Spanish Town Celebrates 475 Years

A number of activities have been planned by the St. Catherine Parish Council, in commemoration of the 475th anniversary of the founding of the City of Spanish Town.
Spanish Town will be celebrating 475 years of existence in July and to kick off the celebrations, the Parish Council is hosting a parliamentary style debate, incorporating all high schools in the parish.
Mayor of Spanish Town, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, told JIS News, that some 25 high schools from five zones in the parish will participate in the preliminary round, which is being held from January 26 to 30.
Competitions will be held at the Methodist Church in Spanish Town; the Lion’s Civic Centre in Old Harbour; the Portmore Missionary Church, Edgewater, Portmore; and at the Trinity Church Hall in Linstead on January 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, respectively.
“This competition is part of an effort to inform and educate the young persons of our society of the historical importance of Spanish Town, as being not only the capital of the parish but being the first and only city in this part of the world,” Dr. Wheatley said.
Giving details of the competition, Dr. Wheatley said that each school will receive a moot to research and make a 10 minute presentation at a local forum to be decided. The two best presentations from each zone will be selected to debate at the St. Catherine Parish Council.
In the final round on February 5, 2009, the three best presenters will then be asked a series of questions about St. Catherine to decide on an overall winner. He said the winning school will receive the Mayor’s Award and the presenter from that school will receive the status of Youth Ambassador of St. Catherine for 2009.
The 10 finalists will be given the Rodney Memorial Award in the form of memorabilia while the schools will receive plaques. All participants and schools will receive Parish Council certificates of participation.
In addition, Mayor Wheatley said that a number of events will be held in July 2009, including expositions, symposiums, developmental workshops and an Economic Day involving the business community.
“It is just a general celebration to bring recognition and part of the general thrust for us to bring some attention to Spanish Town and to promote heritage tourism as an alternative form of employment for persons living in and around Spanish Town,” he said.