Advertisement
Home Blog Page 2

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

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
0
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.

Fine Twine, Part 1: The story of how a boy from Delvins Village became Montserrat’s most notorious felon

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
0
Joseph "Fine Twine" Bramble had a rap sheet in Montserrat that spanned five decades.

Part 1 of a two-part series.

At approximately 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 1974, Joseph Bramble was arrested after evading police for more than a year in Montserrat. He was apprehended near the Fort Ghaut Bridge in Plymouth when officers – acting on a tip – set up a road block and nabbed him while he was a passenger in a vehicle. The fact that Bramble was caught in the heart of the capital was appropriate considering he had been hiding in plain sight for 18 months, managing to stay one step ahead of the authorities and virtually toying with them. He visited popular establishments and attended crowded events such as the annual Roman Catholic Fete. And he seemed to have an innate sense of when trouble was approaching.

“He was brilliant, a very clever guy,” said Reuel “Gibbs” Hixon, Bramble’s nephew. “He moved around like a cat. He would be hanging out in a bar and all of a sudden he would disappear – and then you would see police swarm the place.”

Bramble had several aliases – including “Coupie” and “Joe Biscuit” – but he was best known as “Fine Twine” due to his lanky stature. Dark in complexion, he stood 6 feet 2 inches with a wiry frame. His arrest brought relief to many residents and especially to the beleaguered Royal Montserrat Police Force, which at times resembled Keystone Cops during the manhunt. Bramble had been a person of interest in a number of crimes, including burglary, indecent assault and marijuana possession. The police even offered a reward of E.C. $1,000 – the equivalent of about $7,000 in 2025 – for information leading to his arrest.

The hunt for Fine Twine evolved into a regional task force, with a K-9 officer and police dog arriving from Guyana to assist with the search. Scotland Yard also joined the investigation, a former officer said. One month before Bramble was captured, Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Valdez issued an appeal through the Montserrat Mirror newspaper. He urged the fleet-footed fugitive to turn himself in and promised that any meeting would be cordial. “I will never condone, encourage or allow any adverse treatment to any person who is detained or wanted by police,” Valdez said. Bramble did not oblige Valdez’s request, and he appeared to relish his celebrity status.

“I think he enjoyed it,” said Wilfred Cabey, a Montserrat police officer from 1972 to 1981. “Yes, he was on the run, but the police were on the run too. Of course no felon wants to be caught. He was trying to prove, ‘You can’t catch me!’ “

Bramble was eventually caught on that early November morning two weeks before his 40th birthday. Four months later, on March 17, 1975, he went on trial with no legal representation and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Sadly, it would not be his last encounter with the law.

There have been a number of habitual offenders in Montserrat over the past century, but what made Bramble unique were his brazen exploits, elusive skills and complex persona. Montserrat Spotlight interviewed many people who knew Bramble: family members, police, neighbors, friends, co-workers. Some recalled him as a scary felon while others labeled him a petty thief who never engaged in a physical altercation. Nonetheless he became the usual suspect whenever there was a crime that fit his portfolio. Many facets of Bramble’s life were incredible and even comical, but his most serious offense – which occurred in 1963 – was no laughing matter, and it reverberated locally for decades.

So who exactly was the notorious perpetrator named Fine Twine?

Map of Montserrat shows Cork Hill, Delvins and Garibaldi Hill, the areas that Fine Twine most frequented.

STORY BEGINS IN DELVINS

Joseph Henry Bramble was born November 16, 1934 in Delvins Village, about a half-mile west of Cork Hill in central Montserrat. His father, Charlie Bramble, was nicknamed “Charlie Biscuit” – which explains why Fine Twine was called “Joe Biscuit.” Fine Twine’s mother, Christiana – best known as “Aunt Nan” – was a laborer who worked for a time at Dagenham Estate picking cotton. Fine Twine was the fourth of his mother’s five children. His elder siblings were Jane-Ann, Thomas and Katie. A younger brother, John, died young.

Fine Twine attended St. Mary’s School in Plymouth. His mischief began early. A former neighbor said “Twine” would remove the sharp aluminum straps from saltfish boxes and create a knife. He would then bore a hole on one end and run a long string through it. When he swung the knife it made a “woo-woo” sound, and he would terrorize and chase younger boys. From a young age, he was agile, lithe and slippery.

“He did things that people said they never saw before,” his nephew Reuel said. “He would climb a coconut tree and then come back down backwards.”

According to legend, Bramble was once caught atop a neighbor’s coconut tree. The angry owner stood at the base of the tree with rifle in hand. He shouted for Bramble to come down at once and threatened to shoot him. Bramble climbed down head-first . . . and the stunned owner ran off.

“He was brilliant, a very clever guy. He moved around like a cat.”

– Reuel Hixon, Fine Twine’s nephew

TROUBLE MAN

Bramble’s first brush with the law occurred in early 1951 at age 16 when he was arrested for stealing a fowl. He was sentenced to six months in jail. He was arrested four more times during the 1950s – usually for theft. Around 1960 he got a job working on a cargo ship. He sailed across the Caribbean, including to Trinidad, where his sister Jane-Ann resided. He told friends that he smuggled guns and liquor during his sailing days and served jail time in Trinidad and Guyana, adding that Guyanese jails were easily the worst.

By 1962 he was back in Montserrat – and back in trouble. He was arrested late that year for battery. The following year his name became forever notorious on the Emerald Isle. Bramble was arrested for sexual assault. The act itself was sordid enough, but what made it even more scandalous was the identity of the victim – the daughter of a prominent white estate owner. The victim, who was engaged to be married, was flown off island for medical treatment. She later identified Bramble during a police lineup. Her father vowed to kill Bramble and was even disallowed from attending the trial in Plymouth. On November 12, 1963, Bramble was convicted and sentenced to six years in H.M. Prison. He apparently was granted early release because by 1968 he was a free man.

Decades later, some remained skeptical about Bramble’s involvement in the sexual assault. They believed he was targeted because of his reputation. But a prison officer during Bramble’s incarceration said Bramble once described the encounter in graphic detail. Another source said Bramble admitted to the crime and even explained his motive.

Upon his release, Bramble, with no prospects for employment, resorted to what he did best – steal. On November 4, 1968, he was sentenced to five years for burglary. With his penchant for thievery, Bramble seemed to operate under a code: He rarely stole from anyone in the Delvins-Cork Hill area. The legendary American outlaw Jesse James was once asked why he robbed banks. “Because that’s where the money is,” he replied. Bramble mostly targeted tourists and expatriates. He would visit Foxes Bay, for instance, camp out in a tree, observe beachgoers and analyze where they stored their belongings, then break into their vehicles while they swam.

Stanford Martin served on the Royal Montserrat Police Force for a decade starting in 1977. He earned a “Dirty Harry” reputation for his aggressive policing and would often be handpicked by superiors to seek out criminals. Martin, nicknamed “Gingerbread,” recalled an incident in which a tourist was robbed of U.S. $400. He immediately suspected Bramble, so he visited a gambling house on George Street that Bramble frequented. When Martin arrived, Bramble was not there, so he asked the owner if anyone came by to gamble using U.S. currency. “Yes, Fine Twine,” the owner said. “He lost $100 [gambling] and said he was going for more money and come back.” Bramble was arrested with U.S. $300 in his possession and jailed after he failed to give a plausible explanation of how he acquired the funds.

The above article ran in the Montserrat Mirror newspaper on October 4, 1974, during Fine Twine’s time on the loose.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

The 18 months that Bramble eluded police between 1973 and 1974 featured some bizarre and funny stories and also illustrated the paranoia that Bramble caused for the public and police.

Cabey, the former policeman, grew up just across from Bramble’s family home in Delvins. He said it was awkward searching for a man he knew his entire life. Cabey spent “many sleepless nights in the trenches” looking for Fine Twine and encountered some unexpected hazards. He recalled “cooping” Fine Twine one day while hiding behind a hedge of long grass near a main road in Delvins. A passerby stopped at the side of the road – just feet away from Cabey – to relieve himself. But Cabey could not blow his cover. “The man almost [urinated] on me,” Cabey said.

News that Fine Twine was on the loose scared many women, especially because of the sexual-assault charge years earlier. Folks would lock up their homes at 6 p.m. and retire for the evening. Fine Twine became a proverbial Boogeyman, and his physical features added to his frightening mystique.

Inspector Arthur Lewis spent more than three decades with the Royal Montserrat Police Force. He said he was assigned several times to find Bramble. Asked if it’s ridiculous that one man could elude police for 18 months in tiny Montserrat, he responded: “Not really. Many people used to help Fine Twine hide because they used to gamble with him. The police can only do so much. They need the public’s cooperation.”

Speaking in 2024, one former policeman admitted he was afraid of Bramble after hearing stories about his habit of wielding a cutlass. Police in those days didn’t carry firearms except for special assignments, and Bramble made them look foolish at times. He told friends he would sometimes be perched in a tree and observe frustrated cops down below discussing the harm they planned to inflict on him when they caught him.

Charlesworth “Sonny” Phillip, a retired civil servant and former political candidate who grew up in Cork Hill, said he had several interactions with Bramble during the fugitive’s time on the run. Bramble often sought out fellow villagers, especially youngsters, to run errands.

“He was across from the Mission Church one day and he asked me to go to Fan Boston’s shop to buy him a carton of cigarettes,” Phillip said. “He gave me $100. I bought the cigarettes but when I got back he was gone. Here I was with the cigarettes plus about 80-something dollars in change for him. I didn’t know what to do. I was 8 years old. I ended up throwing away the cigarettes because I couldn’t let my mother know I went to the shop for Fine Twine. I held on to the money for many years. He never came back for it.”

“Many people used to help Fine Twine hide. The police can only do so much. They need the public’s cooperation.”

