Jamaican Christmas Programme For Primary Schools

The Jamaican High Commission partnered with VM Bank for the 18th Annual Jamaican Christmas Schools’ Programme.

Mrs. Delores Cooper OD, Director of VM Finance Ltd. welcomed the children to a day of festivities. The schools represented were Bousfield Primary, Penwortham Primary, Elfrieda Primary, Oratory Primary and St Anthony’s Primary.

Students and teachers were treated to a cultural exchange of traditional Christmas songs, ring games, poetry and traditional Jamaican Christmas meals. They were under the tutelage of Kirk Patterson and Alanna Leslie, Jamaican dancer, choreographer and teacher, accompanied by drummer Ras Happa.

Citizenship Ceremony

Fifteen persons attended the Jamaican Citizenship Ceremony on Saturday, 17th December 2022. The Citizenship Ceremony was held at Holy Trinity Church. Persons who apply for naturalization as Jamaican citizens can opt to attend the ceremony hosted by the Jamaican High Commission in London.

Jamaican citizenship ceremonies are special events, especially for the ‘New Jamaicans’, as it provides an opportunity for them to be formally welcomed as Jamaicans. The citizenship ceremony was sponsored by VM Bank. Our ‘New Jamaicans and their families and friends were treated to a scrumptious traditional Jamaican Saturday Red Peas Soup prepared by caterers Plantation Inn

JESA AND ELIM HOUSE Christmas Lunch For Veterans

The Jamaica Ex Soldiers Association and Elim House Community Association hosted the annual Christmas celebrations and veteran Luncheon on 22nd December Acting High Commissioner, Mrs. Patrice Laird Grant, was one of the speakers at the event. Other special guests included the Mayor of Southwark Councillor Sunil Choipra and Major Heleda Thompson from the Jamaica Defence Force Department of Veterans Affairs. The Keynote speaker was Mr Archie Ferguson a veteran from the Royal Chelsea Hospital

JEMVA Launch

Acting High Commissioner, Mrs. Patrice Laird Grant and former Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force and current Detector General of the Maritime Association of Jamaica, Rear Admiral Peter Brady were the special guests at the launch of the Jamaica Ex Military and Veterans Association (JEMVA) in December

Ex-JDF Warrant Officer Windel Redley, Manager of Curphey Home for military veterans located in Manchester, Jamaica gave an update on the homes operations.

JEMVA’s aims are to support vulnerable persons who have served in the Jamaica Defence Force within the Diaspora and to support and network with former members of the JDF and their affiliates.

Afro Caribbean Christmas Fair

The Jamaican High Commission participated in the Angel Foundation Afro Caribbean Christmas Fair at the Under One Roof Pavillion Community Hub in Tottenham recently. Ms. Angelia Christian, Founder of the Angel Foundation, organised the two-day Winter Craft Fair to raise funds to support much-needed community projects in Jamaica