“I remember when Grand Kadooment use to end at the Garrison Savannah, and they would burn an effigy of ‘Mr. Harding’ a metaphoric character that embodied hard times endured by the people. Revellers will dance around the fire, chanting in unison, “Burn Mr. Harding burn, burn Mr. Harding burn!” as if commanding all stress to leave the island. As young as I was, it created such a vivid memory for me, the excitement in the air, the smell of the smoke, the fervent way everyone was jumping and dancing. I think that’s were my love for the festival was born.”
Belle Holder
Manager, PR & Corporate Communication
Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI)
“I remember when I was a seven-year-old attending midnight mass at Newbury church of the Nazarene. I was country girl, and my Grandparents had strict rules for me as a girl. In those days girls had to be indoors before sunset and I was only allowed to go to certain events, mainly church. I remember the excitement of being out after dark with the adults and then walking home with a torch light as the only light on the road. This was very exciting for me to get to go out of the house at night.”
Beverley Bascombe
Former Television Director/ Producer
“I remember the May Day celebrations in the 1950s, which included a parade in town that would snake through Broad Street with floats and all. The workers would be singing, and although I was just a little girl then, I can still remember the song, which went like this, “De merchants got de money but de Union got de man”. Even now I still sometimes find myself humming it up to this day. All class of workers that belong to the Barbados Workers’ Union took part in those May Day parades, making it one of the largest celebrations in Bim.”
Audrey Holder
Retired Community Health Supervisor
“I remember when Bajans would participate in the Congaline Festival parade T-shirt Bands. The band Spice & Company had the song, ‘In De Congaline.’ I also remember when Kadooment started at the National Stadium and would come down Bush Hall main road, instead of turning left toward Combermere.”
Sheena Forde-Craig
Assistant Information Officer
Government Information Service (GIS)
