Carib Scope

标签： Barbados

巴巴多斯

  • Tent managers raise concerns over Pic-O-De-Crop finals venue shift

    Tent managers raise concerns over Pic-O-De-Crop finals venue shift

    Barbados’ most anticipated annual calypso competition, the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, is at the center of growing industry concern after a last-minute venue change forced by preparations for the state funeral of national hero Sir Garfield Sobers. What was originally scheduled to take place at the large, purpose-built Kensington Oval has been moved to the smaller CARIFESTA House in Waterford, and key stakeholders from across the calypso community are questioning whether the new site can meet the event’s unique scale and technical requirements.

    While all parties have expressed full respect for the need to honor Sir Garfield’s legacy and accommodate the funeral proceedings, industry leaders say the sudden shift has created a cascade of logistical and operational hurdles that threaten to compromise the quality of the island’s flagship calypso event. Sharon Carew-White, manager of the C.O. Williams House of Soca Tent, described the timing of the announcement as unexpected but understandable, noting that the priority placed on the national hero’s funeral is widely shared across the country. Even so, she warned that the smaller CARIFESTA House venue comes with significant limitations that cannot be addressed properly on such a tight timeline.

    Barbados’ already limited pool of event service providers and technical personnel, Carew-White explained, makes rapid overhauls of the new space extremely challenging. Drawing on lessons from last weekend’s Junior Monarch competition held at the same venue, she pointed out that major adjustments to infrastructure, security, and layout will be mandatory to host the senior finals. Performers who spent weeks designing large, elaborate stage props tailored to Kensington Oval’s expansive stage now face the last-minute requirement to scale down their creative concepts to fit CARIFESTA House’s smaller footprint. Key concerns also extend to core competition needs: seating capacity, stage dimensions, and acoustic quality, all of which are critical for a judged performance event where visibility and sound clarity can impact final results.

    Carew-White has put forward an alternative proposal: postpone the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals until the Sunday following Sir Garfield’s funeral, which would allow the event to remain at its originally planned Kensington Oval location. Compounding the scheduling challenge, she added, is that several members of the competition’s official festival band also play with the Police Service Band, which is currently focused entirely on rehearsing for Wednesday’s state funeral. That leaves just two full days for the band to prepare for the calypso finals if the event proceeds on its original date.

    Eleanor Rice, manager of the Kooyman All Stars Calypso Tent, echoed Carew-White’s concerns, emphasizing that the new venue is simply too small to accommodate the event’s typical turnout. Last year’s finals drew roughly 7,000 attendees, a crowd that cannot be safely or comfortably hosted at CARIFESTA House without major, rapid infrastructure changes. Like Carew-White, Rice also publicly supported the proposal to postpone the competition by one week to retain the original Kensington Oval location.

    Barry Knight, president of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA), which represents hundreds of calypsonians across the island, said the venue change sparked vigorous debate among the organization’s membership. While BACA acknowledges that the decision was made in response to the regrettable passing of a national icon, Knight is calling for far greater transparency from event organizers. He is urging officials to publicly outline exactly what adjustments will be made to CARIFESTA House to meet the competition’s needs, including any new infrastructure or layout changes that will be implemented to address stakeholder concerns and reassure performers and attendees alike.

  • Competition begins for Barbados at CAC Games

    Competition begins for Barbados at CAC Games

    Barbados’ 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games journey got underway in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, with badminton marking the island nation’s first competitive action of the multi-sport event. The opening matchup against Venezuela ended in a 4-1 defeat for the Barbadian national side, though it produced one bright highlight for the delegation: veteran men’s singles player Kennie King secured his country’s only win of the tie, battling past Venezuela’s Ricardo Torres in three hard-fought sets 21-18, 11-21, 21-5.

