CONGREGATIONALISTS TO MARK 178TH YEAR

(Guyana Chronicle April 5, 1979)
February 6, 1979 marked the 178th year of Congregationalism in Guyana. And April this year also marks the 96th year since the several autonomous Congregational Churches formed themselves into a Union then known as the BG Congregational Union.The Annual Assembly is held in Berbice and Demerara alternately.
This year the 96th Annual Assembly will be held at the Smith Memorial Church Brickdam from Sunday to Wednesday next.
On Sunday there will be an exchange of pulpits in Demerara culminating with a United Union Service at Smith Church at 6 p.m.
The Preacher will be Rev. W.P Smith Chairman of the Union.
Business sessions will be held Monday to Wednesday next.
Overseas guest , Rev. (Miss) Lee Ching Chee, Education Secretary , Council for World Mission, London has been invited.

10 ESCAPE AS PLANE CRASH-LANDS AT WALES
(Guyana Chronicle April 6, 1979)
Ten persons miraculously escaped injury when a twin engine aircraft made an emergency landing aback of Wales Estate , West Bank Demerara, Wednesday night.
But the plane owned and operated by the Guyana Aviation Group headed by George Grandsoult was substantially damaged and would have to undergo extensive repairs before it could be operated commercially again.
Those rescued were pilot Ian Fraites, his co-pilot and eight passengers who were on a flight from Ekereku in the Cuyuni River to Ogle when the aircraft developed problems.
One of the passengers was a casualty with a snake bite.
The Chronicle learnt that the emergency landing took place shortly after seven o’clock Wednesday night after Fraites reported that the aircraft was having fuel problems.
The plane landed on a dam aback of the sugar estate and the Civil Aviation Department immediately mounted the rescue operation.

WOMAN SOLDIER BEATS UP SNATCHER
(Guyana Chronicle April 11, 1979)
A bandit recently robbed a young woman of her gold chain and dashed off thinking no doubt that she was “easy pickings.”
But he soon discovered that the victim was a tough nut when she caught up with him and gave him a good beating first with a piece of wood and then with her fists.
According to reports, Private Springer, a female soldier attached to the Mechanical Transport Corps at Camp Stephenson Timehri was standing on Irving Street waiting for transportation to get home to Beterverwagting East Coast Demerara when a young man walked up to her and snatched the chain from around her neck.
The man ran in the direction of Woolford Avenue and fortunately for Springer her shouts of thief attracted the attention of some young men who were playing games in a nearby ground.
They joined the chase and cornered the bandit who had no choice but to turn around and run in the same direction from which Springer was coming.
The able bodied young woman caught hold of the snatcher and a scuffle ensued with both of them rolling into a nearby gutter.
During the scuffle Springer gained the upper hand.
She managed to grab a piece of wood and dealt the man lashes.
But he was able to escape.
By then Springer attracted the attention of a nearby Policeman who captured the bandit.
Springer retrieved her chain and accompanied the bandit to the Kitty Police Station where it was understood Springer rained another barrage of blows on the ,man before he was locked up.

BOXER WINS LARCENY APPEAL
(Guyana Chronicle April 20, 1979)
Amateur boxer Leslie Forde who is due to fight in the National Open Championships later this month won his appeal against conviction for larceny from the person in the 1976 City Council robbery.
But Forde who is also on the training squad preparing for the Pan American Games in July will have to stand a new trial.
However because he had been in prison continuously since March 1976 except for two months when he escaped he was put on $500 bail.
Chancellor of the Judiciary J .O. F Haynes took the approach because of good reports about Forde.
Earlier the Court set aside his conviction and five years imprisonment but at the insistence of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Wilton Edwards deliberated again and ordered a new trial.

EXERCISE 3 CS ON THE ROAD
(Guyana Chronicle April 20 1979)
The seven road deaths over the weekend pushed the country’s road fatality figure for the year so far to 77.
The figure for the same period last year was 51 and the National Road Safety Council is of the opinion that these lives could have been saved if better judgement was exercised by all concerned.
A release from the Council alleged that indiscipline is one of the major contributory factors to road accidents in this country and reiterated earlier calls for motorists to exercise the 3 Cs namely Care Courtesy and Consideration on the roads.
It said that there would be more need for this when schools re-open because “irritation, impatience and inability to anticipate the movements of children” are some faults of motorists.
At least twelve children have died so far on roads this year, the release said.

“SPOT’ PROMOTION FOR COURAGEOUS WOMAN SOLDIER
(Guyana Chronicle April 22, 1979)
The soldier who retrieved her gold chain from a man who had snatched it was yesterday promoted on-the-spot by Force Commander Colonel U B Pilgrim.
Cicely Springer was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal at the weekly church service held in Camp Ayanghanna.
Before pinning on her new badge of rank Colonel Pilgrim said that Springer deserved to wear the seal of leadership as her action was indeed one of courage and bravery.
A letter of commendation was also sent to LCpl Springer from the Commander and members of the First Infantry Brigade in recognition of her act of bravery..
The letter was signed by Brigadier Commander Col. C BL Morgan.
Springer who is a member of the Mechanical Transport Corps of the Logistics Command was awaiting transportation on April 6 on Irving Street when a young man snatched her gold chain and ran.
A struggle ensued with the young man getting the worst of it and Springer managed to retrieve her gold chain and the bandit was arrested by a Policeman and subsequently charged.
Col Pilgrim urged all those present at the Church service to be aware of their role in the Force and society in assisting persons who found themselves is such predicaments as the one Springer was involved in.

Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at (cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 694 0913)