Montserrat’s De Bear swats away rivals in Anguilla for record fifth Leeward Islands calypso crown

By

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August 9, 2026

bearandhugga — Photo courtesy Anguilla Summer Festival
Montserrat's Keithroy "De Bear" Morson is presented the winner's trophy by committee chairperson Katrina Richardson.

On a warm Saturday night in The Valley, Montserrat’s most decorated calypsonian proved he’s still at his peak.

Three years after he delivered the island’s first Leeward Islands calypso title, Keithroy “De Bear” Morson duplicated the feat, scoring a lopsided victory in Anguilla for the 2026 crown. He accumulated 866 points, a whopping 82 more than first runner-up Roxanne “Queen Roxxy” Webster of Anguilla. Second runner-up was Leston “Young Destroyer” Jacobs of Antigua & Barbuda, who earned 746 points.

“This crown was more about answering whether I could do it again,” said De Bear, adding that he wanted to “solidify” his historic 2023 Leewards victory for Montserrat. “I was fulfilling a request.”

In the first round, De Bear sang When Will We Learn, a song he first performed in 2022 that stressed the importance of Caribbean unity and cooperation. He then closed the show with Gi Dem Licks, lashing out (literally) at any detractors who feel he’s past his prime. De Bear sang last (No. 8) in both rounds, giving him a headliner appeal.

After claiming his record fifth Leewards crown (the first three came while representing Antigua & Barbuda), De Bear performed Gi Dem Licks one final time. He thanked the Landsome Bowl audience and asked: “Do you think it’s time for me to retire?”

When the crowd responded with an emphatic “No!” he said, chuckling: “Oh Lord, ayu a go kill dis old man ya.”

Photo courtesy Anguilla Summer Festival
*De Bear belts out the song “Gi Dem Licks” on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Landsome Bowl in The Valley, Anguilla.*

RE-WRITING HISTORY

De Bear reconstructed the lyrics of both songs, especially Gi Dem Licks, to make them more appealing and appropriate for the Anguilla crowd. And he didn’t miss a beat. His ability to adjust and improvise gave him a distinct advantage over his opponents.

De Bear, who earned EC $10,000, said his first-round performance of When Will We Learn was challenging.

“It’s a very difficult song and it almost knocked the wind out of me,” he said. “In the third verse I got tired and wasn’t sure I could do the fourth verse. So I had to pace myself.”

Once he crossed that hurdle, De Bear said the scathing, uptempo Gi Dem Licks was easy because he was in his element. “Now that song is me,” he said.

The victory capped a whirlwind two weeks for De Bear, who performed at Montserrat Festival UK in London on July 18 then sang as a guest artist during Antigua’s calypso monarch show July 31 before heading to Anguilla.

Photo courtesy Adena Johnson
*De Bear celebrates with Adena Johnson, his backup singer and cousin.*

LARGE FOLLOWING

A few days before the show, De Bear told Radio Montserrat that he expected strong support in Anguilla, where he has performed for two decades. The crowd Saturday night included a small contingent of Montserratians.

“I have a large following in Anguilla,” De Bear said. “When I walk into the bandhouse the whole place lifts up and everybody runs in to see what’s happening.”

Calypso committee chairperson Katrina Richardson said she was pleased with the show.

“The turnout was reasonable and the calypsonians were well-received,” she said, adding that she felt the crowd was happy with the judges’ final decision despite local favorite Roxxy falling short. “You saw it in their actions and their responses.”

The panel of five judges included two from Anguilla and three from around the region, including Peter W.A. White of Montserrat. Asked if that format was utilized to alleviate any suspicions of judging bias, Richardson said, “Definitely.”

MONTSERRAT CONNECTION

De Bear’s backup singers included cousin Adena Johnson, who sang for all the calypsonians as part of the All-Star Band for the second year in a row.

“It was a challenge because we had to learn 16 songs in just three days,” she said. “But I’m always excited and ecstatic to represent Montserrat.”

Watching her cousin don the oversized winner’s crown was the perfect capper.

“De Bear is an exceptional calypsonian,” she said. “For me, De Bear represents a standard of excellence, and I hope this victory inspires our calypsonians to aspire to the same level.”

PAYING IT FORWARD

Asked about his career going forward, De Bear said his focus is no longer about proving whom he can defeat on stage, but how he can assist the next generation of calypsonians in Montserrat.

“I’m hoping Montserrat doesn’t make the same mistake they made with Arrow,” he said. “They got caught up in his legacy and didn’t look for a replacement. They cannot wait until I’m taken down by illness or death to look for a prodigy to take over and keep Montserrat on top. We need to help the children coming up, help them write their songs, even if they need help from A.I.”

▪ The other performers were Richie Buntin (U.S. Virgin Islands), Eklund “Officer” Adams (BVI), Edsel “Mighty Yard Fowl” Eusebius (St. Maarten), Tariq “Drewzy” Drew (St. Kitts) and K-Jel “Kairo” Smithen (Nevis). Defending Leewards champion Ge’Eve Phillip of Antigua did not participate due to illness, organizers said.

*“THIS CROWN WAS MORE ABOUT ANSWERING WHETHER I COULD DO IT AGAIN. I WAS FULFILLING A REQUEST.”*

– **Keithroy “De Bear” Morson**

Calypso crowns by De Bear (De Voice)

Year	Event	Songs
1985	Montserrat Jr. Calypso	Slavery (one song)
1992	Montserrat Festival	Back to Basics & Face The Truth
1993	Montserrat Pilgrimage	Come Home (one song)
1993	Montserrat Festival	The Time Has Come & Show Respect
2002	Antigua Independence	Man Is Dust & Help
2007	Antigua Carnival	I Say No & Support Party
2007	Leeward Islands Competition	I Say No & Man Is Dust
2010	Antigua Carnival	Leopard Come Home & Don’t Sing Bout de Judgment
2011	Antigua Carnival	Melee For Sale & We Get The Change Ivena
2012	Antigua Carnival	Time To Take Our Place & Freedom for Mandela
2012	Leeward Islands Competition	Time To Take Our Place & Freedom for Mandela
2014	Montserrat Festival	Don’t Forget Your Juliet & Got To Go
2015	Antigua Carnival	Can’t Stop The Bear & Sing A Different Song
2015	Leeward Islands Competition	Can’t Stop The Bear & Sing A Different Song
2019	Antigua Carnival	Let The Master Show You & On A Ray Of Hope
2020	Montserrat Carnival	By Faith & Call Daddy
2021	Montserrat Carnival	Let Us Rebuild & Don’t Wake The Bear
2022	Montserrat Carnival	Hard Like A Diamond & Ah Shoulda
2023	Leeward Islands Competition	Hard Like A Diamond & Don’t Wake The Bear
2025	Montserrat Carnival	Come Serve Your Country & Gi Dem Licks
2026	Leeward Islands Competition	When Will We Learn & Gi Dem Licks

Note: De Bear also won the Road March title in Montserrat in 2014 with Wuk Dem Till Dem Tired and the Groovy Soca Monarch title in 2024 (Just Like That) and 2025 (My Confession).

Montserrat Notable Regional Titles


Year	Event	Winner
1951	Leeward Islands Cricket	Montserrat
1953	Leeward Islands Cricket	Montserrat
1986	OECS Calypso Monarch	Justin “Hero” Cassell
1987	Caribbean Talented Teen	Stacy Richards
1987	OECS Queen Show	Pauline Wall
1988	OECS Queen Show	Jemma Neptune
2015	Caribbean Jaycees Queen	Sharissa Ryan
2023	Leeward Islands Calypso	Keithroy “De Voice” Morson
2026	Leeward Islands Calypso	Keithroy “De Bear” Morson

Opinion: My two memorable encounters with Sir Garfield Sobers, plus his Montserrat connection

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

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July 29, 2026

1

edwinsobers — My interview with Sir Garfield Sobers on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida.

Sir Garfield Sobers died on Friday, July 17, 2026, just 11 days shy of his 90th birthday. Sobers, widely considered the best cricket player in history, represented the West Indies team from 1954 to 1974. He played with skill, style and swagger. He moved with ease, never appearing hurried or harried. Slender and graceful, he would stroll to the crease, bat pointing downward and collar turned upward. He played in an era without helmets, which would have only obscured the handsome countenance that added to his mystique.

Tony Cozier, the voice of West Indies cricket for five decades, was once asked by a journalist who was the greatest batsman he had ever seen. Cozier responded: “You mean after Garry Sobers?”

I did not get to watch Sobers during his prime, which was a bit before my time, and have relied mostly on DVDs and YouTube clips to savor his greatness. In 2015 I had the privilege of interviewing him. However, 25 years earlier I got a glimpse of what the Sobers hype was truly about.

In 1990, an exhibition cricket match was held in Miami – where I reside. It was West Indies Legends vs. South Florida. The match was played at Bobby Maduro Miami Stadium, which was the Spring Training home of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. The Legends team included Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs and Rohan Kanhai – all Caribbean cricket stalwarts. The South Florida team comprised the top players in the local league. They were mostly transplanted Caribbean natives, many of whom represented their respective islands at one point.

The local team batted first. One of the opening batsmen was a brash, former Jamaican national team player named Kenrick “Bird” Dennis. He was one of the top players in the local league. The irrepressible Dennis could often be heard bragging about how he planned to punish bowlers.

Sobers opened the bowling for the Legends and Dennis faced the first ball. Sobers, 16 years retired from Test cricket and now graying and a bit plump, began his medium-pace run-up with his customary left-handed leaning style. Sobers delivered. Dennis swung and missed, and his stumps and bales were sent sprawling. The crowd went in a frenzy. One ball, and “Bird” was headed back to the dressing room, head down, no chirping.

“Bird” was 23 years old. Sobers was 54.

I watched in amazement at how Sobers so quickly defused the bravado of a young cricketer with a simple unspoken message: I may be old, but you’re still nowhere close to my league.

The next batsman sauntered in and took his guard. Sobers bowled him as well – with the first ball.