    In the women’s singles draw, Barbados’ Monyata Riviera fell in straight sets to Venezuela’s Mariangel Garcia, 14-21, 19-21. King and his men’s doubles partner Shae Martin could not overcome their Venezuelan opponents, dropping the match 15-21, 15-21. Riviera and Sabrina Scott, competing in women’s doubles, also lost in straight sets 14-21, 18-21. The final contest, mixed doubles, saw Venezuela claim another victory as Martin and Scott fell 10-21, 19-21 to the Venezuelan pairing.

    Beyond the badminton court, the Barbadian delegation of more than 140 athletes, with a total support and competitor contingent of roughly 200 people, has been settling into the CAC Games environment across multiple host cities. Chef de Mission Dr. Adrian Lorde, speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY from his base in Santo Domingo, reported that the team’s morale remains strong despite the opening result and logistical adjustments required for the tournament.

    “Batches of competitors are still arriving, but I’ve been really impressed with the team’s spirit and resilience,” Lorde said. “Conditions here are quite hot, and we’ve had some variation in accommodation, but the group has settled in far better than expected.” Many early-arriving athletes have already begun on-ground training for their upcoming events, Lorde confirmed. The men’s hockey squad has already held a public warm-up scrimmage against the host Dominican Republic team, while shooters have reported to their venues, and swimmers and tennis players arrived in country Wednesday night. A formal team welcome ceremony for the Barbadian delegation is scheduled for Wednesday evening in the main CAC Games Village.

    The 2024 CAC Games, which will run through July 24 to August 8, are expected to welcome roughly 6,000 athletes from across the region to compete in a full slate of sporting events. Lorde noted that Barbadian representatives have quickly built camaraderie with competitors from other participating nations, with athletes swapping national pins and connecting in shared training and accommodation spaces.

    Unlike most delegations concentrated in the main Games Village, Barbados’ team is spread across multiple host cities to align with event venues: the rowing team is based in a separate municipality, golfers are competing out of Punta Cana, and other groups are stationed in Santiago. Lorde acknowledged that event organizers have faced early logistical growing pains, commonly referred to as teething problems, as they prepare for the full duration of the games. “The organizing committee is doing everything possible to address these early issues, and we’re all ready to compete,” he said. “We have no complaints at all about the quality of the competitive facilities, which are top notch. While the Games Village is still being finalized and isn’t quite at the level we would have hoped for this early in the event, the food has been excellent. All things considered, things are looking really good for our team moving forward.”

  • President, PM sign condolence book for Sir Garfield

    President, PM sign condolence book for Sir Garfield

    Barbados is entering a period of national mourning this week as political and civic leaders lead island-wide tributes to one of its most revered citizens, the late cricket icon and National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers. With a formal State funeral scheduled for next Wednesday at the iconic Kensington Oval — the ground where Sobers built much of his legendary sporting legacy — top government officials have already begun publicly honoring his decades-long impact on the Caribbean and global sport. On Thursday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley joined a growing roster of national figures in paying respects, framing Sir Garfield as one of the most transformative figures the Caribbean has ever contributed to world history. Earlier the same day, President Jeffrey Bostic became one of the first officials to sign the official condolence book at State House, kicking off the national period of tribute that will run through next week’s memorial service. Speaking to members of the press after adding her name to the condolence book, following a weekly Cabinet meeting, Mottley drew on the writings of one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated intellectuals to contextualize Sir Garfield’s standing alongside the region’s most iconic trailblazers. She turned to the work of renowned Trinidadian historian and author C.L.R. James, whose writing has long chronicled the outsized influence of Caribbean figures across global politics, culture, and sport. Mottley shared that James himself ranked Sir Garfield among the most important Caribbean leaders and creators to ever shape modern history, alongside names including revolutionary icon Toussaint L’Ouverture, American founding father Alexander Hamilton, Pan-African leader Marcus Garvey, Martinican poet and philosopher Aimé Césaire, pan-Africanist organizer George Padmore, and radical theorist Frantz Fanon. Quoting James directly, Mottley shared his assessment of the cricket legend: “Still we have made history. As evidence of what we can make of ourselves, I need only add some of the names our people from the Caribbean have inscribed on the pages of history.” She went on to recount James’ own placement of Sir Garfield at the close of that iconic list, with the historian writing: “I end this list by a name acknowledged by critics all over the world as an unprecedented, unimaginable practitioner of his particular art. I refer, of course, to Garfield Sobers.” Mottley emphasized that those words remain just as resonant today, capturing the depth and breadth of Sir Garfield’s contributions — which stretch far beyond the boundary of the cricket pitch to lift the profile of Barbados and the entire Caribbean on the global stage. As the nation prepares to formally bid farewell to one of its most beloved and celebrated sons, Mottley’s remarks echoed a widespread national sentiment of gratitude and pride for Sir Garfield’s life and legacy. To give all Barbadians an opportunity to share their respects, condolence books have been placed at official public locations across the island, opening the tribute to members of the public ahead of next week’s State funeral at Kensington Oval.

