Esan Tio Atobe Jones has been given more time to “reflect” on the remand block at Dodds after the prosecution again objected to bail.

Jones, of Block 7B Haynesville, St James is accused of unlawfully entering the premises of Denica Rock on May 24 having been forbidden by her to do so, and assaulting her on the same day causing her actual harm.

He has denied the charges.

When it came time for bail Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes reminded the accused that the prosecution’s objections to him being allowed his pretrial liberty remained.

Jones replied: “Sir, the time I have spent up there, I have had time to think . . . . I have been so humble.”

But that statement and his previous bail applications were not enough after he was reminded that he had a similar charge in another court involving the same complainant.

“After the big festivities, we will revisit [bail] . . . so you have a little more time to reflect,” Chief Magistrate Weekes told the accused before adjourning the cases until August 22.

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Last year’s Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch Sakarah reclaimed her crown while Mr Showman was crowned the new Junior Soca King.

The Finals held last night at the Garfield Sobers Complex, saw the two winners in battle against seven other contestants in two keenly competed Finals before a packed audience that included Her Excellency, The Most Honourable, Dame Sandra Mason, President of Barbados.

Both winners won by double digit scores between them and the second place contestants in the respective category. Sakarah, singing De Present Past won by 14 points and Mr Showman singing Ready won by 12 points.

In calypso King K singing Real Boys Does Cry copped second place while Bit Bit with Put On A Show took third place. In soca Kari with Sweet Pan was second while Zarie B singing What’s Wrong With You? claimed third place.

Bit Bit won Best Self-Penned Song in the calypso category with Put on A Show, while John Boss claimed that prize in soca with Heart Beat.

All 16 finalists walked away with more prize money this year. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Crop Over all prizes from

winner to 8th place were topped up with a special one-off cash prize, thanks to the National Cultural Foundation.

Please see the results as tabulated by NCF auditors PriceWaterHouseCoopers along with the prizes awarded

Prizes

The winners in both categories of the competition walked away with:

· A bank account valued at $3,000, thanks to Scotiabank Barbados Ltd;

· A scholarship valued at $6, 475, thanks to Barbados Institute of Management & Productivity (BIMAP);

· $2,000 in cash, thanks to the National Cultural Foundation;

· $1,000 in cash in celebration of the Crop Over 50th anniversary, thanks to the National Cultural Foundation;

· Shopping vouchers, compliments Courts Unicomer Barbados Ltd;

· An iPhone, compliments Digicel Barbados;

· A voucher valued at $500 redeemable at Bridgetown Duty Free, thanks to the National Cultural Foundation and Bridgetown Duty Free;

· Lunch for two, thanks to South Point Hotel;

· A participating trophy.

· And a winners’ trophy

Each contestant received:

· A voucher valued at $500 redeemable at Bridgetown Duty

· Shopping vouchers from Courts Unicomer Barbados Ltd;

· Lunch for two thanks to South Point Hotel

· A participating trophy.

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A leading boatbuilder has called on the government to use the current downtime in the fishing industry to establish a boat building code and implement an inspection programme, following widespread damage to vessels during Hurricane Beryl.

Clinton Boy Boy Wiltshire, a veteran shipwright, told Barbados TODAY that 65 per cent of the fleet at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex was “not made up to standard”, which he believes was a key factor in the extensive damage caused by storm surges on July 1. The government estimates that as much as 70 per cent of the fishing boats berthed at Bridgetown to ride out the hurricane were damaged or destroyed.

“We have to put a system in place where we stop building ‘sandwich boats’”, Wiltshire said. “They are made with Nida- Core or a clay sheet. When a boat is made of half of an inch, solid fibreglass it is stronger and can resist anything compared to an eighth of an inch or a quarter of an inch of fibreglass on the inside, just a quarter on the outside, a foam sheet or plastic called Nida-Core in the centre.”

He added: “On impact, it cannot bear nothing over 40 pounds. Forty pounds and up will bore a hole in it because it can only bear three or four pounds per square inch. A lot of these boats are sandwich boats, almost 65 per cent are sandwich boats.”

Wiltshire criticised some tradesmen for “cutting back on material to save money for themselves”, stating they “just give you something that looks good”. He urged the implementation of a building standard: “That is why we need a building standard, not now, ever since.”

The shipwright also called for regular inspections, suggesting: “Every year Fisheries [Division] should also look at these boats and carry out inspections and now that they are hauled up, fisheries can come and check them. Just before everybody gets back the boats to sea they should be inspected. Nobody should be able to build whatever they want to or just patch over the parts that are damaged and don’t do it right”.

Blue Economy Minister Adrian Forde announced on Monday that 220 of the 312-strong fleet were damaged or destroyed from Hurricane Beryl’s passage. The government has set up two temporary boatyards – one behind Kensington Mall along Fontabelle and another near the BICO cold storage facility on the Harbour Road – to facilitate repairs.

Boat owners are struggling with the financial impact of the damage.

Charles Inniss, awaiting an assessment of his boat, said: “There is something in the pipeline to help us. We were told that (the government) would help us with 25 per cent of the cost of repairs but when will that happen? I don’t know.”

Emerald Holder, who owns three boats, faces repair costs of nearly $100 000.

“The loss for me is tremendous and it has me hitting on the bottom line that I have”, he told Barbados TODAY. “I have workmen to pay, I have staff who are not working and I am helping them to meet their family needs but I am also trying tohelp myself.”

Keith Jones, whose small wooden boat requires repairs estimated at $10 000, said he was “not in a rush” to resume operations due to predictions of an active hurricane season.

The impact on the local fish supply is already being felt.

While frozen fish remains available, boat owners report that consumers are “reeling” from the shortage of fresh fish. sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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The Ministry of Agriculture has successfully harvested three tonnes of homegrown rice in a project trial with China that could potentially reduce the island’s annual rice import bill by a quarter, saving millions in foreign exchange.