Photo by Edwin L. Martin
*Sobers and former West Indies teammate Desmond Lewis pose with fans January 25, 2015 in Florida.*

I AM LEGEND

My second interaction with Sobers came in early 2015. Former West Indies player Lawrence Rowe, who lives in South Florida, organized Cricket Legends Weekend, a charity event to benefit his foundation. A number of former West Indies stars were flown in, including Sobers. On Friday there was a Meet and Greet, on Saturday an awards banquet, and on Sunday there was an exhibition match at Central Broward Park in Lauderhill (Sobers and most of the other legends were spectators).

I covered the event for the Miami Herald, where I was employed at the time. My media pass allowed me access to all the legends, and I marveled as I observed them reminiscing about their glory days with booming laughter, hugs and playful back slaps. Shortly before the gala on Saturday I spotted Sobers – decked in a flawless tuxedo – in the lobby of the Sheraton Suites Hotel. I asked him to autograph a cricket bat and he obliged. I eventually added autographs from Sir Wes Hall, Lance Gibbs and Brian Lara. That bat remains one of my prized possessions and has now become even more sentimental with Sobers’ passing.

On Sunday, January 25, 2015, I attended the charity cricket match. I entered the media lounge and decided to interview the biggest legend of all. I approached with some trepidation. Every journalist, regardless how experienced, is eventually star-struck. Sobers, who was watching the exhibition match, seemed mildly annoyed at first but invited me to sit and ask a few questions. We spoke a bit about the early days of his career. I told him I heard that in his debut Test match in 1954 he batted at No. 7, a bit hilarious in hindsight. He corrected me. “I think it was ninth,” he said.

As luck would have it a photographer was passing by during our conversation and asked if he could snap a photo of Sobers and myself. He later sent me a copy.

Sobers granted many photo and autograph requests from fans, promoters and media. He seemed especially amused when approached by fans of the female persuasion. Although he was decades removed from his playing days he was still a rock star, and he soaked it up with glee. In a room full of cricket royalty, Sobers was still king.

Photo by Edwin L. Martin
*Four West Indies legends autographed this bat in 2015: Sobers (top), Lance Gibbs, Wes Hall and Brian Lara.*

FRIEND OF MONTSERRAT

Amid the hoopla of Cricket Legends Weekend I forgot to tell Sobers that I was a native of Montserrat. It would have surely conjured some memories. Sobers visited the Emerald Isle several times in the 1970s and ’80s to participate in golf tournaments at the Old Road Bay Golf Course. One of his main hosts was Neville Bradshaw, once Montserrat’s most prolific golfer and well-known real estate agent. Bradshaw now resides in the United States.

“Management [at the golf course] brought Sobers in to help promote the sport in Montserrat,” Bradshaw explained. “He visited about two or three times. The first time he stayed at Vue Pointe [Hotel] and the other times he stayed at one of my homes. He had a nice golf swing just like his cricket swing and he liked hitting the ball long. He was a serious competitor. In one of the tournaments I finished first and he was second.”

Photo courtesy Alford Lindsey
*Garry Sobers, right, with Neville Bradshaw, center, and an unidentified official at the Old Road Bay Golf Course in Montserrat in March of 1995.*

Photo courtesy Neville Bradshaw
*Neville Bradshaw (above) said of Garry Sobers: “It was a great honor to meet him, play golf with him, and just to be in his company.”*

Bradshaw said Sobers thoroughly enjoyed his time in Montserrat.

“I took him around and we went liming. I remember taking him to Gary Moore’s Bar [in Salem]. We became good friends. He called me ‘Braddy’. He was a very kind person, not selfish at all. No matter who you were he was hailing you up.”

Bradshaw said he lost touch with Sobers over the years.

“I regret that,” he said, “because we never know when death will come upon us. It was a great honor to meet him, play golf with him, and just to be in his company.”

Of the many plaudits bestowed on Sobers over the years, my favorite came from India cricket legend Bishan Bedi, who declared: “God must have made him in his very, very spare time.”

It was quite a creation, one that transformed cricket and the Caribbean forever.

George Street Fire, Part 2: Tales of arson and theft as Montserrat begins long recovery from blaze

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

-

January 20, 2026

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gsfireaftermath — Photo from the Bob Hare collection
Police and others survey the damage of the George Street Fire on the morning of January 7, 1966.

Second of a two-part series.

When morning broke in Montserrat on Friday, January 7, 1966, the evidence lay bare for all to see. A section of Plymouth resembled a scene from the Vietnam War that was raging 10,000 miles away. Once-thriving businesses were now hollowed-out shells. Entire second floors of buildings were gone, as if they never existed. Ash and debris littered the street. Stunned merchants and residents walked around slowly with hands on hips, shaking their heads as they quietly surveyed their losses.

Roosevelt “Cubby” Jemmotte, who lived with his mother, grandmother and two brothers on George Street just below Hamsey Allen’s store, recalled the aftermath 60 years later.

“We lost a lot,” he said. “We were renting at the time but we were planning to build our own house and had already bought a lot of the materials. They were stored under the house. Everything was burned.”

Teresa Pond-Moses, then 12, lived in Upper George Street. Her home was not burned, but the images are seared in her memory.

“For weeks we felt very sad,” she said. “When you passed certain areas of George Street everything was just black, and you could smell the smoke for the longest while.”

It’s profound fortune that no one died, considering the close calls that night. In one instance a firefighter slipped off a ladder while battling a second-story blaze and was left clinging to the fire hose, swaying uncontrollably as if he were “battling an Anaconda snake” according to a witness.

Some elderly folks who were awakened and told to evacuate initially refused, believing they were being robbed. They had to be lifted and carried to safety against their will.

The George Street Fire lasted about seven hours – an eternity when battling an inferno. It was a time for heroism but also an opportunity for misdeeds. Some saw the tragic fire as a windfall, and what Mother Nature didn’t claim that night, human nature often did.

*“Cubby” Jemmotte, Teresa Pond-Moses, Alfred Christopher*

OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT

The community response was overwhelmingly positive however. The government, banks, churches, Red Cross and other groups mobilized to assist the victims. A Fire Relief Fund was set up with Royal Bank of Canada and Barclays Bank. The treasurer was Paul Proudfoot, a native of Grenada who was branch manager at Royal Bank.

Alfred Christopher, a Montserrat Defense Force officer and popular calypso singer, organized a benefit concert at the Roman Catholic auditorium on George Street. The show featured a future legend: 16-year-old Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell.

“I believe it was Arrow’s first time performing in public,” Christopher said. “We had several calypsonians and also a guy named Son Sheep [James Mason] who was a really good singer. We charged 50 cents admission. Even though a lot of people sneaked in we still raised more than $200. That tells you the kind of crowd we got.”

The fund-raising effort went international, with companies such as Pan Am Airways chipping in $350. Local nurse Patricia Griffin raised $242 collecting donations in tins . . . but that was just a drop in the bucket. The fire caused an estimated EC $1.25 million in damage, according to the Montserrat Mirror newspaper. That included property, personal effects and stock-in-trade. Adjusted for inflation, that equates to roughly $12.4 million in 2026.

The Fire Relief Fund eventually raised about $11,000. It is uncertain how the money was distributed and what, if any, criteria was used. But Jemmotte, whose entire family was displaced, said he never got a dime. Ironically, Jemmotte worked for an insurance company, but he sold life and health policies, not property coverage.

“My family members all went to live in different places after the fire,” said Jemmotte, who lived for a time in Kinsale with the family of J.W.R. Perkins, a former legislator and businessman who invented the popular liqueur Perks Punch.

The Perks Punch distillery was located on Chapel Street, not far from the fire, but was not damaged. The street was actually dubbed “Perkins Alley” by locals.

Photo from the Bob Hare collection
*Onlookers survey the damage of the George Street Fire on January 7, 1966.*

ARSON OR ACCIDENT?

As the smell of smoke lingered on George Street, so did questions. On Thursday, January 13, 1966, a Coroner’s Inquiry (with a jury) was held in order to determine the cause of the fire. Major Albert Bradford of the Barbados Fire Brigade was brought in as an expert witness. The only other testimony came from Karl Muller, whose business – the West Indies Packing Company – was located in the “Brother” Dan Fenton Building where the fire started.

According to the Montserrat Mirror, Bradford narrowed the cause of the fire to three scenarios: a lighted cigarette, faulty wiring or a deliberate act. With no conclusive evidence, the case was adjourned sine die – meaning it was dismissed indefinitely unless something arose that warranted a recall.

Muller was a native of Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic). It’s unclear how he arrived in Montserrat but he apparently enjoyed living in the tropics instead of his frigid homeland and would tell friends: “If God meant for people to live in the cold he would have given Adam and Eve clothes.”

Muller’s business specialized in cold storage. He introduced Montserrat to imported frozen chicken and also catered to the wealthy, selling premium-cut meats, sausages, fancy cheeses and other products not usually available in Montserrat. He also sold milk that he pasteurized himself.

Muller reportedly stocked up heavily for the Christmas season, anticipating robust business. The common belief among those close to the incident was that, due to disappointing sales, Muller ignited the fire in order to cut his losses and collect the insurance.

Jemmotte, whose office at British-American Insurance was located across from Muller’s store, witnessed the early part of the fire. He is not convinced it was arson.

“I saw a bunch of small fires like sparks all over the building,” he said. “So it’s hard to imagine how one person did that. I’m not going to say it was [arson] because I don’t like to judge people. That whole thing was a mystery.”

To be clear, Muller was never charged. But there were some red flags. One witness said he found it odd that Muller parked his car several blocks away shortly before the blaze. A former employee, speaking decades later, said he believed Muller was capable of the act.

Muller left Montserrat shortly after the fire and years later was spotted in Montreal. It’s uncertain whether he collected an insurance payout.

*A look at the area of George Street that was affected by the fire.*

THIEF IN THE NIGHT

For most victims of the fire, however, there was no insurance bailout. And the looting that transpired didn’t help.

John Wilson, who lived in Jubilee – about a quarter-mile south of the fire – recalls helping Franklyn Farier, Montserrat’s Chief Inspector of Health, salvage his belongings as the fire spread. Farier lived behind Hamsey Allen’s store near Chapel Street.

“He lived on the second floor,” Wilson said. “We helped him take out furniture and other things and handed them to people on the ground who we thought were helping us. When we got down everything was gone.”

Teresa Pond-Moses also recalled some of the brazen thievery.

“Some people who had to evacuate took their refrigerators up to Kitty Field,” she said, referring to an open area just east of Old Chapel Street. “People went there and stole things right from the fridge.”