  • PSVs pledge on-demand services, infrastructure fixes

    PSVs pledge on-demand services, infrastructure fixes

    In an exclusive reveal to Barbados TODAY, the association representing private public service vehicle (PSV) owners in Barbados is preparing to roll out a transformative 10-point public transit overhaul, with landmark commitments to accessible, free on-demand transportation for the island’s disabled community and a formal bid to participate in the national Transport Board’s divestment programme.

    Roy Raphael, chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), announced Wednesday that the group will soon sit down with the Ministry of Transport and Works to table its investment proposal for the state-owned transit authority. Raphael confirmed that the Co-operative Investment Fund, led by president Oriel Doyle, has already collaborated closely with the AOPT to draft a full purchase proposal submitted to the national government.

    “The association has a direct vested interest in moving this proposal forward under the government’s divestment framework,” Raphael said, declining to share further details on the investment terms ahead of the formal ministry meeting, but promising regular public updates on the full 10-point plan in the coming weeks.

    The plan’s centerpiece is a sweeping set of reforms to address longstanding gaps in accessible public transit for Barbados’ disabled population, a need that AOPT leadership prioritized after direct consultations with disabled community stakeholders. Raphael explained that disabled residents currently face limited options, forced to rely exclusively on the state Transport Board or costly private taxis for travel, with zero accessible PSV vehicles currently in operation across the island.

    To lead this accessibility push, the AOPT has appointed Craig Banfield, a serving complaints officer, as Special Assignments Officer tasked with collaborating directly with disabled communities to remove transit barriers. During a recent nationwide outreach tour covering Warrens, sections of Bridgetown and northern parishes, AOPT leaders identified multiple systemic issues, from inaccessible bus stop heights and proximity to busy roadways to a total lack of wheelchair-accessible vehicles in the private PSV fleet.

    The association’s plan calls for at least five to six of 15 incoming government-approved electric buses to be modified for disabled accessibility, deployed along a new flexible “blue route” designed to connect riders directly to key essential services including supermarkets, retail outlets and health clinics. Unlike traditional fixed public transit routes, the blue route will be adjusted dynamically based on where disabled riders reside, making service more responsive to community needs while remaining open to all general public riders.

    Addressing cost barriers that have locked many low-income disabled residents out of specialized transit, Raphael confirmed that all blue route services for disabled riders will be completely free of charge. The AOPT is currently working with the Barbados Council for the Disabled to secure community funding to provide small stipends to participating drivers, eliminating any out-of-pocket cost for riders while compensating drivers for their time. The on-demand service will be available 24 hours a day, with service guaranteed whenever a rider books a trip.

    More accessibility commitments are woven throughout the 10-point plan, including upgrades to existing bus stops in partnership with the Ministry of People Empowerment and the Barbados Council for the Disabled, two additional accessible buses funded through a pending partnership with the Chinese Embassy, and specialized driver training for all staff working with disabled riders. The plan also integrates disabled accessibility into national disaster preparedness: 25 licensed ZM and Z taxis will be placed on reserve for the Ministry of Transport and Works’ emergency response plan to evacuate disabled residents to shelters during hurricane season, with AOPT members receiving specialized training to assist during emergency evacuations.

