Rose Willock reminisces about winning Miss Montserrat title
Rose Willock refers to Montserrat as her “Little Valhalla.” It’s not a throwaway phrase or casual platitude. Her love of country is profound and tangible. Her civic involvement, cultural promotion and community outreach stretches back more than five decades.
The first nine years of her life were spent in Trials and Kinsale Village, during which time she attended St. Patrick’s and Kinsale Primary schools. Later on she lived in Long Ground and then in Plymouth. Along the way, she established a crucial level of visibility and endeared herself to the public through her congenial demeanor and love of service.
In 1965, Rose was teaching at the Cork Hill Primary School. It was her third year as a teacher following her graduation from the Montserrat Secondary School. Aside from teaching, she was heavily involved in cultural organizations. She was a member of the Carnival Joy Promoters, a group she first joined while at MSS. The Joy Promoters designed costumes for the annual festival, organized princess shows and also formed a dance group that performed at social functions such as cocktail parties at Government House.
Rose also played netball and was a member of the Shamrock Players, a “play reading” group featuring nationals and expatriates. Yes, her plate was full. But that was fine. She enjoyed consuming everything about Montserrat. “At that time you got involved in whatever was happening,” she explains. “As young people we never allowed ourselves to be bored.”
So by the time Rose was recruited as a contestant for the Festival Queen Show by the Jaycees, she was well-known on the island. She and the four other contestants – Christine Carty, Mary Greenaway, Avonelle Rachael Lewis and Gloria Liburd – were ecstatic to be involved. They all knew each other. It was a competition, but it didn’t feature the tense rivalry and drama that defines other pageants.
“We all supported each other,” Rose says. “As a matter of fact, I was rooting for my cousin and best friend Christine Carty to win. But that didn’t mean I was going to hold back. I was also very competitive.”
Rose did not have trouble finding a sponsor. Annie Eid, longtime proprietor of a variety store in Plymouth, agreed to be Rose’s benefactor. Eid’s son, Errol, designed Rose’s costume, which featured a sunflower theme. “He was very artistic, very creative,” Rose says. “I just loved that costume.”
The Queen Show at that time featured only two major segments: costume and evening wear. Each contestant was also interviewed on Radio Montserrat prior to the big show, which was held at MSS. A stage was built in the school yard facing Church Road. There was reserve seating, and the event was formal. “Everybody dressed up for the Queen Show in those days,” Rose says. “It was not casual at all.”
Rose’s costume and evening-wear segments went off flawlessly, and as time drew near for the judges to announce their decision, Rose had a sense that she had prevailed. “I could tell based on audience reaction.” When the results came in, Rose Willock was crowned Festival Queen 1965, edging her cousin Christine.
Back then, the crowning of the Festival Queen was almost like an actual coronation. The queen was draped with a flowing cape, given a scepter, and fitted with a sparkling tiara. “It was very regal,” Rose says. “It was like, ‘introducing … Her Majesty.’ ”
Asked what separated her from her rivals that night, Rose said: “Nerves. I think nerves got the best of the other girls. It’s not easy going on stage in front of so many people. I love people. I feed off people. But for others it was not that easy.”
Rose’s grand prize was a trip to Barbados. She was chaperoned by Mrs. Daisy Nanton, whom she refers to as her “other mother.” It was the first time Rose had traveled anywhere farther than Antigua. As an ambassador for Montserrat, she got to interact with people on different levels during her time in Barbados, from dignitaries to the masses. On a personal level, she met several family members for the first time who resided in Barbados.
After her reign as queen, Rose’s community involvement didn’t wane. Rose says teaching was always her first love. After leaving MSS, she turned down a job offer from a local bank and applied for a teaching position. Little did she know that her future would be in broadcasting. While at MSS, she served as a volunteer at Radio Montserrat (ZJB). That informal internship proved vital. She learned the ropes about broadcasting. Years later, she had a moment of clarity.
