May 2007.pdf - High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad ...

Volume 27 

May 2007 

Inside this Issue 

IMF lauds the 

economy of 

Trinidad and 

Tobago 

From the Office of 

the Prime 

Minister 

Trinidad and 

Tobago open 

for investment 

2 

3 

4 

Story on 

page 8 

Minister 

salutes new 

Heads of 

Missions 

Letter to the 

Editor 

7 

11 

Calypso and 

Samba clash 

in London 

12 

The complete 

guide to 

Tobago 

15 

E-mail the Editor at: 

tthc@btconnect.com

2 

LONDON MISSION 

IMF lauds the economy of Trinidad & Tobago 

uring his address at a seminar 

D at the Central Bank on 7 May 

2007 to present the International 

Monetary Fund’s (IMF) regional 

economic outlook, Mr. Max Alier, 

IMF Mission Chief for Trinidad and 

Tobago, described as “quite a 

remarkable achievement, the fact 

that Trinidad & Tobago has been able 

to double its Gross Domestic 

Product (GDP) over the last five 

years.” 

Mr. Alier said that Trinidad and 

Tobago was enjoying revenues from 

developing new gas fields and its 

petrochemical industry and now the 

construction sector was booming. 

He added that: “Everything is quite 

broad-based. You also now have the 

lowest unemployment on record.” 

The IMF expects a growth rate of 6 

1/2 percent in Trinidad and Tobago 

in 2007. 

Mr. Alier stated that the IMF had 

seen “very favourable developments 

on the inflation front in Trinidad and 

Tobago. Not only has headline 

inflation been coming down, and is 

now around 8 percent after having 

peaked at around 10 percent, but 

core inflation has also started to 

trend down.” 

He said that the IMF believed this 

was due to Central Bank policy and 

improved coordination between the 

Central Bank and the Treasury which 

had helped the Central Bank with 

liquidity management. 

TIC 2007 excels 

T 

he annual Trade and 

Investment Convention 

(TIC) took place on 

May 16th – 19th, 2007, at 

the Centre of Excellence, 

Macoya, Trinidad and Tobago. 

In its eighth consecutive 

year, it is the annual 

flagship project of the 

Trinidad and Tobago 

Manufacturers’ Association 

(TTMA), and is sponsored 

by the Ministry of Trade 

and Industry and RBTT 

Bank Limited. 

TIC 2007 was opened by 

the Prime Minister, the 

Honourable Patrick Manning, 

who praised the organisers 

of the event for 

contributing to the Government's 

goal of making 

Trinidad and Tobago a hub 

of finance and commerce 

for the region. 

The region’s largest business-to-business 

event, 

TIC 2007 proved once 

again to be an ideal forum 

for manufacturers, service 

providers, buyers and distributors, 

financial institutions 

and investors from 

around the world, to meet 

and conduct business. 

At TIC 2007, over 300 

companies (spanning 16 

different countries) exhibited 

in 235 booths, 12 kiosks 

and 4 pavilions. The 

Convention excelled previous 

years and drew thousands 

of the most influential 

business associates 

from around the region 

and the globe. 

TIC is responsible each 

year for millions of dollars 

in inter-regional trade and 

international business 

transactions. 

TIC 2007 Chairman, Anthony 

Aboud, said that he 

was very proud and 

pleased with this year's 

turnout and activities. He 

raved that the event continued 

to exceed expectations. 

A view of the Convention 

One of the major highlights 

of the event was an 

"Agri Tunnel" which was 

one of the largest displays 

at TIC 2007. The tunnel 

was actually a greenhouse 

that was a presentation of 

collaborative alliance of 

Agricultural Development 

Bank (ADB), National 

Agro Chemicals Ltd. 

(NACL) and National Agriculture 

and Marketing 

Development Company 

(NAMDEVCO). These 

three companies gave visitors 

to their booth helpful 

hints on how to grow food. 

Other highlights were various 

seminars that were 

well attended by the local 

business community. One 

such seminar was on the 

manufacturing sector in 

Korea. This was hosted by 

the Ministry of Trade an 

Industry. It gave the manufacturing 

community some 

insights into the phenomenal 

developments made by 

Korea in this industry. 

The consensus with buyers, 

exhibitors and attendees 

was that the TIC 2007 

was a resounding success.

LONDON MISSION 3 

From the Office of the Prime Minister 

PM to farmers - retool and re-educate 

The Hon. Prime Minister meets with representatives 

of the Cunupia Farmers Association. 

T 

he Cunupia Farmers 

Association has 

praised the Government of 

Trinidad and Tobago for 

formulating a policy strategy 

to ensure sustained 

food security for the nation. 

The group, headed 

by President Anil Ramnarine, 

paid a courtesy call 

on the Prime Minister at 

Whitehall, to discuss a variety 

of issues including 

collaboration with the government 

to ensure improved 

efficiency of food 

crop production in Central 

Trinidad. 

