New BTA Chief Points To Humble Beginnings

By his own account, Adrian Elcock “grew up very humble”. “I can’t say I grew up with the gold spoon or silver spoon some people think that I have,” he said in an interview with the SUNDAY SUN.

“We grew up in a three-room chattel house in Bank Hall. I was eight or nine years old before moving into a small wall house.”The 41-year-old businessman was appointed chairman of the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) on April 3. He was chairman of the Child Care Board under the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) administration and later served as deputy chairman of Barbados Conference Services Limited under the present administration.

Yet when Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy invited him to be BTA chairman, he said he was “surprised”. Others within tourism circles also seemed to have been surprised, considering that Elcock does not have the kind of tourism background they thought would have been necessary for anyone filling the post.

But Elcock countered: “In terms of what the naysayers have said, I guess I too have gotten accustomed to seeing tourism being run by one group of people and one set of people speaking on behalf of the industry . . .

“It did not seem as if medium-sized businesses like ours that have been relatively successful in our marketplace were invited to be a part of it. It seemed as if those that were in it controlled it and they controlled who entered it.“I have never said no to any minister in any government that has asked me to serve,” he stressed.

He pointed out: “I have come from a family business which, by any definition, has been successful. I have been a large part of growing that business and taking it to another level with my brother, with my dad and the other partners that work with us.”

The family business of which Elcock speaks is Everson Elcock & Co. Ltd., which is currently celebrating 50 years of operation and of which he is a director. A major division of that business is Exclusive Lighting & Electrical Supplies Ltd. The company was the idea of Elcock’s brother Antonio, another director in the larger firm, and an idea which Elcock developed into a major business.

“I have always felt that our leaders have given us a tremendous platform upon which to build our own personal brand,” says Elcock.“I have been educated in Barbados. I went to Dorothy Smale’s Preparatory School, the Lodge School and then Pace University, New York City, where I graduated with a degree in accounting with a major in public accounting.”

After graduation, he went to work with one of the world’s largest accounting firms, Arthur Andersen, spending eight years in New York.

Responding to his brother’s idea, Elcock came home in January, 1995 to start Exclusive Lighting and went on to join his father’s business as director of finance. After all, this was the business that grew from humble beginnings when Elcock would observe his father setting out from home in a pick-up truck every day, though he was not sure exactly what dad was going out to do.

“My earliest memory of my involvement was going to Baptist House, a place my father had on Constitution Road [St Michael], playing with the red electrical tape, making cricket balls, playing with my brother,” he recalled.“When I think back about it, that was his [father’s] way of immersing us in the business. It created an awareness and I understood that what he did was what put our food on the table.”

In his early teens and while a student of Lodge School, Elcock accompanied his father as he traversed Barbados, calling at homes under construction, offering his electrical building supplies for sale. While dad tried to sell to homeowners, it was Adrian who carried the price sheet and quoted prices. Later, during his regular visits home on holidays from university studies, he did accounting-related chores in the family business.


Proud Barbadian

Elcock boasts of being “a proud Barbadian who believes in the capacity of our country and the capacity of our people to deliver”.

While devoted to his work, he is “a committed family man” to his wife Ann and daughter Sanaa. “Our family traditions and structures are very important to us,” he pointed out. “We sit every Sunday as a family, have lunch with my parents and my brother and his family. Teamwork is part of our family tradition.”

He is also an avowed Christian brought up in the Anglican Church and worships regularly at St George’s Parish Church.

Loyal friend

Elcock declares his loyalty to friends: “I believe in friendships. I am an extremely loyal friend. I am going to stick with you through thick and thin. “I am going to tell you when I think you are wrong and I hope my true friends tell me when they think I am going in the wrong direction.”

He has thrown himself headlong into his new job, clear in his vision of what he wants to achieve. “Am I attacking this job with passion?” he asked. “One hundred and fifty per cent. Am I going to succeed? You sure bet I will. I have that confidence and I know I will. I have a team that will support me.”

Lodge School In Line For Major Upgrade

Lodge School Old Scholars' Association 2010 scholarship awardees; Charles Cole, Lizza Grazette-Corbin, Ashlee Lowe & Franco Alleyne-Moore.

        

The much-anticipated physical redevelopment of the Lodge School will commence in a matter of days, but an expanded school plant should not lead to an increased school roll.

So says principal of the Lodge School, Trevor Pilgrim, who was speaking the school’s Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony held yesterday at the Massiah Street, St. John compound.

Pilgrim said that the school is currently overcrowded at a roll of 1 067 and implored the authorities not to increase the school’s roll even more when the physical redevelopment is finished.

“We will have more space but that would just defeat the purpose of the improvement of the facility. We need a smaller number of students to function at optimum academic levels,” he explained.

Speaking about the redevelopment plans, he said, “The former principal’s residence will be the first building to be demolished. This will happen within a matter of days and phase one of the construction process will commence. Phase one will include the construction of two new blocks with two floors each, the demolition of the lower wing that ends at the music room and work on the memorial hall and Block G,” said Pilgrim.

