Jamaican High Commission Hosts Cultural Evening and Presents PM’s Medal of Appreciation

Two United Kingdom-based Jamaicans were recently presented with the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation at a special cultural evening hosted by the Jamaican High Commission in London.

They are Rev. Canon Evadne Pitts of Birmingham, and Carlton Moody of the Lambeth Cricket Academy in London.

The Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation recognises individuals for services to Jamaica,or to those who have excelled in personal achievements outside of the country.

Rev. Pitts and Mr. Moody are among three UK-based Jamaicans to be honoured with the medal this year, but they were unable to attend the award ceremony held in Jamaica in July. The third recipient, attorney Barbara Ledgister, received her medal at the July ceremony.

The cultural evening, held in celebration of National Heritage Week and Black History Month, featured a reading by Jamaican author Kerry Young from her books “Pao” and “Gloria”; poetry from Luke Williams, Janice Williams, and a monologue by actress Marcia Mantack.

Staff from the High Commission did a medley of folk songs as well as poetry. A special piece was also performed by the High Commissioner, Her Excellency Aloun Ndombet Assamba.

The evening ended with performances by the Koromantic mento bands, and a special rendition of the National Anthem by new Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology, Vivian Crawford, who was a special guest.