标签： Barbados

The Barbados Police Band, recognized as one of the world’s oldest continuously active police musical ensembles, is strengthening community ties through its innovative youth outreach program. The band launched its second annual three-day workshop for secondary school music students this week, demonstrating a commitment to cultural preservation and youth development.

Acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite, Police Service Public Affairs and Communications Officer, emphasized the dual purpose of the initiative during its opening at St. Leonard’s Boys School in Richmond. “This program is designed to sharpen the musical skills of our secondary school students while exposing them to the professional discipline required in musicianship,” Brathwaite stated. Participants will experience firsthand the band’s daily rehearsal routines and performance preparation techniques that have been refined over decades.

The workshop has seen growing participation, with organizers anticipating between 100-150 students this year—a significant increase from the 96 participants from 11 schools during last year’s inaugural event. The program features specialized breakout sessions where students receive instrument-specific training in clarinet, trombone, and other sections, culminating in a grand ensemble performance on Wednesday.

Beyond musical training, the initiative serves broader social objectives. “We aim to develop more disciplined, well-rounded students while fulfilling our community engagement responsibilities,” Brathwaite explained. Deputy Director of Music Dexter Norville reinforced this vision, noting the workshop’s additional purpose as a recruitment pathway. “Our intentions extend beyond education and motivation—we hope to encourage talented musicians to join our ranks,” Norville revealed.

The program originated from Station Sergeant Jerome Clarke, who proposed the concept several years ago as both a recruitment officer and band member. The band’s historical significance was highlighted throughout the event, tracing its origins to 1889 when 19 musically-gifted constables were selected from regular patrols for specialized training under a British Army officer stationed at the Garrison.

With 137 years of musical service complementing the 191-year history of the Barbados Police Service, the band has become an institutional icon. It has performed at international military tattoos, made historic American television appearances in the 1960s, and regularly participates in national ceremonies and community events, previously attracting students from St. Joseph Boys’ School, St Silas Boys’, and more recently, Alleyne School.

A wave of grief has swept through the Checker Hall community in St Lucy following a fatal shooting incident that claimed the life of 28-year-old Romario Archer. The tragedy unfolded late Sunday evening when unidentified assailants opened fire from a dark-colored vehicle outside a local bar, leaving multiple casualties in what authorities are treating as a targeted attack.

According to eyewitness accounts, the violence erupted approximately at 10:50 p.m. during a karaoke social gathering at Fryers Well establishment. The shooting resulted in nine individuals sustaining various injuries, all of whom were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities for emergency treatment. Despite receiving urgent care at Sandy Crest Medical Centre, Archer succumbed to his wounds, marking the incident’s sole fatality.

In an emotional interview with Barbados TODAY, Sherwood Archer remembered his son as a devoted family man known for his compassionate nature and strong work ethic. ‘Romario was the embodiment of joy and kindness—a young man who cherished his relationships and approached life with unwavering enthusiasm,’ the grieving father stated, vehemently denying any involvement in criminal activities by his son.

The bereaved family has issued a heartfelt plea to Barbados’ youth, urging them to reject firearm violence and embrace peaceful conflict resolution methods. This appeal coincides with growing concerns about escalating violence across the island nation.

Political representatives have responded with calls for immediate action. Peter Phillips, Member of Parliament for St Lucy, visited the Archer family residence in Broomfield to offer condolences while emphasizing the necessity for strengthened legal measures. Phillips advocated for the reinstatement of capital punishment as a deterrent against what he termed ‘lawless acts threatening community safety.’

Democratic Labour Party representative Ian Griffith joined the mourning family, offering support and solidarity during their time of loss. Archer, who resided in Pie Corner with his partner, is remembered by community members as a vibrant individual whose potential was tragically cut short by senseless violence.

A festive evening in the Checker Hall community of St. Lucy, Barbados, descended into tragedy on Sunday night following a brazen drive-by shooting. The Barbados Police Service has officially identified the deceased victim as 28-year-old Romario Archer, a resident of Pie Corner, St. Lucy. The violent incident, which unfolded at approximately 10:50 p.m. in the Fryers Well area, also resulted in nine other individuals sustaining gunshot wounds.

According to preliminary investigative reports, the attack targeted a social gathering where attendees were engaged in a karaoke event at a local bar. Preliminary investigations indicate that the assailants arrived in a dark-colored vehicle, from which multiple shots were indiscriminately fired into the crowd before the car fled the scene.

Emergency services responded promptly, transporting all nine injured victims to medical facilities for urgent care. Despite efforts to save him, Mr. Archer succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to a private medical clinic. The remaining victims are currently receiving medical treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, though their specific conditions have not been publicly disclosed.

Law enforcement officials from the Crab Hill Police Station have launched a comprehensive investigation into the shooting. Authorities are actively appealing to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information about the vehicle, its occupants, or the events leading up to the shooting to come forward. Individuals can provide tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1800-8477, or contact the Police Emergency hotline at 211, or the Crab Hill Police Station directly at 419-1730 or 419-1747.

Authorities in Barbados have confirmed the identity of the individual fatally injured during a single-vehicle incident in St. Philip over the weekend. The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old Keimar Collymore, a resident of Bath Land, St. John.

The tragic event occurred along the Thicketts roadway this past Sunday at approximately 3:10 p.m. Preliminary reports from law enforcement indicate that Collymore was operating his vehicle when it left the roadway and collided with a stationary utility pole. The impact of the crash resulted in fatal injuries.