    To address mobility needs for disabled residents with severe health conditions, the AOPT also plans to launch a dedicated non-critical care ambulance service, operated by volunteer drivers on a structured roster. The service will fill a gap for disabled residents who cannot sit for extended periods or walk for standard transit, with two new accessible buses and one dedicated ambulance planned for launch if all funding and approvals are finalized.

    Additional components of the 10-point plan include expanded access to ZR route taxi services for schoolchildren, with AOPT planning to meet with the Ministry of Education next academic term to discuss the proposal, and a nationwide public safety and security education campaign for transit users and drivers. Raphael added that the AOPT will also use its upcoming meeting with the Ministry of Transport to address longstanding industry issues including permit processing and streamline collaboration between the private association and state transport regulators, as well as discuss cooperation frameworks with the Transport Board leadership ahead of the divestment bid.

    Raphael confirmed that implementation of the 10-point plan will begin within the next month, with full progress updates to be released publicly in the coming months as key initiatives move forward.

  • Crop Over rush yet to hit as City beauty shops await late surge

    Crop Over rush yet to hit as City beauty shops await late surge

    As Barbados’ iconic Crop Over festival enters its final, most anticipated stretch, personal care providers across Bridgetown’s busy shopping malls are navigating an unexpected slow start to the peak seasonal period – though most remain optimistic that a last-minute surge of clients will lift their earnings before the annual celebration concludes.

    Daniel Singh, a barber at Oddies Barbershop located in Bridgetown’s Bridge Street Mall, told reporters he has yet to see the usual uptick in foot traffic that comes with the annual festival. “For me it’s kind of slow right now. I feel it will pick up later on, toward the end of the month,” Singh said, noting that his revenue stream relies heavily on the consistent patronage of his regular client base.

    Currently, Singh completes between eight and nine haircuts per day on average. He added that while elaborate custom hair designs are rare this season, most Crop Over attendees are opting for functional, low-fuss styles. “Mainly when Crop Over is going on, people just ask for fades, shaves, and basic roundups. Designs only come in two or three times a week, if that – maybe three times a month tops,” he explained.

    A similar slow trend was reported by Kevin, a barber at Hair Fair 911 in Swan Street’s Mall 16. After quiet trading through most of June and early July, Kevin said he has already started to see a small uptick in clients, and expects business to boom in the coming week. “This is the time where we expect that business will start to boom within the next week. For the next two weeks, business will be up… until back to school season starts,” he said.

    Kevin averages around seven haircuts per day between Monday and Thursday, but on weekends that number doubles to between 15 and 17 customers. Like Singh, he noted that growing numbers of clients are requesting simple, low-maintenance styles, most commonly temple fades finished with a sharp pencil line. These cuts are not only easier for customers to maintain between appointments, they are also more budget-friendly and faster for barbers to complete, Kevin explained.

    While optimistic about the coming weeks, Kevin acknowledged that delayed wage payments and broader financial pressures have held back consumer spending earlier in the season. “For the last two to three weeks it was pretty dead… people weren’t getting their payments on time… it’d be hard to come and spend on a haircut, to be honest with you. But you’re seeing it now… business will be up this weekend,” he said.

    Sharon Barker-Holmes, a hairstylist at Curls and Tips also located in Mall 16, outlined multiple overlapping factors that have driven the seasonal slowdown for her business. First, many of her regular clients already got new hairstyles for recent graduation ceremonies, and long-lasting braided styles mean they do not need a second professional appointment for Crop Over. She also pointed to shifting consumer habits, with many people now turning to YouTube tutorials to learn at-home styling, or purchasing wigs to style themselves rather than booking professional services. Some even rely on untrained friends or family members to cut and style their hair instead of visiting a salon.

