– A trip down memory lane with founder, ‘Fredco’

By Shari Simon
KNOWN for its rich mining history and industrial heritage, idyllic hilly landscape with sand, trees and a stunning display of architecture, and unique blend of culture and traditions, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is a fast-growing tourism hub that promises plenty of fun and engaging activities during the annual ‘Linden Town Week’.

The genesis of ‘Linden Town Week’ started with Linden Town Councillor, Norvell “Fredco” Fredericks, who was eager to find a way to promote the town, its people, the different cultures while also building a sense of community.

Of course, the intention was also to create economic opportunities.

“It was December 1995, as we were preparing for the Visit Guyana year [1996] and that calendar had nothing to do with Linden,” recalled 58-year-old Fredericks, who is also a Justice of Peace.

Fredericks disclosed that he had returned to Guyana from St Lucia a year earlier, in 1994, after taking time to explore the country where his father, Theodore Fredericks, resided, and to learn more about his family roots, and attain dual citizenship.

During his visit to the island, Fredericks said he attended a “Village Day” celebration and was awestruck with the pride of the St Lucian people, and also impressed with their celebration of local food, handicraft, and language.

“That was always at the back of my mind. And so, when it came to see what can (sic) Linden have on the Visit Guyana calendar of 1996, I put that out,” he said.

At the time, he was a member of the Linden Chamber of Commerce and accepted an invitation from the then-President of the Chamber of Commerce, Orland Copeland, to attend a meeting at the Linden Town Council.

Present at that meeting were Donald Sinclair and his team from the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG).

The meeting focused on discussing and planning Linden’s contribution toward the Visit Guyana calendar with community members. “It was a full meeting, so I sat close to the doorway and from the beginning of the meeting, I had my hands up… I was ignored,” Fredericks shared.

“Until the Regional Chairman, Mr Yearwood asked that I be given a chance to speak before the meeting closes,” he added.

After spending a total of 11 years living abroad between Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia, Fredericks said he relied on his travelling experience to present ten points for establishing a celebration for Linden.

Fredericks said his points for a “Linden Town Day” were well-received by those in the packed Linden Town Council meeting room.

“I moved to have it written, and then in January or February of 1996, [Linden] Mayor, Abdul Kadir called a meeting. It was discussed and adopted fully,” said Fredericks.

Even though Fredericks was instrumental in crafting the original idea of ‘Linden Town Day’, he still credits his late colleague, Jillian Persaud, a former member of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, whom, he said, provided resources and support to successfully execute the initiative.

The first ‘Linden Town Day’ was held on April 28th, 1996.

Scores of excited adults and children attended the event because rumour had it: “Something big happening in Mackenzie!”

“There was one company showcasing their prefab houses, there was a company showcasing pickaxes, spades, wheelbarrows and many of those things,” Fredericks noted.

As the years progressed, ‘Linden Town Day’ grew to become a national calendar event attracting Guyanese from across the country and in the diaspora.

The level of enthusiasm and anticipation eventually prompted event organisers to make it a yearly event.

“In 2006, the Kashif and Shanghai Organization then took it to ‘Town Week’ and it was made bigger!” Fredericks remarked.

Despite the success, he revealed that “part of the founding principle of the economic gains to Linden started slipping away because every ‘Lindener’ wants to party, and visitors become the vendors.”

Fredericks hopes there will be a return to the founding principle of the celebration, so that persons can visit and experience Linden while the town earns and contributes to building the economy.

This year, ‘Linden Town Week 2022’ is set for April 23 to May 5 and will be celebrated under the theme “Together We Build.”

After being held virtually last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the now thirteen-day event boasts a calendar of activities that include sports tournaments, pageants, a cooking competition, food festivals, feature addresses from community leaders, and more.

Fredericks shared that he would get “goosebumps” at times when reflecting on how his idea became a reality.

“For me, I am happy that I made such a grand contribution to this nation and I would like to invite everyone in the diaspora, [and] within Guyana to come to Linden for Linden Town Week. It’s a wonderful festival,” he said.