At a harvest ceremony held at the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) in Fairy Valley, Christ Church, on Friday, acting chief executive officer Frederick Inniss expressed optimism that if successful, Barbados would soon be producing a substantial amount of rice domestically.

President Dame Sandra Mason joined Chinese Ambassador Yan Xiusheng and other officials in harvesting some of the rice in a symbolic step to mark joint cooperation in achieving Barbados’ agricultural self-sufficiency.

Barbados currently imports 4 600 tonnes of rice annually at a cost of $9.14 million, mostly from CARICOM neighbour Guyana and the US.

Over the past two years, a team from the Chinese Hunan Linshi Agricultural Services has been conducting successful rice production trials on a quarter-acre plot at the BADMC. The team has managed to yield three tonnes of upland rice, a variety that requires less water than other types.

Wang Jian, an agriculture specialist from Hunan Linshi Agricultural Services, affirmed that Barbados possesses the ideal soil, climate, and light conditions for growing upland rice. He added: “Based on empirical data, this variety of rice requires less water than initially anticipated.”

Inniss said: “The prospect of large-scale production of rice is an exciting new horizon for the Barbados farming community. Both with regards to the opportunities for diversification of cropping systems and from the perspective of improving national food security and import replacement.”

The project is set to expand significantly in the coming year. The Chinese team plans to partner with farmers to cultivate rice on 15 acres at the Pine Basin land lease project in St Michael. This expanded acreage is expected to produce 45 tonnes of rice.

Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir noted that upland rice, commonly grown in China, is primarily used in sushi. He outlined future plans: “Following the success of the 15-acre project, plans will be developed to increase production, packaging, and distribution for local consumption.” The envisioned model involves contracting rice growers and training local farmers in cultivation techniques.

But the agriculture minister cautioned: “This will take strategic and careful planning because water will be a big part of this. Rice is grown in water and while we’ve proven that we don’t have to go to the other varieties that are highly water intensive, we still have to be cognisant of the fact that the project will still require water.”

To significantly offset imports, Inniss said Barbados would need to cultivate between 100 and 200 acres of rice.

In the BADMC trial, the rice was planted in April and harvested on Friday, approximately 116 days later.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb

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In a bold move to alleviate the congested Crop Over calendar, Barbadian event promoters are setting their sights on the Independence season for hosting major festivities. This strategic shift, revealed by Rudy Maloney, president of the Entertainment Association of Barbados, comes as the summer festival reaches unprecedented levels of popularity, straining existing venues and schedules.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Maloney said that several promoters were already planning events for November, aiming to create a festival atmosphere around Independence Day and the pre-Christmas period. This move is seen as a way to decongest the Crop Over season while potentially creating a new cultural and economic boom for the island.

“There are event producers who are already planning for November; they are trying to create a festival around Independence and just before Christmas, so you will see a number of events in November,” the event producer said. “Because there are so many events around Crop Over, a lot of the event producers would try to move their events into different times.”

The ever-increasing roster of Crop Over events each year has led to calls from industry leaders for innovative solutions to accommodate the growing demand. Maloney emphasised the urgent need for new and larger event spaces to cater to the swelling crowds of patrons and ambitious promoters and to address concerns such as noise complaints and other factors that hinder the development of bigger and diverse locations.

“It is time that we try to find different and larger venues, and this is because of the amount of persons [we see now], and as people come out of school and want to party, you would get more people coming out. So yes, it’s time we look for more venues,” he stressed.

Despite the space constraints, Maloney reported that the current season has been largely successful, with most events well-attended and patrons expressing satisfaction with the quality of local music.

“There were plenty of events this year, most of them were pretty well attended depending on the size of the venue. So yes, people came out, people supported the events and most of the events the people had a good time,” Maloney said.

“One of the things that the people are saying and the event producers, is that the music is pretty good out of Barbados this year, so people are really enjoying themselves.”  (SB)

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The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has responded to the controversy surrounding an incident involving Junior Monarch contestant Trinity Clarke during the competition’s intermission.

Prominent vocalist Kareen Clarke, Trinity’s mother, alleged in a Facebook post that her daughter had been “assaulted” by a security team member at the venue. She claimed Trinity was “unjustly penalised”, resulting in a lower placement, and declared that they had retained legal counsel to request a review of the competition points.

NCF chief executive officer Carol Roberts, speaking on the Voice of Barbados radio, sought to clarify the timeline and implications of the alleged incident.

“Given when the incident is alleged to have occurred, which was during the intermission, there was no way that the subsequent result could have been affected by any incident outside of the performance space,” Roberts said. She emphasised that all calypso contestants had performed before the intermission, making it impossible for judges to have considered the incident in their scoring.

She insisted that Clarke’s final placement would remain unchanged. “One has nothing to do with the other,” she said. “Why would there be? Essentially, there’s no change to her status. As anything, as far as the foundation is concerned, there’s no change to anything.”

Roberts dismissed the suggestion that Clarke’s final position was influenced by the incident as “an unfortunate statement” and “a stretch of someone’s immense imagination”.

Initially intending to handle the matter privately, Roberts said she felt compelled to address it publicly due to escalating commentary. “Upon seeing subsequent posts and hearing some of the comments, I feel constrained on behalf of the foundation, as its CEO, but also on behalf of a service provider that we would have engaged and the management of a facility that we would have rented to go a bit further. And to say publicly that from the time I heard of this incident, I would have requested a report from the music officer involved, who in turn requested a report from one of the prime witnesses as to what occurred, and to the security officer in charge. I received these two reports before 10 o’clock this morning. It was my intention to deal with this matter away from the glare of the media. But I have to now because we’ve been thrown into said glare.”

She revealed that reports from witnesses and the security officer presented a different version of events from what had been circulated on social media.

“What is alleged to have occurred is that both Kareen Clarke and Trinity allegedly attempted to access a restricted area and were advised not to do so by the security officer. Trinity ignored the request or the direction and attempted to access the space upon which she was restrained by the security officer,” Roberts said.

