Commemorative globe unveiled in City for Commonwealth on 80th anniversary

A striking new globe now stands in Independence Square, celebrating both the 80th anniversary of Roberts Manufacturing Company Limited and the 40th anniversary of the Commonwealth Society of Barbados, in a bid to inspire a new generation of Barbadians to think globally.

The globe, which stands seven feet six inches in diameter and is supported on a three-foot-high concrete base, lists all 56 Commonwealth countries and the years they joined the organisation.

Managing Director of Roberts Manufacturing, Rakeesh Bernard, said the partnership with the Commonwealth Society was an opportunity to contribute something meaningful to Barbados.

Addressing officials and students at a brief ceremony on Friday afternoon, which included President Dame Sandra Mason, Bernard reflected on the oils, fats and feed maker’s beginnings in 1944: “We started as a dream, essentially, in the back of somebody’s house. It was soaps, margarines, one man, and it developed over time into the manufacturing business that it is today.”

He said: “Roberts has now expanded . . . and is essentially throughout the Caribbean. But Barbados has always been our home. It’s our largest market . . . we’ve always wondered, ‘How do we give back to Barbados? How do we support Barbados and have the Barbadian community understand that we are here for you?’”

He stated that the company was impressed with the Commonwealth Society’s work in schools, but he was delighted upon learning that the Society was responsible for the popular annual Christmas tree decorations in the city.

“I did not know until I met with the Commonwealth Society that they did the Christmas trees, the decorations . . . every year my wife and my kids would come down here and we’re always looking at the trees, and it’s always such a fantastic thing to see just the creativity of children,” he said.

Bernard hopes the commemorative piece will inspire young Barbadians.

“As we unveil this globe, may it speak to not only where we’ve been, but where we’re going. May it inspire young Barbadians, you youngsters, to think globally, act responsibly, and believe in the power of unity,” he said.

He added: “Trust me, we need that now more than ever in the Caribbean, right? We’re one people, we’re one community, and we need to act in that way.”

The Commonwealth Society of Barbados is a registered educational charity formed on January 12, 1985. It was originally named the Royal Commonwealth Society Barbados Branch, but changed its name in 2021 to reflect Barbados’ transition to a republic.

Vice-chair Dr Claire Durant highlighted the inspiration behind the globe: “More than 20 years ago, our chair, Mrs (Cheryll) Belle, came up with the idea of having a globe of the world located in a prominent public space. Her vision was that this could be used as a teaching too . . . to highlight that even though Barbados is a small island, there is a far greater world out there beyond the horizon.”

She said the globe was intended to “help you to learn about the Commonwealth and the world,” urging students to use it for educational purposes such as “word games, geography quizzes, and other intuitive exploits”.

Dr Durant commended Bernard and his team: “Not only did Mr Bernard see the vision, but it aligned with the company’s commitment to community development.”

She encouraged the students in attendance to use the globe as a reference for future aspirations: “It is said that you can find a Bajan in every country of the world, so go for it.” (LG)