By Vanessa Braithwaite

Children adorned in costumes of the national colours danced through the streets of Linden on Sunday evening, accompanied by the instrumental music of the scouts’ band, whose army proudly showcased their military march, giving homage to the newly-elected Mayor and Members of Parliament.A feeling of patriotism permeated the air as spectators, some holding national flags in their hands, and even clad with the national colours, anxiously witnessed the opening parade of Linden Town Week 2016.

Young Andela Alexander’s mind-blowing rendition of the National Anthem raised the hairs on the backs of many. A solemn quietness was broken on her final key. Many Lindeners expressed the feeling of joy to celebrate their town, saying that they have been marginalised for many years.

This year’s celebration is indeed significant, as the people of the mining town will, over the next 10 days, be celebrating 46 years as a town, 50 years as a nation, 20 years of Linden Town Week, and 100 years of bauxite mining.

Mayor Carwyn Holland, in his feature address, told the audience that there is much to celebrate. He urged the people to unify their minds, as the development to come requires a cooperative effort, and pessimism and malice will only stymie progress and create division.

“As we rebuild Linden, I call for us to collaborate in every corner, in every sector, to shore up the most vulnerable parts of our town. We need a collective effort to promote a secure environment where businesses can thrive and investments will plot,” stressed the Mayor.
He said he would not make grand unrealistic promises to give false hope and create mistrust in the public, but would fulfill what was promised with discipline and hard work.

“This is our time. We can and will return to a better place, where people from across the nation and overseas will once again flock for the best in products and services…. Linden will be the place to be; Linden will be the model of true development; Linden will be great again.”

To achieve this, the Mayor said, assistance is needed from the diaspora, and not only though financial means, but cooperation and involvement.

As he officially opened Linden Town Week, the Mayor said he is looking forward to the cultural presentations celebrating the region’s wealth and cultural resources.
The opening ceremony also saw several other cultural performances by local artistes such as Dianna Chapman, Lisa Punch, Quacy Ace and Calvin Burnette.
The delegates of the big, bold and beautiful pageant that will be held on Thursday were also introduced in addition to the finalists of the high school supanova singing competition.
The Anglican dance group performed several dances, and academics and sports achievers were rewarded for their successes during the year.

Linden Town Week Chairman Devin Sears gave a synopsis of the scores of activities, ranging from cultural, sporting, entertainment, educational and tourism. The event was also attended by Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindel, Minister of Communities Valarie Patterson, Members of Parliament Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford, Head of NICIL Horace James, Community Development Councils’ Deputy Director Sandra Adams and several councillors. Linden Town Week is held under the theme “Reflection, Resilience and Rediscover Linden, Celebrate who we are”.