According to these reports, Trinity became “hysterical and aggressive”, prompting intervention from an eyewitness and police. The police officer reportedly facilitated a resolution, with both parties acknowledging their actions and apologising to each other.

Roberts expressed surprise at the differing accounts presented on social media by Kareen Clarke. “What you would have heard from Ms Clarke varies in very key ways, and what would have been posted earlier on social media varies in very key ways from the reports received by the foundation.”

Regarding potential legal challenges, Roberts emphasised the importance of following legal counsel. “My position on legal matters is that that is why they are attorneys at law. And therefore, you follow the guidance, the counsel, and the advice of the attorney at law that you have commissioned, recruited, or hired to represent you.”

The NCF CEO confirmed that Trinity Clarke’s status as a contestant in the Pic-O-De-Crop competition remains unchanged. She added: “We as the adults, whether it’s in this festival school system or whatever, have to be extremely careful of what we impart, try to impart, or try to inculcate in our young people. [In] the same way that we nurture, encourage, prep, prime, and all the rest of our young people to aim to win, by the same token, we should also be responsible enough to be able to inculcate in them from very early acceptance of results and outcomes and, you know, rising above disappointment.”

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In a dynamic and evolving global environment, changes to the traditional workplace will inevitably become part of the transformation that is overtaking the world. The revolutionising of the workplace will most likely be conditioned by the new approaches that are directed at enhancing economic activities. To achieve this, changes will have to be made to business models. This change will require the streamlining of operations to embrace the introduction of new technologies.

Employers are refocusing their outlook to ensure that there is a greater level of efficiency and productivity. While it is desirable to achieve the ultimate goal of economic prosperity, management cannot be oblivious to the fact that investment in workers is critical to the realisation of this goal. For starters, an investment in workers would be a good indicator that management has a real understanding of what is required to drive this process. By extension, it is prudent if management has an understanding and appreciation of what it means to empower workers.

The empowerment of workers is to allow for workers’ involvement in the decision-making process within the workplace. In so doing, employers would reflect a level of confidence in their employees in helping to create and manage new systems of work which have been developed. Whereupon the employer takes this course of action, this reflects that they recognize the capacity of workers and the importance of reposing confidence in them. This is ideally what is more appropriate than having to live in an environment that is underpinned by micromanagement.

Micromanagement is a disturbing feature of the workplace. It is highly unlikely that this practice will get the best out of people who share the view that they are excluded from the decision-making process and are not empowered. Today’s workplace ought to embrace the participation of workers, as to do otherwise, would be to contribute to a decrease in productivity and to creating  a negative work environment. This need not be the case if only employers/ management have a greater appreciation of the fact that the empowerment of people can contribute to workers’ creativity and innovation. The fallout from acting contrary is to accentuate the demotivation of workers. There is the added problem that effective communication will not be achieved.

A poor working environment is likely to be obtained, where creativity, innovation and worker participation are stifled, and worker exclusion is practised. In the modern-day workplace, there is a demand for new skill sets, critical thinking, innovation, creativity, problem-solving skills and teamwork. It requires that employers come to grips with the fact that today’s workplace is being transformed as a consequence of the introduction of new technologies and the introduction of new management strategies. Combined, these have implications for different kinds of work, workers and management practices.

Automation tends to bring about changes to workplace operations, that include downsizing, right-sizing of the workforce and home working. it must be acknowledged that these have implications for changing workplace culture and expectations. In today’s workplace, workers and management must feel comfortable. The workplace must be a conducive and satisfying work environment. For this to occur, workers must have the tools to work with, workplace health and safety has to be seen as a priority, and most importantly, all employees are made to feel valued.

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The suspension of Joe Biden’s re-election campaign didn’t come as a surprise to me. In a number of WhatsApp groups, my discussion was not about ‘if’ but ‘when,’ and I had anticipated Sunday. His endorsement of Kamala Harris as his successor was equally expected.

My anticipation of Biden’s withdrawal was predicated, not on the recent presidential debate but from my observations during the 2020 election when I was Florida-based. It was apparent then that had it not been for the COVID-19 lockdown, Trump would have easily won re-election not because of acuity, but energy. Trump is the consummate campaign animal, which Biden’s folksiness couldn’t counter then or now.

However, we cannot discount that Biden’s debate underperformance cemented the premier concern of voters, that he is beyond his best. And as we know in politics, ‘perception is reality’ and once a negative impression sets in, it’s hard to dislodge it.

This selfless act by Biden is to be commended. I hope that our political leaders see in this example, the need to put country above party and the public good above personal ambitions. Think, feel, act.

Harris: the viable choice

The timing of Biden’s departure, following Trump’s pick of JD Vance, a white man, as his running mate, gives Harris more manoeuvrability on gender and diversity issues, which could narrow Trump’s lead in the polls. As Harris currently polls similar to Biden against Trump, and better than other Democrats commonly touted as replacement candidates, her selection should only improve her ratings.

Intriguingly, some polls suggests that the unlikely ticket of Hilary Clinton at the top with Harris as the vice presidential candidate outperforms all other hypothetical scenarios, except that of former First Lady Michelle Obama, who, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll, leads Trump 50 per cent  to 39 per cent  as a presidential candidate.

Biden’s exit has made the race more interesting for us as West Indians. Notwithstanding the Republican Party’s role in emancipation and its more favourable economic policies, JFK and LBJ’s roles in the Civil Rights Movement has secured generations of support for the Democratic Party among Black and some other minority groups.

Harris is the ‘presumptive’ replacement for Biden. At the moment, it’s unclear whether anyone will challenge her for the nomination, or if the party will push for an improvised primary or an open convention. However, I anticipate that there would be a severe backlash, demobilising key groups, if the Democrats bypassed the first Black/South Asian and woman vice president.

Harris’ selection would also inherit Biden’s campaign war-chest of  $95 million. The media also reported that Sunday was the party’s biggest fundraising day of the year; receiving nearly $50 million online in the hours following Biden’s dropout. It also takes a majority of the party’s 4,000 or so delegates to win the nomination and Biden controls about 3,900.