“As soon as phase one ends we will occupy the new building. We would therefore no longer need the prefabricated wooden units which have sprung up on the lawn,” he continued.

The principal explained that the entire physical redevelopment would be done in four stages and will end in 2013.

According to him, it will encompass the whole school, but it will be sequenced in such a way that disruption to the school will be minimised.

“We will also receive a new hall, with a capacity of approximately 1 000 and a new and larger pavilion. In 2013 when construction ends, the Lodge School will enter a new era in its long and illustrious existence, spacious, comfortable, well equipped and driven by highly motivated staff and students. It will be better positioned to achieve its mission,” he said.

“No longer will we have to hold assemblies and ceremonies like this one in the open air and rent tents. The new hall will also be a God-send to the St. John community since it will be large enough to accommodate conferences and community events,” he continued.

Pilgrim noted that in the next three years the school body will have to cope with the noise, dust and industrial challenges which will be created by this large construction process.

“I urge our staff, students and parents to be patient and to understand that some measure of discomfort always accompanies change and progress. We will do our best along with Innotech, the contractors, to reduce as much as possible any discomfort or threat to health and safety that arises from the construction process.”

Source: www.barbadosadvocate.com

Three Amigos

Fate placed the three of them at The Lodge School in 1979. Anderson Blood Armstrong, George Jones and Terry Mexican Arthur would actually meet each other a year later through a drive by Mac Fingall for the start of their destiny. The trials of school, the end of almost two decades of working with a top band, and more recently George’s illness have not torn their bond of over 30 years asunder. Mexican will be the first to tell you that he and the other two were not the most diligent of students, but each of them continues to hold fast to the motto of their alma mater: They Can Because They Think They Can.

There is an unshakable loyalty and friendship among the three that they say run deeper than the music, and bridge any distance that circumstances and geography might throw up. Blood and George found themselves in the same class at third form level and they would meet up with Mexican in the music room at every available opportunity to practise on the various instruments, and the only thing they have lived to regret was not taking their Spanish classes. They all smiled fondly as they recalled that prediction from the Spanish teacher. “The music was the common denominator, the gel. I guess over time it would evolve into what it is now,” George explained.

“I remember the three of us – just as we’re here – used to sit at the piano. I play bass, sometimes George, Andy hold the chords, or we would interchange,” Mexican said, with nods of approval from the other two. “One big piano,” Blood interjected. They would soon form a band that would play for concerts at school. Mexican hit the seas shortly after school as a musician and Blood got involved in Gabby’s First-Timers tent and later the Richard Stoute Teen Talent competition, joined the Untouchables Tent and did some overseas tours.

While Blood was pursuing his solo career, George was approached by the Country Theatre Workshop to perform at the Christmas concert and he looked to his buddy Blood. Blood brought in Paul Slater and his old St Giles’ schoolmate Cecil Oshaka Riley, who were both involved in Richard Stoute. That was the beginning of Square One and they would be joined by Alison Hinds and Winston Beckles a little later. Mexican heard the band at the Steel Shed on a trip home from the ship and without checking with the guys, he sounded his intention to quit after the six-month tour to join.

Source: www.nationnews.com

Althea Belgrave Women's Cross Country Assistant Coach

Entering her second season with the Rainbow Wahine track and field and cross country programs is former Barbados national champion Althea Belgrave. Belgrave will oversee the distance runners and the cross country team.

The former Barbadian national record holder in the 1500-meter event, Belgraves comes to Honolulu after serving as a graduate assistant at Florida State, where she oversaw the compliance and recruiting responsibilities for the Seminole women’s cross country team.

After arriving in the United States from her native St. John, Barbados, Belgrave attended the University of Idaho, where she spent four seasons as a member of the track and field team and two years with the cross country program. At Idaho, she earned all-Big West Conference honors in the 800-meter event in 1997. Belgrave also ran the 5000-meter

Belgrave is a three-time Barbadian national champion in the 800-meter and 1500-meter events, the latter of which she held the national record.

Following her graduation in 1997, Belgrave worked as a volunteer coach and then as a graduate assistant. As a graduate assistant, Belgrave handled middle and long distance runners on the 2003 Big West women’s championship track and field team. She also helped with meet management for indoor and outdoor home jumps events.

Belgrave earned her master’s degree in education at Idaho in counseling of human services.

Source: http://hawaiiathletics.com

Student Gives Art To QEH

The Children's Ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been given a lift - compliments of a sixth form student of The Lodge School.

Kevin Ward recently presented 20 hand-painted ceiling tiles created from fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

"I am very proud of the project. It was hard work, but it was all worth it and I hope the children like it very much," he said.

Jean Prescott-Bullen, head of The Lodge School's art and music department, said the paintings were done for Ward's Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations creative project.

The project was started last November, but the idea for the artwork came when one of Ward's friends visited the paediatric ward.

Ward said he had already received requests to create artwork for private homes, but for now, he will focus on upcoming exams. (LK)

Source: www.nationnews.com

Rev. Michael Steele & Niki Lanik Promoting Human Rights

Barbados’ Ambassador for Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) the Reverend Michael Steele held a press conference at the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium on Friday. In attendance at the press conference was Austrian race-car driver and human rights activist Niki Lanik who is in Barbados promoting human rights.

