1968 was an important year in the life of Carriacou. It was the beginning of the road to independence. Eric Gairy and the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP for Action) had been elected to Parliament in 1967. The airport was opened and Bishops College was showing itself as an educational establishment of some renown. I was lucky enough to teach there from September 1967 to July 1968. I was keen to record the events during my time in Carriacou and took hundreds of photographs.
I recently purchased a clever scanner which allows me to copy all the negatives and view scenes that had lain in a drawer for over 40 years. I sent examples to old friends in Carriacou and received a number of positive responses and a demand for more.
So Sarana, this is for you. I hope many other Carriacouans will find the photos of interest. I would like people to add any comments to fill out gaps in my fading knowledge. Most of all I just want people to enjoy the chance to view old scenes and chat.
Capt art Ross, I am in contact with Alexis. My family is featured
In the book that he is doing… Nice job Bill.
The name Alexis is also a familiar name in and around the house in 1960-68… until I left Carriacou. He must have lived near the gospel hall?
Related to Tan May?
Nice job
Capt Art Ross I am in contact with Alexis.
My family is featured in his books.
Yes, I believe so Chris. Alex told me all about your family’s involvement. He also sent me copies of his books. They are beautiful things in their own right. I think your family built ‘Genesis’ am I right? There is a guy over here in Devon in a place called Topsham who is, at present, stripping down an old Thames barge (50 to 70 feet long I think) to its bare bones and restoring it to its original condition. He’s doing it on his own, with her beached up by the quay. I intend to get some photos and when I do I’ll send them to you, if you are interested. Anyway, good to hear from you Chris. Keep in touch. I hope to get over to C’cou in the not too distant. Are you based in Windward? If you see those Stiell ‘boys’ i.e. Anthony et al send ’em my regards.
Best,
Bill
Hi Bill, sometime in this next week I should have a book to send you..could you send me your address please. Today was so strange, just finished up the book with publisher and was driving home when Eutha called me! Said she lost my number for 2 years ago and had allot of personal issues but was so sweet, got messages from me but had no number..sort of an island time thing, anyway was wonderful to speak with her and we made tentative plans to meet in Carriacou. Would you like me to add your website address to the book, can still do that..all my best, Art
Hi Art,
Glad things are going well and delighted you and Eutha are back in touch. I think I did write to say that I would be very happy for you to add my website address.
Thank you,
Bill
Margo Owchar
Well, I hope I lucked out. I googled Eutha Goodings and found this site which is using her Maiden name McLaren. I am trying to contact Eutha as well and I believe she retired from Canada back to the islands. If you could give me a contact e-mail, number or even the web-site she u had for rental properties, it would be greatly appreciated.
Originally posted on 15/10/2013
I was in Carriacou in 1972 and travelled to Frigate Island … going past Camp Carriacou. Too young at the time to study there. Later on, I had hoped to study Marine Biology, but did Medicine due to availability of scholarships. Luckily, later in life I became involved with islands, climate change and oceans having recently served chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) at the UN while serving as Grenada’s UN Ambassador, then as the World Bank’s Oceans Representative and now as Grenada’s Ambassador to the US where Grenada teamed up with the Netherlands, Norway, the US and Indonesia to put on the Global Ocean Action Summit in the Hague earlier this year (2014). Grenada’s Prime Minister recently teamed up with Sir Richard Branson (Virgin) and others on Necker Island to launch the Caribbean Challenge Initiative with TNC. Grenada has committed to conserve 20% of its near shore marine resources. Now, I am working with others to help Grenada / Carriacou become a haven for marine science and “the blue economy” with a small amount of funding to catalyse a “blue economy institute”. We are always seeking persons who are nostalgic for Camp Carriacou and might wish to see Carriacou and Grenada play a greater role in marine science, technology and policy. Happy to discuss further.
Ambassador Friday, I am in Washington, D. C. I do like you interest in marine science with particular reference to Carriacou. I had a role to play in the initial stages of the Sandy Island Oyster Bed MPA (SIOBMPA) and now involved in efforts to preserve and protect our tangible and intangible heritage in Carriacou and Petite Martinique. I would like to meet with you at some convenient time to discuss some of these initiatives.
Hi Steve, Please let me know if you get a response. Cheers, Bill
Steve, I am only now seeing your response. (26 – July – 2015). If you are still in DC do drop me an email and let’s meet. angus.friday@gmail.com Many thanks, — Angus.
Hi Angus,
I have emailed Steve with your request and forwarded your email address. Cheers Bill
Hi bill, I am looking for old photos of the grand cay in windward harbour. The pictures will be used in a presentation to the BNTF on climate change and it’s effects on the coastline in carriacou. Any picture showing grand cay with land or vegetation will help us earn a grant that will ultimately be used build coastal defenses in windward and rehabilitate the area we have already lost to the rising sea levels.
Looking forward to your reply.
Ramesh
Hi Ramesh,
Thank you for writing in. I hope you have received the photos I have sent you and I hope they are useful to your very worthy cause.May I draw your attention to Dr Angus Friday’s comments and wonder if they have any bearing on what you are trying to achieve.
Best
Bill
Tranquillity Carriacou will be ready for visitors. The last thing was the inspection of the new electric metre
and repair of put a new pump.