The farmers 

discussed 

plans to retool 

and reeducate 

farmers to 

meet the demands of the 

modern farming sector, 

and ensure that practitioners 

in both the food crop 

and dairy farming sectors 

were up to date with current 

technologies. The 

farmers thanked the Prime 

Minister for recent steps 

taken by the Government 

to improve the infrastructure 

used by the farmers of 

Central Trinidad. They 

indicated that these improvements, 

which included 

the reconstruction 

of access roads and bridges 

had directly impacted on 

increases in crop production. 

The farmers told the 

Prime Minister that they 

currently make a significant 

contribution to the 

food production and export 

market of Trinidad 

and Tobago, describing 

their territories as the 

‘food basket’ of the nation. 

The delegation indicated 

that among the challenges 

they faced were lack of 

irrigation facilities, land 

insecurity and praedial larceny. 

The Prime Minister 

assured the farmers that he 

would consider their concerns 

as part of the Government’s 

plan to further 

enhance the capability of 

the national farming sector. 

Mr. Manning indicated to 

the farmers that government 

would require an 

eventual shift to organic 

farming as the way forward 

for the industry and 

called on the farmers to 

integrate this approach 

into their plans for the future. 

The farmers responded 

positively to this 

position being taken by 

Government, pointing out 

that their farmer reeducation 

packages already 

included the use of organic 

technologies and fertilizers. 

In addition to the President, 

the delegation that 

visited the Prime Minister 

was made up of Secretary 

Suraj Ramnarine, Communications 

Officer Mahendra 

Rambally and Bahadoo 

Ramjattan, Marketing Officer. 

SUNWAY GROUP ASKED TO PARTNER WITH GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST 

WITH ENHANCING SKILLS 

he Prime Minister is making 

T moves to ensure that Trinidad 

and Tobago derives long term benefits 

from the presence of experienced 

foreign construction firms in 

the country. 

At a meeting with a delegation from 

the Sunway Group at Whitehall, 

President of the Group, Chew Chee 

Kin, responded to a call from the 

Prime Minister to partner with the 

Government in an effort to expose 

local contractors to the technologies 

and models used by his firm in its 

successful construction projects. Mr. 

Chew told the Prime Minister that 

the Sunway Group would embrace 

the opportunity to share its expertise 

with the people of Trinidad and 

Tobago, as a continuance of the 

company’s good relations with this 

country. 

The Prime Minister indicated to the 

Sunway Group that it was critical 

that the skill level of local small contractors 

was raised during the period 

of intense infrastructural development 

that the country was currently 

undergoing. The Prime Minister 

outlined to Mr. Chew the government’s 

priorities in relation to the 

areas of development of the sector, 

construction management and manufacturing 

of construction materials. 

The delegation was headed by President 

Chew and included Country 

Manager Poon Koon Hoo and Senior 

Managing Director of the Sunway 

Group, K.L Tan.

4 

LONDON MISSION 

by Dionne Ligoure 

awrence Duprey, Chairman of CL Financial and CL 

L World Brands, announced at the end of May that Angostura 

Holdings Limited, one of the company’s subsidiaries, 

would be listed on the London Stock Exchange within 

24 months. 

Angostura, a rum and spirits company, is parent to brands 

such as the world renowned Angostura Bitters, Angostura 

1919 and 1824 and Royal Oak Rum. 

Angostura looks to London Stock 

Exchange and solutions for sugar…. 

Mr. Duprey estimated the Angostura Group to be worth 

over US$ 100 million. On the heels of the London Stock 

Exchange listing announcement, Mr. Duprey spoke about 

the demise of the local and regional sugar industry and its 

impact on Angostura. He indicated that rising costs was a 

challenge his management team was faced with everyday. 

He made the statement in specific reference to molasses (a 

by product of sugar) and a key ingredient to Angostura’s 

core business of rum production. However, Mr. Duprey 

was actively seeking solutions to address the issue and indicated 

that Angostura was looking at engaging in joint ventures 

with cane producers around the region and 

the world to get raw material for 

its products. 

He said that Angostura 

(Barbados) Ltd plants cane in 

Barbados. “It’s highly mechanised. 

It involves a different 

strategy. We have cane experience. 

I was looking to plant cane 

in Mozambique,” stated Duprey. 

Lawrence Duprey 

He also highlighted that Angostura was also looking to 

plant cane in Mauritius, but the country was too small for 

cane cultivation, although it had the technology, which had 

been transferred to Mozambique where there was more 

land and it was cheaper to plant cane. 

Mr. Duprey ended by stating that the combination of technology, 

capital, finance and natural resources were all 

about creating value for the Third World. 

World, we are open for investment - Min. Valley 

The Honourable 

Kenneth Valley 

abinet has recently 

C approved a Green Paper 

for a new investment 

policy promoting greater 

economic diversification. 

According to the Hon. 

Kenneth Valley, Minister 

of Trade and Industry, the 

new policy aims to lessen 

the country’s reliance on 

oil and natural gas by developing 

Trinidad and Tobago’s 

non-energy sector. 

