Trench Town Culture Yard Hoping For Boost From Visit By Duke And Duchess
By: , March 23, 2022
Photo: Donald De La Haye
Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, try their hand at playing the drums, during a visit to the Trench Town Culture Yard on Tuesday (March 22), shortly after their arrival in the island for a three-day Official Visit. They are joined by Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (second left), State Minister, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (left), and artistes from the area.The Full Story
Chief Tour Guide at the Trench Town Culture Yard, Donnette Dowe, is pleased that Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to stop in the community on Tuesday (March 22) as part of their three-day Official Visit to Jamaica.
She is hoping that the visit will bring greater attention to Trench Town and attract more visitors to the area, which is known as the birthplace of rocksteady and reggae music and the home of late reggae icon, Bob Marley.
The area has seen a downturn in visits due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“It will do good for the residents,” Ms. Dowe told JIS News.
“For them to choose to come here, it is an honour, and I am happy about it. Hopefully, their visit will bring more people,” she added.
During the visit to Trench Town, which was just a few hours after arriving in the island, the Duke of Cambridge played a game of football at the Trench Town Football Field, which brought cheers and shouts of admiration from the large crowd.
Their Royal Highnesses also visited the Culture Yard and engaged in a cultural performance with local musicians.
The Culture Yard is a National Heritage Site presenting the unique history and contribution of Trench Town to Jamaica.
“It is a great day for Trench Town because it shone a light on our people, who are of humble beginnings and want better out of life. So, this is an opportunity for them to show their talent and to show how much they have to give to the world,” Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, told JIS News.
For his part, Curator for Culture Yard, Christopher Stone, said the visit of the Duke and Duchess shows that Trench Town has a lot to offer to the world in terms of its cultural heritage.
“Only positive things will come from it,” Mr. Stone said.
The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from March 22 to 24, is part of celebrations marking the 70th Anniversary (Platinum Jubilee) of the Coronation of Her Majesty The Queen.