Bluefest Week honours long serving Ministry employee

Not even a pandemic could dampen the spirit of celebration as the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy brought Bluefest Week 2020 to a fitting conclusion.

Staff appreciation at the Ministry’s headquarters in Charnocks saw one stalwart earning a well-deserved rest. Driver/Messenger Winston Rudder, better known as Bachie, will officially retire from the public service in the coming weeks.

Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit Dr Leo Brewster not only regaled colleagues of Bachie’s commensurate service but revealed how his dedication to work overflowed to other Government departments which he assisted with crucial errands resulting in timely and successful completion. Minister Kirk Humphrey was on hand to wish Rudder a long, healthy and happy retirement.

The activities sailed into Saturday on the island’s scenic East Coast – at the Seafarer’s Luncheon. There were also special presentations from nonagenarian Louis Forde (renowned for his yeoman service to the Bridgetown Port) which were made to former Port pilot Herbert Martin and to the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Sonia Foster, who accepted on behalf of the Minister.

Martin was featured in the first video series popular on TV and social media – “Men of Honor: Telling Our Story”. Given the very positive response to the series, the Ministry is already working on a second season to be airing in the weeks ahead. (PR)