I WAS truly excited and was breathlessly anticipating my visit to Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara.
You see folks, ever since I was younger, I was always somewhat enthralled with the constant bustle of this village, and often wondered how in heaven’s name it appeared that the residents there were always up and going, or otherwise fussing about with one thing or the other.After enduring the raucous and very inconsiderate attitude of the bus conductor aboard the Grove (East Bank Demerara) bound mini- bus I had entered, I disembarked at Eccles, my eardrums ringing from the merciless beating they had received from the boom box blaring to its fullest in the bus.
Eccles is a very interesting village, just over four miles from the capital city of Georgetown and nestled snugly between the slightly larger villages of Agricola and Bagotstown. While her two neighbours are more yester-year fashioned villages, Eccles over time has evolved into a bustling community with a very vibrant industrial sector.
Eccles, according to its residents, is divided into three sections: the CC Eccles New Housing Scheme, the DD New Housing Scheme, and the Eccles New Scheme, still under construction. These areas are however divided into several other avenues, streets and byways that constitute its infrastructural layout.

Our arrival
Ever so often I arrive at a village with mixed emotions as to the reception I would receive; but strangely enough, I was naturally excited about my exploration of this location, and was just pleasantly taken aback with its beauty and high class sophistication. What appealed to me was the intriguing manner in which the quiet and secluded areas that housed the rich and popular elite still seemed to fuse mystically with the bustle of activity that surrounded the areas where the working class and more down-to-earth of the village resided.
* It was if I was exploring in a glitzy and glamorous Hollywood, yet trekking in the more laid-back environs of Queens, New York. Then there was the ‘industrial areas’ to contend with the flurry of vehicles and pedestrians darting in and out, smoking chimneys, and noisy machines, all blending with the noisy laughter of men merrily at work.
Most of the houses in this village could be labelled as posh and expensive, save for a few that still cling to the cottage appearance, some needing refurbishing here and there.
And I have never seen so many taxi services existing in one village and so many hire cars, their drivers just ready to sprint to the beck and call of the next ready customer.
I strolled through Anainda Avenue, which seemed to be a more quiet location and everyone seemed to be locked in, save for about three persons who were tending to the lawns of the Eccles Christadelphian Hall. Not a face was looking out of an open window and I assumed they were either out at their work stations, having their after-lunch siestas, or watching television.
Naturally I took what seemed to be a main road that led into the village, allowing access to almost every area through well-paved access streets, decent alleyways, and well managed pathways.
I was truly having an amazing time… all around the horns of vehicles were honking, villagers were politely waving and awarding me with a welcoming smile, and even a few bravely enquired of my mission with an inquisitive twinkle in their eyes.
Lawns were most neatly kept and endearing flower tress lined the roadways, lending a somewhat Guyanese sparkle and certain tropical allure to the village. Everything appeared so neat and well arranged that I just marvelled with a little envy at the apparent comfortable and jolly existence of these people.
Eccles seemed to be the location where almost every race resides. While it is populated with a large amount of East Indians and Africans, over the years Amerindians, Chinese, Portuguese and mixed races have taken up residence in the economically booming village.
The memorable connections
I have learnt from doing the Village Focus explorations that the best of the lot to interact with were the roadside vegetable or food vendors who always have so much to offer. These persons are more prone to indulge, divulge information, and are often the sweetest and more approachable among villagers.
Quite naturally I approached ‘Baby’ as she prefers to be called, who is a grown woman residing in Eccles for over twenty-five years. She was all smiling and without hesitation declared that life in Eccles was good and was certainly a refresher to the soul.
“Sir, life is beautiful in Eccles and I am certainly enjoying it. We have electricity, paved streets, and our drainage is good, save for the CC Back Road trench which needs cleaning since weeds and other bushes have taken it over. We have proper drinking water, and it’s easy to find jobs in Eccles because of all the factories and other businesses here. I would not say that life is perfect here…. But what I know for sure is that we are quite happy and comfortable as a people and I would like to thank the Government for taking care of us all”.
‘Baby’ is a snack vendor and she wisely positioned her stall just outside the gate that leads into the ‘industrial section’ of Eccles. At her stall, one can enjoy delicious buns, biscuits, boiled and fried channa, fish and bread, purri, egg balls, and the list goes on and on…. This of course goes with fresh fruit juices and carbonated beverages.
