Contributing writer Dickson Igwe
A review of the BVI Standpoint of May 10, 2012, looks at Her Majesty’s Prison, gardening in the British Virgin Islands, and a wonderful daughter of Salt Island called ‘Clementine’
The BVI Standpoint is one of the national newspapers of the British Virgin Islands. And HER MAJESTY’S PRISON, a critical part of the Country’s social and physical infrastructure featured prominently on the pages of the newspaper, week ending Saturday, May 12, 2012. Another thing is this: there will always be lawbreakers, and consequently prisons. That is one of life’s unpleasant facts.
And the article in the Standpoint of May 10, headed, ‘’ MORE CELLS NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE PRISONERS AMID RISING CRIME,’’ caught this newspaper reader’s watchful eye. Delana Isles, Staff Writer with the Newspaper, described how at a Standing Finance Committee earlier in the year, Honorable Julian Fraser raised the notion that ‘’ since its establishment at Balsam Ghut some 12 years ago, the prison has not been expanded.’’ The Prison Superintendent, Richard Holder, also made the assertion that ‘’more space was needed.’’
The Paper described Holder’s insistence that ‘’ there is a lot of land for expansion,’’ and that the Superintendent, ‘’ since assuming office in 2010, has been calling for expansions to the Prison and increased salary for prison officers.’’
The Superintendent, according to the story, stated that the Prison needs about 3.5 million dollars to operate, and that would allow for improved wings, camera upgrades, rehabilitation programmes, and better equipment for prison officers.’’ One safely assumes he means 3.5 million dollars annually.
Honorable Minister for Education and Culture, and Minister responsible for Prisons, Honorable Myron Walwyn, on a recent visit to the facility, ‘’ told officials that the rehabilitative work of the prison is his top priority.’’
Photo courtesy gobeach.com
Now, and in light of the country’s increasing concerns over environmental sustainability, there is a new enthusiasm to adopt an eco friendly modus Vivendi. And a delightful article by Esther Georges, ‘’LIVING GREEN IN A SMALL ISLAND COMMUNITY,GARDENING WITH NATURE, A REWARDING EXPERIENCE, spoke of compost and manure as ‘’natural or organic alternatives to synthetic fertilizers, the main advantage being that natural fertilizer remains in the soil and is available for a longer time.’’
On the other hand, Mrs. Georges stressed that ‘’the use of synthetic fertilizers is much more convenient, but carries a heavy environmental cost. The production of fertilizers requires the use of expensive fuel, generates a lot of heat, and discharges acidic fumes into the atmosphere.’’ In other words synthetic fertilizers are not friendly to the environment.
The Writer exhorted all gardeners, and would be gardeners, to view their gardens ‘’ as a small part of the natural system. This means utilizing materials which are derived from living things such as compost, mulch or natural rotting vegetable matter, and using natural predators to grow plants and control pests and disease, which have little effect on the environment.’’
She gave many more precious nuggets and valuable tidbits in her article, a must read for all green fingers and wannabe planters, and it would be a great omission not to mention her advice to ‘’select plants that are suited to your site conditions,’’ and that when ‘’planted in the right environment, plants will thrive and produce abundantly.’’
The narrative further advised the Virgin Islands gardener to use a mulch in the garden, as doing this ‘’ will control weeds, conserve water, prevent erosion, control temperatures around roots and soil, and most of all, feed the plants.’’
The article spoke of a diverse mix of plants in the garden as ‘’reducing the risk of infestation by pests,’’ and she insisted that ‘‘regular maintenance and monitoring of a garden will draw the gardener’s attention to the onset of disease or damage, thereby allowing for the implementation of preventative measures to reduce the risk of major loss.’’
Above all, Mrs. Georges asserted that ‘’with a little time, patience, and access to the internet, you can provide food for yourself and your family.’’ Thanks for the story Ms. Georges, advice well taken!
Another delightful news piece was the story of CLEMENTINE HELENA
Clementine Smith OBE. Photo courtesy islandsun.com
LEONARD SMITH, BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL. This bastion of British Virgin Islands society and culture was paid tribute, in a story just before Mothers Day.
Born on May 9, 1911, the Newspaper described how Clementine was ‘’passionate about Salt Island, and was among other things, a tour guide, burial grounds keeper, historian, fisherwoman, sailor, coal burner, salt miner, a true cultural ambassador, and all around cay woman.’’
The Newspaper described how she, ‘’helped to maintain the beaches on Salt Island, the HMS Rhone burial site, and the general environs. She educated and entertained thousands of tourists and local visitors over the years about the life and history of Salt Island, and the surrounding islands. She provided visitors and locals alike with lively demonstrations in the proper harvesting of pond salt, blowing the conch shell, and fashioning jewelry from shells, whelk caps, and other natural resources.’’
The paper stated that ‘’ on her best days, smiles would be brought to her visitors as she burst into her favourite tune: ‘oh my darling Clementine,’ accompanied by a lively jig. Many a tourist returned year after year to the Virgin Islands, and made it a point to include Salt Island, and a visit with Clemmie on their itinerary.’’
Further described as a national icon, Clemmie, ‘’ truly loved her country, and in recognition of her many years of unstinting and devoted service, she was honored by Her Majesty the Queen in 1985, when she was awarded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire. In May 1996, the Frederick Pickering Memorial Foundation also recognized Clem for her social and cultural contributions on Salt Island.
This mother, grandmother, and great grandmother died on May 14, 2002, at the age of 91. The Standpoint stated that at the time of her death, ‘’she was one of the last remaining natives of salt Island, a beautiful untouched cay, which lies between Peter Island and Cooper Island, the BVI’s only producer of natural pond salt, and a haven of tranquility.’’ What a lovely lady, and what a wonderful story!
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