The following day became a scavenger hunt as many went into burned-out shops searching for consolation prizes.

“I saw women going into Mrs. Nanton’s store and stuffing jewelry in their bosoms,” Teresa said. “At the same time they were saying what a shame it was that the store got burned.”

*Reginald “Marse Reggie” Osborne and partner Rebecca, better known as “Becca Gypsy”*

Reginald Osborne’s store, with soft drink distillery in the back, was destroyed by the fire. Osborne ran the business with his partner and future wife, Rebecca Galloway, better known as “Becca Gypsy.” Osborne was the owner but Becca was the face of the business. She was assertive and outspoken.

Osborne kept a safe in the store with paper money and coins. A number of folks traversed the store during and after the fire, including firemen battling the blaze and normal citizens rummaging through remnants the following day. Most of the money disappeared. Some of the bills, which had slight burn marks, began circulating around town. It became a running joke to the point that when anyone spotted burnt money they called it “Marse Reggie Money.”

The irrepressible Becca didn’t find it funny, though. She mostly blamed the first responders and would confront them in public. “Ayu tief Marse Reggie money!” she would declare.

Photo from the Bob Hare collection
*Lindy Eid’s New York Store, shown the day after the fire, later became the site of Suntex Bakery.*

CHANGING LANDSCAPE

The George Street Fire was not lethal but it was life-changing. For one it transformed the “Sweet Drink” industry in Montserrat. The two main distillers of aerated (carbonated) drinks – Hamsey Allen and Reginald Osborne – saw their shops shuttered for good. Traders, a regional company, eventually cornered the local soft-drink market.

Some businesses rebuilt, others relocated. Lindy Eid’s New York Store later became Suntex Bakery (Eid already had a second “New York Store” on Strand Street). Hamsey Allen’s Shop became Marse Bob’s Shop. Dr. Desmond Wooding and shopkeeper Charles Jones moved west near Parliament Street. The Defense Force later moved its headquarters to Houston Street. Hulda Rogers’ building welcomed a new tenant: Daniel’s Pharmacy. Empire Shop, owned by Ernest and Edith Herman, moved to the first floor of Mrs. Harper’s building, replacing Daisy Nanton’s Advance Dress Shop.

During a 2022 interview Mrs. Nanton said she regrettably allowed her insurance to lapse and was distressed when her shop was destroyed. However, one of her specialties was hat-making, and when Queen Elizabeth visited Montserrat one month after the fire, many of the social events required women to wear hats. Mrs. Nanton said she made enough money selling hats to open a new shop, this time on Parliament Street across from Royal Bank of Canada.

LESSONS LEARNED

Sadly, sometimes it takes tragedies to spur change. Years later, Montserrat upgraded its fire-rescue apparatus and created a Fire Department with trained responders. Also, buildings that were made of stone on the first floor and wood on top were rebuilt to feature mostly concrete.

Jemmotte, whose home and place of employment were destroyed by the fire, said there were still some positives.

“It was another challenge for me. It helped me to mature. It makes you understand that things happen for a reason.”

John Wilson, who would open his own business on Parliament Street in 1976, said: “The fire really exposed how unprepared we were. It was a very strange thing that happened in our country.”

On January 6, 1969 – three years to the day of the fire – another strange episode occurred. Paul Proudfoot, the Royal Bank of Canada branch manager who was treasurer for the Fire Relief Fund in 1966, was found dead in his car in Old Towne. It was a suspected suicide. It was shocking, bizarre and cruelly ironic.

The vehicle had been set on fire.

Click here to read Part 1: Fire in early 1966 destroys businesses and homes in Montserrat’s capital.

George Street Fire, Part 1: Blaze in early 1966 destroys homes and businesses in Montserrat’s capital

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

-

January 10, 2026

0

gsfirethumb — Photo courtesy Bob Hare collection
Fifteen businesses were destroyed by the George Street Fire in 1966.

First of a two-part series.

The new year is often ushered in with fireworks. For Montserrat the start of 1966 was marked by a historic fire. This was no celebratory blaze. By the time the inferno was reduced to smoldering rubble, 15 businesses and homes had been destroyed and 30 people were homeless. Thankfully, there were no deaths. But the disaster ravaged a crucial commercial sector in Plymouth and exposed the vulnerabilities of a quaint British colony.

Six decades later, many recall the fire vividly. There were hasty evacuations of the elderly and vulnerable, mishaps by the firefighting crew, and a daring night landing at Blackburne Airport by Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) owner Frank Delisle, who arrived with equipment and reinforcements.

In the aftermath, several businesses – most of whom had no insurance – were shuttered for good. For some who had insurance, the damage far exceeded the coverage. However, the incident elicited profound community support. A Fire Relief Fund was created and there was even a benefit concert featuring a young Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell.

Despite an investigation there was never an official finding of what caused the fire. But many Montserratians had their suspicions, and all signs pointed to one suspect.

Through newspaper archives, interviews with survivors, plus a 2006 documentary by Montserrat historian Randy Greenaway, Montserrat Spotlight has delved into the fire and its far-reaching impact.

Photo courtesy Randy Greenaway
*George Street before the fire, *circa 1965*. The business at right is Hamsey Allen’s store, which had a soft drinks factory in the back.*

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE . . .

On September 17, 1965 – less than four months before the George Street Fire – Montserrat endured the tragedy of the Pan Am plane crash at Chances Peak that claimed 30 lives. Now, the island was faced with another unprecedented disaster.

On January 6, 1966, Montserrat had just completed a successful Festival season in which Justin “Hero” Cassell won the calypso king title and Rose Willock was crowned Festival queen. The island was now in full preparation mode for the Royal visit of Queen Elizabeth on February 19. It would be the monarch’s first trip to Montserrat.

But on that fateful Thursday evening a distinctive sound permeated the air.

“I was at home in Cork Hill when I heard the bugle,” said Alfred Christopher, a member of the Montserrat Defense Force from 1957 to 1978. “In those days a member of the Defense Force would drive around and blow a horn, alerting soldiers to report to the headquarters in town.”

Montserrat did not have a full-fledged Fire Department, only a Fire Brigade with a handful of volunteers and a small fire truck at the Police Station on Harney Street. Fires are rare in Montserrat and can usually be handled by the Brigade. But this was no ordinary blaze. As with all emergencies, the Defense Force was brought in for support. Ironically, the Defense Force headquarters was located on George Street, directly in the path of the fire.

“When I got to George Street the fire didn’t look that bad,” said Christopher, now 87. “It was more smoke than anything. But then some strong winds started blowing from the south and the fire started to spread.”

*Yellow indicates area of George Street affected by the fire, red arrows show direction of the blaze, and X shows where it began.*

Photo courtesy Randy Greenaway
The “Brother” Dan Fenton building, where the fire started in 1966, is pictured during the 1990s. Next door is where Marse Reggie Osborne’s business was located, with Defense Force headquarters upstairs.

DESTRUCTIVE PATH

The fire began at the two-story building owned by “Brother” Dan Fenton, located just west of Old Chapel Street on George Street – on the left side if one is heading west. The blaze spread next door (west) to another two-story establishment, this one featuring the Defense Force Headquarters upstairs and Reggie Osborne’s Drinks Factory below.

Many buildings on George Street – and in Plymouth – were two stories and made of stone on the bottom and wood on top with galvanize roofs. Some of the proprietors and their families lived on the second floor. At first it appeared as if the fire would be confined to one side of the street. Then the improbable happened.

“The fire came across the street along the electrical wire,” said Roosevelt “Cubby” Jemmotte, who lived on George Street. “It was like a rat running across a wire.”

Jemmotte, then 21, was working as an agent with British-American Life Insurance, located in the T.W. Bramble building, a short walk east from Jemmotte’s family home on the northern side of George Street. Some newspaper reports stated that the fire began at around 10 p.m. but Jemmotte says it was much earlier.

“I was in the office finishing my reports for the day when I looked out and saw the fire across the street. I ran down to the police station on Harney Street to tell them there was a fire.”

When Jemmotte returned to the scene he witnessed the fire traveling across the electrical wire toward the northern side of George Street, not far from his family home. Jemmotte quickly evacuated his mother and other relatives, taking only clothes and other necessities.

*Alfred Christopher, Roosevelt “Cubby” Jemmotte and “Marse” Reggie Osborne.*

MANY AFFECTED

According to a report in the Montserrat Mirror newspaper, the businesses and homes destroyed or affected were:

● Southern side of George Street: Dan Fenton Building, home of the West Indies Packing Company, which sold frozen goods; Reggie Osborne’s Drinks Factory; Defense Force Headquarters, located atop Osborne’s factory; Hulda Rogers building (Rogers lived upstairs and Mrs. Mary Charles had a shop downstairs); home of Mrs. Harper, a retiree and widow; Advance Dress Shop, located on first floor of Mrs. Harper’s building and owned by Mrs. Daisy Nanton; home and rum shop of “Son-Son” Allen.

● Northern side of George Street: Lindy Eid’s New York Store; T.W. Bramble Building featuring British-American Life Insurance Company and office of Dr. Desmond Wooding; shop of Charles Jones; home and pre-school of Teacher “Tudie” Donoghue and her two sisters; Hamsey Allen’s Shop and Drinks Factory; Jemmotte family residence; residence of Franklyn Farier, Montserrat’s Health Inspector.

ADDING FUEL TO FIRE

Fires are destructive enough without assistance. But on that night the blaze received several boosts that helped it to expand: strong winds (oxygen), fuel (wood) and one more potent element.

“Lindy Eid used to have alcohol stored in his shop so it helped to ignite the fire,” Jemmotte revealed in the Greenaway documentary.

Over on the southern side of the street, Defense Force members managed to remove some items from the clubhouse, including rifles. But bullets were left behind. Although they were blanks, when the fire made contact with them, a barrage of shots rang out in the area. George Street sounded like a war zone.

“Bullets react the same way whether it’s blanks or they have the projectile,” explained Major Joseph Lynch, a former commanding officer of the Defense Force.

Teresa Pond-Moses lived on George Street, about 200 yards east of the fire. She recalls walking down to the area with her mother at about 10 p.m. and witnessing the spectacle.