“For some time now, the 

Government has been 

working on a new draft 

investment policy that 

would really promote 

Trinidad and Tobago as an 

attractive location for both 

foreign and domestic investment,” 

he told reporters 

during the post-Cabinet 

news briefing at Whitehall 

in Port-of-Spain. 

“Therefore, we thought 

that such a position should 

really put investment in an 

investment-friendly environment—that 

it should 

cater for the economic diversification 

for which we 

seek. We have been saying 

that we have a window of 

opportunity...We are using 

our energy reserves to 

build sustainability in the 

non-energy sector, but that 

we have to build the nonenergy 

sector,” said the 

Minister, who also went 

on to state that increased 

foreign investment would 

be vital to the process. 

On the policy’s key objectives, 

Minister Valley said: 

“What we intend to do...is 

to take some of the conditions 

that we would normally 

put in a bilateral investment 

treaty and put it 

in our investment policy so 

that no longer will there be 

a necessity to negotiate 

bilateral investment treaties...We 

are telling the 

world that we are open for 

investment.” 

In the new policy, foreign 

share ownership will 

see an increase from 30 to 

49 percent and there will 

be measures to facilitate 

industrial expansion, with 

special emphasis on services, 

as well as the promotion 

and diversification 

of exports. 

“The dual mechanisms for 

achieving these aims include 

the attraction of foreign 

investment and the 

stimulation and encouragement 

of domestic investment,” 

he added. 

The Hon. Minister said 

that the policy must be 

viewed in the context of 

the Government’s desire 

“to provide an environment 

that would see T&T 

as a manufacturing hub, a 

trans-shipment hub and a 

financial and commercial 

centre.”

Dulha Mil Gaya ….Where It All began… 

by Dionne Ligoure 

ulha Mil Gaya (Say Yes To A 

D Relationship) is the first major 

Bollywood film to be shot on location 

in Trinidad and Tobago. It will be 

released by December 2007. The 

movie has a stellar cast including major 

box office scorers Shah Rukh Khan 

and Sushmita Sen. This is a significant 

accomplishment for a country with a 

Film Company that is less than one 

year old. 

The movie, a warm sometimes funny 

look at contemporary relationships, 

will be the final product. However, 

the making of the film itself has a 

story…a story which began at the 

Trinidad and Tobago High Commission 

in London. 

In February 2006, film producer and 

financier CK Shah met with Ashton 

Ford, Information Attaché at the High 

Commission, expressing interest in 

Trinidad and Tobago as an ideal location 

for filming. 

The team at the High Commission in 

London immediately recognised the 

opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago 

and the wheels were put in motion to 

facilitate the realisation of the project. 

The project was further fast 

tracked after the UK leg of the Trinidad 

and Tobago Trade Mission to 

Germany. At the UK Business Forum, 

Mr. Claude Forbes, Media Adviser, 

and CK Shah met with Trinidad 

and Tobago’s Minister of Trade and 

Industry, the Hon. Kenneth Valley. 

Minister Valley invited them to visit 

Trinidad and Tobago to see first hand 

all the country had to offer. 

They wasted no time and shortly after 

a contingent including Mr. Claude 

Forbes and renowned Bollywood Director 

Viveck Vaswani flew to Trinidad 

and Tobago to meet with officials 

and to scout the location. 

The Tourism Development Company 

extended courtesies to the visitors 

and ensured that they met with relevant 

government agencies and private 

enterprise, including the Trinidad and 

Tobago Film Company. However, 

Mr. Vaswani needed no convincing 

once he landed in Trinidad and Tobago 

and soon returned to India to 

line up cast and crew. Not long after, 

Vaswani and his team began their 

journey half way around the world to 

scenic Trinidad and Tobago. 

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago 

supported the project by making 

available finance as per the legislation 

and support through the relevant 

agencies responsible for the development 

of film and television in Trinidad 

and Tobago. 

By the end of May 2007, the film 

crew completed shooting in 

TTHC welcomes our new Commercial Attaché 

ionne Ligoure has joined the 

D team at the Mission in the capacity 

of Commercial Attaché. She 

brings over 12 years professional experience 

in several areas to the position, 

including strategic planning, 

communications, international business 

and project management. Before 

joining the Mission, she was the Director, 

Corporate Affairs for BWIA, 

then Caribbean Airlines. 

Ms. Ligoure was also the Communications 

Specialist at the 

Ministry of Trade and Industry. 

Dionne has international experience 

having worked in the 

United States and the United 

Kingdom. She holds a Master 

of Science, Information and 

Communication Sciences as 

well as a B.Sc. Management 

Studies. Dionne is an avid 

reader and absolutely loves cars! 


From left: Bollywood actor and one of the 

stars of Dulha Mil Gaya Mohit Chadda, 

H.E. Glenda Morean Phillip and Director 

Dulha Mil Gaya Viveck Vaswani. 

Trinidad and Tobago and returned to 

India to complete final editing. On 

their return via London, Mr. Vaswani 

visited the Trinidad and Tobago High 

Commission, London, to thank High 

Commissioner Her Excellency 

Glenda Morean Philip S.C. and her 

team for the invaluable contribution 

made in ensuring the success of this 

project. 