Emergency services and medical personnel were dispatched to the location; however, a attending physician officially pronounced Collymore deceased at the scene. No other vehicles or individuals were reported to be involved in the collision.

The District ‘C’ Police Station has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Officers are working to determine the precise cause, which may include factors such as road conditions, vehicle mechanics, or driver error.

In an effort to gather comprehensive evidence, law enforcement officials are appealing to the public for assistance. They are particularly interested in speaking with any potential witnesses who might have observed the events leading up to or immediately following the collision. Individuals with relevant information are urged to contact the investigative team at District ‘C’ Police Station by calling 416-8200 or 416-8201.

A tragic motor vehicle accident in the Thicketts area of St. Philip resulted in a fatality on Sunday afternoon, with local authorities now actively seeking public assistance in their investigation. The collision transpired at approximately 3:10 p.m. along the roadway leading toward Three Houses Park. Preliminary reports indicate that the male operator of the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of control, leading to a catastrophic impact with a stationary utility pole. Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the location following alerts from nearby residents. A attending physician officially pronounced the driver deceased at the scene, foregoing transportation to medical facilities due to the severity of injuries sustained. The Barbados Police Service has confirmed that comprehensive investigations remain ongoing to determine the precise causation factors behind the devastating incident. Law enforcement officials are urging any potential witnesses or individuals with relevant information to immediately contact the District C Police Station at telephone numbers 416-8200 or 416-8201 to aid investigative efforts.

The Barbados Landship Association is embarking on an ambitious expansion and modernization strategy, planning to grow its school program from 16 to 25 units this year while aligning its mission with global development frameworks. Under President Colonel Wayne Worrell’s leadership, each landship unit will adopt specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, transforming the century-old cultural organization from primarily performance-based activities toward substantive social impact projects.

During the South-East Fleet’s quarterly service at St Bartholomew Church on Sunday, Worrell outlined the strategic pivot emphasizing that ‘It has to be more than just dance.’ Each unit will now address critical social challenges including crime reduction, poverty alleviation, and agricultural development. This new direction will be visually represented through color-coded uniform designs that reflect each ship’s designated mission.

The association also announced the summer launch of a landship marines unit specifically designed to increase male participation. This innovative program will feature structured, military-style performances using replica equipment, creating an appealing alternative for young boys less interested in traditional landship routines.

The service itself demonstrated the organization’s vibrant traditions, beginning with ceremonial bell ringing as members marched into the sanctuary accompanied by a combined band. Reverend Canon Wayne Isaacs’ sermon on ‘new life, new beginnings, and new possibilities’ set the tone for the day’s proceedings, which included the surprise promotion of Khloe Parker to sub-lieutenant. Admiral Lorraine Sealy and Captain Charles Sandiford formally elevated Parker from surgical nurse rank in recognition of her dedication, community outreach work, uniform production assistance, and emergent leadership qualities.

The cultural significance of the landship movement was celebrated through performances featuring legendary musician Desmond Weekes, one of the original Draytons, who performed a tribute to the tuk band tradition. Weekes acknowledged the landship’s profound influence on Barbados’ musical heritage, including the development of spouge music. The intergenerational nature of the organization was further highlighted through Maypole dance performances by students from Mount Tabor Primary and St George Secondary Schools following the senior members’ demonstration.

With the South-East Fleet currently comprising approximately 150 members under Admiral Sealy’s leadership—the association’s first female admiral—the organization is positioning itself as both a cultural guardian and progressive force for social development in Barbados.

The University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill Campus has reinforced its reputation for academic distinction after Barbadian student Liyee Su achieved the highest honors in the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) final examinations. This marks the second time in three years that a Cave Hill student has claimed top regional honors, following Nathan Lovell’s similar achievement in 2023.

In the November/December 2025 assessments, Su demonstrated exceptional proficiency across both theoretical and practical components, securing the highest programme grade point average among candidates from all UWI campuses. She excelled in written examinations and clinical performance evaluations (Objective Structured Clinical Examination), graduating with distinction.

The 2025 Cave Hill cohort, comprising approximately twelve Medical Sciences students, delivered an outstanding collective performance. They achieved the highest aggregate scores in written papers and OSCE components, while also earning the top GPA among all university campuses. This accomplishment proved particularly impressive as students completed their clinical training at Trinidad’s St Augustine Campus—an unfamiliar environment for the Barbadian cohort.

Professor Clive Landis, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, highlighted these achievements during his recent report to the Campus Council, emphasizing the significance of cultivating academic excellence as Caribbean nations strengthen their healthcare infrastructure. All graduating students have now earned the title of doctor.

These successes emerge amid evolving geopolitical challenges in the region and underscore the value of robust, locally-developed medical education programs. The five-year MBBS programme at Cave Hill remains instrumental in training the region’s future physicians, equipping graduates like Dr. Su with skills to make meaningful contributions both within the Caribbean and internationally.

Since 1967, the campus has trained medical professionals through its partnership with Barbados’ Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the country’s sole training hospital. Additionally, Cave Hill offers a collaborative 3+3 medical degree program with the University of Ghana, where students complete preclinical studies in Barbados before undertaking clinical training in Ghana. This accredited program grants graduates a BSc from UWI and an MB ChB from Ghana, enabling professional practice in both countries.