“One day I was listening to a Barbados radio station and I thought to myself, ‘Hey, [broadcasting], that’s the way to go! I can have a much bigger audience and still teach.’ ”
She began working at ZJB in 1966. She joined rival Radio Antilles from 1976 until 1989, when Hurricane Hugo wrecked the station’s transmitter. She returned to ZJB in 1990. She never stopped teaching, however. She taught dance and served as a substitute teacher at MSS.
She also remained involved in the queen show, serving as a judge, host and chaperone, helping at least four contestants capture the crown. And although the prizes have evolved greatly since Rose was crowned, with winners receiving a brand new vehicle, the show has been canceled several times because organizers were unable to find contestants.
From 1962 to 1987, a queen show was never canceled due to lack of participation. From 1988 to 2017, it happened five times, excluding years affected by natural disasters. Rose says the No. 1 reason some girls are reluctant to participate is a lack of confidence.
“I get a little sad when I interact with some young people, sometimes 17 and 18 years old, and they don’t know what they want or where they’re going. We need to allow young girls to grow in confidence and competence.”
“A lot of the contestants have not established themselves at the community level,” Rose says. “If I could give them any advice it’s, be involved. Build your confidence, look at people in the eye when they talk to you. Give a firm handshake. Smile, and the world smiles with you.
“I get a little sad when I interact with some young people, sometimes 17 and 18 years old, and they don’t know what they want or where they’re going. We need to allow young girls to grow in confidence and competence. They benefit, and the community benefits as well.”
CLICK HERE for a list of all the Montserrat Queen Show winners.
Opinion: I will remember Sylvester Greenaway as a true gentleman
I met Sylvester “Nul” Greenaway in person only once. It was in March of 2017. I visited his home in Olveston, Montserrat, to deliver an enlarged photo of him playing cricket for Montserrat in 1972 in Saint Kitts. In the photo, Nul raises his bat to allow a delivery from the Saint Kitts bowler to go to the wicket keeper. Nul is slim, tall and handsome in his pristine uniform. He told me he really loved and appreciated the photo, which he had never seen.
I came across the photo while doing research for my book on Montserrat’s most famous cricketer, Jim Allen, who was Nul’s teammate for six years. Nul was very helpful in providing stories and background information for the book. So I felt the least I could do was give him the enlarged photo as a gift.
When I arrived at his home, I felt as if I was stepping onto palatial grounds. The house was beautiful. He led me to the family room that featured a plush sofa, large flat-screen TV, a bar and a billiard table. “I’m going to hang the picture right up here,” he said, pointing to the wall across from the billiard table.
I first contacted Nul (by phone) in 2016. I had never met him, but I have fleeting images of watching him play for Montserrat when I was a child. I remember how he used to stretch forward to defend the ball with style. When I told him the subject of my book, he immediately began recounting stories of playing with Jim Allen. He was candid and genuine. I liked him right away. He spoke to me for probably an hour and never once gave me that “I’ve got to go,” signal. Some months later, I phoned him again to ask some follow-up questions.
“Young man, I’m sorry I can’t talk right now. I’m in a lot of pain,” he said. I immediately told him I understood, and I prepared to say good-bye and hang up. Before I could, he added: “Listen, I’m going up to Canada to check myself out, I will give you my number up there so you can call me.”
He could have easily brushed me off, considering his delicate state, but he remained accessible and gracious. Over the next year, I phoned him regularly in Canada, giving him updates on the progress of the book and also checking on his condition. “I’m doing OK,” he would always say, refusing to elaborate.
We would talk at length about his cricket career. He told me he has no regrets about his slow playing style, which some regarded as boring. When I told him that Jim was quoted as saying, “It took Nul five days to score two runs,” he replied: “Hey, I take that as a compliment. At least it means I kept my wicket for five days.”
He told me about playing for Leeward Islands against New Zealand in February of 1972 in Antigua and how New Zealand bowler Murray Webb bowled him out in the first innings with a delivery that he still can’t figure out. In the second innings, he said that during lunch break, a cricket administrator asked him to “get out on purpose” so the crowd can see Viv Richards bat. He said that was one of the most hurtful moments of his career.