Dulha Mil Gaya has already captured 

the imagination of the Bollywood industry 

with interviews being requested 

by various media companies 

worldwide. To date, there are over 

13,000 web-site articles associating 

the film with Trinidad and Tobago. 

In speaking with the High 

Commissioner, Mr. Vaswani indicated 

that the film laboratory in London 

when reviewing the footage, had 

stated that the shots were the most 

beautiful they had seen in the last ten 

years. 

Dionne Ligoure 

Commercial Attaché 

TTHC London 

A post-production 

marketing campaign 

is planned to 

include a global 

presence in major 

cities. It is anticipated 

that over 2 

billion people will 

have some visual 

exposure to the 

film, with a significant 

percentage 

actually viewing 

the movie.

10 6 LONDON MISSION 

- High Commissioner has strong words for new radio station. 

n 23rd May, 2007, Voice of 

O Africa Radio, the first and only 

legally licensed African radio station 

in the United Kingdom, was 

launched at the prestigious City Hall 

in London. 

The affair was fittingly cultural and 

academic in nature. Lively African 

drumming preceded a more sombre 

yet equally stimulating session featuring 

addresses by a select group of 

high profile guest speakers, among 

them, Lee Jasper from the Mayor’s 

Office and Her Excellency Glenda 

Morean Phillip. 

While Mr. Jasper spoke about the 

mainstream media’s portrayal of the 

African Community, High Commissioner 

Morean Phillip made a specific 

plea to the African station – tell the 

story. 

The following is what the High 

Commissioner had to say: 

Let me begin by thanking you, Fola, and 

the rest of your team at Voice of Africa 

Radio FM at this pre-launch programme, 

for giving me this opportunity to venture 

an opinion on how the medium of radio 

can bring African and Caribbean people 

together. I also wish to congratulate 

VOAR for its pioneering effort in ensuring 

that the African community and, by extension, 

the Afro-Caribbean community, have 

not just a voice but also a stake in the 

electronic media in the United Kingdom, 

VOAR being the first and only legally 

licensed African radio station in the 

United Kingdom. Please correct me if I am 

wrong in so saying. 

A major way in which VOAR can foster a 

better relationship between 

people from the African continent 

and their cousins of the 

Caribbean Diaspora is by ensuring 

that the story giving 

birth to that Diaspora is told. 

There is a story to be told in many ways, 

over and over. It merits repetition to highlight 

the historical links, similarities in 

physical features, music, culture in general, 

religion and cuisine, to mention a 

few, between Africans from the continent 

and the people from the Caribbean Diasporic 

States. For it is only by understanding 

the past that we can come to terms 

with the present and plan for the future, 

and that future is the cultivation of the 

relationship described above. 

The highlighting of VOAR’S success in 

this the bicentennial year of the Abolition 

of the Transatlantic Slave Trade provides 

a wonderful opportunity for telling this 

story, which has its genesis in the slave 

trade through which countless Africans 

were transported across the Atlantic to 

work in the plantations of the then colonial 

masters, and which continued with 

the struggles of the many Africans who 

waged battles to secure their freedom. 

It is important for us to tell the story from 

our perspective and this is where VOAR 

has a part to play. In fact, I am delighted 

that at last, through this medium, we have 

an opportunity to put forward our point of 

view not only on this issue but also on all 

other issues pertinent to us. 

You will recall that a major focus of the 

bicentennial celebrations in the United 

Kingdom is the part played by William 

Wilberforce in the legal dismantling of the 

Transatlantic Slave Trade. However, this 

is one aspect of the story told from one 

perspective. But there are other aspects of 

Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip 

the story to be told from the perspective of 

the African Diaspora. VOAR has an important 

part to play in ensuring that this 

aspect of the story is told. I look forward 

to the promulgation of these aspects by 

Voice of Africa Radio. 

At the recently-concluded African Union- 

Caribbean Diaspora Conference held under 

auspices of the South African High Commission 

in London, the Caribbean Diasporic 

States were referred to as the sixth 

regional member of the African Union, a 

definition that came from the African Union 

itself. This designation should serve to 

strengthen the resolve of the radio station 

to bring about that vital connection between 

the peoples of the Continent and the 

Caribbean Region. 

A word of caution, however - we must take 

care that we do not confuse nationality 

with ethnicity. For example, I consider 

myself to be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago 

of African heritage. My links with 

Africa are important to me but so also are 

my links to Trinidad and Tobago. I take 

pride in my ethnicity and I am also proud 

to be a Trinbagonian. 

I have spoken briefly on the historical aspect 

of our relationship but VOAR can do 

a lot to cement that relationship between 

Africa and its diaspora by programmes 

which highlight the music, etc. Time does 

not permit me to go into these aspects in 

detail but suffice it to say that this radio 

station can and must, through its programmes, 

connect Africa with its diaspora.


