In celebration of its 85th anniversary, the ruling Barbados Labour Party (BLP) will be hosting a full year of activities.
Speaking at the media launch on Friday at the party’s Roebuck Street headquarters, Chief Executive Officer Senator Patricia Parris said the festivities carry the overarching theme of Towards a Better Life for our People and will commence on April 16th with a church service at the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Bay Street, St Michael.
In addition, a Karaoke Lime at the newly-built Hillcrest Community Centre in St Joseph is scheduled for April 21, with several others planned for each constituency throughout 2023.
The party’s lecture series starts off on April 26 at Solidarity House, the headquarters of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU). The first lecture is to be delivered by Ambassador Chad Blackman.
“We will have other lectures, the Tom Adams lecture on September 25, and on October 17, the inaugural Owen Arthur lecture,” she outlined.
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Parris said the BLP is returning to its annual tradition of celebrating the April 28 birthdate of Sir Grantley Adams with a picnic for its party faithful. However, this will move from its usual East Coast location.
“Unfortunately, we are not able to have the picnic at the East Coast Road because of the road repairs that are being done there. This year, we will be celebrating at Silver Sands Park on Heroes Day,” she said.
In addition, Parris said the BLP will join with the BWU in observance of Labour Day on May 1.
Pointing out that the union was born out of the BLP, she stated the linked celebration “is nothing new”.
“It is something that we did on May 1, 2018 so we will be doing it again this year. The theme for this celebration is ‘It Started With Us’,” she added.
Also on the calendar of activities are a Father’s Day Luncheon, a National Arbor Day tree planting and a cultural exhibition during Crop-Over.
Commending all those who contributed to the party’s success throughout the years, Parris added “Eighty-five years is a significant milestone and we encourage all our members to come out to the various activities to celebrate.” (JB)