    Broader economic challenges are also cutting into client spending, Barker-Holmes added, with many of her regular clients working in Barbados’ key tourism industry facing reduced working hours and tighter incomes. “A lot of my clients in the hotel industry… their hours are being cut… so they don’t have the funds. You can’t pressure nobody to come and get nothing done if they don’t have it,” she said.

    While some days are still busy, Barker-Holmes said her turnover has not matched the levels she saw in previous years. “Today I might sit in here and then tomorrow I’m busy, busy, busy. I can’t say that you’re making money like you’re making it as you used to,” she explained. Where she once regularly served eight clients a day comfortably, that number now counts as an unusually busy day. She added that growing competition from newly qualified cosmetology graduates, many of whom offer lower-priced services from home, has also drawn clients away from established salons. “The young ladies that are now coming out of school doing cosmetology… everybody coming out thinking they’re a hairdresser… they’re taken away from what I would be receiving as a hairstylist,” she said.

    Nail technician Rhea, who operates Orhevia’s Nails inside Bella Voi Beauty Salon in Mall 16, reported a prolonged slowdown that has lasted since the spring. “Since after Mother’s Day, the pace has really slowed down and ain’t as much foot traffic… not as many appointments since Mother’s Day,” she said. Rhea sees between two and five clients a day on average, accepting both walk-ins and pre-booked appointments. She added that clients’ current booking patterns clearly reflect tighter household budgets, with most people sticking to lower-cost basic services rather than splurging on premium treatments, even for the festival. “When they ask for less, they have a budget that they’re working with, and even when they’re coming for a celebration or event, they didn’t actually spend more than what they accustomed to spending,” she explained.

    Even with the slow start, Rhea shares the widespread optimism among Bridgetown’s beauty community that the final days of Crop Over will bring the seasonal boost they have been waiting for. “I pray… hopefully that it picks up by Friday or Saturday,” she said.

  • Bishop earns maiden call up

    Bishop earns maiden call up

    West Indies Cricket has shaken up its Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan, with uncapped Barbadian left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop earning his first ever international call-up as one of two key adjustments to the roster. The series is scheduled to get underway on July 25 at Trinidad and Tobago’s newly upgraded Brian Lara Cricket Academy, a venue that will mark its own place in regional cricket history when it hosts its first ever Test match, becoming the 13th Test venue across the Caribbean.

    Bishop’s promotion to the senior Test squad comes after three consecutive seasons of dominant, consistent performances in the West Indies’ regional first-class competition. Representing both Barbados Pride and the West Indies Academy over that stretch, the young spinner has claimed an impressive 91 wickets, earning him selection based on sustained domestic form.

    Joining Bishop as a new addition to the squad is top-order batsman Kirk McKenzie, who returns to the West Indies Test set-up after a two-year absence. The Jamaica Scorpions batter has been in red-hot form in the 2024 truncated West Indies Championship, notching 323 runs across six innings at an outstanding average of 64.60, earning him a recall to the national side.

    The two new inclusions come at the expense of two established players, who will miss the series due to different setbacks. Star fast bowler Alzarri Joseph is unavailable for selection for personal reasons, while opening batsman John Campbell will continue his recovery from a left hamstring strain. Campbell picked up the injury during the recently completed One-Day International series against New Zealand, ruling him out of the red-ball leg of the home summer.

    Despite the two changes, the core of the West Indies squad that secured a 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this month has been retained. This includes veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach, who made history in the Sri Lanka series by becoming just the fifth West Indies bowler of all time to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets. Roach’s experience and recent form make him a key leader for the side heading into the Pakistan series.

    The full 15-man West Indies squad for the Pakistan series is as follows: Roston Chase (Captain), Jomel Warrican (Vice-Captain), Joshua Bishop, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kirk McKenzie, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales.