“We saw flames leaping from one side of George Street to the other,” she said. “It was like a monster dragon belching long, vicious tongues of fire trying to eat the houses.”

Photo courtesy Bob Hare collection
*Lindy Eid’s New York Store ablaze during the George Street Fire.*

FIGHTING THE BLAZE

It quickly became apparent that Montserrat’s Fire Brigade was ill-prepared to handle the blaze. In Greenaway’s documentary, Fire Brigade member James “Raypa” Meade said it took some time to open the fire hydrant in Plymouth because Brigade leader Corporal Thomas, who lived in Parsons, possessed the only key. By the time Thomas arrived and the hydrant was unsealed, extensive fire damage had occurred.

The Brigade members tried their best to stifle the blaze and even doused some buildings in the path of the fire as a pre-emptive strike. Then, another problem. The hydrant water supply ran out. Thankfully, the Federal Palm, a regional shipping vessel, was just offshore.

Richard Samuel, another Brigade member, stated in the documentary: “Federal Palm sent in a hose but their connection couldn’t fit our pipe. The next alternative was to use the sea water. So we brought down the small fire truck [to the wharf] and I operated the pump.”

Realizing the fire was getting out of control, the authorities contacted Antigua for help. Frank Delisle, a native of St. Kitts who moved to Montserrat in the 1940s and eventually launched LIAT – the region’s first airline – was now living in Antigua. Delisle assembled some Antigua firefighters, along with equipment, and prepared for the short flight to Montserrat on his six-seater Beechcraft Twin Bonanza. There was one problem. Blackburne Airport had no lights. It was also unpaved. Delisle told his contacts in Montserrat to simply have some cars parked adjacent to the airstrip with their headlights on. They obliged, and the experienced pilot made a safe landing in the middle of the night.

The fire-fighting coalition now included the Fire Brigade, Police, Defense Force, Antigua crew, the Federal Palm crew, plus normal citizens, including Father Joseph Stryckers, priest at the Roman Catholic Church on George Street. At around 4:15 a.m. the fire was finally vanquished. It was a combination of water and good fortune. As the fire headed west it eventually met alleys. Those gaps stemmed the progress, making it easier for the fire to be put out. Folks expressed relief that the fire didn’t reach the O.R. Kelsick Building – also known as the Hope Ross Building – because it would have spread to Parliament Street, which would have been even more catastrophic.

PICKING UP THE PIECES

When dawn arrived hundreds flocked to town to check on friends and loved ones, assess the damage or simply satisfy curiosity. As folks shared stories about the harrowing night, tales of heroism began to emerge, such as the swift evacuation of the elderly, many of whom were asleep when the fire began.

It is said that the night brings mischief, and nefarious deeds also began to surface, such as sporadic looting. But the mobilization of a community was what eventually quelled the blaze and sparked a rebuilding.

“I remember seeing Father Stryckers walking slowly up George Street at about 5 o’clock in the morning looking exhausted,” said Teresa Pond-Moses, who was 12 at the time. “He had been battling the fire for hours. We later learned that before he became a priest he was a fire-fighter.”

The ordeal was over but so much remained unknown. Who or what started the fire? How much damage occurred? Where would many of the displaced residents end up? How would the incident affect preparations for the Royal visit?

And by the way, who stole Marse Reggie’s money from his safe?

Yes, there were burning questions.

Read Part 2: Recovery begins amid tales of arson and theft, plus another tragedy three years later.

Edna Baptiste, Montserrat’s first Festival Queen, leaves legacy of grace, elegance and humility

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

-

November 14, 2025

1

ednainhatthumb — Photos courtesy family of Edna Baptiste
Edna Baptiste spent the last 27 years of her life residing in London.

Edna Baptiste made history in 1962 as Montserrat’s first Festival queen. But her life would not be defined by simply being a beauty pageant contestant. She was a devoted wife and mother and a caring sister. She was also a teacher and company manager who left an impression with her congeniality, grace and generosity.

A consensus among those who knew her best revealed a peaceful soul who traversed all social circles with ease. She was approachable and affable and forged lasting friendships. As one former colleague stated: “She was always smiling – even if she was upset.”

Edna Baptiste passed away in a London hospital on Friday, October 10, 2025 – 12 days after her 82nd birthday. She had battled several ailments in recent years but her health deteriorated rapidly in the weeks before her death.

“I am so broken up right now,” said Edna’s sister Adelina Tuitt, who served as a minister with the Government of Montserrat from 1996 to 2001. “We used to talk every day, sometimes on What’s App or video call. My sister was beautiful and she had a love for people.”

To friends and colleagues Edna was a trusted confidante and reassuring presence. To her former students she was “Teacher Edna” – the lady who exemplified class while teaching class. To her children she was the mom who enjoyed baking cornbread for her boys on Sunday, preparing Cabbage au Gratin and listening to Earth, Wind and Fire.

Edna’s appeal was innate, not invented. And her humility was a byproduct of her upbringing.

HAILING FROM THE EAST

Edna Elvira Tuitt was born on September 28, 1943 in Farms Village in the east of Montserrat. She was the fourth of 10 children born to Noel Tuitt – affectionately known as “Dada Tarm” – and his wife Sarah.

“Our father was an expert builder,” Adelina said. “He built a lot of the houses in Farms. I think Edna got her personality from him. He was very quiet and humble.”

Edna attended Bethel Primary School, about a half-mile east of Farms. In January of 1955 she became the first member of her family to attend the Montserrat Secondary School. It was a big deal in those days, especially for children from rural areas.

“We entered Secondary School on the same day and we remained friends throughout,” said Pamela Arthurton, who succeeded Edna as Festival queen in 1963. “We played netball for the school team and I’m godmother to her son. She has always been dear to me.”

Jim Bass, a former Permanent Secretary with the Government of Montserrat, attended MSS with Edna.

“She was in a lower Form but I remember her well,” Bass said. “She was a lovely person, very calm with a pleasant disposition. One thing that stands out for me is that she would give you her total attention when she was talking to you.”

FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER

In December of 1960, Edna sat the Senior Cambridge Exam and passed. She then launched her teaching career, first at St. George’s in Harris Village. She also taught at Cork Hill and Kinsale primary schools. In 1968 Edna attended Leeward Islands Teachers Training College in Antigua (now Antigua State College).

Jennifer Michael, who hails from Dyer’s Village, was taught by Edna at St. George’s in 1961.

“She was one of the most attractive and glamorous teachers of her time,” said Michael, then known as Jennifer Greenaway. “As a young girl I was quite taken with her overall appearance. She cared a lot for the children in her class and interacted well with all of us. I remember her copying work from her hardcover notebook to the blackboard with that noted left hand. I was excited listening to the radio when she participated in our first queen show.”

Adelina said that for many years after Edna’s teaching career ended and she had migrated, her former male students would always inquire about her.

“They would ask me, ‘How is Miss Edna doing!? How is she?’ They all fell in love with her.”

*Edna Tuitt, left, and fellow contestant Veronica “Nan” Hickson are pictured during the first Festival queen show on December 26, 1962.*

CROWNING MOMENT

In 1962 the Montserrat Jaycees launched the island’s first official Festival, with the Queen Show as the main event. The Jaycees meticulously recruited contestants, searching for upstanding young ladies while ensuring most areas of the island were represented. The final five were: Edna Tuitt, 19, of Farms; Margaret Corbett, 21, of St. Patrick’s; Veronica Hickson, 22, of Plymouth; Audrey O’Garro, 18, of Salem; and Lynn Piper, 17, of Town Hill.

Speaking in 2022, Edna recalled being sponsored by Lindy and Olive Eid, the couple who operated the New York Store, a variety outlet with locations on George and Strand streets in Plymouth. Edna shared a story about Peter “Red Poll” Howson, the popular town businessman and resident character.

“People started calling me ‘Miss New York Store’. I think most people expected Lynn Piper to win because she was sponsored by Vue Pointe Hotel. The day of the show, Red Poll walked past the stage and said, ‘Ah bet ayu Miss New York Store a go win.’ ”

Red Poll was prophetic. Edna was crowned Miss Montserrat, with Lynn Piper first runner-up. Edna’s top prize was a trip to Trinidad. Fellow contestant Audrey O’Garro, who now resides in the United States, said in 2024: “I had a feeling Edna was going to win. She was pretty, she was mild-mannered and she had a wonderful personality.”

O’Garro then added with a laugh: “She was fair-skinned but she wasn’t stuck up.”

Ionie Ponde, Edna’s former MSS schoolmate and friend, said Edna was always beautiful but dressed conservatively at school with a simple hairstyle. So on the night of the show, now sporting a fancy evening gown and coiffed hair, she made a huge impact. Add her personality to the mix and it was magic. “I knew she was going to win,” Ponde said.

Edna prevailed but the contestant who would become most famous was Corbett, who was later better known as Margaret “Annie Dyer” Howe, the longtime politician and community icon who passed away in 2019.

I had a feeling Edna was going to win. She was pretty, she was mild-mannered and she had a wonderful personality.
– Audrey O’Garro, fellow contestant, on Edna (above)

AFTER THE PAGEANT

On December 18, 1965, Edna married Roy Baptiste, an Antiguan police officer who was working in Montserrat. The couple lived in Parsons in a housing compound shared by the families of fellow police officers Winfield Griffith, Sydney Charles Sr. and Thomas Richards. Edna and Roy welcomed two sons – Delbert in 1966 and Courtney in 1972.

In late 1969 Edna was hired by Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) as a ticket agent. The following year she moved to Antigua when her husband was transferred to the police department there. She worked for LIAT in Antigua, then moved back to Montserrat in 1978 to manage the office of Montserrat Aviation Services. She lived in Richmond Hill and then Weekes’ before being displaced by the volcanic crisis and returning to Antigua.

In 1983 Edna gave birth to a third son, Leandro, better known as Lee. Delbert worked as a teacher for several years, including at Cork Hill School, where his mom taught years earlier. He was later employed by Cable & Wireless and now sells insurance. He has resided in Antigua since 1985.

Courtney – also known as “Colour Man” – was popular in entertainment circles as a musician with the band Tidal Wave and briefly as a nightclub promoter. In 1992 he captured Montserrat’s Road March title with the song Cock Fowl Jam. Sadly, he passed away in 2021.