When my book was published in July of 2017, I had a copy delivered to him. I spoke to him a few times after that but didn’t realize his condition had deteriorated. When I heard of his passing I was stunned. There was so much more I wish I could have asked him. I still have text conversations with him in my phone. I pondered deleting them after his passing but I will hold on to them a little while longer as I reminisce on my friendship with a man whom I met only once but felt like I knew for a lifetime. By the way I have my own copy of that photo of Nul batting in Saint Kitts. I can’t help but notice he’s wearing all white.
Like an angel.
Mighty Ruler’s calypso story tarnished by setbacks
William “Ruler” Murrain says he has loved calypso since he was a little boy. Though most people associate him with Cork Hill Village, he actually hails from an area called “Killy Hawk Ghaut” near Tuitt’s Village in the east of Montserrat. In the late 1950s, his family relocated to Cork Hill, next to Lansen Park, the cricket field.
Ruler got a job at Hamsey’s Sweet Drink Factory in Plymouth. It was there that he received the inspiration for his first calypso hit. When the soft drinks were being dispensed, the machine that would cap the bottles would sometimes clamp down too hard, and the bottles would break. On one such occasion, a bottle shattered, dispersing shards and slivers and causing several cuts on Ruler’s arm. He decided to write a song about the incident. It was called Bottles Flying.
It was a popular song that became a prelude to Ruler being one of the five pioneers who competed in the first Festival calypso show in 1962. It was organized by the Jaycees. The other entrants were Justin “Hero” Cassell, Alfred “Christo” Christopher, Peter “Red Pole” Howson and James “Tangler” Lee aka Daddy Murrain. Ruler finished second runner-up behind Hero and Christo.
Ruler continued to compete throughout the 1960s, then joined a boycott in 1968 of the calypso show – led by Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell – to protest the substandard prize money being awarded calypsonians. Before the boycott, Ruler was the subject of an infamous incident.
After the 1967 show, the prize-giving ceremony was held at the Vue Pointe Hotel. Ruler was presented with a shirt by local businessman Habib Hadeed. He was insulted. So he threw the garment on the floor and stomped on it. The story had been rumored for years, but during a 2012 interview Ruler confirmed that the incident did take place.
“I threw it on the ground and walk on it,” he said. “I’m not gonna lie. They [the judges] rob me and still wanted me to wear the shirt.” Ruler says that in retrospect he regrets what he did. “I think that’s one of the things that gave me a lot of trouble in Montserrat.”
In 1972, the calypso show resumed. Honourable Mary Tuitt, who was Minister of Education, Health and Welfare and oversaw Festival as part of her portfolio, helped heal the rift caused by the boycott. On Christmas night in 1972, six calypsonians, including Ruler, competed for the crown. The others were Hero, Attacker, Fisher, Defender and Young Warrior. Ruler was first runner-up with his song Lasso Man. Hero won with High Cost of Living.
Ruler continued to be an annual participant. In 1974, he was considered by many the favorite for the crown with his mega hit Fine Twine, a humorous tune about Montserrat’s most infamous criminal, Joseph “Fine Twine” Bramble. For reasons that remain muddled, Ruler did not perform Fine Twine on the night of the calypso finals. He finished second runner-up behind Arrow and Fisher.
Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, he was a crowd favorite and continued to belt out hits such as Stop Sing Calypso, Wash Way, Demons Pon Me, Changes in Life, Sinking Sand and Strain. But the crown would never be fitted for him. Theories have been bandied around as to why he continuously fell short. Was it the “Curse of the Shirt” or was he deemed a social misfit? Were his lyrics considered by some to be too simplistic?
It might be all of the above. But Ruler left a solid mark and his songs remain popular on Radio Montserrat all these years later. Although Ruler never won the crown, he never lacked confidence. Hero, a 10-time Montserrat calypso monarch and Ruler’s longtime rival, says: “To this day, whenever Ruler sees me, he always says, ‘Ah go bang you!’ ”
Playful threats aside, Ruler says he has deep admiration for the Cassell brothers, Arrow and Hero, even though both blocked his path to the crown many times from the 1960s through the 1980s. “I cried when Arrow passed away,” Ruler says. “He was a very kind man. The only thing was he didn’t like to give me money to buy rum.”
