.9 million in sales. More detrimental could be the impact on the company’s integrity, a decline in brand value, fines, decline in shareholder value, loss of sales, court litigations and an embarrassment to the country. According to the company’s third quarter statement, revenue was $458.2 million which was 5.6 per cent higher than 2015.
In 2009 Angostura suffered billion-dollar losses and it was Wayne Yip Choy who was credited with turning the company around. However, he was fired and received a landmark settlement of $28 million judgement against the company. Mr. Wong moved up the ranks then from executive manager of rum bulk sales.
David Kalloo
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My Best Albums Choice This Year Recommending music can be difficult sometimes, our musical trends though constant, can deviate and adapt to new variations. However, I am going to cast all that aside and recommend two albums that is worth adding to your collection, whatever your musical taste.
Hollie Stephenson came onto the music scene at the age of 12 and has not looked back since. The singer-songwriter is often compared to the late Amy Winehouse however, Hollie stands on her own merits. A video of Hollie performing in Camden
Calypso Rose is undoubtedly, the Calypso Queen of the world. No other female calypsonian has come within arm’s length of matching this great calypso must to urge anyone who doesn’t own Calypso Rose: Far from Home album to seek out a copy very soon. The 76 year is showing no signs of slowing down and she is still dominating and dazzling audience across the world with her sassy feminist persona. Far from Home is teeming with rippling rhythms that takes you from carnival jump-up to reggae beats and yes, true calypso too. Tunes such as Zoom Zoom Zoom, Kobo Town, Leave Me or Love Me and the classic, Woman Smarter will have you listening to this album repeatedly.
found its way to Dave Stewart of the Eurhythmics’’ who recognised the ‘gifted’ Hollie. Stewart said the young singer ‘needed experience’ and asked her to write 16-20 songs ‘from the heart’ the rest as they say is history. Her album Hollie Stephenson, includes her first single Pointless Rebellion and the soulful Lovers Game and Sunday Morning. Her influences include; Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Otis Redding and Dinah Washington. The first song she wrote, Stone Tears was inspired by the death may have awaken her precious talent and guided her away from becoming a cardiologist or ballerina. Hollie Stephenson 13 track album is a must for your jazzy, soul and blues collection for those long winter nights and foggy stay indoors days.
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Gee Bernard Will Be Sorely Missed excluded from education, and a club for elderly residents providing mental and physical activities, and occasional daytrips. After her retirement, Bernard was made an alderwoman. “She can best be described as a force for good in Croydon,” Tony Newman, the leader of the council said. “A staunch supporter of the community who made a very real difference to so many people, both in the West Thornton ward she represented and beyond.” Andrew Pelling, who served on the council at the same time as Bernard, said, “Gee was willing to work enthusiastically with anyone, regardless of political party, and she was committed to promoting racial equality. Her empathy for people came across in how she was very kind to me.”
Tributes have been paid to Gee Bernard, Croydon’s first black councillor, who has died this week, aged 82. Jamaican-born Bernard moved to London in her teens, where she qualified as and worked as a social worker; in 1986, she was elected to the council for West Thornton ward, which she served for 16 years. She sat on a range of committees, including education (1986 to 2000), licensing and consumer services, housing, social services, community health, and grants and awards.
Photo and text Courtesy www.insidecroydon.com
A committed member of the community, she also served as a governor of two local schools, and on the Croydon Citizens Advice Bureaux committee, Relate, Croydon Race Equality Council, Upper Norwood Association for Community Care, West Thornton Community Centre, Croydon Community Police Consultative Committee, and Croydon Juvenile Justice Liaison Committee, among others. In 1993, Bernard founded community charity Croydon African and Caribbean Family Organisation with two initial aims – to start a school to assist children
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Don’t Miss: The Great British Food Artisan Market
The countdown to the UK’s biggest food and drink exhibition has officially begun! Buyers from across the industry can now register to attend the four-day extravaganza to explore the very best innovation from pioneering global food and drink brands. The International Food & Drink Event will be held at London’s ExCeL between 19 - 22 March 2017. Visit our brand-new website to explore the extensive exhibitor list across nine easy to navigate sections. During the exhibition, more than 1,350 suppliers will showcase their latest product innovations and the website is the go to resource to stay up to date with the latest industry trends, speaker and chef demos, as well as providing a sneak peek before the show launches on the 19th March. The event will attract an estimated 29,000 professionals from across the retail, wholesale, foodservice, hospitality and manufacturing markets.
Register online now for your free entrance badge and sign up to our e-newsletter to stay informed about all the latest show news, product launch information, and trend reports. Stands are selling fast, if you would like to enquire about exhibiting, please contact Andrew Pantelli on Andrew.Pantelli@freshmontgomery.co.uk or call +44(0)20 7886 3055 for more information. To find out more visit the new look website www.ife.co.uk and follow the action on Twitter @IFEexhibition using #IFE17 and #IFEintro.
Book Your Stand Thank you for your interest in booking a stand at IFE 2017. Please contact t Andrew Pantelli directly via email: Andrew.Pantelli@freshmontgomery.co.uk or call: +44(0) 20 7886 3055.
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New Curacao Prime Minister Promises to Fight Corruption Curacao has a new coalition government agreement, but the island will have to wait a little while longer for the new administration because the screening and background check of the candidateministers has not yet been completed.
and that the Curacao people might have to leave the Dutch Kingdom one day. However, it will not go that far yet. The words political structure or referendum have been deleted from the coalition agreement. Koeiman said that it is about Curacao being emancipated and focusing about its own development and dignity.
On Thursday, the prime ministerdesignate, Hensley Koeiman, indicated his plans for the next four years. The government, which consists of Koeiman’s socialist party MAN, the Christian Democratic PNP, the liberal PAR and independence party Pueblo Soberano (PS), wants to focus on strengthening the economy, good governance and the fight against corruption.
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During the formation process, Koeiman also hinted Curacao has to address the influence the Netherlands has on the island through the so-called consensus Statute Laws. Through these laws the Netherlands keeps an eye on finance, justice and police. The Netherlands has too much influence and Koeiman wants to change that.
Prime Minister-designate, Hensley Koeiman. Photo: Dick Drayer
Article and photo courtesy Curacao Chronicle
Even the word referendum was mentioned during the negotiations. Koeiman and his party referred to the fact that they never agreed to the current autonomous status
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No Reward for Arrest of Illegal Immigrants The Bahamas Government has described reports that it is offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of illegal immigrants in the country as untrue.
Describing their role as quasi-judicial, he said: “In other words, you are like a judge and when someone appears before you and ask for leave to enter the Bahamas, or for a work permit, you are making a decision according to law; not on a whim, not on a fancy and not on prejudice, but according to law.” “Remember also that many people will come to you and offer you this gift or that gift or make promises to do certain things for you. They will try to get you to do anything for their nefarious end. But when you get in trouble . . . they are gone,” the minister said.
The denial came after reports were circulating on social media that the Department of Immigration was giving money for information which led to the apprehension of illegal immigrants.
Courtesy www.caribbean360.com
In a brief statement, the Department of Immigration said it was “patently false”. “It is not an announcement from the Department of Immigration or any government agency and should be ignored and not circulated,” it said. It warned that given the relatively high volume of disinformation on social media, the department was urging the public to “exercise caution and restraint when sharing suspicious and potentially harmful content on this medium”. Meantime, speaking during a recent graduation ceremony for new immigration recruits, Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell implored them not to take bribes or gifts from persons who may be looking for favours in return.
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It Takes a Single Flame to Illuminate the Darkness‌
Let Your Light Shine Today. 24