– Arthur Lewis, former police officer, on how Fine Twine evaded the law for 18 months

During his time in the wind, Bramble changed locations frequently to keep officers at bay. He slept in abandoned buildings, including an old estate house at Elberton near Foxes Bay. He navigated the Delvins-Cork Hill area with ease and knew the territory to a tee, which gave him an advantage over the cops. He would show up at homes of people he trusted – often at night – and get a meal.

Noel “Atiba” John, Bramble’s nephew, grew up with Bramble’s mother (Atiba’s grandmother). Although just a lad, he vividly remembers Bramble visiting the home while on the run in 1973 and ’74.

“Me and my grandmother would be home at night and all of a sudden we would see a small fire in the distance,” Atiba said. “It was my uncle cooking. Sometimes he would come by the house to get salt or something like that. But he never stayed for long.”

A SHOT IN THE DARK

Bramble’s clever tactics took a toll on officers, and so did the specter of his looming threat.

Hubert French, a former policeman, said he and another officer were dispatched to find Bramble in 1973. They were issued a rifle. The two officers staked out Cork Hill School after getting reports that Bramble was spotted in the area. Bramble would visit the unguarded premises at night to get water or use the restroom. But the officers’ search came up empty, so they went to Garibaldi Hill, which overlooks Delvins Village. They figured that Bramble would have to return home at some point.

French said he and the other officer camped out and waited. As day turned to dusk, both officers – while sitting not far apart – dozed off, with French’s partner holding the rifle.

“Suddenly we heard this loud shot, ‘Powww!’ “ French said.

The officers were jolted out of their slumber. It was dark. When they finally calmed down, French realized that his partner had pulled the trigger on the rifle by accident while asleep.

“It scared the hell out of me,” French said. “I thought Fine Twine was shooting at us.”

Click here to read Part 2: Fine Twine goes from wanted man to working man to Englishman.

SNEAK PREVIEW: Listen to songs profiled in the Montserrat-based book “Politicalypso”

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
0
"Politicalypso" contains intriguing back stories to some of the most popular political commentaries in Montserrat history.

The book Politicalypso, which chronicles the connection between politics and calypso in Montserrat, was published on October 21, 2024 on all Amazon platforms. Co-authored by Francelise N. White and Edwin L. Martin, the book profiles 25 impactful political calypso songs in Montserrat history. Each song is listed below, along with a sample recording (if available). The book provides a comprehensive back story about the evolution of each song with many interesting details. There is also a lyrical excerpt for every song. Here are the 25 songs that are profiled:

1. Lick Him Dr. Herbert, Alfred “Warrior” Christopher (1967): The song addressed Anguilla’s wish to end its coalition with St. Kitts-Nevis. What does that have to do with Montserrat? The book reveals several connections to the Emerald Isle. Note: The original recording was lost. Listen to a sample that was released in 2022 as part of a 1960’s Montserrat calypso medley.

2. PDP, Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell (1971): The lyrics celebrated the PDP’s landslide election victory in 1970 and criticized William H. Bramble, Montserrat’s first Chief Minister, who was defeated by his son. It was easily the most contentious election in Montserrat history.

3. Hold On To Your Property, Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell (1971): Montserrat’s real-estate boom in the 1960s was both beneficial and controversial. Many thought the “land by the shores” should be reserved for locals. W.H. Bramble opened the door to foreign investors, but there was a catch.

4. Bull Water For Power, John “Black Prince” O’Garro (1973): The song focused on a broken promise by politician Joshua “Joshie” Weekes of St. John’s during the 1973 election. It’s a funny story with a sad ending. Note: The song has disappeared from the archives. Lyrical excerpt available in the book.

5. PDP Must Go, James “Oh! Ryent” West (1977): The calypsonian called for the Austin Bramble-led PDP administration to be kicked out of office. The song was banned by Radio Montserrat, West was almost arrested, and the song caused a rift with some family members.

6. Manifesto, Justin “Hero” Cassell (1984): Hero adopts the persona of a typical politician who promises utopia amid their desperation to get elected. The book also reveals how the refrain, “Can you hear me? Can you hear me, people!” originated.

“Manifesto” helped Justin “Hero” Cassell win the OECS calypso crown in 1986.

7. Leggo Me Bulldog, William “Ruler” Murrain (1984): The veteran calypsonian issues a dire warning to any politician planning to visit his home to lobby for his support.

8. Play Little More, Austin “Ratamba” Howe (1984): One of the most creative social and political commentaries in Montserrat history, sprinkled with a nursery rhyme twist.

9. De Priest, He Gone, Richard “Bachelor” Weekes (1986): Anglican Priest Father Alson Percival, a native of St. Kitts, was jettisoned from Montserrat for speaking out against the government’s plan to build a casino. Note: The song was banned on local radio and has disappeared. An excerpt of the lyrics is available in the book.

10. What’s Inside The Box, Herman “Cupid” Francis (1987): The writer crafts a song focusing on a ballot box controversy during the 1987 national election but introduces another angle. Note: This song was also banned. An excerpt of the lyrics is available in the book.

11. They Don’t Care, Everton “Reality” Weekes (1989): The singer shares the despair and suffering that took place in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo and how everyone seemingly had to fend for themselves.

12. Whey de Galvanize, Justin “Hero” Cassell (1989): Hero won the crown with this classic about the galvanize controversy that occurred following Hurricane Hugo. Who was the real culprit?

13. Power Brokers, Earl “Hustler” Browne (1990): Politicians were not the only target of this commentary by Hustler, who went after anyone in authority in Montserrat who was abusing power. The book also reveals the interesting story about Hustler got his calypso name.

14. Dear John, Curtis “Buck” Francis (1991): The song thanked Chief Minister John A. Osborne for his 25 years of service after Osborne lost in the 1991 elections and announced his retirement. Alas, Osborne returned and won again.

15. Berchie, William “Lord Meade” Meade (1996): Meade penned this tribute to his former boss, Hon. Bertrand Osborne, when Osborne assumed the post of Chief Minister in 1996. Meade explains in touching details why he wrote the song. Sadly, Osborne’s tenure lasted less than a year.

16. Vote for DFID, Silvina “Khandi” Malone (2000): Who is really pulling the strings of power in Montserrat – the politicians or DFID, the British office in charge of funding? Khandi made history as Montserrat’s first female calypso monarch.

17. Food Voucher, Caesar “Styles” Greenaway (2000): Greenaway delivered comic relief with this song, but the trend of entitlements following the volcanic crisis caused a serious shift in Montserrat culture.

Photo courtesy Randy Greenaway
The irrepressible Caesar ” Styles” Greenaway.

18. My Hands Are Tied, Anderson “King Andy” Kirnon (2006): Dr. Lowell Lewis, Chief Minister of a coalition government, uttered the phrase “My hands are tied” and opened the door for this song by King Andy.

19. Talk, Talk, Talk, Vickie “Storm” Locker (2010): Chief Minister Reuben T. Meade appeared on stage with Storm during the calypso finals as she outlined the vacant promises uttered by typical politicians.

20. Don’t Forget Your Juliet, Keithroy “De Bear” Morson (2014): Using the Shakespeare tragedy of Romeo and Juliet as his foundation, De Bear sends a message to the new Premier, Hon. Donaldson Romeo.

21. Pounding Story, Brian “I-Cultural” Charles (2016): Every sitting member of Parliament was roasted in this “call and response” performance that helped I-Cultural – known mostly as a soca artist – reach the calypso semifinals.

22. Delmaude Say, Baptiste Wallace (2018): Wallace was the original singer, but Hon. Delmaude Ryan – the Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Health – stole the show at the calypso finals when she delivered the song as a guest artist and also proved to be a good sport.

23. Paging Dr. Sammy, Edwin “Red Ride” Martin (2018): Dr. Samuel Joseph, a science wiz, is asked by the singer to hold off on politics and return to the lab, where he could find a cure for bad mind and jealousy.

24. Call Daddy, Keithroy “De Voice” Morson (2020): After failing to gain a seat during the 2019 elections, De Voice urged the public not to complain to him when the government falls short of expectations.

25. Needs An Explanation, Kimari “Proklaima” Kirnon (2023): Montserrat’s governor is called out for many questionable decisions. The controversy increased when Her Excellency “crashed” the stage during the calypso finals. Get the full story in the book.

HOW TO ORDER “POLITICALYPSO”

CLICK THIS LINK to order through Amazon in the U.S., Canada or the Caribbean.

UK residents CLICK THIS LINK.

For residents of Montserrat or Antigua contact Francelise White at (664) 392-9560 (What’s App).

Reuben T. Meade earns third stint as Montserrat leader as United Alliance secures majority in 2024 election

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
0
Photo courtesy Montserrat GIU
Reuben T. Meade gives his affirmation as Her Excellency Governor Sarah Tucker looks on during a ceremony Friday, October 25, 2024 at the Montserrat Cultural Center.

After months of tedious campaigning, festive rallies, catchy radio jingles and political rhetoric, the Montserrat national election of 2024 concluded early Friday morning, October 25. The results revealed an electorate eager to chart a new future with a name from the past. Reuben T. Meade and the United Alliance earned five of the nine seats to secure the majority. Meade, first elected in 1991, will commence his third tenure as Montserrat’s leader.

1xbet casino discount

“When you look at the breakdown of the numbers you would recognize that the people have spoken right across the country,” Meade told Radio Montserrat. “They clearly had a feeling that the United Alliance would be the party of choice to take the country forward.”

The four other United Alliance members elected were Dr. Ingrid Buffonge, John P. Osborne, Veronica “Kaye” Dorsett-Hector and Dwayne Hixon. During a swearing-in ceremony Friday afternoon at the Montserrat Cultural Center, portfolios were announced.

● Meade will oversee the Ministry of Finance, Local Government, Immigration, Regional Affairs, Tourism, Economic Management, Trade, Information, Communication and Digital Transformation. He continued his unbeaten streak in Montserrat elections. In seven national contests, he has never failed to earn a seat.

