LAST Saturday, the West Berbice village of Lichfield celebrated its 175th anniversary with an award ceremony and cultural programme. The event was part of a series of activities held by the community to celebrate this momentous occasion.
According to a release from the Department of Culture, villagers turned out in their numbers to join in the celebrations.
Based on the village’s history as shared by Mr. Cecil Semple, Lichfield was purchased in 1840 by 12 ex-slaves. He explained that the sugar cane was not cultivated in the area, but staples such as cotton, tobacco and coffee were planted.

DEVELOPMENT
After buying the land, a 12-member management team was set up to overlook the village’s development. That team was headed by Kudjoe McPherson. The team empoldered the land, and allotted farm lands. These two activities marked the start of a number of developmental projects that improved the livelihoods of the residents.
Semple said that from the very start, the village had two churches, namely, the St. Jude’s Anglican Church, and the Moravian Church. However, the selection of St Jude as its patron saint is still unknown.
There was also a school, a railway station, a loans bank, and a village office.
Most importantly, many of the families who resided in the village in the early days still do to this day.
Semple noted that while the village is a strong one, and can withstand any challenge, migration, fenced yards, government policies and loss of village leaders have diminished village life.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Aside from the cultural items performed by the residents, a number of awards were given to several village elders. Those elders are: J. B. Layne (99 years old); Lucille McAlmon (91 years old); William Semple (88 years old); and Ivy Collins (84 years old).
Awards were also presented to Oletta Semple, Robin Chichester, Dr. Randell Collins, Steve Chichester, Collette Adams, Alicia Robinson, Darren Wade, Alice Lynton, Pastor O’Brien Welch, Rev. Paul, Samuel Harcourt, Albert Straker, Alene Seraphin, Beyonce Peters and Nikelly Wilson, Alpha Harcourt, Greshan Grant, Ronella Chapman and Ian Archibald.
Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry attended the event. At the start of her remarks, the Minister saluted the sacrifices made the ancestors who struggled to achieve many things including freedom.
“This village has a rich history, and has produced outstanding sons and daughters,” Minister Henry said.
She then shared on how her own life was touched by the late Col. Godwin McPherson, under whom she served while a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
As we celebrate our achievements, Minister Henry called on the villagers to reflect on those gains that are still to be made. In this regard, she recalled a statement made by the Head of State, President David Granger which states that “If we are going to construct a new economy we have to make economic decisions like reviving village economies.”
The lands that were bought many years ago must be used to solve the unemployment problem in a collaborative effort, government and community.
“People who find opportunities in a changing environment are those who are actively looking for them,” Minister Henry declared.
While congratulating the awardees, particularly the schoolchildren, the Minister urged them to continue to recognise the true value of knowledge. “While it is good to possess it, it works best when you invest it. When you invest your knowledge in people and society, it grows and its returns are often incalculable,” she emphasised.
Minister Henry also asked that as this investment is being made that they not be afraid to take risks. “Innovation is often the inevitable result of risk-taking by people who not only dedicated themselves to learning things, but often in challenging that knowledge or its application,” she said.