Margaret Gill, a former resident of St. John, Barbados, who now lives in the United States, recently made a joyful return to her hometown for the We Gatherin event in Pool Woods, St. John on May 1st 2025. She attended the celebration with her sister, Mona Gill, and was visibly delighted to be back on familiar soil.
Interestingly, Margaret hadn’t initially planned to attend the event. “I came home not knowing about the gathering,” she shared. It was her sister who informed her about the festivities upon her arrival, encouraging her to experience the community celebration. “I’m so glad I came,” Margaret said, reflecting on the experience. “I had a wonderful time.”
The event was filled with lively activities, and Margaret was right in the heart of the action. “I was dancing up,” she laughed, recounting her time enjoying the entertainment, including enjoying a delicious snow cone a nostalgic treat that brought back memories from her teenage years as a student attending St. Leonard’s Girls School.
Margaret expressed a deep connection to St. John, calling it a vital part of her heritage. “My family mostly was from St. John. My sister was brought up in St. John. We have a lot of family here,” she said. She fondly recalled the St. John Parish Church where she once attended Sunday school and mentioned cherished visits to her aunt’s home in Newcastle, where she spent vacations enjoying the flower gardens.
The highlight of the event for Margaret was the sense of unity among attendees. “Everybody coming together… we’re circling together, we’re communicating. It’s wonderful to feel that sense of togetherness,” she remarked. She also appreciated hearing updates from the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) , noting the improvements that was addressed to aid workers across various sectors.
Margaret Gill’s return for We Gatherin not only rekindled her fond memories of St. John but also reinforced the enduring bonds of community and heritage that continue to draw Barbadians back home.
