All In Place To Mark Birthday Of Bustamante On February 24

All is in place for the ceremony marking the 137th anniversary of the birth of National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Sir William Alexander Bustamante, on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at his birthplace in Blenheim, Hanover.

Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic will see a significant reduction in the number of persons in attendance.

However, Acting Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Marjorie Leyden-Kirton, gave the assurance that the planning committee has pulled out all the stops to make the event one befitting the memory of Hanover’s most celebrated son.

“This year the observation of the Bustamante birthday anniversary will take the form of a floral tribute. This would be a first (in Hanover), where in the past we usually have an elaborate civic ceremony, but due to the (COVID-19) protocols, it’s going to be done that way,” Mrs. Leyden-Kirton stated.

Custos of the parish, Hon David Stair, heads the list of participating national and local political and civic leaders, which include Councillor Devon Brown of the Hopewell Division, who will be representing His Worship the Mayor and chairman of the Hanover Municipal Corporation, Councillor Sheridan Samuels; Member of Parliament for Western Hanover, Tamika Davis; Councillor Fearon Decarish of the Chester Castle Division, and Assistant General Secretary for the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), Collin Virgo

Deputy Mayor and Councillor of the Sandy Bay Division, Andria Dehaney Grant, will chair the programme, while Rev Calvin Hamilton of the Richmond New Testament Church of God will represent the Hanover Ministers Fraternal, and say prayers.

Cultural items will be presented by 2018 Gospel Song Finalist, Shaundre Cowan and student of the Green Island High School, Karlia Jarrett.