Residents of Woodside Celebrate Annual Community Day

Residents of Woodside in St. Mary celebrated their 12th annual community day recently, where they showcased the cultural traditions of the area, while benefiting from expert presentations designed to enhance community life.
Organized by the Woodside Community Development Action Group, the event, held since 1997, is aimed at promoting the community and sensitizing residents about the importance of volunteerism and cooperative efforts in the development of the area.
Activities for the day included a panel discussion on the topic: ‘Dealing with crime and violence in schools’; a dramatic production from the Creative Arts Centre at the University of the West Indies titled ‘Break the waters set the echoes free’, directed by Amina Blackwood Meeks; and a creative dance performance by Jean Taggaland.
There were also displays of art including paintings and sculptures, and mouth watering traditional dishes.Participants in the panel discussion were professor Fred Hickling of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of the West Indies; Dennis Clarke, Principal of Dinthhill High School; Dotlyn Dawes, Principal of Carron Hall High School; and Timothy Bailey, Principal of Guy’s Hill High School.
President of the Woodside Community Development Action Group, Silvan Russel, who opened the community day, commended the residents for the efforts to achieve sustained social and economic progress.
He noted that the residents served as an outstanding example of what could be achieved in the country, through the spirit of volunteerism.
During the function, the audience was presented with a brief overview of the history of Woodside by Vilma Walker, well known social worker from that community.
Other speakers included Dr. Morais Guy, Member of Parliament for Central St. Mary and Dr. Erna Brodber, Sociologist, who also commended the community-spirit of residents.