  • Bajan players shine during CARIFTA Chess Championships

    Bajan players shine during CARIFTA Chess Championships

    The CARIFTA Chess Championships, a landmark hybrid chess tournament bringing together nearly 500 young and senior competitors from 114 nations, concluded on July 12 with Barbados delivering a standout performance across age-group and open divisions, claiming multiple podium positions ahead of the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games.

    Leading Barbados’ medal haul was FIDE Master Hannah Wilson, who turned in a dominant two-part performance across the youth and open adult sections. Competing in the Under-18 girls’ draw, Wilson outperformed a competitive field of 35 players, racking up seven points across nine matches to claim the division’s gold medal. She then returned to compete in the women’s open section, where she finished tied on seven points with fellow Barbadian Candidate Master Chanon Reifer-Belle. Only a narrow tie-break separated the two compatriots, with Wilson claiming second place and Reifer-Belle taking third in the final standings.

    In other youth divisions, Charis Stuart turned in an impressive runner-up finish in the Under-14 Open. Facing 65 other competitors across nine rounds of play, Stuart posted seven and a half points to secure his spot on the podium. In the Under-12 Open, Jeremiah Farley joined a five-way tie for first place, but was bumped to second overall after tie-breaking calculations were applied. Young competitor Raef Clarke also claimed a podium position in the Under-8 Open, scoring six points to finish third. Nia-Snow Clarke rounded out Barbados’ youth results, taking fifth place in the Under-10 girls’ division with a total of five points.

    In the senior open division, Emar Edwards represented Barbados as the country’s sole entry, finishing 20th overall out of 101 competing players in the large open draw.

    This year’s CARIFTA Chess Championships ran in a hybrid format, with all competitors competing online from monitored national host sites overseen by official tournament arbiters, allowing broad global participation despite logistical challenges. Tournament organizers have called the 2024 event a complete success, citing high participation levels and smooth competition management.

    Looking ahead, Wilson and Reifer-Belle are already scheduled to compete next, representing Barbados at the Central American and Caribbean Games set to run from July 25 to 28 in the Dominican Republic, where they will look to carry their strong CARIFTA form into the next regional competition.

  • Community Vibes summer camp immerses children in culture and creativity

    Community Vibes summer camp immerses children in culture and creativity

    Against the backdrop of warm Barbadian summer, Community Vibes Summer Camp is filling the halls of Westbury Primary School with the sounds of drumming, the rustle of crochet yarn, and the laughter of young learners, as participants dive into a six-week immersive cultural experience running from July 13 to August 21. More than just a seasonal recreational program, the camp is designed to engage local youth with authentic Barbadian heritage while equipping them with practical, income-generating skills – culminating in public performances at the island’s annual Emancipation Day celebrations.

    Curated by veteran youth program leader Glenn Harvey, who has dedicated more than 30 years to summer camp programming and five years leading Community Vibes specifically, the camp offers a diverse lineup of activities tailored to connect young people to their cultural roots. Beyond hands-on workshops in traditional crafts and performance – including crochet, African drumming, folk dance, and handcrafted jewelry making – the camp has organized four educational exploratory tours, inter-camp sporting events, and a cross-community mini carnival open to all cultural youth camps across the parish of St. Michael.

    Harvey, who founded the program after years of youth work, says the camp has built a formidable legacy in competitive cultural crafts over its history, particularly in crochet. “Two years ago, we took home every top honor at the national crochet competition, including the Prime Minister’s Award. Last year, we only missed out on one trophy, claiming all the rest. This year, we’re aiming to sweep the board again,” he shared in an interview Wednesday.

    The planned educational outings, dubbed “tour and picnic” by organizers, take campers to sites of historical and educational importance across the island, ending with group leisure time at popular local picnic spots to build camaraderie among participants. For the upcoming mini carnival, Harvey has partnered with the senior youth commissioner for St. Michael to invite youth from other local cultural camps to join the community event, turning it into a collaborative celebration of Barbadian youth culture. When Emancipation Day arrives, camp participants will take center stage, showcasing the dancing, drumming, and craft skills they’ve honed all summer in public street performances that mark the island’s celebration of freedom.