With the focus now on Kamala Harris, we should take a moment to recall that before her or Barack Obama, there was Shirley Chisholm. The long-shot campaign for the 1972 presidency by this Brooklyn congresswoman, who considered herself a Barbadian American, was era defining.

Encouragement to step down

However, if the Democrats are serious about keeping the White House, then Biden needs to go further and resign the presidency as incumbency is a key factor for electoral success. This also frees Harris from having to defend his presidency and instead focus on her own. The recent Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity grants near imperial powers to any president unscrupulous enough to use them., which raises the stakes of the upcoming presidential election. It’s not clear whether Trump can be beaten but this gives Democrats a fighting chance.

Should Biden resign the presidency, I anticipate that it would be greatly applauded by the American public. Furthermore, in doing so his name would always appear alongside the first woman to ascend to their highest office. Of note, Gerald Ford predicted the first female president would be elevated, just as he was when Richard Nixon resigned.

Alexis Coe, an American presidential historian and biographer of George Washinton, opined: “And just like that, Biden’s age becomes a [climatic] chapter in the book of his [public] life ending on an unprecedented note: He not only stepped aside, but stepped down – and that will always be the story of the first woman president.

Of course, Biden has always been an unparalleled, selfless ally: He served as vice president and loyal friend to Barack Obama, the first Black president. In 2026, when America celebrates its 250th anniversary, he’ll be the only president who can make that claim.” Could one ask for more?

As I conclude, allow me to congratulate the Diocese of Barbados on its bicentenary, and use this opportunity to caution those, whose relationship with religion may be akin to a mongoose and fowl-coop, to not use matters of faith for political gain. Matthew 7 reminds us: “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”  May God continue to bless and guide Barbados.

Guy Hewitt, a London-based social policy specialist and minister of religion, is a former high commissioner.

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Barbados’ premier culinary contest is to return after a four-year break, setting the stage for a mouth-watering showdown among culinary artists and mixologists. The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has announced that it was reviving its National Culinary Team Competition, which will help local culinary artists prepare for Caribbean glory in the regional competition.

During a launch ceremony held at its headquarters in Belleville, St Michael on Thursday, BHTA officials revealed that the winners would form a 10 to 15-member squad to represent Barbados at the prestigious Taste of the Caribbean culinary contest organised by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

Set to take place in late August, the national competition is open to both professional chefs and passionate amateurs, including chefs and bartenders. Ryan Forde, chief executive officer of the BHTA, clarified that entrants need not be affiliated with the hotel industry.

“You do have to either do one of the two things, which is work for a company that is a member of the BHTA, which is automatically a member of CHTA, or you can register your individual business as well,” Forde explained.

The application deadline is Friday, August 2, with Forde emphasising the competition’s value as a learning experience for all participants.

The Caribbean-wide Taste of the Caribbean final is scheduled for November in Miami. Barbados enters as the Caribbean national culinary team of the year, having clinched the title in 2019.

Javon Griffith, chairman of the BHTA, highlighted the competition’s role in nurturing talent. “The culinary team has produced some of the best chefs and bartenders on island, all of whom have grown professionally as a result of the process and who are currently leaders in the culinary industry in Barbados,”

Griffith said. “The training that chefs and bartenders receive as part of the Barbados culinary team is invaluable to give them the ability to do mass catering as well as outdoor catering for several promotional events.”

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Pride is at stake for West Indies in the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Down 2-0 following defeats by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s and by 241 runs at Trent Bridge, West Indies are desperate to avoid a clean sweep, having surrendered the Richards-Botham Trophy.

On an opening day of fluctuating fortunes today, England closed on 38 for three after West Indies, who won the toss, were bowled out for 282.

The leading contributors for West Indies were captain Kraigg Brathwaite (61), Jason Holder (59), and Joshua Da Silva (49).

Holder and Da Silva added 109 for the sixth wicket following a slide from 76 without loss to 115 for five.

In 10 Tests between England and West Indies at Edgbaston, West Indies have won four and lost three with the others drawn.

The West Indies victories were by an innings and 180 runs (1984), by seven wickets (1991), by an innings and 64 runs (1995), and by an innings and 93 runs (2000). They lost by 217 runs (1963), by 256 runs (2004), and by an innings and 209 runs (2017). The draws were in 1957, 1973, and 2012. (See below summarised scores of England-West Indies Tests at Edgbaston since 2000).

Jimmy Adams, now with the West Indies team as an assistant coach, was the captain in 2000 when they last triumphed at Edgbaston, with Nasser Hussain captaining England.

Adams top scored with 98 in a total of 397. His fellow Jamaican, fast bowler Courtney Walsh, had match figures of eight for 58 including five for 36 in the first innings.

The other players were Sherwin Campbell, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ridley Jacobs, Curtly Ambrose, Franklyn Rose, and Reon King.

West Indies lost the five-Test series 3-1.

The 2004 series featured four Tests – all won by England under the captaincy of Michael Vaughan. Lara was the West Indies skipper.

In 2012, England captured the three-Test series 2-0. The captains were Andrew Strauss and Daren Sammy.

The final Test at Edgbaston was badly rain-hit with no play on the first, second and fifth day. Fast bowler Tino Best, batting at No. 11, scored a career-best 95 off 112 balls with 14 fours and one six in a record last wicket partnership of 143 with Denesh Ramdin, who made 107 not out.

The 2017 Test at the same venue was the first to be played as a day/night in England.

There were as many as eight Barbadians in the West Indies team – captain Jason Holder, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kyle Hope, his brother Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Kemar Roach, and Miguel Cummins. The other players were Kieran Powell, Jermaine Blackwood, and Alzarri Joseph.

It was the opening Test in the three-match series, which England, captained by Joe Root, triumphed 2-1.

Summarised scores of England-West Indies Tests at Edgbaston since 2000:

2000: Ist Test, June 15-17. West Indies won by an innings and 93 runs.

