Work and life in Circuit Area Timehri

A FEW things are bound to come to mind when thinking about a race track. The noise of cheers, the many speeding cars and the excitement of everything. However, a small community of people think of home when they think about the race track. Circuit Area, Timehri, is a community of friendly, hard-working people who have ventured from various places around Guyana. Vernon Bevany came to Timehri, fell in love with both the community and the people, and simply stated: Talking to Pepperpot Magazine, Vernon told us whether it was the community, people, work, or something else that kept him there.

Peace and quiet are not words most think about when thinking about the South Dakota track. But this is exactly how Vernon Bevany describes his home, just shy of the famed track. Most days, the community is almost silent, with most people going about their daily lives. This way of life is perhaps what captivated Vernon on his first trip to the community. Born and raised in Beterverwagting (BV) on the East Coast of Demerara, Vernon ventured into the village as a young man seeking adventure and employment. Talking about his home, Vernon shared that, “From what I remember about BV, it was quite just like here in Circuit [Area]. I do not think it is quite [sic] anymore, though.”

While still a teenager, Vernon and three of his friends came to the newly developed Circuit Area seeking work. The group found work, and while the community was captivating, Vernon’s three friends returned home, leaving him behind. Vernon shared his early years in the community: “At first, I came here with some of my friends from BV when we were still young. But they went back. The Circuit had just plenty of trees, and we did not have as many people as we do today. But I just liked the place, so I stayed. I found work here, got a wife, and have children here. I came here in October of 1995. I still remember when I came.” He said.

Whatever it was that interested Vernon in the Circuit Area, it is clearly still there. As he explained, after settling in the community, he adapted to the way of life. Among the things he learnt was heavy-duty machine operation. As a skilled operator, Vernon says he enjoys the work he does and has become well known over the years. Furthermore, Vernon shared that he was never formally trained for the job he does today. As he stated, “I have been operating machines for a long time now,. I never went to school for this. I just watch what other operators would do, pay attention, and do the same thing.”

Vernon, a hard-working man at heart, is among many of Timehri’s men who work outdoors and in manual labour. Vernon, for one, values hard work and is determined to continue working, although he is more than 50 years old. As he stated, “I am already past a half-century; I am 53- years-old. But I like the work I do, and I am going to continue doing it.” He stated. Although a passionate worker, Vernon is also a family man at heart. As he shared, one of the main reasons he stayed in the community was his wife. As he stated, “I came to work and I did like it, but I met a woman; she is what really made me stay.”

Since then, the community has had some big developments, with the biggest being the drastic increase in population. According to Vernon, more people have made Circuit Area their home in recent times. The community has its challenges, not yet being equipped with electricity or water. The people of the community utilise solar energy while various infrastructural works are happening in the area. Vernon’s ‘Circuit’ is where he calls home, and he hopes to continue doing so for a few years to come. As he stated, “I like it here in ‘Circuit.’ I don’t think I am going to move from here. But I do go back and visit my family in BV on some weekends. But I do not think I am going to move.”

The father of three has plans for the future and his hands are full with his three-year-old daughter. Father to two adult children, a small child now is a new adventure and challenge. As Vernon stated, “I have a three-year-old daughter now. She will be going to school in September.” Vernon is like countless people who have had their hearts stolen by quaint communities miles away from their home. Regardless of what led him to the village of Circuit Area today, Vernon has made quite a good life for himself by the track.