S 

, 

,


The Horticultural Society’s 

Gold Medal Display 

with pictures and 

story by 

Donald Chambers 

Sheer delight: Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip congratulates 

designer Joan Wilson on the Society’s Gold Medal achievement.

here are seventeen annual shows 

T held in the United Kingdom by 

the Royal Horticultural Society and of 

those seventeen, none is held in 

higher regard than the Chelsea 

Flower Show. In fact, this horticultural 

showcase held in the heart of up 

-market London, is considered to be 

the world’s most prestigious and 

sought after horticultural event. 

When you think of Chelsea, you think 

of opulence, high standards and style; 

throw in the Chelsea Flower Show 

and you have all those elements plus 

colour, flair, excellence, meticulous 

detail, admiration, scrutiny, high expectations 

and delivery. The Horticultural 

Society of Trinidad and Tobago 

faced all these elements, stood 

tall amongst its peers, and delivered - 

walking away once more with Gold! 

Commenting on the theme for this 

year’s Gold Medal display - 

“Honouring Our Past” – designer 

Joan Wilson said, “It marks 200 years 

of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, 

and we drew on the positive aspects 

and influences that developed and 

shaped our culture, environment and 

music, i.e. our heritage. Reflecting 

the strong musical influences of the 

era was the song ‘Amazing Grace’. It 

was written by John Newton, a converted 

British Slave Trade abolitionist, 

and was depicted by the use of 

white orchids, anthuriums, natural 

cotton and fruits with vegetables. 

The combined elements of 

white that you see, bursts into the 

colour of reflected light that represents 

relieved fears and new-found 

hope. The fact that we received a 

Gold Medal means that in the judges’ 

eyes, we did justice to the theme. 

And for that I am thrilled.” 

The other members of the Society 

who contributed to the Chelsea display 

were Sundar Narinesingh, Chan 

Ramkisoon, Janice Benjamin, Tony 

Tang Kai, Joan Hampton, Cynthia 

Baptiste and Judith Theodore. Trinidad 

and Tobago nationals in London, 

Jeanette De Couteau and Sylvia 

Shoon provided their usual support 

for the team. 

The Gold Medal is the most recent in 

a long list of accolades for the Horticultural 

Society of Trinidad and Tobago 

and this year’s medal is the tenth 

received in Joan’s tenth year representing 

her country at both the Chelsea 

and Hampton Court Palace 

Flower Shows, and is the twelfth the 

Society has received, along with seven 

Silver-Gilt and 2 Holford Medals 

(given to an amateur for most outstanding 

display of flowers for the 

year). 

So recognised is their expertise that in 

November 2006, the Horticultural 

Society of Trinidad and Tobago was 

9 

invited to 

participate in 

the Royal Flora 

Ratchaphruek in Thailand, 

an International Horticultural 

Flower Show which was held 

as a joint commemoration of His Majesty 

King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60 th 

Anniversary of his Accession to the 

throne and his 80 th birthday. He is 

the world’s oldest reining monarch. 

This invitation was extended 

based on Trinidad and Tobago’s outstanding 

performances at the Chelsea 

and Hampton Court Palace Flower 

Shows. The expo site which featured 

displays from thirty-one countries, 

spanned 80 hectares of land, lasted 

ninety-two days (Nov. 2006 – Jan 

2007) and attracted 3.6 million visitors, 

bringing great exposure to the 

beautiful fauna and creative talents of 

the land and people of Trinidad and 

Tobago. 

Given the track record of these acclaimed 

florists, we can anticipate 

another strong showing at the Hampton 

Court Palace Flower Show in July 

next.

Dr. Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw 

Arima in the spotlight: In a special moment, former Mayor 

of Arima, Attaché Ashton Ford, presents former Arima 

resident, Dame Louise 

Horne, with a card and 

a cake on behalf of the 

High Commissioner and 

Staff, to commemorate 

Dame Louise’s 94th 

birthday. 

Defying the years: Dame 

Lousie reads from her prepared 

speech without the 

use of her glasses. 

A wonderful evening at the Trinidad & Tobago 

High Commission... 

by Donald Chambers 

10 LONDON MISSION 

he Trinidad and To- 

T 

bago High Commission 

has, over the years, been 

the location of choice to 

honour and feature the talent 

and ultimate achievers 

of Trinidad and Tobago, 

and on the evening of 

Thursday 3 rd May, 2007, it 

was business as usual. The 

High Commission featured 

the works of former Independent 

Senator, Dame 

Louise Horne, and acclaimed 

writer, Dr. Elizabeth 

Walcott-Hackshaw, at 

an official launch of their 

most recent publications. 

In her opening remarks, 

Her Excellency Glenda 

Morean Phillip was high in 

praise of the featured publications 

– Four Taxis Facing 

North (Dr. Walcott- 

Hackshaw) and The Evolution 

of Modern Trinidad 

and Tobago (Dame 

Louise Horne) – and was 

even more complimentary 

of the authors themselves, 

describing Mrs. Walcott- 

Hackashaw (Professor at the 

University of the West Indies 

and daughter of Nobel 

Prize Winner Derek Walcott) 

as, “a gifted scholar 

whose love for her culture 

is evident in her work,” and 

Dame Loiuse Horne 

(former Member of Parliament 

and recipient of the 

Medal of Merit -Gold), as, 

“an amazing woman who 

has not only written about 

the history of Trinidad and 

Tobago, but one who, at 

the age of ninety-three, 

continues to make it.” 