● Buffonge, a trusted and admired physician, will run the Ministry of Education, Health, Social Services and Youth Affairs. First elected in 2014 with PDM, she left the party in 2015 and ran as an independent in 2019, finishing 12 votes short of a seat. She joined United Alliance this year and earned 1,086 votes Friday, just seven behind overall leader Crenston Buffonge of MCAP.

● Dorsett-Hector, an attorney and former teacher and Festival queen, was named Deputy Premier and will direct the Ministry of Infrastructure, Labor, Transportation, Energy and Ecclesiastical Affairs. She was first elected in 2019 with MCAP and served as Parliamentary Secretary but resigned and later joined United.

● Osborne, a businessman and son of Montserrat legendary Chief Minister John A. Osborne, was assigned the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing, Environment and Sports. He is the youngest member of the United Alliance and is immensely popular among the youth, notably for his involvement in motorsports.

● Hixon, a real estate developer, barely missed out on a seat in 2019 with PDM. He will be a Parliamentary Secretary and work alongside Osborne in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Photo courtesy Montserrat GIU
Dr. Ingrid Buffonge is sworn in. She will oversee the Ministry of Health and Education.

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MCAP

Although United Alliance claimed a plurality of the votes Friday, the top individual vote-getter for the second election in a row was Crenston Buffonge of MCAP. However, he was the only MCAP member to earn a seat. Outgoing Premier Joseph Farrell (Easton Taylor) and Deputy Premier Dr. Samuel Joseph finished 15th and 18th, respectively. It was a stunning development for the two political veterans. Most people vote along party lines, so the fact that Buffonge earned the most votes but none of his party members earned a seat is a profound statement.

“I want to congratulate the United Alliance party on their victory at the polls,” Joseph said in a statement. “The people of Montserrat have spoken, and we honor their decision.”

Three members of the PDM earned seats. Party leader Paul Lewis and Donaldson Romeo both got elected. Closing out the Top 9 was PDM’s Nyota Mulcare, a former president of the Montserrat Civil Service Association. The PDM members will now serve in the Opposition.

BUILDING A TEAM

On January 25, 2024, Meade announced on Radio Montserrat that he would return to the political arena after more than seven years away. In October of 2016, while he was a member of MCAP and serving as leader of the Opposition, he retired and turned over the party leadership to Farrell. Meade said earlier this year that his return was a response to the fervent requests from the public.

“This has nothing to do with ego, image or legacy but everything to do with service to the people,” Meade said in January. “So many have said to me, ‘Reuben, you cannot be immune to the cries of the people. Do not bury your talents under the blanket of retirement.’ I have removed that blanket.”

Meade assembled a team comprising newcomers and others who contested previous elections. He set out to form a team that mixed youth and experience and included men and women. “We’re a modern team with modern ideas,” he said earlier this year. “Our values are non-negotiable.”

On the campaign trail, Meade latched on to several issues plaguing Montserrat, especially access. His team has promised to procure a ferry contract in time for the holiday season and also to eventually reintroduce Twin Otter aircrafts, which can accommodate as many as 19 passengers and are ideal for the short runway at John A. Osborne Airport. Meade has also vowed to push back against what has been deemed an overreaching agenda by Governor Sarah Tucker and said he would bring back the popular Radio Montserrat call-in show What’s On Your Mind.

Photo courtesy ZJB Spirit of Montserrat
Members of the United Alliance are interviewed by Viona Alexander Smith early Friday, October 25, 2024. From left, Reuben T. Meade, John Osborne and Dwayne Hixon.

A CLOSER LOOK

Among the many interesting revelations from the election:

● This marked the eighth national election in a row in which the government has changed hands. The last party to retain its majority was John A. Osborne’s People’s Liberation Movement (PLM) in 1987.

● Speaking of Osborne – also known as “John Bassey” – three of his children contested the 2024 election: his sons David (PLM) and John Jr. (UA) and his daughter Shirley (PLM). John Jr. was the only one to earn a seat. David lost his first election following four successive victories (2006, 2009, 2014, 2019).

● Of the 34 candidates, 15 were women, the most ever. The previous record was eight in 2019. The first woman to contest an election in Montserrat was Margaret Rose Kelsick in 1958. She lost, then ran again in 1961 and earned a seat.

● George Kirnon of United Alliance finished 11th with 741 votes – just 44 short of getting a seat. It was almost a storybook ending for Kirnon, who was ruled ineligible to participate due to residency qualifications but won a judgment Monday, October 21, and was allowed to participate.

● Independent candidates struggled mightily to gain traction amid the dominant presence of the three major parties.

● The voter participation rate was 67.4 percent. Since Montserrat’s system of ministerial government was introduced in 1960, the highest election turnout was 80 percent in 1970 when Austin Bramble defeated his father, William H. Bramble.

Photo courtesy Montserrat GIU
Outgoing Premier Joseph Farrell hoped to retain his seat but he finished 15th, likely ending his political career.

● Farrell, who has strong support among the religious community and is a respected figure, lost his first election since entering in 2006. Speaking to Viona Alexander-Smith of Montserrat GIU on Thursday night, he reflected on his five years as Premier. “It had its ups and downs. In March 2020 we were greeted with COVID. As Premier there were times that I was very nervous but I had to show a bold face. I know there are leaders who refuse to make decisions because they are scared to get criticism. My mantra over the past five years has been, ‘Damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ . . . so do what you have to do.”

As for Meade, the new Premier announced some fresh initiatives on Friday. He will implement a rotating system of Deputy Premier so each can gain experience. Also, in the spirit of accessibility and transparency, an office will be set up in St. John’s where the public can lodge issues and complaints, “rather than having to hunt down a minister of government,” Meade said.

Finally, Meade stressed that the election is over and Montserrat must now consolidate.

“This is not United Alliance vs. the rest,” Meade said. “This is Montserrat vs. the rest. We will work together to make this country develop to its full potential for us and for our children and grandchildren.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE ELECTION RESULTS

WATCH THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

https://www.youtube.com/live/5472Mil-i1c

 

‘A brilliant human being’: Montserrat bids farewell to businessman and community stalwart Cedric Osborne

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
1
Cedric Osborne, MBE, OBE, OD, at his home in Woodlands, Montserrat, on July 20, 2022.

Cedric Osborne was self-confident, self-assured and at times even self-deprecating. But he was never self-serving. He was equally blessed with a sense of community and a sense of humor. He inherited the mantle of the M.S. Osborne dynasty and forged his own legacy of business success, civic responsibility and unbridled generosity. In between he raised five children and embraced the role he said he would most like to be remembered for – a good husband.

Osborne, whose influence in Montserrat’s business and social sectors spanned seven decades, was remembered during a funeral service at the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Lookout on Thursday, September 5, 2024. He died August 18 – three weeks following his 88th birthday.

“He was a brilliant human being and a true icon,” said Rose Willock, a Montserrat broadcasting legend and former Festival Queen who worked with Osborne during his time with the Montserrat Jaycees and Montserrat Festival Committee. “He was extremely practical and people-focused.”

Although Osborne’s homegoing was not an official state funeral, it was adorned with reverence. Montserrat Governor Her Excellency Sarah Tucker, Premier Joseph Farrell and several other politicians attended. Radio Montserrat broadcast the service live, and several businesses closed for the day as a sign of respect, including M.S. Osborne Ltd., Montserrat Utilities Ltd., Montserrat Building Society and Montserrat National Trust – all companies with Osborne’s imprint.

Video screenshot
Family members and friends celebrate the life of Cedric Osborne.
Video screenshot
Andrew Arthurton delivers the eulogy for Cedric Osborne.

TRIBUTE TO A TITAN

The service began with a poignant but upbeat eulogy from Andrew Arthurton, Osborne’s “honorary” son.

“I must begin with a disclaimer,” he said. “Uncle Cedric is not my real uncle. But my family and the Osborne family have been connected for almost a century. My grandfather Jim Nanton worked at M.S. Osborne for 60 faithful years.”

Arthurton recalled his close relationship with Osborne, their humorous repartee and joke telling, and Osborne’s booming laugh and catchphrase, “Nutten tarl go so!” He also recounted Osborne’s extensive civic involvement and dedication as a family man. He shared a quote from Osborne’s children.

“As a dad he was a man of few words. He wasn’t one to provide life advice but rather communicated through action. Through example he taught us the value and importance of hard work, service to others, integrity, respect, and a good sense of humor.”

Other than the eulogy there were no spoken tributes during the service. As one family member explained: “If we did that, the service would never end.” Instead, tributes were included in the funeral booklet. There was also no interment as Osborne’s remains will be cremated and a private ceremony will be held at a later date.

Courtesy Osborne family
M.S. Osborne and wife Sylvia with their children, from left, Cedric, Veda, Kathleen and Bertrand (Sonny), circa 1948.

NATIVE SON

Cedric Rawnsley Osborne was the second of four children born to business mogul M.S. (Michael Symon) Osborne, a Montserratian, and his wife Sylvia Blanchard-Osborne, a native of Dominica. Cedric’s elder brother Bertrand also became a successful businessman and politician who served as Montserrat’s Chief Minister.

Cedric grew up on Town Hill, about a half-mile from the now-buried capital of Plymouth. Cedric and his siblings were home-schooled in their early years. He later attended the Prep School for Grammar School, which was located on Town Hill at the time, and the Montserrat Secondary School. During a 2022 interview Osborne admitted that he wasn’t the best student and said his mother would get upset because he struggled with spelling. Bertrand went on to study business in Canada, but Cedric did not leave the island for further education.

“I have no idea what the inside of a university looks like,” he once said with a smile. However, Cedric took courses in Architectural Drawing, his passion.

Cedric possessed common sense and business savvy. In 1954 at age 18 he was tapped by his father to take over as manager of Bata Shoe Store (M.S. Osborne Ltd. was the local agent). He understudied for a while with the outgoing manager, Moses “Brother” Tuitt – who migrated to England – then took charge.

