By Shirley Thomas

IT was an evening of celebration and spirited rejuvenation recently, when scores of folks who had previously lived, worked and made an impact in the North West Region down through the Manganese years, came together in the city for the launch of the “North West Federation’s Annual Re-union”.

The forum’s theme was ‘Maintaining Links with the People of the North West Region’ and was held at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), Hall,
Brickdam, in Georgetown.

The Committee of Management included Eloise Gillette, Joan and Desiree Speede, Beryl Speede, Yvette Hendy, Dawne
Hendy Forde, Walter Sandiford and Paul Campbell-Griffith.

The partners represented a nice cultural and socio-economicc mix The occasion attracted mainly those in the 55 to 70-plus age groups who lived and worked with their families, and whose children enjoyed the best education.

The opening prayer was delivered by the Reverend Raymond Coxall of the Anglican Diocese, who hails from Morawhanna, the gateway to the North West Administrative Region, previously referred to as the ‘North West District’.

With an admirable track record in the athletic arena in his childhood days, growing up as a lad at Morawhanna, the humble
Raymond Coxall would represent his school, the SS. Saints Peter and Paul Primary School and every year, during the Inter-schools’ athletic meet, would defeat all other schools and teams convincingly, emerging top runner.

But what was difficult for others to come to terms with, was how he managed to maintain that lead performance throughout his teenage years growing up in a village where there was very little land on which to train, compared to the schools in the valleys and hill-tops with a vast expanse of land.
Morawhanna is a little agricultural village, surrounded by water from the majestic Barima River and Mora Passage. Hence it was always conceded that young Coxall had to be blessed with a special gift for athletics, which allowed him to run away with the championship in practically every inter-school, inter-zone athletic meet.

Having started with such a winning streak, it was little wonder that he was named the First Indigenous FIFA Coach Guyana has ever had. He was also probably the first indigenous priest the Anglican Diocese has ever had in Guyana.

Rev. Coxall congratulated the Federation and all others lending support to the noble initiative, adding, “Let’s all enjoy ourselves in harmony.”

Other reflections came from Bertie Peters who, for several years, taught at Matthew’s Ridge who shared fond memories of living and working in that Sub-Region. “Even though I now reside on the coastland, Matthew’s Ridge now remains in my heart,”
Peters said, with a sense of pride, adding, “I want to breathe life into this Federation and it is my wish that this reunion effort would be held annually and grow from strength to strength.”

And Director, Eloise Duke Gillette making a point which highlights the importance of the North West Region to Guyana, recalled that when Guyana achieved Republican status, the then President Forbes Burnham opted to spend the greater part of the day at Port Kaituma in the Matthew’s Ridge Sub-Region within the North West Region.
“Most people don’t know this: Republic Day, Mr. Burnham spent three-quarters of the day in the North West. That tells us how important the North West is to Guyana.
For those of you who can remember, you will recall that we stood at the Port Kaituma Airstrip in rain. The school children were there, but having stood at the airstrip in rain, we all got sick.

So they had to shut down the school for a whole week because we were all sick. Leaving Port Kaituma, he tried to go to Matthew’s Ridge, but the truck got stuck in the mud and that was a problem.

And so President Burnham came to Kaituma about 10 o’clock that day and left at night time with Robert Corbin and others,” she explained.

And on the point of the North West Region’s contribution to the wealth of Guyana, it was recalled that apart from the cast gold-mining reserves, the once-popular orange juice ‘Guycan’ was made in the North West District, edible oil was manufactured using the ‘palm oil’ produced at Wauna in the North West Region District, and there was also aa thriving overseas market for the delectable ‘Heart of the Palm’ which was extracted from the Ite palm – a palm which is also for the manufacture of handicraft and other tibiseri based items.

Meanwhile, to resounding sounds of applause, Gillette said it is hoped that as the Federation kicks off, they will engage in acts of benevolence and offer help to the less fortunate. On this note, she urged the Federation to give from the heart.

It was an evening of fun, mingling and co-mingling, ushered in by the best in exclusively golden oldies.

Speeches gave way to a sumptuous six-course dinner, followed by ballroom dancing that created a sensation, taking the reunion into the wee hours of the morning.
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