Lee migrated to England with Edna and was her main caretaker during her illness.

Roy Baptiste, who served more than three decades as a police officer – achieving the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Operations for the Antigua Police Force from 1982 to 1989 – passed away in 1997.

*Edna Baptiste, left, with brother Egbert and sister Adelina in 1992.*

A CLASS ACT

Since Edna’s passing, many have shared stories about how she impacted their lives. Adelina said her sister would sometimes issue free airline tickets to the needy. When Edna worked for LIAT in Antigua, she was a welcome sight for in-transit Montserratians, who knew she would do everything within her power to address their travel issues. One traveler recalled desperately needing a flight out of Antigua and Edna getting her the final available seat on the airline. Making matters even better, it was a first-class seat.

Myrle Roach, a Montserrat author, poet and pageant organizer who now resides in the UK, worked with Edna briefly at Montserrat Aviation Services. She recalled a significant moment.

“Edna’s son Lee and my son Damien were friends and in the same class together,” Myrle said. “When my son passed away at age 10 Lee sang at his funeral. Edna’s words of comfort – plus Lee’s rendition – helped me get through a very difficult time.”

*Edna Baptiste holds her award during the 50th anniversary of Montserrat Festival banquet January 2, 2013.*

Edna relocated to England in 1998 and spent her final years in Ruislip, West London. She famously returned to Montserrat in 2012 for the 50th anniversary of Montserrat Festival and was honored along with other Festival icons January 2, 2013 at the Montserrat Cultural Center. She was regal as usual.

“My mother was elegant in her poise and character and she exuded class,” Delbert said. “She was always concerned about how she looked whenever she was going out.”

Asked about Edna’s parenting style, Delbert said: “She was a disciplinarian and she always looked out for the best for her children.”

An online memorial page was set up shortly after Edna’s passing. Several people left messages of condolences and reflections. One of the posts came from Sharon Edwards-Nicholas.

“When I think of Mrs. Edna Baptiste, the first thing that comes to mind is her radiant smile. It was more than a facial expression, it was a beacon of kindness and joy that made you feel instantly welcome. She was dearly loved and will be fondly remembered.”

Montserrat’s first queen has taken her final bow.

The tiara has been replaced by a halo.

My mother was elegant in her poise and character and she exuded class.
– Delbert Baptiste, on mom Edna Baptiste (above)

Note: Edna Baptiste’s funeral was held Friday, November 21, 2025, at Sudbury Methodist Church, 809 Harrow Rd., Wembley, Middlesex. She was interred at Northwood Cemetery.

Montserrat Festival Queens

1962: Edna Tuitt	1983: Daphne Christopher	2006: Techar Cuffy
1963: Pamela Nanton	1984: Ann Lewis	2007: Naseeka Carty
1964: Norma Dyer	1985: Evonne Bramble	2008: Loralyn Fergus
1965: Rose Willock	1986: Pauline Wall	2009: No show
1966: Florence Allen	1987: Jemma Neptune	2010: Robekah Lindsey
1967: Daisy Kirnon	1988-89: No shows	2011: Claris Yearwood
1968: Leona Tuitt	1990: Veronica Dorsette	2012: Kadija Furlonge
1969, 1971, 1972: No shows	1991: Athema Daley	2013: Tazia Briscoe-Jarrett
1970: Coralie Perkins	1992: No show	2014: Sharissa Ryan
1973: Ruthlyn Gerald	1993: Doris Piper	2015: Tabeanna Tuitt
1974: Ethlyn Semper	1994: Ezra Moulon	2016: No show
1975: Valerie Maynard	1995-98: No shows (volcano)	2017: No show
1976: Catherine Ryan	1999: Jodine Meade	2018: Vanice Tuitt
1977: Patricia Bryan	2000: Estelle Furlonge	2019: Janet Turner
1978: Rose Silcott	2001: Lyandra Hobson	2020: No show (COVID)
1979: Glendena Taylor	2002: Maudella Daley	2021: Nia St. Claire
1980: Diane Daniels	2003: Francelise White	2022-23: No shows
1981: Jacqueline Allen	2004: Jasmine Jno-Baptiste	2024: Mauricia Barzey
1982: Mary Ann Gerald	2005: Janelle Weekes	2025: No show

Montserrat remembers veteran educator and community pillar ‘Teacher Elva’ Greenaway

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

-

October 29, 2025

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teacherelvamug — Photo by Carlton Cabey
Manelva "Teacher Elva" Greenaway is pictured on September 9, 2022.

Manelva Greenaway was an only child who had no children of her own. Yet she impacted the lives of thousands of children. For most of her 90 years “Teacher Elva” educated, motivated and inspired. She was one of the last remaining “old school” teachers, who dedicated their lives to the profession and made personal sacrifices in order to always set a good example. She was also a staunch Methodist who stressed the importance of giving her students a Godly foundation.

Teacher Elva passed away on October 3, 2025, a few weeks after suffering a debilitating fall. She was remembered on Wednesday, October 29 as a community stalwart, dedicated servant, jovial soul and versatile individual. The Bethesda Methodist Church in Cavalla Hill, Montserrat, featured a capacity crowd, striking floral arrangements and several mourners wearing royal blue, Teacher Elva’s favorite color. There were tributes from family members, former colleagues and students, plus a poignant eulogy.

“I knew her all my life,” said Edith Duberry, retired teacher and fellow Methodist who grew up not far from Teacher Elva’s home in Cork Hill. “She was very talented and had skills in singing, piano music, cake decorating, dress making and all sorts of handicraft.”

Teacher Elva taught at eight primary schools over a six-decade career: Salem, Cork Hill, St. Patrick’s, St. Peter’s, Kinsale, Lees, St. Christopher’s and St. Augustine. Her lessons didn’t end in the classroom. She was a Sunday School teacher who also taught music, played the piano and organ in church and directed the choir. As a teacher she was strict, but she utilized the power of her example more so than the example of her power.

TEACHER OF A TEACHER

Manelva Elizabeth Esther Greenway was born Thursday, November 22, 1934 in Cork Hill. Her parents, Bridget and John Greenaway, were known as “Miss Biddie” and “Marse Poopah.” Miss Biddie ran a small nursery school in the family home near Grandstand, just off the side road that led to Delvins Village. She also gave piano lessons.

One of Miss Biddie’s students from the early 1950s explained: “Miss Biddie was a very proper lady and we had to dress well and speak well. We would do our lessons and then she would take us in the yard and have us do exercises. It was mostly girls in the class but I do remember one boy [Edgar Nkosi White]. At that time Teacher Elva was still in school. When she got home she would help Miss Biddie with the children. Teacher Elva was tall and slim and always well dressed. I remember her playing the piano. You can tell she inherited a lot of her qualities from her mother.”

Assisting in her mother’s nursery introduced Elva to teaching, and in 1954 she began her career at Salem Primary School. She attended Erdiston Teacher’s College in Barbados from 1956 to ’58, then Institute of Education at Durham in the UK on a scholarship (1963 and ’64). She earned Head Teacher status in 1966 and served in that capacity at Cork Hill, Salem, St. Peter’s and Kinsale primary schools.

Rosamund Meade, who taught for 48 years, credits Teacher Elva with salvaging her career.

“I started teaching at Wesley School in 1966 right after graduating from Montserrat Secondary School,” said Meade, better known as Teacher Winifred. “I was overwhelmed at first. They transferred me to Cork Hill School in early 1967 and Teacher Elva was head teacher. Edna Baptiste was teaching there at the time. Instead of throwing me into the fire, Teacher Elva let me observe Edna for some time before letting me teach on my own. She helped me to love teaching. It’s so ironic that she and Edna, the two people who helped me so much, passed away about a week apart.”

*Teacher Elva was known for her positive and jovial demeanor.*

WOMAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Teacher Elva’s love of teaching was closely rivaled by her love of music. She learned to play the piano at an early age and was a founding member of the Emerald Community Singers, formed in 1971 by Dr. George Irish. She also trained members of a Cork Hill choral group in her home. She was meticulous and adamant that choir members always remain in key, and she could immediately decipher who was not in tune.

“She loved music,” said Shirley James, Teacher Elva’s cousin who delivered the eulogy. “She especially loved the masquerade. I can see her at her 90th birthday party dancing the heel-and-toe.”

James also expounded on Teacher Elva’s kindness, diligence and eclectic talents.

“She could make something out of nothing. She was a thrifty and industrious person. She always had her knitting bag with her. She has turned out numerous doilies, coasters, chair-back covers, bed spreads and table cloths. She was well-rounded. She also loved gardening.”

James said Teacher Elva was also articulate and became irked when she would hear improper grammar. “I never heard her speaking the full Montserrat dialect, but she would stick in a phrase here or there.”

Teacher Elva constantly displayed compassion, James said: “She loved children. We were always debating whether Teacher Elva had the most godchildren in Montserrat. She loved animals. I once saw her feeding up to 10 cats. She would look out for goats who got tangled up and untangle them.”

Photo courtesy Discover Montserrat
*Teacher Elva accepts her Order of Distinction National Award on March 16, 2018 at the Montserrat Cultural Center.*

DECORATED AND CELEBRATED

Teacher Elva was bestowed with several awards, including the Montserrat Badge and Certificate of Honor in 2004. In 2018 she was honored with the Order of Distinction during the Montserrat National Awards for her contributions in the areas of education, religion and community service. In 2021 she was recipient of a Mark Of Excellence Award by the Rotary Club of Montserrat.

On social media, many former students paid tributes and shared stories. Some explained how Teacher Elva tutored and motivated them to pass the Common Entrance Exam. Others lauded her teaching skills and humanity.

Ben Meade, son of Montserrat Premier Reuben Meade, shared a story from his time at Kinsale School. On one rainy day, Aymer’s Ghaut was gushing, making the road impassable and preventing some students from attending class. Some of the boys made toy boats and placed them in the stream. Suddenly they saw Teacher Elva approaching and they assumed they would be punished for playing in the water. Instead she taught them the proper method of making toy boats, then switched the lesson plan for the rest of the day to arts and crafts.