England 179 (69 overs) (Nick Knight 26, Darren Gough 23, Andy Caddick 21 not out, Mike Atherton 20, Mark Ramprakash 18, Robert Croft 18, Andrew Flintoff 16, Nasser Hussain 15; Courtney Walsh 5-36, Reon King 2-60) and 125 (58 overs) (Nick Knight 34, Darren Gough 23 not out, Mike Atherton 19, Andrew Flintoff 12; Courtney Walsh 3-22, Reon King 3-28, Jimmy Adams 2-5, Franklyn Rose 2-43).

West Indies 397 (136.5 overs) (Jimmy Adams 98 – 299 balls, 9 fours; Shivnarine Chanderpaul 73 – 119 balls, 11 fours; Sherwin Campbell 59 – 120 balls, 7 fours; Franklyn Rose 48, Curtly Ambrose 22; Darren Gough 5-109, Robert Croft 2-53, Andy Caddick 2-94).

Toss: West Indies. Player Of The Match: Courtney Walsh.

2004: 2nd Test, July 29-August 1. England won by 256 runs.

England 566/9 declared (134 overs) (Andrew Flintoff 167 – 191 balls, 17 fours, 7 sixes; Marcus Trescothick 105 – 182 balls, 19 fours; Gerant Jones 74 – 97 balls, 12 fours; Graham Thorpe 61 – 116 balls, 10 fours; Steve Harmison 31 not out, Rob Key 29, Andrew Strauss 24, Ashley Giles 24, Matthew Hoggard 15 not out, Michael Vaughan 12; Dwayne Bravo 4-76, Corey Collymore 2-126) and 248 (65.1 overs) (Marcus Trescothick 107 – 158 balls, 15 fours, 1 six; Graham Thorpe 54 – 89 balls, 7 fours; Andrew Flintoff 20, Ashley Giles 15; Chris Gayle 5-34, Jermaine Lawson 4-94).

West Indies 336 (91.3 overs) (Ramnaresh Sarwan 139 – 226 balls, 25 fours; Brian Lara 95 – 127 balls, 15 fours, 1 six; Shivnarine Chanderpaul 45, Dwayne Bravo 13; Ashley Giles 4-65, Matthew Hoggard 3-89, Andrew Flintoff 2-52) and 222 (55.3 overs) (Chris Gayle 82 – 102 balls, 15 fours, 1 six; Shivnarine Chanderpaul 43, Omari Banks 25 not out, Ramnaresh Sarwan 14, Brian Lara 13, Devon Smith 11, Corey Collymore 10; Ashley Giles 5-57, Matthew Hoggard 3-64, James Anderson 2-23).

Toss: England. Player Of The Match: Andrew Flintoff.

2012: 3rd Test, June 7-11. Match drawn.

West Indies 426 (129.3 overs) (Denesh Ramdin 107 not out – 183 balls, 9 fours; Tino Best 95 – 112 balls, 14 fours, 1 six; Marlon Samuels 76 – 114 balls, 10 fours, 1 six; Adrian Barath 41, Assad Fudadin 28, Kieran Powell 24, Daren Sammy 16, Sunil Narine 11; Graham Onions 4-88, Steven Finn 3-109, Tim Bresnan 3-111).

England 221/5 (58 overs) (Kevin Pietersen 78 – 81 balls, 11 fours, 1 six; Ian Bell 76 not out – 137 balls, 10 fours; Jonny Bairstow 18, Andrew Strauss 17, Jonathan Trott 17; Tino Best 2-37).

Toss: England. Player Of The Match: Tino Best.

2017: Ist Test (day/night), August 17-19. England won by an innings and 209 runs.

England 514/8 declared (135.5 overs) (Alastair Cook 243 – 407 balls, 33 fours; Joe Root 136 – 189 balls, 22 fours; Dawid Malan 65 – 139 balls, 10 fours; Jonny Bairstow 18, Ben Stokes 10; Roston Chase 4-113, Kemar Roach 2-86).

West Indies 168 (47 overs) (Jermaine Blackwood 79 not out – 76 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes; Kyle Hope 25, Kieran Powell 20, Shai Hope 15, Jason Holder 11; James Anderson 3-34, Toby Roland-Jones 2-31, Stuart Broad 2-47) and 137 (45.4 overs) (Kraigg Brathwaite 40, Roston Chase 24, Kyle Hope 12, Jermaine Blackwood 12, Kemar Roach 12, Kieran Powell 10; Stuart Broad 3-34, James Anderson 2-12, Toby Roland-Jones 2-18).

Toss: England. Player Of The Match: Alastair Cook.

Keith Holder is a veteran, award-winning freelance sports journalist, who has been covering local, regional and International cricket since 1980 as a writer and commentator. He has compiled statistics on the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Division 1 (rebranded Elite in 2012) Championship for over four decades and provides statistics and stories for the BCA website (www.barbadoscricket.org). Email: Keithfholder@gmail.com

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West Indies enjoyed a relatively strong opening day in the third and final Test at Edgbaston, a venue that has historically been kind to the visitors, though less so in recent years. (Keith Holder shares the history of this fixture in his Hitting Out column).

But in spite of half-centuries from skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and former skipper Jason Holder on Friday, and early wickets to Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales, the tourists may feel that they could have done more to build on some solid starts.

Specifically, Brathwaite (61) and Mikyle Louis (26) enjoyed an opening stand worth 76, before Louis fell for 26. Holder (59) and Joshua Da Silva (49) also had an excellent sixth-wicket partnership of 109.

But as one wit put it, fans of most teams with 70 runs on the board before the first wicket falls can feel fairly confident that a big score is in prospect. With the West Indies, there is no such sense of certainty.

Behind those four knocks, though, there was little to write back to the Caribbean about.

Shamar Joseph smashed and grabbed a quickfire 16 off 15 balls at the death. Alzarri Joseph dominated his 20-run collaboration with Holder, adding 15 from 31. And Kirk McKenzie smashed three fours, then was dismissed. No other batter got into double figures.