While her husband works as a joiner at one of the industrial factories, she sells snacks to help out in the home. To ensure her customers are kept filled and satisfied ‘Baby ‘ wakes up at 02:00 hrs daily (except on Sundays) and prepares the day’s delicacies. She takes her items to her stall at 7:00hrs, just when the workers are arriving for duty so she can garner morning sales from those who desire a ‘morning top up’, or may have left home without breakfast.
Sales are mostly good for her throughout the year, but may dwindle a little at Christmas time, when persons are prone to be more concerned with purchasing household items for the holidays.
I was directed next to a village elder, Balram Singh, who was very camera shy and vehemently demanded that his photo should not be taken or published. After much coaxing and encouragement from his ‘buddy friend’, Chaitram Persaud, he softened up a bit, but not before mouthing ‘Me ain’t want me pitcha in de papers”.
Balram, 84, has been residing in Eccles for over 65 years and was more than able to shed light on the settlement long ago.
“Bai me can remembah when me was a lil bai… dis place nah bin deh like it is today. “Eccles then was a wide stretch ah land with just lil bit houses. De place had nuff trees and bush and we nah bin ah get wata like we ah get today. There was no good road and we nah bin get shaps and suh like is present today. But after a time moh people begin tuh live hea and then we start fuh get shaps and all dem business yuh see hea today. I think dat Eccles is wan ah de most pramising village in Guyana, and am thankful of how de Govament has helpe in de improvement. I give de Govament nuff, nuff praise fuh the new housing scheme dat is building ad de back ah de village.
“Eccles really nice and everybody ah live hea as wan… and just de otha day a new candy factry open hea, and it will provide moh jabs fuh villajas”.
Today Eccles is a mystical fusion of internet cafes, snackettes, taxi services, industrial businesses, supermarkets, small boutiques, commercial centres, and so much more. Eccles over the years has been surely taking on the makings of a little town, so to speak.
Telochmie Sankar was all smiles and jolly laughter and proudly proclaimed that life in Eccles was splendid, save for one small issue that is of great concern to her.
According to Mrs. Sankar the DD Eccles irrigation trench just outside the industrial sector for months now has been in dire need of cleaning. Upon inspecting the trench, I discovered lots of refuse in the water and it was indeed overgrown with weeds and bushes.
This is preventing the free flow of water and residents are afraid that the area would be flooded after a heavy downpour.
One resident said that he had made several approaches to the NDC body responsible for that area, but was unsuccessful in having them desilting and clearing the trench.
Great commercial potential
Despite its size, Eccles is definitely showing great signs of commercial and economic development.
The industrial section alon, with its thriving businesses, lends an unrelenting ‘economic aura’ to the village. The many businesses there offer wide scale employment for villagers and outsiders, signalling the possibility of one of Guyana’s more thriving commercial sectors in the making.
Eccles is at its busiest throughout the entire day and even into the late hours of the night. One might want to agree that this little village appears to be even busier than the Garden City of Georgetown, since some sectors of the Garden City are dormant during the late hours of night.
As we walked through the village, residents were busily engaged in ‘endless shopping’, in the garment stores, boutiques, dry goods shops, and even in the few restaurants. Young girls were trekking in and out of shops, purchasing cell phone cases, makeup gift ideas, and in some cases, the latest brands of cellular handsets. Others were darting in and out of the Chinese restaurant that has sprung up there just over two years ago.
Housewives were rushing in and out of the clothing establishments, cashing in on the cheap bargains and arguing loudly for price slashes.
Some persons could be overheard loudly making arrangements to visit the Eccles New Housing Scheme which is still under construction to view the posh houses or maybe to decide which one will best suit their living arrangements when they are completed. The Igloo Ice-Cream Parlour offers the perfect opportunity for students and villagers to indulge in their ‘ice-cream fantasies’ since it sells all shades and flavours in ice-cream and related products.
Amongst the many entities that lend to the commercial make-up of the village are Hardeen & Son’s Lumber Dealers, Pokerz Woodworks, Truck Masters Auto Sales, R & W Super Centre, Umitech Awning, Flambouyant Sports Bar, Super SavingsTaxi Service, Linkin Internet Cafe, Deanysh Timber & Timber Products, Price Line Pharmacy & Gift Centre, and so much more.

Entertainment
Seeking word on the entertainment status of the village, Jadesh Samaroo explained that entertainment in the village is most times ‘home produced’ as he chose to put it . He said that many times groups of friends would come together and host entrainment activities at their homes or sometimes step out of the village to other mega activities.
That aside, the Flambouyant Sports Bar offers all week entertainment for those who are desirous of winding down or stepping out for a little fun. Of course birthdays, weddings and other entertainment functions add lustre to the welfare and existence of villagers from time to time.

