OVER 130 senior citizens living in the mining town of Linden were wined and dined and generally had a whale of a time Sunday at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre. The occasion was the annual Christmas luncheon hosted by former Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and wife, who were joined in the revelry this year by serving ministers of the government and members of the Regional Democratic Council.

Among those present at the Sunday luncheon were Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence, and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams.
Corbin told the gathering that the reason he has been hosting this luncheon every Christmas was because of a decision he took after his parents died. In essence, it is his way of giving back to a community that has been nothing but kind to him.
For this selfless act of his, he was roundly commended by Minister Williams, who made the point that not only has he been committed to elderly in Linden, but those countrywide.
“It is commendable that Comrade Corbin has been doing this since he was Opposition Leader, and continues to do so now, even when he is not,” Williams said, adding that it was because of Corbin and the pivotal role he played in the development of the current stock of ministers that makes the coalition the good government it is today.
“All of us,” he said, “were mentored by Mr Corbin; and because of him, we are who we are today.”
Minister Ally, in her brief speech at the luncheon, thanked the elderly for the pivotal role they would have played in the development of not only Linden but society as a whole.
And, in acknowledging the overwhelming support Lindeners would have given the coalition in the 2015 elections, she said they can rest assured that the government has a lot in store for Linden in the coming year.
“The President promised a good life for all, and will bring that good life for all; so look forward for a lot in 2016,” she said.
Similar sentiments were also expressed by Minister Lawrence, who assured the host that he can depend on her ministry for future support on similar ventures.
The elderly, who were treated to a three-course meal, were served by the dignitaries and enjoyed an atmosphere of love and bliss as they mingled with each other.
They were also sent away with food hampers, compliments of Minister Volda Lawrence.
The event, being a yearly one, was cancelled last year due to a death in the Corbin family.