Photo courtesy Phillomagic Media
*Mourners gather at the Bethesda Methodist Church in Cavalla Hill, Montserrat, on October 29, 2025.*

WOMAN OF GOD

Teacher Elva’s career commenced at a time when virtually every primary school in Montserrat was affiliated with a church. The two entities were intricately linked and teachers were expected to always project a moral high ground. For this reason, many female educators of Teacher Elva’s era didn’t have children. Such was their dedication to the teaching discipline.

Teacher Elva’s faith was uncompromising, and she didn’t hide her spirituality.

“She would always tell people to pray and read their Bible,” James said. “She would say, ‘I talk to God all the time. God is my best friend.’ “

During the homegoing service, a contingent of students and faculty from St. Augustine Catholic School delivered a touching tribute by singing My Grandfather’s Clock. The song, originally written in 1876, tells the story of a clock that was purchased at a man’s birth and worked perfectly for 90 years – Teacher Elva’s exact age at her passing. The lyrics were slightly altered to honor an old woman rather than old man.

The clock has stopped ticking for Teacher Elva.

But she leaves a legacy as one of the greatest figures of her time.

Opinion: Jim Allen gets tribute of a lifetime – but it’s from the wrong country

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

-

August 8, 2025

5

jimthumbfinal — Cover illustration by Sonia Allen
Jim Allen, Montserrat's greatest cricket player, was celebrated by former teammates and rivals alike during his homegoing.

Jim Allen was a difficult man. On the cricket field he was difficult to get out. Away from it he was difficult to figure out. And he was often difficult to deal with. But his place in the annals of Montserrat history is easy. He is the island’s greatest sportsman and second-most famous public figure after Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell. Along the journey to personal achievement some people end up inspiring a nation and a generation. That was Jim Allen.

On a muggy Wednesday afternoon, August 6, 2025, the Right Honourable Charles “Henry” Jim Allen was sent off to his glory by his country. The service was held at the Montserrat Cultural Center, the island’s primary indoor venue. A facility that can accommodate more than 400 people was less than half-full – or half-empty depending on one’s perspective. It defeated the purpose of holding the event in the spacious Cultural Center in the first place and was not a good look.

The two-hour-plus service featured rousing tributes, poignant gospel renditions, a video vignette of Jim’s cricket career and a searing sermon by Pastor Simon Peter Buffonge. It was highlighted by the presence of cricket legends Sir Viv Richards and Sir Andy Roberts of Antigua, both of whom played with and against Allen during the halcyon era of West Indies cricket in the 1970s. During a brief tribute Sir Viv reminisced about his batting partnerships with Allen.

“When you have two guys in a team who are as fearless as Jim and Vivian I guess it’s gonna cause a lot of problems for bowlers around the world,” said Viv, who played with Allen on the Leeward Islands and Combined Islands teams as well as the West Indies squad that competed at World Series Cricket (Kerry Packer) in Australia.

The Antigua contingent included former players Hugh Gore, Enoch Lewis and Ulysses Lawrence. So effusive was their praise of Allen that some observers said the Antiguans showed more reverence to Allen than his own countrymen. Lewis even suggested that if the service had been held in Antigua it would have drawn a packed crowd. Perception often trumps reality, and the fact that the audience for Jim’s homegoing included the iconic Viv and Andy but was missing Montserrat’s Premier, Governor and at least four members of Parliament was palpable.

Photo by Edwin Martin
*Sir Viv Richards: “It was really a privilege knowing Jim.”*

IT’S COMPLICATED

A recurring theme during the service was the plea for Jim to be honored in some tangible form, whether a statue, street name or monument. In Nevis, the main cricket park is named for Elquemedo Willett, another of Jim’s contemporaries. Sir Viv’s name adorns the main stadium in Antigua.

In 2008 there were plans to name the cricket field in Little Bay after Jim Allen. But the plan fell through. Jim, for better or worse, was never enamored by accolades. He stated emphatically: “Me no want no park name after me!” But his exhortations were fueled more by anger than humility.

Many cricket stars have struggled to transition following their careers. Jim worked for many years with Montserrat Public Works driving a grader. When he retired from cricket in 1984 his dream was to coach the national team. When the post of Sports Officer was available some years later, Jim assumed he would be an obvious choice based on his achievements on the cricket field. But the job encompasses more than just coaching cricket. It requires budgeting, managing, collaborating locally and regionally and also coaching in schools. Jim, who possessed only a primary education, was told that he had to apply for the position. He was taken aback but applied anyway. He was still turned down.

“They told me I didn’t have any qualifications,” a seething Jim said in 2016. “I told them I played in England, I played in Australia. That’s my qualification!”

A former president of the Montserrat Cricket Association once revealed part of the reason why Jim was turned down. “He had a reputation as a drinking man. And you can’t have that when you’re working with children.”

Asked if he was more hurt, angry or disappointed, Jim said: “Everything roll up into one.” The government instead gave Jim a position with Her Majesty’s Prison. He despised the job and performed it with frivolity. “Dem send me a jail,” he often said, speaking as if he were a prisoner and not an officer.

Photo by Edwin Martin
Jim Allen at his apartment in Lookout Village in 2017.

The coaching snub and prison stint sent Jim into a resentful tailspin and he declared that he wanted nothing from the government. “If it’s from the people of Montserrat, yes,” he said. “But not politicians.”

When one is consumed by bitterness they assume a character in order to shame those who they feel has wronged them. Break character and it sends a signal that all is forgiven. In 1999, the Jim Allen Lecture Series was created in his honor but Jim rarely attended the annual event that coincided with his birthday. In 2020 when he was awarded the Order of Excellence during the Montserrat National Awards he skipped the ceremony. He also spurned the aforementioned Little Bay Field tribute. Jim Allen essentially cut off his nose to spite his country’s face.

So the fact that a “Jim Allen Drive” does not exist on Montserrat is a two-way street. However, the back story cannot erase the tale of Jim’s cricket prowess and national impact. He deserves to be honored. Death has rendered moot whatever animosity Jim carried to his grave, but his legacy must be immortalized by his country.

END OF AN ERA

In 2010, Montserrat calypsonian Herman “Cupid” Francis composed a song declaring that he would like to be “dead before I die.” The lyrical gem told the story about a man curious to see and hear the public’s reaction to his death.

It’s intriguing when one wonders how Jim Allen would have reacted to his homegoing. He surely would have been flattered by the presence of Viv and Andy, his erstwhile cricket frenemies. He would have been heartened by the front-row presence of his children, son Davon – who became a cricket standout in his own right – and daughter Kae, a United States military veteran who participated in combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He would be comforted to know that his pallbearers were all current Montserrat cricket players, too young to remember Jim’s playing days but mature enough to appreciate them.

Following Jim’s interment at the Lookout Public Cemetery, the mourners returned to the Cultural Center for the repast. They were treated to a fully-stocked bar, Styrofoam cups of goat water (plus roll) and other local cuisine. Men in their 70s and 80s argued vehemently as they recalled playing against Jim in the local leagues. Some rekindled stories of dismissing Jim at the crease, cradling the memory like a badge of honor. They too will eventually join Jim in the hereafter, and as the generations turn over and memories become dimmer, the legend of Jim Allen will fade further into the background.

In the days following the service, the post-mortem of Jim’s homegoing continued, on local radio and social media. The sparse attendance at the Cultural Center was the main source of consternation. Jim’s homegoing was not declared a national holiday or even a half-day. His coffin was not draped with the national flag. Some felt the disrespect that Jim encountered in life had carried over to his death. Sometimes home is where the hurt is. But although the crowd at the Cultural Center was a mere 150 or so, the streaming of the ceremony on YouTube told a different story. It underscored the sentiment that Jim was more appreciated abroad than at home.

As of Friday, August 8, 2025, the service was viewed more than 11,000 times.

Photo by Edwin Martin
*Montserrat cricket player Damion Williams, who hails from Jim Allen’s village of Harris, holds a photo of Jim following the funeral service.*

Photo by Edwin Martin
*Jim Allen’s sister Sarah stands behind his final resting place at the Lookout Public Cemetery.*

WATCH JIM ALLEN’S HOMEGOING SERVICE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4cubOlZq5E&t=7862s

WATCH A 2012 INTERVIEW WITH JIM ALLEN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tHx4HVEkM&t=165s

PURCHASE JIM ALLEN’S BIOGRAPHY

*Jim Allen’s life story is chronicled in the book Stranded Batsman, available at Amazon*.

Jim Allen Interview (2012)

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

-

August 1, 2025

1

Jim Allen discusses his rise to stardom, the burden of carrying the Montserrat team, his complex relationship with his brother, his biggest regret, and more.

Jim Allen’s final innings: Montserrat’s greatest cricketer dies at 73

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

-

July 3, 2025

3

jimwindow — Photo by Edwin Martin
Jim Allen in his apartment at the Warden Assisted Facility in Lookout, Montserrat, on March 23, 2017.

The Right Honourable Charles Henry “Jim” Allen, who emerged from a tiny village in Montserrat and took his cricket talents across two continents, died Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Glendon Hospital. Allen, who had been hospitalized several times in recent months, was 73 years old.

“I can’t believe Jimmers is gone,” said Basil Morgan, Allen’s longtime friend, former neighbor and ex-teammate. “Just today I was going over some of his cricket stats and talking about the Jim Allen Lecture Series that we just brought back. And then someone phoned me to ask if it was true that he died. My head is just not straight right now.”

Tributes poured in on social media and on Radio Montserrat, and calls were renewed for the cricket field at Little Bay to be named for Allen.

Allen earned international fame for his cricketing skills. After playing League Cricket for his village team in Harris, he joined the Montserrat national team two months shy of his 18th birthday. Selected as a wicket-keeper, he scored only four runs in his debut against Nevis in Antigua on June 9, 1969. Two years later he was the best player on the team.

For much of the 1970s, crowds flocked to Sturge Park just to watch Allen bat. Although the Montserrat team saw limited success, Allen stood out with his aggressive, hard-hitting drives. He stood only 5-foot-9 and weighed about 160 pounds, yet he unleashed towering shots that were the byproduct of superb timing and power.

Fitzroy Buffonge, who grew up watching Jim play and was later his teammate, once said of Jim’s batting prowess: “What Jim has can’t be taught. What the average man craves, he has naturally.”