West Indies, then, were all out 282. Opting to bat first, they succumbed to the home team’s swing and seam, with Gus Atkinson continuing to shine in his rookie series for the Three Lions. Atkinson took 4-67, and he has now claimed 20 scalps in the series.

Woakes was able to grab 3-69, whilst Wood added 2-52.

With the pitch doing a bit, Jayden Seales took two wickets before the close to leave England 38 for three on the first day.

Seales was aided and abetted by Holder, who was able to take two fine catches off his pace partner at second slip, sending Zak Crawley (18) back to the dressing room after he flailed at a wide delivery, then removing nightwatchman Mark Wood for nought. Sealy conceded 19 runs in his four overs.

In between, Ben Duckett played Alzarri Joseph onto his stumps, as he tried to up the scoring rate on the Antiguan. Joseph gave up 10 runs in four overs..

Ollie Pope is unbeaten on six, whilst Joe Root is on two. 244 runs ahead, West Indies will be hoping to make further inroads in the England innings on Saturday morning, as they push to avoid a whitewash, and maintain their overall winning record at this venue.

England convincingly won the first two Tests, by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s, and by 241 runs at Trent Bridge.

(TF)

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Seven young golfers from Barbados are competing this week in the Optimist International Junior Championship, being hosted at the Trump National Doral Resort and Spa in Miami, Florida, USA. Optimist Junior Golf, one of the world’s largest junior championships, is billed as “an exciting and unique junior golf programme” and it caters to players aged 10-18.

Over 600 golfers annually compete in this tournament. Optimists have been involved in the sport of junior golf for more than 30 years by holding local, regional, and international tournaments.

More than 5,000 golfers compete in official Optimist District qualifying tournaments in the USA. The best of these golfers, along with international golfers from around the globe, advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.

From Barbados, in the Boys 10-11, Kalani Price was 38th, scoring a 67-over 283 (97, 95, 91) in three rounds of play. Kaidon Bishop and Joshua Sambrano were in the Boys 12-13 group. Bishop, the younger of the two, ended tied for 77th, whilst Sambrano finished 86th. Bishop shot a +48 264 (96, 79, 89) and Sambrano +59 275 (89, 91, 95).

Christ Church native Jonathan Broome took on the competition in the Boys 14-15 division. He was unable to make the cut for the final round, hitting a +26 169 (84, 85) in the first two days of play. In the Clash of the Challengers on the third day, he shot a +17 88 to finish tied for 38th.

Contesting the Girls 13-14, Kiara Wilson of St James compiled a +70 286 (95, 97, 94) to finish 45th.

On the weekend, the final two athletes will swing into action in the senior category, where they will hope for better fortunes, In the Boys 16-18 will be Christopher Jackman, whilst Mariella Young will aim to build on her success at this level over the past 18 months, taking on the Girls 15-18 field.

(TF)

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Barbados snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, as they overcame defending champions Jamaica by nine runs in a thrilling encounter at Park Hill Playing Field, St Vincent & the Grenadines.

Needing a win to maintain their chances of adding the West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 50-Overs Championship to their 2-Day title, Zishan Motara and captain Nathan Sealy took the last three Jamaican wickets for three runs.

Winning the toss and electing to bat on a pitch that was keeping low and not ideal for stroke play, Barbados managed to scrape a total of 126 before being bowled out in 30 overs.

Openers Kyle Jordan and Zion Brathwaite contrived to get to double figures, putting on a stand of 40 before losing the first wicket, that of Brathwaite bowled for 16. Jordan followed shortly after, to make the score 42-2 as he made 19 before being out caught.

Wickets began to fall in clusters as wickets numbers three and four fell, Joshua Morris (3) and Joshua Dorne (2), with the score on 52.

Nathan Sealy and Micah Greenidge built a small partnership as they put on 31 together before Sealy was out caught at long-off for nine runs, score now 83-5.

Greenidge batted smartly before losing his wicket, bowled for 21 in 33 balls, he was the first of two wickets to fall with the score on 92, Jatario Prescod was out caught at mid-on. Shortly after Preston Clarke was LBW leaving the total now at 94-8 and Barbados eyeing their lowest total for the tour.

Motara and Raneico Smith were able to take the score to 118 before Smith was out LBW making 16 in 16 balls. The last wicket to fall was that of Saurav Worrell for four. Motara was not out on 13.

For Jamaica, leg spinner Tamarie Redwood took 5-34 in his 10 overs.

Barbados fast bowlers were off to a rapid start as Smith got a wicket with the very first ball of the innings, Adrian Weir LBW. In the second over Jatario Prescod had Kev’Aundre Virgo caught by keeper Morris for one, score 8-2.

In the sixth over Smith was on his second hat trick of the tour, as he got Jordan Johnson for 26 and Brian Barnes first ball, both caught identically at point by Prescod, 38-4.

Jamaica’s best batter of the day, Steve Wedderburn, played a flamboyant innings as he proved to be a thorn in the side of the Bajans. He built a 59-run partnership with Matthew Morgan as they took the score to 97. Wedderburn, who made 41 with five fours and a six, was then out caught by Micah Greenidge off the bowling of Worrell, which brought new hope to the boys in blue.

With 30 runs to win and five wickets in hand, Jamaica began to feel the pressure, Michael Clarke, who had just hit a huge six off Worrell, was out caught on the long-on boundary as he was trying to go for another in the same over. 103-6.

With the score at 110, Motara struck, claiming his first wicket and Jamaica’s seventh, Kyle Jordan caught Trevaun Williams for two.

As the rain began to loom in the distance, the groundsmen were getting the covers ready. Motara struck again, Odel Samuels caught at slip by Joshua Dorne. Players were celebrating, the rains came, and with the calculations of DLS method Barbados were now one run behind, as they needed the score to be 113 or below for a win in case of a rain affected game. Jamaica were 114-8.

Bajan players and spectators waited eagerly for a possible return to play. When play did resume an hour later, Motara and Sealy snaffled up the final two wickets for a further three runs. Sealy got Morgan caught behind by Morris, and Motara removed Redwood, caught and bowled to end the Jamaica innings at 117.