    A majority of the camp’s attendees hail from nearby inner-city communities, including New Orleans, Baxter’s Road, Westbury Road, and Passage Road, providing structured, positive activity for young people during summer break. Harvey emphasized the value of the program for these youth, noting, “It’s wonderful to see kids keep their minds occupied with meaningful, varied activities, and the government has done excellent work to keep these community camp programs running.” He also praised newly appointed Youth and Culture Minister Senator Shane Archer for recent policy improvements that increased capital funding and adjusted salaries for camp directors and support staff, changes that have strengthened the program’s ability to serve youth.

    For many participants, the highlight of the camp’s curriculum is the crochet workshop led by veteran instructor Sybil Fiedler, who frames the craft as both a cultural art form and an entrepreneurial pathway for young people. “Crochet is a fiber art where you turn simple string into something tangible and beautiful,” Fiedler explained to a group of new learners earlier this week, as captured in a photo by Lauryn Escamilla. “It’s an art you have to love to master.”

    Walking beginners through the foundational steps of the craft, Fiedler emphasized that every complex project starts with a single chain stitch, encouraging new learners not to grow discouraged by early missteps. “Don’t let this craft master you – you master it,” she told participants. Beyond being a relaxing hobby, Fiedler notes that crochet can open up unexpected income streams for young people, especially teens. “If a friend sees a teen wearing a crocheted piece they made, they’ll often ask for a custom piece, and that’s quick extra cash they can earn on their own,” she explained. By the end of the six-week session on August 21, participants will have crafted granny square bags and a range of other handmade projects that will be displayed at the camp’s final end-of-session exhibition.

  • Slow over-rate costs Windies after thrilling ODI win

    Slow over-rate costs Windies after thrilling ODI win

    A stunning, last-gasp two-wicket win for the West Indies over New Zealand in the decisive fifth One Day International has been overshadowed by an official penalty: the side has received a five percent match fee deduction for falling foul of international cricket’s over-rate regulations. The issue of slow over rates has dogged the West Indies men’s team in recent months, marking a persistent problem that has now resulted in formal disciplinary action despite the side’s positive result on the field.

    Played as a day-night fixture at Bridgetown’s iconic Kensington Oval on Tuesday, the final match of the five-game series delivered a dramatic climax, with the West Indies pulling off a late comeback to secure the win. However, the victory was not enough to overturn the series deficit, with New Zealand holding on to claim an overall 3-2 series win after taking four of the first five matches.

    Fresh off the ODI clash, the West Indies side is now making a swift transition to red-ball cricket, shifting all preparation to their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan. The first Test of the series is scheduled to get underway this Saturday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, with the regional side looking to put the over-rate controversy behind them and focus on claiming a series win in the longer format.

    The penalty was handed down by Javagal Srinath, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, the body responsible for overseeing on-field disciplinary matters in international cricket. Match officials ruled after the game that Shai Hope’s side finished the match one full over short of the required minimum over rate after accounting for standard time allowances built into match regulations.

    Under Article 2.22 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which outlines penalties for minimum over-rate violations, players face a five percent fine to their match fee for every over their side falls short of the required target in the allotted playing time. Team captain Shai Hope entered an immediate guilty plea to the offence and agreed to accept the proposed sanction, eliminating the need for a formal disciplinary hearing following the conclusion of the match.

  • Postal Service set for major five-year overhaul

    Postal Service set for major five-year overhaul

    After 175 years of operation under its modern framework, the Barbados Postal Service is set to undergo one of the most sweeping structural transformations in its institutional history. Government officials have laid out an ambitious five-year blueprint to reimagine the century-old agency, expanding its mandate far beyond traditional letter and parcel delivery to become a core driver of national connectivity.