Reverend Steele met with Lanik while in Switzerland, during a human rights summit held there recently. “It was a great opportunity, because we got to see what is happening in other countries,” said Rev. Steele of the summit. He added that while there is a lot of work to be done, the schools are co-operative, as are the various Government Ministries, who, Rev. Steele said, help in any way that they can.

The 22-year-old Lanik is an Ambassador for Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI), an organisation that was started approximately seven years ago. This year, the organisation which began with just a music video and later an educational DVD, now offers an educational pack, that can be ordered for schools free of charge, from their website. It can also be used as lesson guides for teachers to educate their students, about human rights. “It is a very education based campaign for the children,” Lanik added.

Rev. Steele is also leader of the Steele Trinity Youth Academy, which has the purpose of creating awareness and informing young people of their human rights, so they can make informed decisions on an action-plan. “That’s our duty,” he added.

Lanik and Rev. Steele visited the Combermere School promoting their cause and will visit the Alleyne, Coleridge and Parry and Grantley Adams Memorial schools in the coming days.

YHRI on Ning: www.yhribarbados.ning.com

Geoffrey Cave Sworn In As New Senator

Geoffrey Cave, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Cave Shepherd was sworn in as Barbados' newest Senator on yesterday morning.

In a short ceremony at Government House, Cave took the Oath of Allegiance in front of Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands.

Cave was accompanied by his wife Anne Cave and children Roger and Simone.

Cave replaces the late Senator, Sir John Stanley Goddard.

Cave has a distinguished career in business in Barbados, being involved as Director and Chairman of several leading private and public companies in Barbados. He also served on the Board of several governmental and non-governmental organisations and has been an advisor and trustee to numerous schools, colleges, universities and charities.

In the Queen New Years Honours List in 2003, he was appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and in October 2007 the University of the West Indies conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD).

Union Centre Now Bears Frost's Name

The Barbados Secondary Teachers' Union (BSTU) has renamed its headquarters The Patrick Frost Centre.

In a ceremony at the newly named centre in Belleville, St Michael, BSTU president Mary Redman said the renaming was in honour of Frost's outstanding work in the labour movement and the teachers' union in particular.

"It is impossible to thank you for your integrity, deceny, caring and heart. Genuine caring and love for humankind is something that cannot be faked and persons recognise it in you.

"You have always had a clear and unchanging philosophy on the importance of the all-inclusive and strategic role of the union in the development of any society. You have worked hard for over 30 years to see the little BSTU as a respected as recognised union in this country . . . ," she said.

Frost thanked the BSTU for the "undeserved" honour, but told the audience it was a group effort.

"Whatever I may have accomplished, I have not done it by myself. I have always had people around me . . . ," he said.

The ceremony featured the unveiling of a plaque and a portrait of Frost made of plaster. It also involved birthday celebrations as the renaming ceremony was planned specially to fall on Frost's 69th birthday. (CA)

Source: www.nationnews.com

Michael Steele - Man Of The Moment

Yo, peoples we must really big up de man Michael Steele for the tremendous work he is undertaking in preparing dis de biggest Lodge School Reunion ever. Kudos to brother Steele.

Hip, hip, hooray! Michael is definitely de "Man of the Moment". If you agree feel free to add your comments.

Personality In Focus - Anderson "Blood" Armstrong

Today we salute an outstanding son of the soil, our very own Anderson "Blood" Armstrong. Anderson Armstrong was born on February 1, 1968 in Barbados. He is one of the most talented males currently on the Soca scene.

Andy started singing as a choirboy while at primary school. He began singing in local competitions back in 1983 while still in high school. At that time he made his professional debut in the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest. There he made it all the way to the finals performing his own compositions.That same year he participated under the guidance of his mentor, The Mighty Gabby, in Gabby's first timers Calypso Contest.The following year (1984), with the encouragement of then school teacher and tent manager, Mac Fingall, he joined The Untouchables Calypso Tent.

In 1985, at the age of 17, Andy Armstrong became the youngest person ever to make the National Calypso Finals in Barbados. He placed fifth in the competition which was won by The Mighty Gabby.One of his biggest career moves to date was when in 1986, he along with his friend and former Lodge School mate, George Jones became founding members of one of Barbados' most prominent and one of the Caribbean's leading party bands over the last two decades, Square One.

He is known for his explosive, dynamic and high-energy performances and his versatility as a singer. His debut solo album "Conscience Call" was just another step towards his never-ending quest for maximum musical success. Since that time, he has recorded and produced several solo and compilation albums.

Andy has achieved yet another major accomplishment in his life, where he has built one of the top recording studios on the island from the ground up. Here he has recorded and worked with several of the Crop Over Festival's well known stars such as Red Plastic Bag, Mac Fingall, Alison Hinds, Terry Arthur and the recent additions Mikey, Contone and Pong. Anderson has received several awards and has been recognized as an accomplished artist in the Calypso arena.

Reproduced in part from: www.gotrhythm.com