Motara took 3-17, Smith 3-32, and Worrell 2-22.

Barbados and Guyana will showdown at Arnos Vale on Sunday in what may very well be a winner-take-all game.

In other scores-

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands

LEE 120

WWI 121-5

WWI win by 5 wickets

————

Guyana vs Trinidad & Tobago

GUY 223-8

TTO 134

GUY win by 89 runs

(ZM)

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Tears of joy welled up in the eyes of the newly crowned Junior Soca Monarch, Mr Showman. The 15-year-old pupil from Deighton Griffith Secondary School was visibly moved after being declared the winner in the soca category with his performance of Ready.

Despite being no stranger to competitions, having regularly participated in the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest and progressing through several rounds of the Baje to the World talent show, a major title had previously eluded Mr Showman. That changed in the early hours of Friday morning when he clinched his first crown before a packed audience at the Garfield Sobers Complex. A vocal group of family and friends supported the winner, their collective elation palpable.

Mr Showman, who admitted to tearing up when the runner-up was announced, told reporters, ” I am very excited because this is the first time winning a competition like this.”

With three-time monarch Tae not defending her title, a fierce battle ensued among the eight contestants. Mr Showman emerged victorious with 108 points. The judges placed significant emphasis on a well-crafted presentation. Utilising his Ready energy drink, he demonstrated how to create a party atmosphere. His clear diction remained impeccable, even during his signature dance moves.

Kari, returning after a year’s hiatus, secured second place with Sweet Pan, co-written with her mother. Her video montage featured various youth steel orchestras, showcasing her own skills as a pannist.

Zarie B, building on his impressive 2023 debut, rounded up the top three with What’s Wrong With You, critiquing the behaviour of various groups.

John Boss, an accomplished drummer, opened the competition with a pulsating rendition of Heart Beat”, whipping the audience into a frenzy. Despite audible surprise at his fourth-place finish, he appeared unperturbed, revelling in his award for Best Self-Penned Soca Song.

Other notable performances included Leilani’s patriotic Home, Ranesha’s carnival-inspired Road Call, Jayden Inniss’s dynamic Welcome Home, and Lil Stathis’s cheerleader-backed Bring It.

(STT)

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Barbados is a step closer to launching its first procurement project for Battery Energy Storage Systems to support the grid and unlock stalled Solar PV connections.

The Ministry of Energy and Business is currently hosting a three-day Procurement Design Workshop with key stakeholders to discuss and make critical decisions with regard to procuring Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Barbados has reached the maximum capacity of the electric grid and the Barbados Light and Power Company has been advising that it is unable to connect homeowners and residential PV systems to the grid without the addition of storage.

The workshop is the culmination of the outputs of a consortium of experts in storage systems, who began supporting Barbados at the beginning of 2024 to address the gridlock challenge and advance the renewable energy transition.

In brief opening remarks at the Warrens Office Complex, on Friday, Minister of Energy and Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, said: “This has been an absolutely urgent priority for our Government, and the partners have spent a lot of time collaborating with my amazing team because they understand how critical this is….

“The discussions over the next few days will take us into closure on the process where we can get battery energy storage systems into the country. In many ways this is a watershed moment that many have been waiting for.”

Senator Cummins noted that the partners, including RELP, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, the Inter-American Development Bank, Deloitte, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the International Finance Corporation, had completed what she described as “incredible work”, including a grid characterisation study, which was presented earlier in the week.

“What they have shared with us and will share with the market over the coming days in market sounding sessions will take us a far way towards completing the design for a cost effective and price competitive battery energy storage system for Barbados. We hope to launch the first BESS procurement shortly, based on the timelines that we have seen coming into the development plan.”

Senator Cummins went on to point out that not only had there been close collaboration among partners, but all the local agencies had been actively involved, including the Fair Trading Commission, as well as officials from the Central Bank, Government Procurement, GEED, the Bankers’ Association and relevant associations.

The meeting continues on July 29 and 30, and will culminate in a market sounding session with local industry stakeholders. Once this project is completed, Barbadians awaiting connections to the grid can be connected and new projects can begin to move forward. (BGIS)

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The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) is closely monitoring the progress of an area disorganised convection near 9.5N,45W, about 1006 miles / 1620 km to the east-southeast of Barbados at 11 a.m. Saturday.

There are no watches or warnings in effect for Barbados associated with this system.

Potential Impacts

On its current track, this feature is expected to pass to the north of Barbados around Wednesday or Thursday next week. As a result, no significant impacts are currently expected.

What you should do

The public is encouraged to monitor the BMS, DEM and GIS websites and their respective social media pages along with the local media networks for further updates over the coming days.

Over the next few days, the forecast environmental conditions do not favour significant development of the system. Consequently, no direct weather impacts are expected from this feature for Barbados. However, with the system currently tracking to the north of Barbados, a reduction in windspeeds is anticipated. This will result in uncomfortably warm days throughout the week along with some isolated afternoon shower activity.

The next update will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

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The consumption of fish in Barbados is currently double the quantity consumed in other countries worldwide.

This statistic was confirmed by Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr Shelly-Ann Cox, at a recent press conference. According to her, “under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, our consumption is twice the global average of fish per capita”.

She continued: “We know that, in recent years, the landed fish is way over 881 tonnes, and then the imports would be something different.”

Dr Cox said the trend is unlikely to change anytime soon, since “it is a deep part of our cultural identity to eat fish, so I don’t see people eating any less fish for the future”. (PR)

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Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, is concerned that families are not placing enough emphasis on the care of their elderly and others who may have a disability or been injured because of an accident or gun violence.

He expressed this recently while witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the National Assistance Board and the National Transformation Initiative, at the Warren’s Office Complex, regarding a training initiative for those in the Home Help programme and Companions in the Community of Elder Care.