Mike Findlay, a former West Indies player who was Allen’s captain for Combined Islands, said he was saddened by Allen’s passing. Speaking from St. Vincent, he said: “Jim was a fantastic man and a very good batsman. In the early stages he produced more runs than Viv Richards. It was unfair that he didn’t make the West Indies team. He was a good team person and we got along quite well. We had a deep respect for each other. I want to convey condolences to his family.”

Photo courtesy Sarah Allen
*Jim Allen, left, with mother Missy Allen and brothers David and George, circa 1959.*

A STAR IS BORN

Charles Henry Allen was born August 15, 1951 in Harris Village to John “Handsome” Allen and his wife Matilda, better known as Missy. Jim was the last of the couple’s four children. The eldest was David, also known as Palmer, followed by Sarah and George, who would also leave his mark as a standout cricket player.

As a baby, Allen was beset by sores all over his body. Every remedy his parents tried failed. One morning their neighbor, Miss Bessie Mulcare, told the Allens she had a dream about a deceased man who used to clean the roads in the village. His name was Jim Brim. Miss Mulcare said Jim Brim told her in the dream that the baby should be named after him or else he would die. Miss Mulcare then lifted the ailing boy and addressed him as “Jim Brim.” Almost miraculously, his sores disappeared – but the name “Jim” remained.

Jim’s father migrated to England in 1955 with the intention to work and eventually return to Montserrat. He passed away in London in 1965 from a heart attack at age 57. Jim’s brother David (Palmer) migrated to the UK in 1960 and still lives in Oxford.

Jim attended St. George’s School in Harris. The school assumed his given name was James, so he went through school as James Allen, a mistake that wasn’t corrected. When Allen began playing cricket he was erroneously listed as “James Charles Allen” in cricket statistics and archives.

Photo courtesy Channel 9 Australia
*Jim Allen arrives in Australia for World Series Cricket in late 1977.*

HAVE BAT, WILL TRAVEL

At age 20 and coming off a century against St. Kitts in the 1971 Leeward Islands Tournament, Allen was selected for the Leeward Islands team. After scoring 82 against the Windward Islands in Dominica, he was picked for the Combined Islands squad. That meant he was only one step away from joining the prestigious West Indies team. His dream would not be realized, however, due to a number of reasons.

At the time the Caribbean was packed with cricket talent, and the big four nations – Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana and Jamaica – controlled the board of selectors. Cricket in the small islands was viewed as inferior, and players had to be exceptional to make the West Indies squad.

Allen’s best season for Montserrat came in 1972. In the first two matches of the Leeward Islands Tournament he scored 153 and 51 – both not out – against Antigua, which featured future legends Viv Richards and Andy Roberts. He then scored 165 and 10 – both not out again – against Nevis. He entered the final match against St. Kitts on 379 unbeaten runs but scored only 16 and 14 as Montserrat – stymied by some nefarious umpiring – lost a heartbreaking bid to win the Shield. The late Bennette Roach, Montserrat’s captain that year, said during an interview in 2016 that after the match he couldn’t find Jim. “I finally found him in the bathroom crying,” Roach said.

Allen especially excelled against Antigua, posting an average of 79.88 for his career. He is the only player in Montserrat history to score a century against Antigua on its home ground.

Allen and Alford Corriette were the best players for the Montserrat team in the 1970s. Corriette also played for Leeward Islands and Combined Islands. There was an unspoken rivalry between the two, especially with Jim hailing from the country and Corriette from Plymouth. Corriette died January 2, 2023 in New York.

Photo courtesy Trinidad Express
*Jim Allen, playing for Combined Islands, hits a sweep shot against Trinidad in a Shell Shield match in 1979.*

At the first-class level Jim smacked five centuries, including two against Barbados and a torrid 161 against Jamaica. In 1975 he scored 96 runs for Combined Islands against Trinidad in an exciting Shell Shield match that ended in a draw. The match was dubbed the “Tanti Merle match” after Trinidad storyteller Paul Keens-Douglas used it as the backdrop for his famous recording Tanti at The Oval.

Elquemedo Willett of Nevis was Jim’s teammate with Combined Islands when Jim scored 161 against Jamaica in Grenada in 1979.

“We were batting together,” Willett said. “Jamaica took the second new ball and Jim beat them all over the place. I couldn’t believe it. It’s like he went crazy. They couldn’t put any fielders close to him. He was a very good player, very aggressive. He stood out. He should have made the West Indies team. I’d like to express my sympathy on behalf of myself and my family.”

Allen’s brother George, who was two years older, was his teammate on Rivals, their village team, plus on the Montserrat national team, Leeward Islands and Combined Islands. George, who joined the Montserrat team in 1966 and played his final season in 1981, was a terrific all-rounder who bowled a tidy medium pace. George died on September 20, 1990.

In 1977, Jim was selected for the West Indies team that would play in World Series Cricket, also known as “Kerry Packer” for the man who organized it. Allen played two seasons in Australia – and also played matches in Tasmania – against the best cricketers in the world, scoring a century in 1978. He was part of cricket history in 1979 when West Indies played Australia in the first match in which players wore non-white uniforms.

One of the brightest moments of his career came at Sturge Park, his home ground. On January 13, 1977, Combined Islands played Guyana in the Shell Shield tournament. Allen, the only Montserrat player in the match, scored 150, including 21 fours and one six. He struck a few highlight shots off future West Indies fast bowler Colin Croft. The match began on a Thursday, and when news of Allen’s heroics was heard over the radio, many civil servants ditched work and raced to Sturge Park. So did a number of school children.

From 1977 to 1983, Allen played each summer in central England for the Hyde Cricket Club of the Lancashire and Cheshire League. He also played one season with Werneth, Hyde’s rival. He scored 11 centuries for Hyde, which remained a team record as of 2024. He scored three centuries for Werneth in his only season with the club.

Channel 9 Australia
*In 1979, Jim Allen played for West Indies against Australia in World Series Cricket in the first match to feature non-white uniforms.* *CLICK HERE to read the story.*

DEVASTATING INJURY

In May of 1981, Allen sustained a serious injury when he was struck in the right eye during batting practice. He underwent surgery and resumed his career while wearing contact lenses but was not the same. He displayed occasional flashes but mostly struggled and showed trepidation at the crease against fast bowling, which he feasted on during his prime. He played his final match for Montserrat in 1984, scoring just four total runs against Nevis.

“Going back to play cricket after my eye injury was pure stupidity,” Jim said during an interview in 2012.

In 1988, Allen got a job as a prison officer, a position he held for seven years. Following the volcanic eruption in Montserrat in 1995, he relocated from Harris to the North and lived in a small home in Peaceful Cottage. In 2013 he was relocated to the Warden Assisted Facility in Lookout, where he lived out his final years.

In 1978, Allen was awarded an MBE (Member of British Empire), and on March 8, 2020, he was presented with the Order of Excellence during the Montserrat National Awards.

Photo by Edwin Martin
*Jim Allen, center, and a couple of friends during Cork Hill Reunion on March 19, 2017.*

QUITE A CHARACTER

Away from the cricket field, Jim was known to be a prankster with a wry sense of humor. He also didn’t hide the fact that he was a hard drinker. A friend saw him one morning and asked if he had eaten breakfast. “Of course not,” Jim replied. “The rum shops haven’t opened yet.”

In the summer of 1978, Jim played with the Hyde Cricket Club in England. He lodged at the home of Peter and Lily Hardman in Stockport. One day Jim received a phone call from Frank Edwards, president of the Montserrat Sports Association. Edwards delivered great news. Jim had been awarded the MBE. After finishing the call, Jim turned to Lily Hardman.

“They said I just got an MBE. What’s that?”

Lily Hardman: “It’s a very prestigious honor. It’s from the Queen!”

Jim: “How much is she gonna pay me?”

Jim’s cricket acumen was underrated. He often discussed the nuances of the game at length. He once revealed that being a wicket-keeper was vital to his batting because while standing behind the stumps he could “see how the ball is behaving.”

He said his biggest regret is missing out on playing for the West Indies team in an official Test match. “I came very close but something failed me,” he said, adding that he thinks about it “all the time.”

Allen is survived by his son Davon Williams, daughter Kae Blossom Williams, sister Sarah Allen, brother David “Palmer” Allen, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild and numerous other family and close friends.

“A-WE JIM”

Jim Allen’s heroics for Combined Islands against Guyana in 1977 at Sturge Park elicited this classic poem by Montserrat’s Ann Marie Dewar.

What a carry-on a Sturge Park,

How de crowd a stomp an roar,

Combine Islands a play Guyana,

An a-we own Jim tap de score!

Some a you nuh mi born yet,

An me len you me sympathy,

For nutten coulda beat a-we joy dat day,

De joy Jim gi a-we!

Marmie-oh! Lek water from a bus pipe,

Lek bullet from a gun,

Lek how long-foot Sue make baby,

A so Jim put on run!

You should-a hear how Montserrat neaga,

Shout an clap out dey a Park,

You should-a see how a-we proud-off,

When Jim reach de hundred mark!

When Jim a bat he nuh mek joke,

Cricket ball a fly all over,

Slip, mid-on, bound’ry, square leg,

Fine leg an’ extra cover.

What a thing fo’ poor Guyana,

Dem try dem bes’ keep down de score,

But no matter wha’ dem do, a-we Jim,

Jus a hit nuff six an four.

Dem talk bout Jim ‘unorthodox stance’,

But dat nuh baddoo he,

Wid he han pan he bat, an he y’eye pan de ball,

He win de match wid one-fifty.

If Jim didn’ pick pan Combine,

Is how Combine would-a cope?

When Guyana man confront dem,

Is pan Jim dem heng dem hope.

Years after dat, wan ole man tell me,

Fo’ mark he words – an he mean

dat West Indies would-a beat Australia,

If Jim mi pan de team.

Every time me rememba, me proud until,

Me heart cyan full no more,

Combine Islands play Guyana,

An a-we own Jim top de score!

LISTEN TO LET JIM PLAY BY WRANGLER (1982)

LISTEN TO JIM ALLEN THE GREAT BY UNDERTAKER (2013)

Jim Allen Interview (2012)

Fine Twine, Part 2: Montserrat’s most famous felon goes from wanted man to working man to Englishman

By

EDWIN L. MARTIN

-

February 18, 2025

0

finetwinenewthumb — Joseph "Fine Twine" Bramble had a rap sheet in Montserrat that spanned five decades.