A classic postcard shows the Vue Pointe Hotel in the early years.

FROM BATA TO VUE POINTE

Cedric managed Bata from 1955 until 1967, the year his father died suddenly while on duty at the Vue Pointe Hotel. Bertrand and Cedric assumed control of the Osborne companies, with Bertrand managing the operation in town and Cedric taking over at the Vue Pointe.

When the Vue Pointe was built in 1961 it coincided perfectly with Montserrat’s real estate boom. Property investors arrived from the United States, Canada and Britain, and many lodged at the Vue Pointe while conducting business. That helped to build the hotel’s clientele, and many of the guests became repeat customers.

Cedric implemented creative ideas that helped turn Vue Pointe into Montserrat’s marquee tourist hub. The 28 cottages already made Vue Pointe unique, and the hotel later added a secondary bar and restaurant near Old Road Bay called “The Nest.” Wednesday nights were barbeque night, and the entertainment was top-notch. Steel pan music became a staple and folk singer Ivan Browne was a resident figure.

“Cedric was the perfect host,” said John Wilson, a longtime Plymouth businessman and former government minister who knew Cedric since they were boys on Town Hill. “He didn’t have any formal training. It was just his natural character. He was very embracing and humorous, a real people’s man. Come to think of it, I don’t know how he never went into politics.”

Vue Pointe also became a prestigious place to work. Osborne employed hundreds of Montserratians during his tenure – many of them just out of school – and even allowed some to reside at the hotel. “That way we made sure they showed up to work on time,” he once said laughing. He arranged transportation for those who lived far from the hotel and also sponsored several workers to travel around the region for formal training in bartending and culinary arts.

Basil Morgan, Montserrat’s first international umpire, worked at Vue Pointe for eight years, starting in 1968. He said Osborne was a terrific boss who treated his employees well – even after they no longer worked at Vue Pointe.

“He was a true humanitarian,” Morgan said. “He loved people. I recall in 1972 I was playing for the Montserrat cricket team and he and Bertrand paid my way so I could attend a match in Barbados between West Indies and New Zealand. I got to see Garry Sobers hit a century.”

Incidentally, Cedric – who was a big cricket fan – was born on the exact day (July 28, 1936) as Sobers, widely considered the greatest cricketer of all time.

Courtesy Osborne family
Cedric and Carol Osborne on their wedding day in 1972.

“SHE HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME”

In 1972, Osborne married Carol Hillberg Shea, a native of Massachusetts, USA, whom he met three years earlier. “She was visiting Montserrat and wanted to go to a Catholic church,” Cedric said during an interview. “That’s how we met.”

Cedric and Carol raised five children: Heidi, Michael, Amanda, Leona and Carl. Carol also became an integral partner in the operation of the Vue Pointe Hotel and M.S. Osborne Ltd.

During an interview in 2022, Cedric was asked if he could relive one day, which would it be. “The day I married Carol,” he said. “She has been very good to me.”

In later years when Cedric’s health began to deteriorate, Carol became his caretaker and protector. She said that despite his ailments he never lost his trademark humor.

In fact, humor has been a main component of Cedric’s life, and for many years he was the most sought-after MC in Montserrat. He hosted queen shows, church events, school concerts and much more. He was a consummate showman, often dressing in polyester suits and bright colors.

“It got to the point that when I went on stage people would start laughing before I even opened my mouth,” he once said.

His community service reads like a dream curriculum vitae: Member of Boy Scouts; president of Montserrat Jaycees; founding member and twice president of Montserrat Rotary Club (District 7030); chairman of Montserrat Building Society; Life Member and Board Member of Montserrat National Trust; director of Montserrat Electricity Services; member of Montserrat Chamber of Commerce. He was also a staunch member of the Catholic Church, Chairman of the church’s Finance and Building Committee and Eucharistic Minister for more than 30 years.

“I think my journey of volunteerism stems from my upbringing and my Christian background,” he once said.

Courtesy Osborne family
Cedric Osborne, right, receives his O.B.E. from Montserrat Governor Adrian Davis in 2013.

TRUE MONTSERRATIAN

A standing-room-only crowd of more than 300 packed the St. Patrick’s church to bid goodbye to Osborne. The mourners traveled from around the Caribbean, the United States and England. They included Osborne’s sister Kathleen and her family from Trinidad, his sister Veda’s family from St. Lucia, cousins from Dominica and Antigua, and longtime friends such as Pam and Percy Arthurton, who live in Antigua.

Osborne’s casket was draped with the Montserrat madras, and during the eulogy Arthurton revealed an interesting fact about Osborne’s fidelity to his home country.

“He never attained another passport other than a Montserrat passport, even though he married an American citizen and Auntie Carol was the U.S. Embassy representative in Montserrat,” he said.

The man who delivered a lifetime of service to Montserrat was reciprocated with a sterling homegoing service. For the final time, he hosted a captive audience. And just like his days as Master of Ceremonies there was applause, laughter and an abundance of love. Cedric Osborne, who once managed a luxury hotel, now resides in the Upper Room.

Famous employees

Prominent Montserratians who worked at Vue Pointe:
Reuben T. Meade, two-time Premier
Tappy Morgan, chef
Joseph "JD" Williams, chef, baker & caterer
Winston "Young Warrior" Christopher, calypso king
Basil Morgan, cricket umpire
Jerry Jarvis, evangelist
Ishmael "Cutter" Skerritt, calypso king
Wilston "Pickett" Johnson, businessman

Rhadyo (The Lost Interview: 2012)

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
3

So long to the Swordman: Wallace “Rhadyo” Fenton, former Montserrat calypsonian and teacher, dies at 67

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
0
Rhadyo is pictured during an interview on August 29, 2012 in Davy Hill, Montserrat.

Wallace “Rhadyo” Fenton, who crafted a memorable career as a calypsonian and teacher before mental struggles derailed his journey, died Thursday, August 15, 2024. Rhadyo, 67, was found unresponsive in his one-bedroom apartment at the Warden Assisted living facility in Lookout, Montserrat.    

“I saw some pictures of him recently and could tell he wasn’t well,” said elder brother Kenneth “Fisher” Fenton, who lives in London. “So I wasn’t shocked to hear that he passed away. But now that it’s happened I can’t accept it.”

Although Rhadyo never won the crown, he left an undeniable imprint on Montserrat calypso, notably with the classic song Swordman, released in 1979. It tells the story of a warrior who was “sent forth” as a protector of justice. The abstract narrative and sublime arrangement – accentuated by jabbing horns – have kept the song in the mainstream for four decades, with calypso experts and regular fans alike constantly debating about the song’s “true” meaning.

News of Rhadyo’s death elicited an outpouring of condolences on social media and stunned calypso enthusiasts, his former students, present and former residents of St. John’s Village and Montserratians at large. Kelvin “Tabu” Duberry, Rhadyo’s cousin and former protégé, received the news while in London working on a reggae album.

“I grew up watching him craft his lyrics,” Tabu said. “He is and will always be my teacher. He came to deliver a message. He came to educate, agitate but never violated.”

UNIQUE JOURNEY

James Wallace Fenton was born September 24, 1956 in London. Shortly before his 2nd birthday he was brought to Montserrat by his mother and grew up in St. John’s Village, just across from the venerable Anglican Church. It was there that his love of calypso blossomed. Two of his brothers – Fisher and John “Black Prince” O’Garro – sang calypso. His neighbors included Tabu, Montserrat’s calypso champion in 1991, and Kenneth “Rabo” Silcott, the 2017 monarch. Just down the street lived Everton “Reality” Weekes, a five-time Montserrat calypso champion.

“Rhadyo and I grew up together,” said Reality, who now lives in the United States. “We went to river, we did everything. If we had only one sweeties [candy] we would break it in half and share. He was the first one who encouraged me to sing calypso and urged me to enter a competition at St. John’s School.”

Reality said he and Rhadyo were also opening batsmen for the St. John’s cricket team. He said even during their teen years Rhadyo’s unique behavior showed that his mind was on a different realm.

“He was a brilliant batsman but he scored very slowly,” Reality said. “I would be on 50 runs and he would have 5. I would say to him, ‘Why aren’t you scoring?’ He would say, ‘I’m trying to hit a six by just using a couple of my fingers.’ Some people might see that as being weird. But he was just different . . . and I understood him.”

This photo appeared in the Montserrat Mirror newspaper on December 22, 1979 as part of a preview for the calypso finals.

‘MOON MAN’

Rhadyo attended St. John’s Primary School. He did not attend the Montserrat Secondary School, however in 1972 he was among the first group of students enrolled at the new Technical College built next to MSS in Plymouth. Rhadyo later attended Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in St. Lucia on a government scholarship. Upon his return he taught at the Junior Secondary schools in Salem and Dagenham, mainly Woodwork and Mathematics.

During an interview in 2012, Rhadyo said his interest in calypso began at around age 12. At 14 he wrote his first song, Moon Man, about the historic lunar landing in 1969.

Rhadyo’s first calypso name was “Thunderboy” – given to him by his brother Fisher. But by the time he entered the Festival calypso competition in 1976, he was known as Rhadyo. His reasoning was unusual to say the least. After undergoing an appendectomy, he decided to change his name because, according to Fisher, Rhadyo said: “You can’t operate on thunder . . . but you can operate a radio.”

There was already a famous calypsonian from Barbados named Lord Radio, so Rhadyo adopted the unique spelling of “Rhadyo” for his new nickname, Fisher said.

MYSTIC MAN

Rhadyo also developed an interest in mysticism and was influenced by the writings of Lobsang Rampa, whose most famous publication, The Third Eye, was published in 1956, the year Rhadyo was born. Rhadyo also practiced yoga and the meditative method of staring at the sun, sometimes as long as an hour at a time.

