As Guyana celebrates its 49th year of Independence this week, the Sunday Stabroek presents a Special Edition of Memory Lane with photos from the celebrations in 1966 as well as other from the 60s.
Visit to the Palms, Brickdam, Wednesday, May 25, 1966: The Duchess of Kent, accompanied by Lady Luyt and a lady-in-waiting, is given a tour of the Palms, Brickdam, escorted by Minister of Housing Mr Neville Bissember and Mrs Bissember. Of note are the smartly presented Boy Scouts, who received much praise during the celebrations, having been recruited to aid visitors and guests in disembarking from cars at the many events. (Photo supplied by Elfrieda Bissember)
At the unveiling of the Independence Arch, Brickdam, Sunday May 22, 1966: Neville J Bissember, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing and Reconstruction, stands with the former United Kingdom Secretary of State for the Colonies (Colonial Secretary) Duncan Sandys, at extreme right, and Minister of Overseas Development Anthony Greenwood, at left. Second from right is (possibly) Mrs Caroline Greenwood. In background is the Girl Guides Pavilion, Brickdam (possibly). Note the Independence neckties, specially issued in1966, worn by Mr Bissember and the gentleman seated behind. (Photo supplied by Elfrieda Bissember)
Official welcome for the Duke and Duchess of Kent at Atkinson Airport, Sunday May 22, 1966: From left, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham; the Duchess of Kent; Governor of British Guiana Sir Richard Luyt and Lady Luyt; Mr Randolph Cheeks, Minister of Local Government; Mrs Jean Cheeks; Mrs Mary Bissember; her husband, Mr Neville Bissember, 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing; Mrs Ruth Reid and her husband, Dr. Ptolemy Reid, 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs. At right in second row is Mayor of Georgetown Mr Rahman B Gajraj. (Photo supplied by Elfrieda Bissember)
Informal departure of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Atkinson Field, Saturday May 28, 1966: From left, the Duke of Kent bids farewell to Prime Minister Forbes Burnham; partly hidden, Dr Ptolemy Reid; 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Mr Peter D’Aguiar, Leader of the United Force party in the then PNC-UF government coalition; Mr Neville Bissember, 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and the Duchess of Kent about to shake hands; Mayor of Georgetown Mr Rahman Gajraj and Mrs Gajraj. (Photo supplied by Elfrieda Bissember)
Prime Minister Forbes Burnham (standing centre) accepts the instruments of independence from the Duke of Kent in Parliament – May 1966 (Stabroek News file photo)
The Duke of Kent (third, left) inspecting the Guard of Honour – May 1966 (Stabroek News file photo)
Mayor of Georgetown Mr Rahman Gajraj (left) and the Duke of Kent - May 1966 (Stabroek News file photo)
Water Pageant, Demerara River, Wednesday, May 25, 1966: Mrs Mary Bissember and Miss Pat Adamson amongst the audience awaiting the start of the Water Pageant at Bookers La Penitence wharf, and the appearance of the Duke and Duchess of Kent who were to travel by launch to view an exhibition of sugar and rice industries and handicraft at Shamrock Manor, West Bank Demerara. (Photo supplied by Elfrieda Bissember)
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