    Home Affairs and Information Minister Gregory Nicholls first announced the transformative initiative this Wednesday, during the opening ceremony of a new customer service training program developed exclusively for postal employees in partnership with the local National Transformation Initiative (NTI). While Nicholls did not release specific granular details of the planned reforms during his public remarks, he framed the ongoing staff training as a critical first step to prepare the postal workforce for the coming changes.

    “The government has chosen to lead, and that is why we are going to pursue a bold vision for the Barbados Postal Service, one that I have described from mail delivery to national connectivity,” Nicholls stated during the event. “I have submitted to the postmaster general a blueprint of how that transformation programme will look over the next five years.”

    In a push to ensure the final reform plan reflects input from across the organization, Nicholls confirmed that all levels of staff will have an opportunity to contribute feedback before the blueprint is finalized. “I’ve asked her [the postmaster general] and management to comment on it, to critique it. Even let your staff have a say in how that is to be constructed so that we can build a transformation model that works for all of us. I hope that we can get into discussing it soon. From mail delivery to national connectivity, those are six words, and they capture a profound shift in how we think about the postal service.”

    Under the new vision, the Barbados Postal Service will no longer operate solely as a mail delivery agency. Nicholls outlined that the reimagined service will act as a connective hub linking local communities to critical government services, connecting individual people to new economic opportunities, helping small and medium entrepreneurs access regional and global markets, and integrating isolated communities into the national economy. This shift will be achieved through expanded reliable logistics networks, targeted digital innovation, and continued commitment to trusted public service, he explained, noting that “the Barbados Postal Service must become far more than a postal operator.”

    Realizing this ambitious vision will require substantial cross-cutting investment, Nicholls emphasized. Upgrades will cover core infrastructure, cutting-edge digital technology, strengthened end-to-end logistics systems, modernized physical facilities, and the development of new public-private and cross-sector partnerships. However, he stressed that investment in the postal workforce is the most critical component of the entire transformation. “But above all else, it requires people because no matter how sophisticated our technology becomes, no matter how modern our abilities become, no matter how many services we introduce, none of these investments will achieve their full value unless the people who represent this organisation every day are equipped, motivated, and inspired to deliver excellence.”

    Nicholls encouraged postal employees to embrace the upcoming changes, noting that the overhaul will bring new technologies, expanded professional responsibilities, and unique career growth opportunities for staff. He urged workers to position themselves as active partners in the transformation process, rather than passive observers of institutional change.

    NTI Director Dr. Allyson Leacock expanded on the purpose of the ongoing staff training program, officially named “The Art and Heart of Service”. She explained that the curriculum goes far beyond basic customer service training, aiming to shift organizational culture from transactional service delivery to heartfelt, community-focused public service.

    “We are going to add to the arsenal of skills that we know you already have because, as the Barbados Postal Service, you are our very best friends…you are custodians of all that matters for us. Mail is more than an item; it is a promise that you execute with great skill and distinction,” Dr. Leacock told attendees.

    She noted that participating postal workers are joining a growing global movement of postal sector reform that centers new values for the evolving digital ecosystem, emphasizing that worker mindset is just as critical to successful transformation as technical skill development. “In demonstrating the values of a new generation, a new digital ecosystem that requires all of us to shift how we work, and that is what this training really will capture: the importance of the mindset alongside the skill set.”

    The training curriculum covers a broad range of competencies tailored to the transformed service, including digital literacy, inclusive service through disability etiquette, professional deportment, personal branding and communication skills, and core training in organizational ethics and integrity. Dr. Leacock added that the program also aims to help staff understand how organizational culture and systemic transformation work together to achieve long-term success.

    Barbados’ postal tradition stretches back to 1663, when the British Post Office established a packet agency on the island. However, the modern formal postal system was not established until August 1, 1851, when the country passed its first Post Office Act to structure the service. The agency issued its first official stamps and launched formal inland mail delivery just eight months later, in April 1852.