Upon launching his calypso career, he embarked on a series of songs that included “Man” in the title.

“I took it from the Bible and the Ten Commandments of man but not necessarily following the Christianity part,” Rhadyo explained in 2012. “I arrived at seven but couldn’t go any further.”

In order, the songs were: Camera Man, Preacher Man, Inspired Man, Swordman, Son of Man, Why Man and That Man. Rhadyo didn’t place in the Top 3 in his debut in ’76, and in 1977 he failed to reach the finals. In ’78 he tied for first runner-up as he sang Inspired Man and I’m Back.

In 1979 he released Swordman, which became his signature song. Swordman was featured on the album Festival Hits, Volume I, which was recorded at Air Studios and released in 1980. It was the first calypso compilation album in Montserrat history and sold well locally and in the diaspora, giving crucial exposure to Swordman. Ironically, Rhadyo said Swordman is not the favorite of his songs. “I like Son of Man,” he said in 2012. “I like the arrangement.”

Fisher added: “People say he was way ahead of his time. I would have to be on a certain celestial plane to understand where he was coming from sometimes. My favorite song by him was not Swordman, it was Inspired Man. I could relate to that one.”

Photo courtesy Kenneth “Rabo” Silcott
Rhadyo at John A. Osborne Airport before a trip to Antigua for an eye exam in 2022.

SETBACKS AND COMEBACK

As a teacher, Rhadyo was popular with his students due to his unique and unorthodox methods. He would educate them about proper diet and which foods to avoid. In between classes he would venture into the assembly hall and play the piano.

“He was a very generous guy,” said Dave Kirwan, who attended Salem Junior Secondary from 1982 to 1985. “He would buy us lunch if we didn’t have any money. He was a very cool teacher. The same way he wrote his calypsoes was the way he dictated the notes in class.”

Dr. Carol Tuitt was a fellow teacher with Rhadyo at the Junior Secondary School in Dagenham. “I remember we had a calypso competition one year and he worked with some of the kids to help them prepare,” she said.

Sadly, around this time in the early 1980s, Rhadyo’s erratic behavior began to surface.

“Sometimes he would come to class and not say anything to us,” Kirwan said. “Then the next week he would be fine. Then he would be gone for a couple weeks and when he came back he was fine. Then it got worse.”

By 1985, Rhadyo had devolved into a mental abyss. He returned to the calypso finals in 1986 with the catchy Sugar Dooshie but never reached the finals again. In the subsequent years he became detached, unkempt and spiraled into sporadic vagrancy. He also became a patient of the mental health unit.

“I cried when they gave him an injection that messed up his whole life,” said Tabu, a gifted artist and former cricketer who followed Rhadyo’s lead and became a calypsonian and teacher.

Photo courtesy Jerry Jarvis
Rhadyo, center, with longtime friends Kenneth “Rabo” Silcott, left, and Jerry Jarvis in 2016.

During Festival 2002, a “Top 40 show” was organized to showcase artists whose compositions were selected by the public as one of the 40 top hits released since Festival began in 1962. Dr. Tuitt, Rhadyo’s former colleague and longtime friend, convinced him to participate. Fans went into a frenzy when he made an appearance and performed Swordman at Festival City in Little Bay (video below). It was his first time on stage in more than a decade. Spectators ran to the front of the stage and gave him money. A few went onstage and danced along as he sang. Others simply wept.

“He was unique and gifted,” said Cecil “Cepeke” Lake, a three-time Montserrat calypso monarch who competed against Rhadyo in the 1986 calypso finals. “He was a strange guy of a different cosmo.”

Tabu said he doesn’t plan to mourn Rhadyo’s passing because he considers his mentor immortal. “He can never die,” Tabu declared. “He can never leave my spirit.”

During the final years of his life, Rhadyo lived for a time in Davy Hill, then was relocated to the Warden Assisted facility in Lookout. He battled eyesight problems but was still lucid and sociable with fellow residents, although reclusive at times. When his good friend Rabo got the call that Rhadyo was non-responsive he rushed to the facility.

“When I saw him lying on the floor he looked like he was sleeping. In fact I told the doctor to check if he was still breathing because I thought I saw his chest moving. But I think that was just hope on my part. Rhadyo was a calm, reliable and peaceful soul. He lived peacefully . . . and he died peacefully.”

Photo courtesy Kenneth “Rabo” Silcott
Rhadyo at his apartment in Lookout Village.

WATCH RHADYO’S EMOTIONAL COMEBACK PERFORMANCE IN 2002

Video courtesy Randy Greenaway
Rhadyo sings “Swordman” during his comeback performance December 23, 2002.

Rhadyo's discography

Some of Rhadyo's songs during his calypso career.
Camera Man (1976)Teachers (1976)
Preacher Man (1977)Sharpen Me Pencil (1977)
Inspired Man (1978)I'm Back (1978)
Swordman (1979)The Mind (1979)
Fifilo (1979) Son of Man (1980)
Monopoly (1980)Come on Down (1981)
Yow Yow (1981)Chee Wee (1981)
Sugar Dooshie (1986)Sweet Sweet Music (1988)

RELATED STORIES

Wallace “Rhadyo” Fenton: The Lost Interview (2012)

Little Drummer Boy: The talented and turbulent life of Lord Alfredo

Mighty Fisher still haunted by close calypso losses in Montserrat

11,000 miles from Montserrat, cricket player Damion Williams salvages his career and becomes a champion

By
NIANNA C. ST. CLAIRE
-
2
All photos courtesy Damion Williams
Damion Williams with trophies after helping North Kalgoorlie win the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association title.

In April of 2021 – 14 years after his debut with the Montserrat national cricket team – Damion Williams was finally selected to the Leeward Islands squad at age 29. He was honored to get a chance to play first-class cricket and represent his country. He excelled in the trial matches, but when the starting 11 was chosen for the West Indies Championships, he was nowhere to be seen. He languished for two years on the Leewards bench. For 18 of those 24 months he was on no-pay leave from his job as a quantity surveyor with the government of Montserrat.

On February 1, 2023, Leewards prepared to play in the West Indies Championships. Damion was again left out of the starting lineup. Eager to play, he left the squad briefly to play for Montserrat in the Leeward Islands tournament, which was making a return after missing three years due to COVID. Damion’s participation was unfortunately short-lived. On Friday, February 24, 2023, he sustained an ankle injury during the second match against Antigua in St. Kitts. A scan revealed five blood clots in his leg. Though normally a scary diagnosis, these clots were thankfully isolated and immobile.

“They were sports blood clots, not the kind that can kill you,” said Williams, who was treated by a cricket doctor and radiologist in St. Kitts, then continued his rehab in Montserrat. “I remember doing a lot of ultrasounds and strength work with a resistance band. I wanted to get back to the Leewards team before the end of the West Indies Championship.”

Williams worked tirelessly with a trainer but could not recover in time. His season was over, and now he was pondering about his future. Williams fully recovered in August. Now 31 – an age when most fast bowlers are either retired or winding down their careers – Damion was at a crossroads. He knew he still had much to offer on the cricket field. After much deliberation he finally accepted an offer that he had declined three years earlier: playing in Australia.

“I was originally offered a gig in Australia in September of 2020 but I turned them down,” Williams says. “Why? Australia is about 45 hours travel. Plus I heard about deadly snakes and deadly spiders down there.”

It also didn’t help that the offer came amid the height of COVID-19.

CHANCE ENCOUNTER

So how did a small cricket club in Western Australia find out about an unheralded fast bowler from Montserrat?

While playing in England from 2019 to 2021, Williams caught the attention of recruiter and former player Paul Carrick. “I didn’t know who he was,” Williams says. “He was just following my journey. You never know who’s watching or following your success.”

Carrick’s good friend and former teammate is Andrew Zafer, president of North Kalgoorlie Cricket Club. Carrick assists Zafer in recruiting players. Carrick contacted Williams in August of 2023. This time the Montserrat paceman accepted and joined North Kalgoorlie’s team for the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association’s A-grade season that began October 19, 2023.

His six-month stay Down Under would not only revive his cricketing career, it would provide him with a steady income. It would also climax with a championship, bringing some vindication to an athlete who grew up in a “cricketing fraternity” in Montserrat.

Damion, age 6

A UNIQUE START

Damion Travis Adolphus Williams was born in Harris Village, well-known for producing some of Montserrat’s best cricketers – including first-class players Jim Allen, George Allen, Lennox Cooper, Fitzroy Buffonge and Davon Williams – and Montserrat’s only international umpire, Basil Morgan.

“It was in the blood . . . everybody from my village played sports,” Williams says proudly.

After the Soufriere Hills volcano forced residents in the East to evacuate in 1997, Williams and his mother relocated to Cork Hill, then Antigua. They returned to Montserrat and lived in Lookout, which Williams considers his childhood home.

Williams made his debut for the Montserrat national team in 2007 while also playing on the Under-15 team. He also represented Montserrat’s Under-17 and Under-19 teams and played for the Leeward Islands’ Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 squads, serving as vice captain for the Under-17 team. From 2019 to 2021 he played in England for Ticknall Cricket Club and the second teams for Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, including in the second team championship for Northamptonshire.

His stellar play in the UK led to his selection by Leewards in 2021. However, Williams soon realized that being from Montserrat meant he had a narrow margin for error. The Leewards management is dominated by members from Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis.

“I got the most wickets in trials as a fast bowler and I still wasn’t selected,” Williams said. “Montserrat is like a dot on the map even when compared to other Leeward Islands. We don’t have a lot of people to stand up for us.”

During his two years with Leewards, Williams says he missed out on selection for 11 matches – six four-day matches and five one-day games. His only time on the field was spent being an emergency fielder. He was even brought to tears after being snubbed for a match against Trinidad & Tobago on February 8-11, 2023, in Antigua. He looked on in dismay – knowing he could have helped – as T&T pummeled the Leewards bowlers.