Take care and see you soon.
Best wishes, Eutha
That’s great news Eutha. What a lovely place to stay. Catch you next visit maybe.
Cheers
Bill
I had the opportunity to teach diving medicine and SCUBA at the Camp Carriacou in 1972 when I was a second year medical student at Queen’s University in Kingston Canada. Parts of the camp were still under construction and a desalinator had just been brought in. We filled tanks every evening in a small hut near the warf. We did our diving from a small local fishing boat (captain was Victor) over at Sandy Island and sailed two 45 foot catamarans (one captained by Frank Boeghart) . We visited and dove at Palm Island and throughout the Tobago Cays in the last couple of weeks of camp. Earl Gray was the camp doctor whom I assisted when we had a student hit by a car (riding a bike on the wrong side of the road….survived but lacerations and broken legs). Other staff were Ron Wilson, Gail Wilson, Don Cuffe, Eric Cunningham, Gord ?, Mary Ellen ?, and Fran ?. Jee in Pak was my Korean roommate who taught Hap Ki Do karate to the students that summer. Sailed to Grenada and visited banana groves and “Seven Falls”. Many great memories: Steel band at the Mermaid Inn, playing soccer against a team from a British navy ship, crab races, variety nights, hairy pork rinds for bacon. Remember 9 fun filled weeks and many wonderful acquaintances. I have many pictures of the camp the way it looked at the time and of the adventures. Happy to share if anyone interested. Bob Reid (now Professor of Ob/Gyn at Queen’s University)
Wow, thanks Bob. Sounds like you packed in quite a lot during your 9 weeks. You may like to know Camp Carriacou has an active group page on Facebook. All the best, Bill
I hope some of your students and old friends saw your comment and got in touch Bob. Did you locate the Camp Carriacou page on facebook?
All the best,
Bill
Hi Bill,
I wrote to you on what must of been a much older version of this fascinating blog you have created. When I discover what I actually wrote then I’ll post it on.
I have visited Carriacou three times now, twice whilst sailing. This time I came as a land visitor as I had an outstanding ticket to Grenada which I needed to use up. I was totally fascinated by your record and I felt a little bit sad that the agricultural land down by Dumfries and the old Roses Lime Juice plant, was totally neglected and some marked for real estate purposes I think. So wrong as the soil is rich. Water of course in short. I wondered why there was no reserviors? The land is perfect for crop cultivation of all sorts but it seems nobody is interested in investing in that. Shame.
I loved your pictures and wanted to show them to some of the local people in Harvey Vale but unfortunately I had to cut my holiday a little short on the island.
I was surprised how few people who live on the island knew, or were even aware of your recordings. I’ll have to have another browse through and add some more comments. Thanks for this extremely interesting blog.
Best wishes, Vanessa Fowler.
Thanks Vanessa. You seem to have noted some of the problems on C’cou in such a short stay. Water is definitely a problem. When I was living there they did have underground reservoirs up in the hills behind Hillsborough though I think I was told on my last visit they have fallen into disrepair which is sad. There was an attempt to restore the old Lime plantation to agricultural use, I believe, but it came to nought. Again, a real pity. I’ve got over a hundred followers on my database. I did have a request from the Curator of the museum service to put up a photo exhibition in Grenada and C’cou. I think he is trying to get some funding but I’ve not heard from him for a while!!! It’s a great idea but would cost a bob or two to put it on.
All the best, Bill
Hello again Bill, I just read your reply as I found your blog on the Camp Carriacou site which is great because I can easily go through it all again and properly too. Can you tell me how you ended up staying on the Island please?
I was on another site yesterday and saw a real estate advert. I don’t know if you have seen it yourself but I am hoping it’s not the agriculture land that is for sale. That would be so wrong. That land is rich and if poss be kept for that purpose.
Looking at the pictures again made me very excited and I do love that place and despite all I will have to go back there again. How annoying is that? (joking). I will have to plan better this time as I want to walk all round the island and having a friend to share that journey, is good, I feel.
There are so many little FB pages about the island that I drool over and feel so like I miss it. I went to a cricket match at the stadium by Paradise Beach. It was fun. Such enthusiam.
So I do feel another visit is looming for me and this time with a pal who likes to walk and observe and drink a few beers in the evening. Maybe head for February for Jouvert time? And maybe stay over Hilsborough way this time. Any tips much appreciated.
All the best,
Vanessa
Oops, you were a tutor I see. Pardon me.
Glad you’re thinking of a return visit Vanessa. I’m sure the good folks of Carriacou will make you welcome. I’ve not seen the real estate sale you mention but do take note that the Mermaid Tavern is now open for business…and it looks amazing.
Any pics of “Brother Ned”? (Famous resident of the island)
I don’t wish to show my ignorance but Ned who?
Bill, reading your blog was a good trip down memory lane. I attended Bishop’s College when you were a teacher, but I can’t remember you at all, I think is because you never taught my class. My sisters Gemma and Emma also were students, our last name was David.
I try to go back to Carriacou every 2 yrs, I’ll be going again in Oct.
Thanks so much again for this blog.
Thank you for your assistance Jocelyn. All the best, Bill