LAST week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the hilltop village of Section ‘B’, located in Christianburg, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to highlight the way of life of the locals. Christianburg is divided into three sections, A, B and C and also has one of the oldest cemeteries known.

This community can be accessed via the Blueberry Hill access road, a short distance from the glassy Demerara River, a very scenic site and it has no all-weather roads but muddy back alleys and ‘shortcuts’ that go in and around the village itself.

Preparations are underway to construct an all-weather road in Beauty Street, and, upon completion, it will become a one-vehicle road.

Residents have expressed their gratitude for the new development which will benefit them.

However, they would also like to have an upgraded drainage system since the valleys are often flooded during rainfall, causing quite a bit of erosion.

Section ‘B’ Christianburg is a bit of a maze with valleys and alleys going all around the village, and if you do not know where you are going, it is quite easy for you to become lost since the back alleys lead to different parts of the community.

At the rear of this village, there is a Blue Lake, which is home to many caimans, but one can take a swim at one’s own risk. At times, the ducks would venture in for a dip to offset the heat of the day.

The people of this village are quite friendly, and accommodating and did not hesitate to take a bit of their time out to entertain the team during its visit.

The people’s way of life is simple; they do many things from their homes to earn while others leave the village for work.

The population for Section ‘B’ is about 500. The locals are primarily Afro Guyanese and it is a close-knit community.

Although it resembles a squatting area, there is electricity, potable water supply, landline phones, and internet in some parts but no asphalted roads.

This village goes up and downhill and some dwelling houses are set on hills. The walk-up is steep and can be a bit tricky with an unsure footing, but once you get the hang of things, the view is quite spectacular, like other parts of Linden.

In Beauty Street, which is also called Pompey Street, there is a shop which serves as a sports bar and just across the road, there is a huge mango tree, a place where makeshift wooden benches serve as the meeting place for locals.

This is the ‘chill spot’ and locals, mostly the men, would gather there daily to talk about things and also keep a watch on the community.

Section ‘B’ Christianburg is home to many talented footballers and it is home to many players and members of the Eagles United FC.

The village is also one of those places you tend to linger a bit longer than you should because the people are easy-going and the place is nice despite challenges and the people are trying their utmost to eke out a living.

Christianburg, Wismar, Linden
Christiansburg, Wismar, Linden in Region 10 is an idyllic village that was first established by three friends, one of whom had a logging business.

This village originated as a logging settlement before Linden, and its early settlers were three friends: Patterson, Spencer and Blount.

Patterson settled and established Christiansburg, Wismar and he was the founder of the first sawmill in Christianburg, which is under the National Trust, but that very sawmill was dismantled and only the waterwheel remains as a historic landmark.

Next to the waterwheel, the old Magistrate’s Court used to be the home of Patterson and his ancestors are buried in the compound.

The water wheel was built in 1985 by a Scottish engineer, John Danglish Patterson, who installed a large iron wheel as a prime mover for his sawmilling equipment.

Patterson’s hydro-powered sawmill is the only of its kind. The sawmill was dismantled, but the water wheel remains an example of how the timber industry was mechanised and the rich-natured resources of the area.

Christiansburg is a ward of the municipality and was one of three wards, that is, Wismar, McKenzie, before the municipality was formed, but there is a local government in place and it was called Mackmarburg.

The people are skilled professionals, teachers, nurses, miners, business people, small-business operators, carpenters, masons, contractors and many others who work in both the private and public sectors.

The population is very large and is scattered across the three sections of Christianburg.
It is a community which overlooks the Demerara River and it is a tranquil setting, which brings out nature at its best with a lot of greenery.

This place has a lot of trees, colourful plants, flowers in many bright colours and well-kept yards and houses.

Over the years, the place has seen some development in terms of all-weather roads and it seems that newer buildings have been constructed.

In this community, no one seems to be in a rush and they go about their daily routine civilly and it is a close-knit village where the people are very neighbourly.

Christianburg, Wismar has a lot of landmark buildings, including churches that have withstood the test of time and other historical sites which remind the people of its history.

It can very well become a tourist destination and it is very accessible overland and water and it is one of those places you go and want to sit a little bit longer by the river.

By the river, there are benches and other chairs under shady trees where you can sit and have some quiet time to yourself anytime you wish.