Livelihood of villagers
With the exception of the few that would have left the village to seek employment elsewhere, residents of Eccles are employed in one way or another.
A large majority are employed at the various entities in the rich industrial sector, while some may teach at the academic institutions in Eccles. It seems that a few are still preoccupied in farming in the distant backlands, but that is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, as the village continues to evolve.
The food stalls are quite popular around the village and many make a fast dollar in this trade, but that aside, others are employed at the many taxi services, boutiques, supermarkets, and other businesses around. The village is abuzz with the employment opportunities that will be furnished by the new and elaborate US$2M candy factory that was just recently commissioned in the village.
This factory will sport five different fruit flavours of ‘Kaieteur Candies’ and three varieties of mints on the local market. The company, dubbed Sueria Manufacturing Inc., will also produce peanuts and will expand its operations to cater for plantain chips and chewing gums. The company is already providing employment for over twenty persons but will ensure employment positions for hundreds after its expansion initiative
On the other side of the coin, a large number of persons are engaged either manning their own businesses or working in the businesses of others.

Ethnic Harmony
Any rumours of ethnic differences existing in Eccles should be treated as nonsense and be crushed under foot. If there is any truth to such tales, that maybe would have existed years ago, but with time have evaporated, and have been replaced with a ‘racial harmony’ so rich in its intensity that it sent a sweet thrill of intense delight coursing through my very soul.
The noisy chatter of students could be heard from a distance away as they conversed on the ‘happenings of the day’ or on possible methods of effectively completing assignments. Of course the bigger girls were giving and getting ‘goo goo eyes’ from some males hot in pursuit, or chomping noisily on chewing gum. A few school girls ganged up in groups mouthing the latest gossip in hushed tones for fear of the teachers overhearing.
It was a pleasing ethnic fusion as they spilled into the streets, both Indo and Afro buddies and school chums, laughing their heads off at one comical joke or another. They were indeed a picture of what we would want our beautiful Guyana to be.

Young Professionals Scheme
Residents are more than excited about the new housing scheme under construction at the back of Eccles, and are lauding the Government for the considerate initiative.
The housing development along the East Bank of Demerara continues to move apace, with the Young Professionals Scheme still under construction.
This newest housing scheme will comprise a semi-gated community within the wider Eccles Housing scheme, in which 40, 1200 square-foot houses will be constructed. According to Minister Irfaan Ali, efforts are being made to complete the scheme by August, in keeping with the drive to provide affordable housing to all Guyanese.
“We’re going to expand our partnership with young middle and low income earners… young working persons… “
Alluding to the need for such a scheme, Ali noted that over the years, the Housing Ministry has received a large number of applications from young professionals, including doctors, lawyers, engineers and bankers, within the age group 25-35 years.
“We have worked to create an affordable package for this target market. The total cost of this package will be just below $15M. In an area such as Eccles, the same house from a private developer will cost about $25 million,” the minister explained.
Housing development on the East Bank commenced in late 2010 when government announced it will create 30,000 new households. In 2011, government invested almost $2.B on the East Bank, and in 2012, an additional $3.5B was invested. This brings a total of some $5.8B invested on the East Bank alone.
Undoubtedly, Guyana is at a defining moment in its history as a large number of citizens are becoming home owners and partnerships with the financial institutions have seen more low income earners having access to affordablemortgages to purchase or construct their homes.
The access road to the Haags Bosch landfill
Another initiative that was the talk of the village is the access road to the Haags Bosch landfill site, aback of Eccles, which residents feel will greatly benefit villagers and others from outlying areas. Many feel that the landfill site is a positive Government gesture since it will take away from the build-up in refuse at the prior Georgetown location.
This will greatly enhance the city’s ability to cope with solid waste management and bring much needed relief to residents.
It was declared that no disposal will be done at the Mandela dumpsite, Le Repentir from February 1,2015, as this will be completely closed in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The new site at Eccles, as indicated, will have geo-synthetic materials placed at its base.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Nigel Dharamlall had previously indicated that stern action will be taken against persons found dumping garbage at the Mandela site after February I next.

Conclusion
Eccles Village is a true indication that Guyana is indeed rich in natural resources and laden with economic potentials and opportunities. It is also a stark reminder that Guyana’s stirring beauty is registered in its exotic villages, and in the welcoming smiles and mirthful laughter of its very happy people.
Take a break folks from the hectic schedule of your lives and take some time to visit this impressive location. You wouldbe sure to leave with a smile of satisfaction and pleasant memories to last a lifetime.
Written By Alex Wayne