Ruler has endured personal tragedies. In 1991, he was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle and had to be flown to Antigua for extensive treatment. When he returned to Montserrat, he had no recollection of the accident or being in Antigua. He recovered enough to perform in a Legends competition in 2002 during the 40th anniversary of Festival. He thrilled the crowd by singing Fine Twine, showing glimpses of his famous stage antics.
In 2012, Ruler, who had been battling diabetes, suffered a stroke and was infirmed at the Margetson Memorial Home. Despite his setbacks, his influence is secure. Christo, who was inspired to sing calypso when he heard Ruler’s song Bottles Flying in the early 1960s, calls Ruler the most talented calypsonian in Montserrat history.
“He didn’t need any coaching. He’s a natural talent.”
A look at some of of Mighty Ruler’s songs over the years:
Mighty Ruler's notable songs
| Bottles Flying | Party Crasher | Stop Sing Calypso | Soca Madness |
| Hold Fast and Steady | Woodum Boom | Changes in Life | Fine Twine |
| Time for Mass | Mash Up Me Big Toe | Demons Pon Me | Beautiful Montserrat |
| Sinking Sand | All a We Got To Go | Strain | Wash Way |
| Kong | This Is Carnival | Stand Firm | Education |
Mighty Fisher still haunted by close losses for calypso crown in Montserrat
When the final singer stepped off stage to conclude the 1974 Montserrat Festival calypso finals, Kenneth “Fisher” Fenton was certain he had won the crown. He had delivered two well-received songs: Strive Brother Strive and Saint John’s Coming Like Vietnam. His supporters, hundreds of whom had made the 10-mile trek from Saint John’s to Sturge Park in Plymouth, were highly optimistic that Fisher would be chosen by the judges as the new calypso king.
Minutes later, as show emcee Alfred “Warrior” Christopher prepared to announce the final decision, several of Fisher’s friends hoisted the calypsonian on their shoulders. Back then, only the top three finishers were revealed.
“Second runner-up, the Mighty Ruler!” Christopher shouted.
Fisher and his friends were bursting with anticipation. One more name before the big moment, they figured.
Then reality hit like a thunderbolt.
“First runner-up, the Mighty Fisher!”
Many in the crowd were stunned. As for Fisher himself, it was a painful moment – literally and figuratively.
“When they announced me as first runner-up, the guys who were holding me up just dropped me to the ground. They walked on my stomach and nearly trampled me. They ran to the front of the stage and started making noise. I don’t even think they realize what they did. I had to crawl under the stage to catch my breath.”
The winner that night was Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell, who would go on to international soca fame. Fisher finished first runner-up for the second year in a row. A year earlier he lost to Arrow’s brother, Justin “Hero” Cassell. Some suspect that Fisher’s rural roots worked against him while competing against the Cassells, who lived on the outskirts of the capital.
At any rate, Fisher harbors no ill will toward the brothers. Fisher, an architect and artist by trade, created the artwork on a T-shirt for Arrow’s 1976 hit Trample Dem and also designed the cover of Arrow’s 1977 album Ruthless Rhythm.
His main ire is directed toward the judges.
Before becoming a calypsonian, Fisher was first and foremost a calypso fan. He attended his first calypso show in 1967 at the Montserrat Secondary School and watched Warrior hold off Arrow to win the crown. The following year, at age 16, Fisher entered the competition. The show was held at the Tomato Factory in Plymouth. Arrow and many of the other calypsonians boycotted in protest of the poor cash prizes being awarded by the Jaycees.
Fisher and three other debutantes – Young Warrior, Killman and Terror (Jackie Fyah) – entered. Fisher sang Congrats to Clive Lloyd and Soul Time. He finished last. Young Warrior won, inheriting the crown from his brother, Warrior, who got married in 1968 and retired from the competition.