The event was attended by 

representatives of various 

High Commissions in London, 

members of the press, 

nationals of Trinidad and 

Tobago, other invited 

guests and members of staff 

at the Trinidad and Tobago 

High Commission, London. 

Foreign Exchange rates as 

at 31 May 2007 

Currency Counter: Selling Notes: 

Buying 

Buying 

Pound 12.3707 12.7418 11.5000 

Sterling 

WTI Cushing Spot Crude Oil Price 

on 31 May 2007 

$64.89 US per barrel 

US Dollar 6.1362 6.3203 6.0000 

Source: Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago Limited


Brian Charles Lara 

A new Exhibition at the MCC Museum, Lord’s Ground 

rian Lara is a name instantly recognisable 

to all cricket fans. The 

B 

most prolific run-scorer of his generation, 

he has dominated the imagination 

of the cricket world since scoring 

his maiden test century - 277 against 

Australia at Sydney in 1990. He is the 

greatest run-scorer in the game’s history 

and the holder of the record 

highest scores in test and first class 

cricket. His record-breaking innings 

of 375, 400 and 501 are iconic moments 

in the history of the modern 

game and, in 2006, he was recognised 

by his contemporaries as the greatest 

batsman in the world. 

Yet Lara remains something of an 

enigma. These remarkable innings 

have all taken place during an era 

when West Indies cricket has been in 

decline. His run-scoring record underscores 

his genius - many of his 

highest innings being made in the face 

of defeat - but he has also experienced 

criticism for his captaincy of the side. 

His retirement from the game in 

April 2007 provides a timely opportunity 

to evaluate Lara’s lasting legacy 

in West Indies and international 

cricket . 

This summer, MCC is hosting an exhibition 

in the Museum at Lord’s 

celebrating the career of Brian Lara, 

with themed displays that explore 

different aspects of Lara’s life, both in 

and out of cricket. Each section is illustrated 

with items of memorabilia 

from Lara’s personal collection that 

have been brought from his home in 

Trinidad specifically for this exhibition 

and which are being displayed to 

the public for the first time. 

The exhibition opened on May 17 and 

is accessible to members of the public 

with match tickets (admission price to 

the MCC Museum is £3 adults/£1 

concessions) or on non-cricket days 

via the Tour of Lords (for details 

please call 020 7616 8595). 

Dear Sir, 

We would like to thank the High 

Commission for its generosity in 

sending us information representing 

the culture of Trinidad and Tobago 

which we displayed at International 

Women’s Day in order to 

promote cultural awareness and diversity. 

The event was a huge success 

with approximately 350 women 

from a variety of cultures attending 

and much interest was shown in the 

information about your country 

which you kindly sent to us. 

Activities included entertainment 

from different cultural dances, a 

cultural fashion show, face painting, 

henna painting and ongoing pampering 

sessions. Information and advice 

were provided from different organisations 

which included health, 

education, housing, benefit, charitable 

groups and employment. There 

were also displays and workshops 

giving women the chance to socialise 

and exchange information and ideas 

which may bring about changes to 

improve their quality of life. 

We hope that we will be able to continue 

hosting this event in future 

years. Once again thank you for your 

help. 

Yours faithfully, 

Sabra Ahmed 

Liverpool Network for Change 

To send letters to the editor please e 

-mail to: tthc@btconnect.com or 

post to: 

Mr. Ashton Ford 

Attaché - Public Affairs, Culture & 

Tourism 


42 Belgrave Square 

London SW1X 8NT


Nostalgia Steelband performing at the event. 

by Geoff Lowe 

anning House, London, was the venue on May 31, 2007, for a 

C unique encounter between Trinidad & Tobago and Brazil – 

weaving calypso and samba together in a dynamic first-ever fusion of 

its kind in the United Kingdom. Attaché Ashton Ford represented 

the High Commission. 

Trinidadian musicians, including Alexander D. Great and Lionel 

McCalman from Nostalgia Steel Band, showcased their musical heritage 

to Brazilian artistes Bosco de Oliveira and Co, Mestre Carlao 

from Kabula and Ian Pattinson from Paraiso School of Samba – who 

in turn serenaded the gathering with samba stories and rhythms. 

This was a truly multi-cultural evening where two cultures with 

strong African links got the chance to share and explore each other’s 

musical roots, culminating in a vibrant jam session. 

A section of the crowd on the night. 

Record year for ISS Fair 

he annual International Social Service of the United Kingdom 

(ISS) Spring Fair was held at the Kensington Town 

T 

Hall on 15th and 16th May 2007. 