Damion Williams with the Leeward Islands Under-15 team in 2007. His teammates included future West Indies team players Rahkeem Cornwall and Hayden Walsh Jr.

ON TOP DOWN UNDER

Williams’ decision to play in Australia was three years in the making. The actual journey Down Under also proved arduously long. It commenced with a three-hour flight from Antigua to Miami, followed by a five-hour stretch to Los Angeles. From there, the voyage extended to Sydney, spanning a grueling 16 hours, before proceeding to Perth, an additional five-hour leg, and finally culminating with the last hour’s journey to Kalgoorlie. Throughout the expedition, sleep and contact with his family and friends via What’s App provided solace.

Upon arrival in Australia, Williams says he was jet-lagged for a month. It took a while to adjust to the time zone and the punishing heat. During one match Williams had to be awakened when it was his turn to bat.

“I got to Australia October 14th or 15th and our first match was October 19. The Caribbean is not even 25 percent as hot as Australia. The air was light. Everybody was like, ‘How come you say you’re a fast bowler and you’re bowling so slow?’ The second game I got four wickets for 17 runs and we bowled out a team for 36 runs.”

North Kalgoorlie advanced to the championship match March 23 against Great Boulder. Williams claimed a wicket with his first delivery but says he didn’t have a great match overall and was battling personal issues. His team still prevailed, and Williams and teammates were celebrated by the locals and featured prominently in the newspaper.

During his time in Kalgoorlie, Williams was provided with room and board, and when the team found out he was a quantity surveyor, they helped him get a job with the local government as a project officer. He would work Monday to Friday, train on Tuesdays and Thursdays and play cricket on Saturdays.

Damion Williams delivers the ball while playing for North Kalgoorlie during the 2023-24 season. He took 35 wickets in 22 matches.

His performance on the field was a major boost for North Kalgoorlie, a club that has existed since 1948. In 22 matches, Williams took 35 wickets at an excellent average of 12.77. Two months into the 2023 season, he received a new contract to return for 2024.

Williams is only the second Montserratian to play in Australia following Jim Allen, who played in World Series Cricket (Kerry Packer) from 1977 to ’79.

Despite being the team’s only black player, Williams says he didn’t experience even a hint of racism during his six months there.

“Everybody treated everybody equally. I was treated really lovely. I was recognized a lot. People would want to attend to me in stores and I don’t even know them. People would come up to me and be like, ‘I know you. You’re always in the newspaper.’ People would be in a bar, don’t even know you and be like, ‘Hey mate, come over, have a drink with us.’ It was a nice area that reminded me about the Caribbean.”

Williams says a major culture shock was players “touching each other on the bum” as a means to celebrate. He also discovered that persons are not allowed to drive after two or three beers.

While in Australia, Williams had the opportunity to visit various locations, including the 400-hectare Kings Park, and the Perth Zoo, where he saw an elephant for the first time. He also saw more kangaroos than he can remember. “In Australia they have more kangaroos than people,” he says. “A kangaroo is basically like a chicken in Montserrat.”

Damion Williams and teammates celebrate after winning the championship March 23, 2024.
Damion with Kalgoorlie CC president Andrew Zafer.

I was treated really lovely. People would come up to me and be like, ‘I know you. You’re always in the newspaper.’ People would be in a bar, don’t even know you and be like, ‘Hey mate, come over, have a drink with us.’

– Damion Williams

PAYING IT FORWARD

Fast bowling is a demanding position that piles up cricket mileage quickly. But with more than 17 years immersed in cricket, Williams declares: “Age is in the mind. You can achieve whatever you want. England fast bowler Jimmy Anderson is over 40 and still playing. If you train hard, your mind stays young, and if you think positive, your body is just going to respond to that positive mindset.”

That said, he knows every career has a shelf life. Williams says his focus has shifted away from the Leeward Islands team. Whereas at one time every player wanted to represented their country, cricket has become a global and lucrative venture. Patriotism is not an accepted form of legal tender. Cricket is a business.

Williams now wants to see young Montserratians also get an opportunity on the global stage.

“My goal right now is to bring other Montserratians with me and boost their career,” he says. “My career is finishing. Montserrat is small, so you would want the youth coming after you to explore things that you never did and showcase their talent.”

The Montserrat national team has not played since February of 2023 and there is no indication when the Leeward Islands tournament will resume. Williams’ commitment to helping the youth in Montserrat can be seen through his involvement with two young rising cricketers: Jemol Williams and Zawandi White. He hopes both can achieve success on the field and generate revenue while still in their prime.

“Even when our players get selected to Leewards they’re not getting in the game,” Williams says. “We have to recognize that there’s life outside the Caribbean. There’s more money to be made outside the Caribbean, especially when you convert the foreign currency.”

In the meantime, Williams says he “can’t wait” to return to Australia, a country that gave his cricket career new life and provided him with a livelihood.

“Those two years with Leewards were the most hurtful and disappointing of my career. Not only did I get fight from Leeward Islands, Montserrat also turned their back on me when they made me take no-pay leave to go play for my own country. I had to rely on sponsors from all over the world. I know they don’t want their names called, but God bless them wherever they are.”

Damion Williams poses with gorilla statue at the Perth Zoo in Australia.

Montserrat’s Vickie Locker to compete in national election, adding to an interesting and diverse life story

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
2
Pundit, politician, performer. Montserrat's Vickie Locker has been a vessel of versatility.

Friday nights have become a ritual for Vickie Locker. At 8:30 p.m., when many folks are slipping out of their homes to ring in the weekend in style, Vickie is slipping into a “Superwoman” costume. The spare bedroom in her home in Dyer Piece, Montserrat, now serves as a mini-studio. She goes through her checklist. Sunglasses, check! Bottle of room-temperature drinking water, check! Proper lighting, check! She assures that she has sufficient phone data in case a power outage interrupts her Wi-Fi connection. Finally, she positions her Android phone on an old speaker. One by one, her fans start checking in to her Facebook page. At 9 p.m., it’s showtime! Soca music blares as Vickie appears on screen, her arms raised and fists clenched as she sways to the rhythm.

Since 2020, Vickie has been entertaining, engaging and even enraging members of the public as she addresses hot topics in Montserrat via her weekly live stream. What began with a few dozen followers has mushroomed to hundreds, mostly in the diaspora. They tune in to laugh, learn and lament about news on the Emerald Isle, and Vickie has been an eager host, injecting personal experiences while using self-deprecating and even bawdy humor to punctuate her point. Call it melee with a message.

During her show, Vickie often declares that she has multiple personalities. It’s not meant to be taken literally, she says. But this much is certain: she is multi-skilled. Vickie, a mother of two and grandmother of two, has been an athlete, coach, actress, foster parent, calypsonian, entrepreneur, social-media influencer, roving reporter, and more. She has also become a prolific farmer. Throughout her 49 years, she has demonstrated an ability to shift gears and adapt to new disciplines. Along the way she has challenged the status quo and displayed a steely determination.

And now, the woman who answers to the nickname “Storm” wants to bring a wind of change to Montserrat politics. On January 23, 2024, Vickie announced that she will contest this year’s national election. Although she’s currently employed as office administrator for the opposition, Vickie plans to run as an independent candidate. Her platform has a common theme: Change.

“I want to see a Montserrat where everybody is living comfortable and nobody is having to run to England or America for greener grass,” she says. “We can have that greener grass right here in Montserrat. I want to elevate the poor people. I want to lift the morale of the people. Better people bring a better country.”

Vickie acknowledges that her quest will require not only a change of policies but a change of mindsets, the latter being the more challenging. But she’s optimistic.

“I don’t give up because of failure. If you keep going, people will see your determination and someone will follow you. Yes, I will find a lot of opposition and a lot of rocks in the road that I can’t move. But you can go around them.”

EVENTFUL CHILDHOOD

Vickie has been dodging rocks for most of her life. She has also learned to conquer them. While growing up in the Amersham section of Town Hill she witnessed the value of hard work as she assisted her mother, Hazel Locker, who once crushed rocks for a living. Vickie’s childhood was filled with cultural enrichment but also had its share of turmoil.

“I saw a lot of abuse and trauma in my house,” she says. “But I think it’s a strength that God has blessed me with – to go through adversity and not have it affect me.”

Vickie says that if anything it has taught her compassion. “I’ve never abused my children or grandchildren. I’ve done foster-caring, I love animals, I love pets. I visit the prison every week and take them fruits.”

Vickie was a Daddy’s girl. Her father, Joseph O’Garro – nicknamed “Rice Na Pocket” – was a police officer. He took Vickie with him wherever he went, and her attachment to him was unmistakable.

“When I was about 4 years old I was in a troupe at Sturge Park,” Vickie says. “While I was on stage I looked in the crowd and I could not find my father. I walked off the stage, left the park, walked past the cemetery and went all the way to the police station in town looking for him.”

Vickie says the time she spent with her father was crucial to her development. She listened to his mature conversations with his male friends, studied their actions, and attained a perspective that helped shed her naiveté.

A teenage Vickie.

Vickie first attended the Cloverdale School in Town Hill, then Plymouth Primary (Maple Leaf) and later the Montserrat Secondary School. She was a stellar student, especially in Mathematics, and a terrific athlete.

“I played volleyball, cricket, basketball and ran track and field,” she says. “I won a lot of medals. I won the high jump, and my best event was the 100 meters. The one sport I didn’t play was netball. For some reason I never liked it.”

At age 11, Vickie’s life took a significant turn. She was adopted by her aunt – her mother’s eldest sister, who lived in Toronto. As part of the adoption process, Vickie’s surname was legally changed from Locker to Stephenson, which was her aunt’s married name. To this day, Vickie still uses Locker but must use her “government” name Stephenson for formal and business purposes.

Upon migrating to Canada in 1986, Vickie soon encountered culture shock. Her adopted parents were caring but strict and deeply religious, and Vickie faced many restrictions, including being forbidden to wear jewelry. The freezing weather was also punishing. With her home life rigid and the climate frigid, Vickie returned to Montserrat in 1989.