Part 2 of a two-part series.

The criminal history of Joseph “Fine Twine” Bramble stretched from 1951 to 1992. He was arrested or fined 20 times in Montserrat, faced a total of 41 charges and served at least 20 years in jail. For a six-year period between 1975 and early 1981, Bramble’s record was clean. But that’s because he was behind bars. Some of his offenses over 41 years were serious, such as the iniquitous sexual assault in 1963. Others were frivolous, such as “larceny of a bath towel” in 1981. Late that year Bramble was sought by police for questioning and again went on the lam. This time his apprehension was not without incident.

Police enforcer Stanford “Gingerbread” Martin was teamed with veteran officer Arthur Lewis to find Bramble. This Martin & Lewis duo was no comedy team. They meant business. Martin said he and Lewis tracked Bramble to the slopes of Garibaldi Hill and found him sleeping in a cave-like structure under a large rock. When Lewis called out his name, Bramble reportedly tried to escape while holding a cutlass. Martin said he shot Bramble in the forearm near his right elbow with a .38 revolver.

“I shot him and he fell, and I picked him up and handcuffed him,” Martin said. “The bullet broke a bone in his arm but went right through. That’s the first time I ever saw somebody get shot and didn’t bleed.”

Bramble was booked, then taken to Glendon Hospital to treat his wound. Martin, who years later became a certified firearms instructor, explained that he had extra motivation to catch (and subdue) Bramble.

“I was out every night looking for him,” Martin said. “It was coming close to Christmas. I said to myself, ‘When everyone is in Sturge Park having fun I’m going to be up in the hills looking for him – and he might be in the park among the crowd having fun too.’ It was impossible to catch Fine Twine on foot. He was too fast. So I decided he’s not getting away this time.”

Speaking of Sturge Park, eight years earlier – while Bramble was at large for 18 months – the park located between Richmond Hill and the public cemetery became the site of some improbable drama. In early December of 1973 during the Festival calypso eliminations, William “Ruler” Murrain sang Fine Twine, a song he wrote about Bramble’s exploits. The first verse:

Want every woman to take this warning,

Tall black man out like a haunting ghost,

That have the women them running afraid,

Any time that he would approach,

He right by the back there hiding,

Tell you girlfriend to stay home at night,

Stop go pictures and dancing,

Cause me sure he go out you light

The song became an instant hit, and it was spiced up by a controversial sighting. Some spectators who attended the show said they saw Bramble in the park. The Montserrat Mirror newspaper reported that there were rumors that Bramble hid under the stage. Kenneth “Mighty Fisher” Fenton, who also performed in the show, says Fine Twine ran past the stage during Ruler’s performance. Tall tales are common in Montserrat, and stories are sometimes embellished for effect. But when pressed about his claim, Fisher was adamant. “I know what I saw!”

LISTEN TO FINE TWINE BY MIGHTY RULER

Photo from Montserrat Mirror archives
*This police mug shot, circa 1962, is the only known photo of Joseph “Fine Twine” Bramble.*

PAYING HIS DUES

Following the 1981 incident in which he was shot by police, Bramble was jailed again. During his sentence one of the prison officers was his nephew Reuel, who joined the H.M. Prison staff in 1978. It made for a bit of an awkward situation but Reuel said his uncle performed constructive work while incarcerated.

“He used to build coffins for pauper funerals,” Reuel said of Bramble, a self-taught carpenter who once built a small house in Delvins. He also designed model ships and other items out of wood such as decorative fish.

Bramble spent most of the early to mid-1980s behind bars thanks to charges such as larceny – his most common offense – and “found on premises for unlawful purpose.”

“He became a soft target for the police,” said Noel “Atiba” John, Bramble’s nephew. “Arresting Fine Twine became like a badge of honor for them. They would charge him with a crime, which most times he didn’t do, and he would appear in court with no lawyer and end up in jail. So he basically became like an institutionalized person.”

It’s likely accurate that Bramble was charged with some crimes he didn’t commit due to his reputation. But logic also says he likely also committed crimes in which he was not caught. One former policeman said Bramble was suspected in several sexual assaults but the victims were ashamed to report them.

GAINFULLY EMPLOYED

By 1987 Bramble was a middle-aged man and had mellowed. Some younger miscreants had inherited his title as Montserrat’s most wanted. Around that time he was hired by Montserrat Water Authority. One of his supervisors was Rupert Weekes, a former police officer and politician who represented the Northern District in Montserrat’s legislature from 1996 to 2001. Weekes later became an ordained Methodist minister after migrating to England.

Weekes said during his time at Montserrat Water Authority he oversaw a project in which water pipes across Montserrat that were installed by a Canadian company had to be stripped and repainted. He said Bramble was a hard worker who was also savvy and proficient. He recalled one feat in particular.

There was a ghaut (ravine) between Gingoes Village and St. Patrick’s in the south. The ghaut was about 30 feet deep, and above it was a suspended water pipe that stretched about 80 feet. Weekes said he told his workers not to repaint that section because it was too dangerous. It was a Friday. Weekes said when he showed up to work Monday the entire pipe had been stripped and repainted . . . by Bramble. Weekes was amazed.

“When I asked him how he did it he wouldn’t tell me,” Weekes said. “But I assume he used a rope and [worked his way across the pipe]. In my 52 years of employment he was the most clever person I ever worked with.”

Weekes said Bramble also had a generous side. “He knew I liked avocados, so every Monday he would bring me three or four avocados. I would say to him, ‘Boy, where did you get these from?’ He would just laugh and tell me to mind my business.”

“He liked when he was feared because fear brings respect. But a lot of it was just bravado.”
– Noel “Atiba” John, Fine Twine’s nephew

‘FINE TWINE’ TO ‘MR. BRAMBLE’

In October of 1997, Bramble – at age 62 – migrated to the United Kingdom along with thousands of other Montserratians during the volcanic crisis. He settled in Leeds, about 200 miles north of London. He first resided in a hostel, then got his own flat. During his time in Leeds he enjoyed watching cricket on television or hanging out at a local pub called Skinners Arms. He also attended church. He enjoyed a good smoke – real cigarettes and the funny ones as well. By all accounts he was a model citizen in Britain.

“The most stable time of his life was when he came to England,” said Atiba, who also lived in Leeds and became his uncle’s unofficial caretaker. “He would visit London with us when we had big trips. He would attend funerals and also go to Dalston and Ridley Market.”

Bramble tried his best to shed his unsavory past once he crossed The Pond, and it helped that he lived in an area where he was rarely recognized. He upgraded his attire, opting for two-piece suits and cowboy boots. He also requested to be addressed as “Mr. Bramble” and not “Fine Twine.”

Sylvia Whyke-Farrell, a veteran educator from Montserrat who is Bramble’s cousin, also resided in Leeds.

“I saw him downtown one day,” she said. “He was dressed in a three-piece suit, looking really nice. I said, ‘Twine, you look great, man. Where are you going?’ He grumbled that I should call him Mr. Bramble – and he never spoke to me again.”

Photo credit: “Secret Leeds” website
*Joseph “Fine Twine” Bramble frequented this pub, Skinners Arms, during his time in Leeds.*

LIFE AND TIMES

Montserratians who migrated during the volcanic crisis were assessed upon arrival in Britain, and many were offered adult education classes. Bramble, who did not complete primary school but was literate, reportedly took computer lessons and would tell people, “You can reach me at josephbramble@hotmail.com.”

In 2008, Bramble returned to Montserrat for a visit. His nephew Atiba said Bramble arrived with a “coil” and visited several bars, including the popular Desert Storm in Salem. “He would put a 50-pound bill on the bar and tell the bartender to give everyone a drink,” Atiba said. About a month later, the coil was no more. Bramble even missed his return flight to the UK due to a date mix-up and required financial assistance when he had to reschedule.

After returning to Leeds he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and also battled diabetes. He was moved to the Oaklands Residential Home, which provides care for adults with dementia and other disabilities. “At the end of his life he couldn’t speak and he couldn’t recognize anyone,” Atiba said.

On Tuesday, October 12, 2010, Joseph “Fine Twine” Bramble died at 75 years old. His funeral, held at a local crematorium, was attended by only five people. The service was led by Rev. Weekes, Bramble’s old friend and former boss at Montserrat Water Authority. “They gave us only 15 minutes,” said Weekes, who said he assured that Bramble received a dignified sendoff. Bramble’s ashes were scattered at Harehills Cemetery in Leeds.

Photo: Oaklands Care Home website
*The Oaklands Care Home in Leeds was Joseph Bramble’s final residence before he passed away in 2010.*

THE LEGACY

Bramble never married or had a long-term relationship but reportedly fathered a daughter. The man who spent much of his life in courtrooms would often hold court with friends later in his life and discuss his adventures. He told one friend he deserved an award for his 18 months on the run between 1973 and 1974, which he says is a record.

Years following Bramble’s death, the name “Fine Twine” still comes up in conversations and on social media. Almost everyone from Delvins and Cork Hill have a “Fine Twine” story. He is forever etched in Montserrat lore. The song by the Mighty Ruler has also helped to preserve his legacy. It’s a legacy that remains open for debate, and the contrasting opinions about Bramble exemplify the paradox of man. The same person that some describe as a “legend” and “gentle man with a great sense of humor” was also deemed “terrifying and menacing” by others.

Atiba says that although his uncle was no saint, he was greatly misunderstood.

“He liked when he was feared because fear brings respect,” he said. “But a lot of it was just bravado. I loved my uncle. I didn’t love his ways. But I loved him.”

Said Weekes: “I think Fine Twine was a man who made a mistake early in life and then continued to play the part. In Montserrat you make one mistake and you’re stigmatized. Fine Twine was not a bad man. But he liked the fact that people believed he was a bad man.”

The manhunts, arrests, escapades and public angst are all history now.

So is Fine Twine.

Trivia: Fine Twine shared the same birthday (November 16) as Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell.

CLICK HERE to read Part 1 of the Fine Twine story.

William “Ruler” Murrain performs Fine Twine during Montserrat Festival in 2002.

William “Ruler” Murrain briefly discusses his song Fine Twine during a 2012 interview. Ruler died in 2021.

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