Ninety-nine receive awards for dedication to Oistins

In a show of pomp and splendour, political representatives, the business class, fisher folk and Oistins Bay Garden Committee board members were on Sunday awarded for their hard work over the years during the 27th anniversary Oistins Bay Garden Awards Ceremony.

While addressing an audience that included businessman Ralph “Bizzy” Williams and his wife Shelly Williams along with Deputy General Manager of the National Conservation Commission Kerry Ann Jessamy and other officials, Chairman of the Oistins Bay Garden Committee Kemar Harris recalled the importance of Oistins being the second biggest spot for tourism locally.

He spoke of how Oistins played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic and called on the government to not turn its back on the southern town. “We are the second most [popular] place in tourism in Barbados. We are indigenous, the original – not the fake. If you don’t come to Oistins… you have not been to Barbados,” he said to loud applause.

“We were not acknowledged as essential workers. We are having our awards now. When COVID [19] was on, we had battles. We thank the police for bearing with us… When we were left scrabbling [at that time] we could be fined or confined for still supplying the people of this country with a meal,” he added.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Representative for Christ Church South MP Ralph Thorne, during his address, said Oistins must not and cannot die because it has contributed too much to the economic landscape of Barbados. He pointed out that when a town loses its people; it loses its character and its flavour.

“The people who built this town are still here. The fishermen are still here. The evidence of their industry is still here in a boat yard. Oistins must not die and Oistins will continue to live as long as people like Lucille Clarke lives and as long as you have a fish market populated by people who have been here for over 100 years and continue to be here. Oistins will continue to be the most thriving of the towns in Barbados,” he added emphatically.

He recalled the work of many stalwarts who turned unemployment around through self employment.

“When that fish market was built… and upgraded, it meant that Lucille no longer had to walk up and down and ply her trade to keep Oistins alive. Then the Bay Garden came along and that is why this event is so important, because the people who work here, who populate this place, have demonstrated a sense of unity this evening,” Thorne added.

During a special segment dedicated to awarding the hard work of the business folk in Oistins, 99 awardees were called to grace the stage of the Bay Gardens in recognition of their contribution. Special mentions were made for Senator John King who was recognized for his assistance and stellar work with the Bay Garden Committee, along with Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Culture, Senator Shantal Munro- Knight, and Member of Parliament for St Michael East, Trevor Prescod among others.

Members of the Oistins Bay Garden Committee came out in full force for the event, which was the first of its kind in the history of Oistins.

Harris, who stepped up to the plate in chairing the Oistins Bay Garden Committee in recent years, hinted of another possible award ceremony for the 30th anniversary of the Oistins Bay Garden in 2026. (PrettySureMedia)