Interviews and photos by Cathy Richards
Stakeholders in Linden have begun to pool their ideas for next April’s Linden Town Week celebration. We asked the man and woman in the street in Linden about their vision for next year’s Linden Town Week activities. Their comments follow:
Vanessa Braithwaite – US-based student: ‘I envision Linden Town Week to be a week for the town and not a week for the parties. Lindeners should take this week to embrace their culture and to recollect on where they came from and the progress they made over the years. Activities should strive to fulfil this thus allowing every Lindener both young and old to be involved in the week’s proceedings.’
Eon Sullivan – construction worker: ‘Linden Town Week is a big event where people have a chance to showcase their talent, handicraft, various plants and industry. It also brings people from all regions and overseas to see what the activity is all about and join with residents to celebrate the anniversary of the town. It helps to bring people together as one and some locals get a chance to sell to make money to help their families, loved one and friends – so drink, eat, dance responsibly and enjoy. Considering these important points we should annually build on the activities, strengthen weak areas and where possible introduce new activities. Couples dancing, children fairs, street fetes and such like.’
Coleen Stephens – high school teacher: ‘I would go 100 % for a community day during the Linden Town Week. This would give neighbours the opportunity to interact with each other and build the spirit of community. In many neighbourhoods persons know nothing or very little about those living in the next street, up or across the road or even just next door. To make it more catchy we can have the town divided into wards and give incentives to each ward that participates, and has maximum participation. It might be surprising to see how wonderful this turns out and forms a strong bond among residents. I think this is an excellent idea that the Town Week Committee should grab at and at least give it a try.’
Rene Winter-Rigby – song writer/singer: ‘We have to use a measure of wisdom in every little thing that we do. Presently we have a problem with waste disposal and keeping our surroundings clean. I know several attempts have been made at this but we can put a whole lot more to it and make it work. That is community clean, tidy and beautiful competition. Make the incentives attractive and residents will participate. Get the big corporate entities to log-on. It can be something that runs for a year like that we have communities trying to stay ahead of each and there we go mission accomplished, a clean and healthy Linden.’
Lindley Langhorne – physical education officer: ‘I know that many persons have been giving their opinion of what they think the Linden Town Week should be. We need to recognise the efforts of those persons who have been executing the activities over the years. Suffice to say we need more to showcase who we are, where we came from. We need to see some form of showcasing what Linden Town Day was from the beginning to what it is today. In this town, we have a wealth of things to promote and share with the world at large during the Linden Town Week. For Linden Town Week 2013 let’s think of the historical court house that we have lost; let’s think of the Hamilton Sawmill; let’s think of the churches we have that are over 100 years old, the St Aidan’s Anglican Church and the St Matthew’s Parish. I also see the need for us to promote the business and cottage industries that exist in this town. We need to do this apart from the regular exhibition that we usually have at the Egbert Benjamin Centre. We need to show some fresh initiatives.’
Merle Bourne – cosmetologist: ‘Activities of the Linden Town Week have to focus on the people of Linden and having the money generated stay in Linden. It is sad to see how business people from all over flooding this place with the same thing that our people have maybe just a few dollars more. They pressure our people so much and the organisers need to, must look into this issue.
The other thing is activities for children and families; that’s so lacking. In planning we need to take into consideration every category of persons, the youths, the elderly everyone. The elderly love fun activities too we just got them tuck in some luncheon, take them to outings where they can have some fun, they will love it.’
Maureen Muss – administrative assistance: ‘I am happy that the new Town Week Committee has started to push from early. Presently we will be working to make it a success as was in the past. I think the previous committee did an excellent job in the past and this new committee will build to improve Town Week in the future. Linden Town Week is a Linden thing and I want to encourage all Lindeners to get involved, send in proposals for activities early, the ad is out with the deadline being this month-end. ‘
Avella Fraser – primary school teacher: ‘Considering the present state of Linden and the fact that there are still some very ticklish situations that haven’t been dealt with totally (the shootings etc) I think that plans for Linden Town Week 2013 should be at a halt. Lindeners have lost sight of the value of this town. Many of our youths still walk around ignorant of important facts about their community. Why should Linden only be considered as a party arena? We have so much more to offer. While we might be frustrated because of the constant promises for a better Linden by the politicians, we need not to stand idly by and expect miracles. We need to put hands and hearts together and rebuild Linden; if not for ourselves, for our kids. Our foreparents did it for us and we have somewhat allowed the heathen to tear it down. So let us use the period of time allotted for Town Week to work towards the rebuilding of a new Linden.’
Asim Abdul Shakur – mason: ‘Linden Town Week is a celebration of our town’s anniversary and we need to take every pride in it. First, we should start a clean-up campaign in this town of ours if we are going to showcase Linden. We should also have a health awareness day, followed by a cultural programme showcasing our local talents.’
James Craig Jnr – high school teacher: ‘My vision for Linden Town Week 2013 is to see it move from 8 days of party back to its true purpose – the showcasing of a town, its people, industries, businesses, communities. Too long have we been bombarded with a dance here, a dance there, a dance everywhere. We have so much happening here that is definitely interesting to individuals, both in and out of Linden. Bring back the school competitions, the debates, the community forums, the tours, the pageant. Plus get your business community involved. Get the ‘Hair Show’, the ‘Mining Areas tour’ the ‘Riverain areas tour’, the ‘Best Community competitions’ and such activities going. Linden is a beautiful place that most have never seen, and I mean both people in and out of Linden. That’s what Linden Town Week should be; the showcasing of a town, not who can drink the most beers – unless that’s what we have deteriorated to.’