Fisher’s alias for that show was “Lord Silvershirt,” even though he had already earned the “Fisher” nickname. While at Montserrat Secondary School, he wrote an essay on British explorer Sir Martin Frobisher. But he flubbed the name during an oral presentation and called the famous seaman “Fisher-ber.”
His classmates teased him and began calling him “Fisher-ber” – and later shortened it to “Fisher.” The name stuck. Some people even thought Fisher was his actual surname. “Lord Silvershirt” was retired. He used “Mighty Fisher” for all subsequent calypso competitions.
Following a three-year boycott, the calypso show resumed in 1972. Six calypsonians reached the finals: Fisher, Young Warrior, Defender, Hero, Attacker and Ruler. Hero prevailed, Ruler was first runner-up, and Fisher tied with Attacker for second runner-up. In 1973, Fisher returned with arguably his most popular song, Country Man, but was again foiled by Hero and settled for first runner-up. After the stunning loss to Arrow in 1974, he competed in 1975, 1976 and 1977, but failed to place.
In 1976, his younger brother, Wallace “Rhadyo” Fenton, joined the competition. The 1977 show, won by Ishmael “Cutter” Skerritt, was Fisher’s last appearance in the finals. His half brother, John “Black Prince” O’Garro, also left the competition (due to health reasons) but continued to record songs such as his hits O-Lam-O and Jam Session Festival. Rhadyo tied for first runner-up in 1978 and had another strong showing in ’79 with his hit Swordman.
In 1980, Fisher got the itch again. He sang in the eliminations and advanced. But he was unhappy with the band’s rehearsal of his song and dropped out.
Fisher didn’t leave calypso completely. He was a judge and writer for several years. But decades later, he is still bothered by those close defeats in ’73 and ’74.
“I worked hard on my calypsoes,” Fisher says. “I’m not saying that every year I competed I should have won. But the judges had their favorites. Sometimes when they announced the judges’ names on the night of the show, I knew I didn’t stand a chance.”
Mighty Fisher's Calypso Results
| Year | Songs | Finish |
| 1968 | "Soul Time" & "Congrats To Clive Lloyd" | Fourth |
| 1972 | "Revelation" & "Flashing Back to Slavery" | 2nd runner-up |
| 1973 | "Country Man" | 1st runner-up |
| 1974 | "St. John's Coming Like Vietnam" & "Strive Brother Strive" | 1st runner-up |
| 1975 | "Bringing Back de Trophy" & "Beautiful Montserrat" | Did not place |
| 1976 | "Corrupt Word" & "Guitar Man" | Did not place |
| 1977 | "Education" & "Power" | Did not place |
Montserrat Calypso Monarchs
A look at the annual calypso monarchs since Montserrat Festival became official in 1962:
| Year | Artist | Songs |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | Lizzie and Joe |
| 1963 | Alfred "Warrior" Christopher | Kennedy & Same Old Saturday Night |
| 1964 | Lorenzo "Challenger" Cassell | Montserratians Be Ambitious & They Do Away With The Bald Head Man |
| 1965 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | Wicked Married Men & Drive Old Man Drive |
| 1966 | Alfred "Warrior" Christopher | Six-Foot Man Rat & Winston Churchill |
| 1967 | Alfred "Warrior" Christopher | Lick Him Dr. Herbert & People Never Satisfy |
| 1968 | Winston "Young Warrior" Christopher | Martin Luther King & 4 O'Clock In The Morning |
| 1969 to 71 | No festival calypso shows | |
| 1972 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | High Cost of Living & Rum Side |
| 1973 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | Back To The Land & Long Time Christmas |
| 1974 | Alphonsus "Arrow" Cassell | Montserrat English & Leggo Yourself |