“I missed my mother. I missed my siblings. I was in a home that didn’t have any kids. My adopted parents loved me, but it’s not the same as a mother’s touch.”

Vickie, now 15 and a blossoming young woman, soon struggled to re-adjust in Montserrat as well. “There were a lot of older men who wanted to [date] me at a young age. I didn’t like it, and my mother didn’t like it. I saw several of my schoolmates getting pregnant. It felt like there were a lot of predators in Montserrat. My mom and I decided that it’s best that I go back to Canada and continue my education. So I went back in 1991.”

Vickie moved in with her elder brother in Toronto. She attended C.W. Jefferys High School in Toronto, where she played shooting guard on the basketball team. She later attended community college. But in between her accomplishments, she experienced profound adversity, including brief homelessness. At one point she was disconnected from her entire family for more than a year. “They probably thought I had died.”

Vickie says that at 17 she was basically on her own. “At one point I was in a shelter. I saw a lot of things on the street, people using drugs around me. Going through that experience let me know that I was mentally strong.”

She eventually reconnected with family after a chance meeting in downtown Toronto with a Montserratian who recognized her from back home and told Vickie that her mother is desperately looking for her.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

Vickie remained in Canada until 2002, when she returned to Montserrat for her father’s funeral. By this time, she was now a mother of two – her son Terrence, who was born in 1994, and daughter Taijah (2001). During her visit back home, she made an observation.

“There was no nightlife in Montserrat, no place to go and watch movies. When I was in Canada I had a part-time job working with Blockbuster Video. One of their stores was closing down and selling out all their videos. I bought a whole bunch of them. I had a lot of videos in Canada, VHS and a lot of DVDs. So I shipped them to Montserrat.”

Vickie built a small shop near the family home in St. John’s and opened a video rental business. She charged $10 for a two-day rental ($2 extra for late returns). At the time, it was the only business in Montserrat that rented videos exclusively.

“I became the hottest thing on the market. I even put up a board [screen] and people would come by and watch movies. Young people came by to hang out and play dominoes. I even had people working for me.”

Vickie’s venture not only proved popular but lucrative. “I was able to buy my house after that. I bought a car.”

Vickie also had a regular job, with Monair Travel. She worked at John A. Osborne Airport, where she would check in departing passengers. When airplanes arrived, Vickie would often be the first person passengers saw before disembarking. She would walk to the tarmac, secure the plane’s propeller blade with a strap, and collect the flight manifest from the pilot.

Vickie in front of her video store in St. John’s.

CALYPSO CALLING

In 2006, with her video business flourishing, Vickie – on a dare – ventured into a field that would bring her the most recognition: Calypso.

“Someone bet me that I couldn’t go on stage and sing,” she says. “So I did it, I won the bet, and I haven’t stopped singing since then.”

Vickie registered for the Festival calypso competition. She also entered the inaugural Euphony Vibes Female Calypso Show. Singing as “Vee Breeze” she performed Festival Fever and On Your Own, finishing fourth out of 10 competitors. In 2007, with new writer Keithroy “De Bear” Morson on board, Vickie reinvented herself, changing her calypso name to “Storm” (“I felt like I was now stronger than a breeze”). Vickie dethroned Silvina “Khandie” Malone to claim the Female crown. She would also win in 2008 and 2010 (there was no local female show in 2009).

WATCH VICKIE’S CALYPSO DEBUT (2006)

Vickie worked hard at her craft and could be often heard by neighbors in St. John’s rehearsing for hours on end. She also developed a reputation for creative stage presentations. During her performance of On The Road To Good Health in 2008, she distributed fresh coconut water to members of the audience. For Talk Talk Talk in 2010, her presentation featured then Chief Minister Reuben T. Meade, who was a good sport considering the topic centered on politicians’ broken promises.

Vickie has also achieved some historical marks, including being the first winner of the annual William “Ruler” Murrain Crowd Favorite Award (2007) and the first to represent Montserrat in the popular Regional Women’s Calypso Competition (2011).

Photo courtesy ZJB Spirit of Montserrat
Vickie sings “Talk Talk Talk” during the Calypso Finals in 2010 as Chief Minister Reuben T. Meade, left, reacts to her lyrics.

“When I first started singing calypso, it was frowned upon by my family because we are staunch Adventists,” Vickie says. “But eventually they used to tell me things like, ‘Vickie, I like that song! That one sounds good!’ So I actually helped to create some [religious] leniency in my family.”

Both of Vickie’s children have competed in junior calypso, with Taijah winning the competition during St. Patrick’s Week in 2014.

In recent years, Vickie has struggled to recapture the magic from the early part of her calypso career. During the years in which she has failed to advance in the competition, she has taken on the role of pundit, providing live commentary on Facebook during the calypso finals and drawing hundreds of followers.

Photo courtesy ZJB Spirit of Montserrat
Vickie wins the local female calypso competition for a third time on December 21, 2010 at the Montserrat Cultural Center. From left are fellow competitors Maxcine Lee, Joy “Dynamite” Williams and Maggie Destouche.

UPSETTING THE APPLE CART

Calypso has taken a subordinate role in Vickie’s life as she focuses on her fledgling political career, which actually began in 2019. That year, Vickie was a senior clerical officer within the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and Environment. She wanted to contest the national election, but, per policy, she would first have to resign her post.

Vickie wanted assurance that she could return to her job if she failed to earn a seat in the legislature. But there were no guarantees. She also did not agree with restrictions on free speech for civil servants.

“To be able to serve your country you should not have to give up your livelihood,” she says. “They say you’re free to run for office, but you’re not really free, because you have to give up something. It’s like a slavery type of mentality.”

So Vickie mounted a legal challenge. With attorney Warren Cassell leading the charge, she took her grievance to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Montserrat Reporter archives
Vickie’s challenge to the election guidelines regarding civil servants was chronicled in the local newspaper.

READ THE CASE FILE OF VICKIE STEPHENSON VS. DEPUTY GOVERNOR LYNDELL SIMPSON

It was an interesting and groundbreaking case for Montserrat. Cassell made several compelling arguments on Vickie’s behalf, but in the end the challenge was unsuccessful. On November 6, 2019, the judge issued a protracted opinion. In part, he stated that running for public office should be taken as a serious venture, and if civil servants are assured they will retain their positions if they fail, many would simply “have a go” – creating a frivolous environment.

Vickie now faced a dilemma: resign and run for office, or postpone her political aspirations. She chose the latter. Although she lost the case, she shed light on what had been a controversial issue for years, and she was commended in many circles for her courage. Had she won that case, she would have gone down in Montserrat history as a pioneer.

“I was disappointed, but you just have to keep moving,” she says. “I fought for people to be free. I think Warren did his best but these court cases need more in-depth work. A lot of the laws and rules in the Constitution stem from slavery times. If you look at other islands, civil servants are not disgruntled. They’re making money and they’re happy because they changed a lot of their laws.”

On January 13, 2021, Vickie finally contested an election. She ran for president of the Montserrat Civil Service Association. However, she could not unseat incumbent Nyota Mulcare. Vickie lost, 147 votes to 47.

BACK IN THE TRENCHES

Three years later, Vickie is no longer a civil servant and now free to contest the national election. She has assembled a team and also outlined a series of policies she would like to see implemented. Her ideas have a distinct nationalist theme.

“One of the first things I would like to see is the minimum wage increase from $1,800 to $3,000. That will let Montserratians know we want them to stay. It’s not an incentive . . . it’s a necessity. Right now, it’s hard to make money, it’s hard to save money. I have no problem with people coming in from other countries. They help build the economy and they pay taxes. But I would like us to bring back more of the indigenous Montserratians. I would also like to see Montserratians in the diaspora being able to vote in our elections. That will give them a sense of inclusion and make them feel connected to Montserrat and want to come back.”

As for her political prospects, recent history in Montserrat elections has revealed that party affiliation is powerful. Most independent candidates have failed to earn one of the nine coveted seats. But Vickie remains hopeful and would be content even as a backbencher – to start. She felt subjugated as a civil servant and now wants to get back in government, but this time armed with the means to enact change.

“Even in the opposition seat you could shake certain tables,” she says. “My first term is really just to get into politics, not jump on a team that doesn’t share my goals and values. I want people to see what I’m about and what I bring to the table and see where it goes from there.”

One of the first things I would like to see is the minimum wage increase from $1,800 to $3,000. That will let Montserratians know we want them to stay. It’s not an incentive . . . it’s a necessity.

VESSEL OF VERSATILITY

Vickie’s political future will rest with the electorate, but even if she falls short, she has more than enough to fall back on. Her video business became obsolete more than a decade ago when streaming services such as Netflix became popular. Today, one of her main avenues for supplemental income is through farming.

In 2019, the Government of Montserrat gave Vickie a two-acre plot of farm land in Duck Pond, just northeast of Salem. She harvests okra, cabbage, tomato, string beans, lettuce, season peppers, cucumber, pineapple, and more. Meanwhile, her property in Dyer Piece features more than 30 species of fruits, including 22 coconut trees. All were planted by Vickie.

Vickie’s skills are not confined to the farm. She has coached children in cricket and has been a foster parent and mentor. Vickie, who jokes that she has been accused of creating “drama” through her live chat, has actually appeared in two plays: Chadd Cumberbatch’s 1768, about the St. Patrick’s Day rebellion, and Edgar Nkosi White’s Montserrat, A Comedy Divine: The Jumbie Play, an audio production.

But Vickie says the most important role of her life is ongoing. She has been guardian for her 8-year-old grandson Javair since he was two months old. Her daily schedule revolves around him, whether preparing him for school or transporting him to track and field and soccer practice in Little Bay. She has also passed on the tradition of self-sufficiency by teaching him farm work.