The Fair is a celebration of food, music and crafts from various 

countries across the world. As in years past, Trinidad and Tobago 

was one of the participating countries with a stall displaying 

some of its well known products and also a pannist, Samuel 

Du Bois, who entertained the crowd in the foyer. 

The proceeds of the Fair go towards helping children and families 

across national borders, spanning over one hundred and 

thirty countries. 

View from above: The Trinidad and Tobago stall at the 

Fair. 

This year’s event proved to be a resounding success and raised a 

record one hundred and five thousand pounds (£105, 000) for 

the projects of the International Social Service of the United 

Kingdom (ISS). 

Right: Ms. Ulin Friday and Mrs. Donna Phillip Forde, who represented 

the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission. Mr. Geoff Lowe (not Pictured) 

was the head of the TTHC team for the Fair.


The Bishop Anstey High School Choir 

he Bishop Anstey High School 

T Choir and Steel Orchestra from 

Trinidad and Tobago have had the 

distinction and privilege of being selected 

to compete in the 2007 Llangollen 

International Musical Eisteddfod 

to be held in Wales from 9 th – 15 th 

July, 2007. 

The Llangollen International Musical 

Eisteddfod is a world famous celebration 

of international culture which 

includes song, dance, poetry and instrumental 

folk groups. Started in 

1947, this festival has been held annually 

and attracts competitors from 

over 40 countries and an audience of 

over 4,000 persons each night over 

the five days of the festival. 

The festival fosters a spirit of international 

solidarity, peace and acceptance 

of diversity and, in 2004, the Eisteddfod 

was nominated for the Nobel 

Peace Prize, its motto being “Blessed 

Is the World that Sings, Gentle are its 

songs”. 

Bishop Anstey High School was 

founded in 1921 to offer educational 

opportunities to girls comparable to 

those long available to the boys of the 

country. From its inception, music 

played an integral part in the curriculum 

and extra-curricular life of the 

school leading to a long tradition of 

musical excellence. 

The Bishop Anstey High School Choir 

has been in existence for over seventy 

years and is the cornerstone of the 

school’s musical tradition. The choir 

has on seven occasions, 

won the coveted 

Trinidad Music 

Association Shield at 

the Trinidad and Tobago 

Music Festival 

and produced vocalists 

and musicians of 

international acclaim. 

The choir’s ever-expanding range and 

repertoire include Classical, Contemporary 

and Gospel Music as well as 

African, West Indian Folk and Calypso. 

In July 2005, the Senior Choir and 

Steel Ensemble were accepted to participate 

in the 59 th Annual Llangollen 

International Musical Eistedfodd in 

Wales. The Choir competed in the 

categories for Female and Youth 

Choirs and placed 4 th in both. In addition, 

the choir was selected to perform 

at the three matinee concerts for 

children hosted by the Eistedfodd 

Committee. 

The recently formed Dance Group 

have also been invited to perform at 

an evening concert on Wednesday 

11 th July on the Pavillion Stage at the 

Eisteddfod 

The present choir mistress, Lorraine 

Granderson, herself a past student 

and member of choir, assumed responsibility 

in 1996 and has continued 

the tradition of excellence and 

achievement. The Choir has been 

awarded the Prime Minister’s Trophy 

for the Most Outstanding School 

Choir at every Trinidad and Tobago 

Music Festival since 1997. 

At the 2006 Biennial Music Festival, 

the Junior Choir won The Providence 

Shield, and the Senior Choir 

emerged winners of The TMA 

Shield, The Marionette’s Cup, 

The Judge Russell Cup, The 

Joyce Spencer Trophy and the 

Prime Minister’s Trophy. Many 

choir members won or were placed in 

the top three positions in their individual 

categories. The choir was also 

awarded a trophy for Excellence at 

the recently held “National Youth 

Action Top Twenty Stars of Tomorrow, 

2006”. 

The Bishop Anstey High School Steel 

Orchestra, also under the direction of 

Lorraine Granderson, was formed in 

1996. It performs not only as a complement 

to the choir but has distinguished 

itself at the Trinidad and Tobago 

Music Festival, the National 

Schools Panorama and at various public 

performances. 

In addition to competing in the Instrumental 

Folk Competition at Llangollen, 

the steel orchestra had been 

specially invited to perform at three 

Outreach Performances for the people 

of Llangollen. 

Their participation is also an opportunity 

for the Choir to represent Trinidad 

and Tobago at a highly acclaimed 

international forum. Youth choirs 

and orchestras from all over the 

world will gather to compete but, 

more importantly, this competition is 

yet another opportunity for the girls 

to showcase the talent, excellence and 

culture of Trinidad and Tobago, and 

to be ambassadors, continuing the 

tradition of excellence that has produced 

successive generations of musicians, 

singers and composers. 

Please note: the Choir and Steel 

Ensemble will be performing at St. 