| 1975 | Alphonsus "Arrow" Cassell | Monique & Wind Of Change |
| 1976 | Alphonsus "Arrow" Cassell | Roll Back & Change That Mentality |
| 1977 | Ishmael "Cutter" Skerritt | Kai Afro & Caribbean Integration |
| 1978 | Everton "Reality" Weekes | Pave The Way & Jump Up Baby |
| 1979 | Everton "Reality" Weekes | Rolling Bum Bum & Save Energy |
| 1980 | Everton "Reality" Weekes | Struggle & Masquerade |
| 1981 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | The Flood & Don't Mess Wid Me Country |
| 1982 | Everton "Reality" Weekes | True Hero & Jumbie Dance |
| 1983 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | String Band Jam & Old Time Sayings |
| 1984 | Everton "Reality" Weekes | Make A Sacrifice & How You Like It |
| 1985 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | Who Is De Man & Greedy Merchants |
| 1986 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | Body to Body & I'm Underage |
| 1987 | Cecil "Cepeke" Lake | Help Me Out & Turn Me On |
| 1988 | Earl "Hustler" Browne | Don't Mash Up The Festival & We Don't Have to Wait |
| 1989 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | Close Dem Down & Where De Galvanize |
| 1990 | Cecil "Cepeke" Lake | Somebody & One More Try |
| 1991 | Kelvin "Tabu" Duberry | Living In Hell & Let It Be for Better |
| 1992 | Keithroy "De Bear" Morson | Back To Basics & Face The Truth |
| 1993 | Keithroy "De Bear" Morson | The Time Has Come & Show Respect |
| 1994 | Roland "Kenzie" Johnson | Oh Montserratians & We Need Love In The World |
| 1995 | Roland "Kenzie" Johnson | Black Man & The People's Cry |
| 1996 | Lenroy "Patriot" Tuitt | Cry For Freedom & Proud Montserratian |
| 1997 | Roland "Kenzie" Johnson | Shelter Life (one song competition) |
| 1998 | Herman "Cupid" Francis | How Many More (one song competition) |
| 1999 | Cecil "Cepeke" Lake | Payoff & Potholes |
| 2000 | Silvina "Kandie" Malone | Vote for DFID & Rock Down de Place |
| 2001 | Earl "Hustler" Browne | Solidarity & Temporary |
| 2002 | Joseph "Pops" Morris | Thank You & Let's Team Up |
| 2003 | Silvina "Kandie" Malone | Change The Board & Everything is Not OK |
| 2004 | Andy Kirnon | Judicial Flaws & Hand in the Air |
| 2005 | Andy Kirnon | Imagine & We Flying |
| 2006 | Silvina "Kandie" Malone | My Vision & Front Line |
| 2007 | Justin "Hero" Cassell | The Country Need Prayer & All They Want Is Money |
| 2008 | Herman "Cupid" Francis | 20/20 Cricket World & Beyond Black & White |
| 2009 | Silvina "Kandie" Malone | Pick Up The Pieces & Who Do We Blame |
| 2010 | Herman "Cupid" Francis | The Tree & Before I Die |
| 2011 | Garnett "Sylk" Thompson | Changing World & Never Give Up |
| 2012 | Herman "Cupid" Francis | We Outsourcing & Shortly After Takeoff |
| 2013 | Baptiste Wallace | Dracula System & Who Will It Be |
| 2014 | Keithroy "De Bear" Morson | Don't Forget Your Juliet & Got To Go |
| 2015 | Steve "Iceman" Weekes | Nar Sell Out & 20 Years On |
| 2016 | Kevin "King Natty" Farrell | Bad Mind & Big Up To Funky Man |
| 2017 | Kenneth "Rabo" Silcott | The Promise & Brother's Cry |
| 2018 | Garnett "Sylk" Thompson | Trade War & All Hands on Deck |
| 2019 | Steve "Iceman" Weekes | Agent of Change & Daddy I Cry To You |
| 2020 | Keithroy "De Voice" Morson | By Faith & Call Daddy |
| 2021 | Keithroy "De Voice" Morson | Let Us Rebuild & Don't Wake The Bear |
| 2022 | Keithroy "De Voice" Morson | Hard Like A Diamond & Ah Shoulda |
| 2023 | Garnett "Sylk" Thompson | What's On My Mind & Self-Determination |
| 2024 | Garnett "Sylk" Thompson | Only In Montserrat & Nature of Politricks |
| 2025 | Keithroy "De Bear" Morson | Come Serve Your Country & Gi Dem Licks |
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