Pointing out that his biggest concern was that traditional mechanisms of care – family and extended family or people just caring within the family – were eroding, Humphrey said: “As those things begin to erode, there is going to be a need for us in the State to play a different role and that changing role of the State now has to become part of the conversation. I think we built a society with the assumption that the family would carry a significant part of the burden and what you are seeing every day, in significant manifestations, is that the family is no longer playing that role.”

He disclosed that the Ministry sees this in the Elder Care Programme, with persons who are abandoned at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and more recently, not just older persons but younger persons, who would have been shot or in an accident.

“People are just not coming forward to care for other persons,” he remarked, lamenting that the abandonment also extends to other persons, including those who have disabilities.

Querying what could be done to resolve the issue, he opined: “I think on one hand, we have to do what we are doing in the Ministry, which is to expose our staff to higher levels of training. so that when they engage with other people in the public, people sense a degree of compassion. And there’s not everything you can teach but I do believe there are some things we can convey.

“I think we also have to be more intentional in our hiring practices because there are a number of people who come forward with eight million qualifications and present themselves for a job but what is the bigger requirement is that they [should] care about other people. So, we have to find a way when we are doing our hiring to make sure that people who come into this space are people who care about other people.

“So, I think we have to start asking different questions beyond: ‘What is your degree?’; ‘Did you get honours?’, to: ‘Tell me what you have done, growing up, for other persons’; ‘Are you involved in the Arts?’…. The biggest deficit this country has to fix is a care deficit. The biggest deficit is not a fiscal deficit. It is a care deficit. It is going to be the State, but it also has to be the church, the communities, the private sector, the trade unions, everybody, if we are going to resolve what is before us.”

He noted that Barbados is an aged society with one in every five persons over 65 and one in every four over 60.  Pointing out the serious nature of this, he stressed: “If the population is getting older and we are caring less, you can understand what is going to happen to this country in the next few years. And, if the people who also need care are not being cared for well, then they have a double problem.”

While also acknowledging that NTI’s training was going to be a significant part of it, he noted there was a need for parenting programmes, community-based programmes, and the involvement of everyone. (BGIS)

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Mosquito breeding sites in St George will be targeted this week when the Vector Control Unit returns to the parish to continue its fogging programme.

The team will begin on Monday in the following areas: Cottage Heights, Cottage Crescent, Grove Tenantry, Market Hill, Bridge Cot, Grove Cottage, Bridge Cot Terrace, Old Post Office Road, Cottage Court West, Cottage Crescent Drive, Moon Shine Close, and St Helens.

The next day the Unit will spray Workman’s, Jordan’s, Jericho, and Fair View Heights.

On Wednesday it will be the turn of Newbury Crescent, Francia Drive, Cottage Close, Cottage Wood, Country View, Cottage Development, Superlative, St. Judes, Logan Road, Upright Street, Rock Hall, and Walkers Terrace.

There will be no fogging on Thursday, August 1, Emancipation Day, a public holiday.

The fogging exercise for the week will conclude on Friday in the following districts: Todd’s Land, Prerogative, Greens, George Holligan Road, Drax Hall, Drax Hall Hope, and James Drax Street.

Fogging takes place from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily. Householders are reminded to open their windows and doors to allow the spray to enter. Children should not be allowed to play in the spray.

Members of the public are advised that the completion of scheduled fogging activities may be affected by events beyond the Unit’s control. In such circumstances, the Unit will return to communities affected in the soonest possible time.

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The Atelier by Seven Blooms, Barbados’ membership-based nail spa, proudly celebrates its fifth anniversary with the announcement of the inaugural Battle of the Nails Competition. 

Since its inception, The Atelier by Seven Blooms has redefined the nail industry in Barbados, combining exceptional nail artistry with a commitment to self-care and community.

Founded by Charlene Garnes-Pilgrim, The Atelier by Seven Blooms began as a personal journey of passion and resilience. “My love for nails started way before 2019,” Garnes-Pilgrim said. “After experiencing the loss of my brother, I realised how much I was taking for granted, especially my time and my talents. In 2019, I relaunched my nail business with a renewed sense of purpose and Seven Blooms was born.”

Over the past five years, The Atelier by Seven Blooms has created countless memorable moments. From taking clients at a friend’s salon to transforming her home into a welcoming space, Garnes-Pilgrim’s dedication has fostered a loyal clientele. Notably, the launch of The Nail Slay Club, which evolved into the Seven Blooms Lifestyle Memberships, has redefined the client-tech relationship by offering a true self-care experience. 

Originally known as Seven Blooms Beauty Studio, the business has transformed into The Atelier by Seven Blooms, a motivational self-care subscription and membership-based nail spa. With unique offerings like the GGK Subscription and various Lifestyle Memberships, including the Nail Garden Club and Chic Girl Birthday Club, The Atelier by Seven Blooms stands out as the only one of its kind in Barbados. 

Garnes-Pilgrim acknowledges the pillars in her life, including her son, sister, husband, and mentors, for their unwavering support. “I am thankful for the ladies who continue to choose Seven Blooms; they are my MVPs,” she said. 

To celebrate its fifth anniversary, The Atelier by Seven Blooms is thrilled to introduce the Battle of the Nails Competition. “I wanted to celebrate others and give nail technicians in Barbados a platform to showcase their talent,” Garnes-Pilgrim said.

The online competition features six categories open to nail technicians of varying skill levels, as well as a special category for aspiring or beginner nail techs aged 16 to 19. Participants will submit photos of their work, which will be judged based on criteria such as nail shape, cuticle work, apex, structure, and creativity. 

Esteemed guest judges include Renee Norville, Dymond Brown, Rena Boothe, and Celebrity Nail Artist Celeste Hampton. With the potential for additional guest judges, the competition promises to be an exciting event for the local nail community. 

Looking ahead, Garnes-Pilgrim envisions the growth of The Atelier by Seven Blooms beyond its current micro spa status. She also hopes to see the Battle of the Nails Competition become a highly anticipated annual event, potentially evolving into an expo for nail techs and self-care enthusiasts. (PR)

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