“I’m molding a track star,” Vickie says of Javair, who earned 12 medals during the recent annual Sports Day competitions. He was Boys’ Class 2 champion and earned the most points for Brades Primary School. In May of 2023, Javair represented Montserrat in the Starters Invitational track meet in Anguilla, winning silver and bronze medals. “You have to start them from young,” Vickie says. “I saw his talent from early on. He’s also a good student and he doesn’t get into trouble.”

Javair’s father – Vickie’s son Terrence – now lives in Canada, the land of his birth. Vickie’s daughter Taijah is serving in the United States Army and is based in Hawaii.

Vickie with grandson Javair Stephenson.
Javair displays some of his many track and field medals.

LOOKING AHEAD

Vickie says she plans to continue her Facebook live show even if she is elected. She says it’s important to remain connected with the masses by utilizing the power of social media. However, she has modified her approach. For a time, she lashed out at her detractors within the government, often indirectly. It eventually led to her dismissal from her job as a civil servant. But she has evolved.

“There are certain things I used to joke about that I no longer do. You realize that everybody has a family. I would put myself in the same situation and say, ‘Vickie, would you like that?’ I’ve moved into a different direction and it has been positive because I now get more people watching my live. I’ve gone from about 500 views to 11,000.”

She hopes that level of popularity will translate into support at the ballot box.

Vickie Locker, who each Friday night transforms from a mild-mannered grandmother to a social-media caped crusader, now hopes to be a superhero for Montserrat.

“I love people,” she says. . . . “and I like fairness.”

Vickie conducts her Facebook live stream January 12, 2024.
Vickie participates in International Women in Farming Day on March 8, 2024 in Brades. Vickie had a stall during the event and sold an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
Photo credit: Discover Montserrat
Vickie, center, plays the role of Petty in the Chadd Cumberbatch play 1768 in March of 2018 at the Montserrat Cultural Center.

[poll id=”10″]

Vickie's calypso songs

On Your Own (2006)Festival Fever (2006)
Teach Dem (2007)De Storm (2007)
We Have Not Changed (2008)Road to Good Health (2008)
Father Come Down (2009)Make Room For One More (2009)
Talk, Talk, Talk (2010)Next In Line (2010)
Open Your Gates (2011)Done De Place (2011)
Things That Make Me Sad (2012)The Letter (2012)
Lady And A Warrior (2015)No Fussing Around (2015)
Romeo Must Die (2016)Five Cat (2017)
Kaiso On The Pulpit (2018)We In Trouble (2019)
COVID Woes (2021)Happy Birthday (2022)

Justin “Hero” Cassell remembered fondly during service as Montserrat says goodbye to cultural icon

By
EDWIN L. MARTIN
-
0
Photo from cover of funeral program
Justin "Hero" Cassell was a 10-time Montserrat calypso monarch and expert in agriculture.

Family, friends, fans, colleagues and dignitaries celebrated the life of The Right Honourable Justin “Hero” Cassell, O.E., during a poignant homegoing service at the Montserrat Cultural Center on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Cassell, a calypso legend and agricultural expert – among many other ventures – died February 5 in London following a long illness. He was 80 years old.

The three-hour service featured 16 spoken tributes, capped by a lively homage from Hero’s brother, Lorenzo Cassell, who spoke about their love of calypso while growing up and Hero’s penchant for mischief and practical jokes. He also discussed his brother’s immense talent and generosity. Lorenzo Cassell’s tribute was followed by a eulogy from Hero’s six children, who recalled a supportive, caring father with a strong work ethic.

“Growing up, I was sometimes a bit selfish, like, I wish I had more of Dad,” son Sean said. “But then I realized that he served a greater purpose, and he served so many people that I had to share him, because he was a genius and he had so much to offer. I’m not a trust-fund kid, but the path he cleared for me . . . there are places I could go and just say I’m Hero’s son, and doors open for me. That is worth more than money.”

Photo credit: Phillomagic Media screenshot
The children of Justin “Hero” Cassell, from left: Dyllon, Ayana, Sean, Renique, David and Donato.

The audience of about 300 included Montserrat Premier Hon. Joseph Farrell and Antigua & Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne. Also present was Clarence “Oungku” Edwards of Burning Flames. Edwards, who was interviewed by Radio Montserrat before the service, spoke about meeting Hero in 1980 in Montserrat while working with the band Hammah International.

“There was never a dull moment with Hero,” Edwards said. “He was a real funny guy. He was such a clean soul. No bad mind, no envy. And no one could cook like Hero. I actually lived with Hero for seven years. That’s where we did all the mega-hits for Arrow.”

One of those mega-hits was the biggest of all time in soca – Hot Hot Hot, released in late 1982. Hero co-wrote the song, and Edwards played bass, including the classic bass line at the start of the song. Edwards, along with brother Toriano “Onyan” Edwards, was part of the famed University of Soca, a group of musicians who hung out together and collaborated during the halcyon days of Montserrat music in the 1980s.

Photo credit: Phillomagic Media screenshot
From left, Honourable Crenston Buffonge, Premier Joseph Farrell and Antigua & Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne attend the funeral of Justin “Hero” Cassell.

AN INTRIGUING LIFE

Justin Nestor Cassell was born on September 8, 1943. His father, Joseph Cassell, ran a liquor store and grocery. His mother, Veronica, was a former teacher. Justin was the seventh of their nine children.

Hero attended the Montserrat Secondary School, where his calypso talent blossomed during school concerts. In 1962, Hero became Montserrat’s first calypso king, singing Lizzie and Joe, a song about a gossip column in the local newspaper. He would go on to win nine more crowns in Montserrat and also the prestigious Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) title in Dominica in 1986.

At one point during the 1960s, Hero worked for Montserrat Company as an overseer at the lime groves in Richmond Estate and rode a horse named “Tom” as his main mode of transportation.

In the 1980s and ’90s, Hero was the main songwriter for his brother Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell. He also wrote for many other artists locally, around the region and in the Montserrat diaspora. He was also an agricultural specialist, with extensive training at the Jamaica School of Agriculture and the University of the West Indies in Trinidad. He taught agriculture at a high school in the Bahamas in the mid-1970s, and later at the Montserrat Secondary School.

In 1985, Hero released his biggest hit, Tiny Winey – in collaboration with Jamaican bandleader Byron Lee. In the 1980s, he had a vaunted calypso rivalry with Everton “Reality” Weekes. Between 1980 and 1989, the two won eight of the 10 crowns in Montserrat.

From 2009 to 2019, Hero was events coordinator for St. Patrick’s Week. He also tried his hand at politics, contesting the national elections three times but falling short. In 2020, Hero received the Order of Excellence at the Montserrat National Awards, and two years later, the Montserrat Calypso Finals was renamed in his honor.

Photo credit: Phillomagic Media screenshot
Hero’s homegoing service drew hundreds of mourners to the Montserrat Cultural Center.

TOUCHING TRIBUTES

Two moments from the eulogy tugged at heartstrings. Hero’s son Dyllon played a recording of his father’s final song, a gospel called My Heart Is In The Right Place. It concluded with an acapella snippet of an ailing Hero, his voice sounding weak, singing the chorus.

Hero’s eldest son David, the first of the children to speak, presented a candid assessment of his relationship with his father.

“We had our issues like every relationship,” David said. “But one thing that never changed was that I had deep love for my father. Daddy, if you’re listening, I love you and I hope you’re resting in peace. I hope one day – hopefully not too soon – I will see you, and maybe we can make up for lost time.”

Among the others providing tributes were Hero’s good friends Ozie Carty and Reinford “Kulcha Don” Gibbons, who recalled his boisterous personality and early-morning phone calls. One young lady, speaking on behalf of a group of non-nationals, revealed that she has been the hairdresser behind Hero’s trademark braids since 2001. In a powerful video tribute, Hero’s cousin, Brenda Cassell, spoke about the singer’s final months in the UK and how he penned a song for her and exhibited a fiery dedication despite his illness.

“I often teased him about his self-proclaimed I Am A Good Man,” Brenda said in the video. “I said to him, ‘Can a person be a good man and a scamp at the same time?’ Ultimately, we agreed that no one is entirely good or bad, but it’s a mixture that makes us human.”

Hero’s death leaves only three surviving members of the nine Cassell siblings: Mrs. Veronica “Teacher Roni” Walker, Mrs. Camilla Watts and Lorenzo Cassell.

Following the service, the procession headed to the Lookout Public Cemetery, where Hero was interred next to his sister, Inez Cassell-O’Garro. That was followed by a repast back at the Cultural Center followed by a rollicking tribute concert featuring more than a dozen local performers. Hero’s son Dyllon stole the show, performing many of his father’s hits and even displaying some of Hero’s stage antics and mannerisms.

RELATED STORIES

Opinion: Farewell to Justin “Hero” Cassell, my favorite Montserrat calypsonian

Arrow’s Hot Hot Hot turns 40: The story behind the creation of a classic

Watch the tribute concert that was held for Justin “Hero” Cassell following his homegoing service.
Justin “Hero” Cassell is interviewed by Edwin Martin on Sunday, August 26, 2012.

Hero's calypso crowns

YearSongs
1962Lizzie & Joe
1965Wicked Married Men & Drive Old Man Drive
1971 (UWI)Hero's Sugar Factory
1972Cost of Living & Rum Side
1973Back to the Land & Long Time Christmas
1981The Flood & Don't Mess Wid Me Country
1983String Band Jam & Old Time Sayings
1985Who is de Man & Greedy Merchants
1986 (OECS)Who is de Man & Manifesto
1986Body to Body & I'm Underage
1989Where de Galvanize & Close Dem Down
2007Country Need Prayer & All They Want Is Money
123...13Page 2 of 13

TRENDING NOW

MOST POPULAR ALL-TIME STORIES

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© Montserrat Spotlight 2026. All rights reserved.
error: Content is protected !!