Margaret’s Church, London, on FRI- 

DAY 20TH JULY, 2007. For tickets 

and information, please contact 

Suresh Rambaran at 07799063126.


www.cocoyea.com www.galleryhendon.com


The complete guide to 

With its choice of the Caribbean Sea or Atlantic Ocean, palm tree or rainforest, 

dozing or diving, and three types of sand, this is a paradise island in the sun like no 

other, says Marian Amos of The Independent Traveller magazine. 

he shores of Tobago have plenty 

T of coral reefs, and are rewarding 

for novices and experts alike, as they 

are surprisingly undeveloped. With 

over 300 types of coral and countless 

fish, including parrot fish, and every 

sort of angel fish, the waters 

surrounding Tobago have international 

drift-dive recognition. You can swim 

among dolphins, manta rays, turtles 

and sharks, as well as the rarer 

shortnose batfish and toadfish. 

The real challenge, for expert divers 

with local guides, is the deep London 

Bridge dive. Here, the ocean's forces 

have engineered a natural arch amid 

the swirling currents off the coast at 

Charlotteville. The rock "bridge" 

crowns large ocean pinnacles rising up 

from a depth of 30 metres. Divers can 

ride the rapids one at a time through a 

porthole arch, then dramatically drop 

and explore the folds and canyons of 

the pinnacle base. 

Colonies of star and 

brain coral abound, 

sponges cling to the 

walls, while tangs and 

trumpet-fish keep 

patrol. Elsewhere, 

pirate ships, Spanish 

galleons and Second 

World War vessels lie 

on the sea floor. 

Snorkelling, a slightly 

more sedate pursuit, is similarly 

rewarding. Arnos Vale, in the northwest, 

offers some of the best, and in 

relatively sheltered conditions. Angel 

Reef, just off Little Tobago in 

Batteaux Bay, is perfect territory for 

inexperienced and younger 

snorkellers, who can see puffer fish, 

parrot fish and pipe fish swimming 

among the dead man's fingers and seafan 

corals. 

PART V 

Tobago 

The seas off the island can be rough, 

and riptides are numerous. Always 

check conditions and weather reports 

before you set off. It's also worth 

contacting the Association of Tobago 

Dive Operators for advice and 

specialists 

(www.tobagoscubadiving.com). 

(See PART VI in next issue) 

VACANCIES 

LECTURER IN LITERATURES IN ENGLISH 

Department: Liberal Arts 

Faculty: Humanities & Education 

Deadline Date: Saturday, June 30, 2007 

LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER IN ECONOMICS 

Department: Economics 

Faculty: Social Sciences 


SENIOR LECTURER/LECTURER IN HUMAN 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 

Department: Management Studies 



LECTURER/ASSISTANT LECTURER IN GOVERN- 

MENT 

Department: Behavioural Sciences 



U.W.I. Application procedure 

Complete two copies of the application form provided and submit 

with the application form, your full particulars of qualifications, experience, 

date of birth, marital status and addresses of three (3) 

referees (one of whom should be from your current organisation). 

This information should be forwarded to: 

The Campus Registrar 

The University of the West Indies 

St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. 

Fax: 1 868 663 9684 

Email: appts@admin.uwi.tt 

Particulars of advertised posts and applications forms are available 

at the above address and at http://www.uwi.tt. In order to expedite 

the appointments procedure, applicants are advised to ask their 

referees to send references under confidential cover directly to 

the Campus Registrar at the above address.

At the Brit Oval with the West Indies: Back row - Steve Malkin (TDC-PR), Nova Alexander (TDC-Mgr), Andrew 

Baker, Daily Telegraph, Sprots Feature Writer , Denesh Ramdin, Ashton Ford (TTHC), Stephen Thorpe, freelance 

travel writer and Huw Turbervill, Daily Express Sports Desk. Front row - Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Ramnaresh 

Sarwan (capt.), Daren Ganga (v.capt.) and Michael Findlay (Mgr.) 

Left: TTHC’s Donald 

Chambers with Jenny 

Collyer, Subject Area 

Leader, Multimedia 

Systems, London Metropolitan 

University, at 

the University’s Summer 

Reception, held at the 

Tower of London. Mr. 

Chambers was attending 

on behalf of Her Excellency 

Glenda Morean 

Phillip. In the background 

is the armour of 

King Henry VIII. 

Above: Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip with 

Dr. Floella Benjamin at Trinidad and Tobago’s display 

at the Chelsea Flower Show. 

Ms. Claudia Cupid (left) and Mrs. Donna 

Phillip-Forde of the TTHC are joined by 

national footballer Carlos Edwards and 

his daughter at the Office of the High 

Commission. 

Women in Diplomatic 

Service: H.E. Glenda 

Morean Phillip (far 

right) with other 

High Commissioners 

accredited to Norway. 

From left: H.E. 

Fatoumata Sire 

Diakitè (High 

Commissioner, Mali), 

H.E. Theresia 

Samaria (High 

Commissioner, 

Namibia) and H.E. 

Bernadette Sebage Rathedi (High Commissioner, Botswana) 

on the steps of a national monument in Norway. 


42 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8NT 

Tel: 020 7245 9351 Fax: 020 7823 1065 

E-mail: tthc.information@btconnect.com

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