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No money to pay Festival Committee volunteers – Hon Walwyn

- Culture Minister eats words on ‘paying festival volunteers’
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) has said while it is his desire to give Festival Committee volunteers a stipend, there is no money to do so. Photo: VINO
From left: Minister for Education Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, Mrs Bernice Sprauve, Ninth District Representative Hon Hubert O'Neal and Chairperson of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Sasha D. A. Flax at the opeing of the Bernice Sprauve Festiville in Virgin Gorda last evening, April 15, 2017. Photo: VINO
From left: Minister for Education Hon Myron V. Walwyn, Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith, Mrs Bernice Sprauve, Ninth District Representative Hon Hubert O'Neal and Chairperson of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Sasha D. A. Flax at the opeing of the Bernice Sprauve Festiville in Virgin Gorda last evening, April 15, 2017. Photo: VINO
Local band VIBE hyping up the crowd at the Bernice Sprauve Festiville. Photo: VINO
Local band VIBE hyping up the crowd at the Bernice Sprauve Festiville. Photo: VINO
Jamaican artist Jah Cure was one of the international acts. Photo: VINO
Jamaican artist Jah Cure was one of the international acts. Photo: VINO
The crowd at the Bernice Sprauve Festiville in Virgin Gorda in party mode on April 15, 2017. Photo: VINO
The crowd at the Bernice Sprauve Festiville in Virgin Gorda in party mode on April 15, 2017. Photo: VINO
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – The Golden Jubilee Virgin Gorda Easter Festival got into full swing following the opening of the Bernice Sprauve Festiville in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda on April 15, 2017.

Speaking at the opening ceremony which saw four of six founders being honoured, Ninth District Representative Honourable Hubert O’Neal was loud in praise to the four and even more, the committee of today for a job well done as he said many were their trials.

Hon O’Neal told the large gathering of persons that the residents of the sister island and the territory as a whole have every reason to be proud of what the festival has turned out to be over the 50 years.

“Virgin Gorda has become something synonymous with Easter festivities and this is something that we should be proud of, not just as Virgin Gordians but as BVIslanders as a whole.”

He told the story of the festivities starting as a simple celebration, in the form of a picnic, with the addition of persons from the sister territory US Virgin Islands and has evolved into what it is today.

“So I want to give thanks to the founders. I must also give thanks to the present committee, Ms Sasha Flax and her team. They have done a marvelous job this year…. They have been through many trials and tribulations. I want to personally thank you Sasha Flax. Don’t mind the talks, don’t mind the criticisms.”

The District Representative’s sentiments were also supported by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) as he expressed gratitude for the vast mixture of persons present.

The four founding members of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival who were honoured are Andy Flax, Rose Gardener, Rupert Ephraim and Bernice Sprauve, whom the festival village is named after.

No money

Meanwhile, the controversial Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL) took an ‘about face’ on the matter of ensuring volunteers of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee be compensated financially for their service.

In what many saw as the Minister’s quest for political points, in 2014 he attempted to make a case for the volunteers to be paid when he noted that most government boards are given a stipend and same should be the case for the Festival and Fairs committee volunteers.

The Minister touched that topic as he addressed hundreds present at the opening ceremony of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival on April 15, 2017. “The work of festival is hard work and sometimes we don’t appreciate what goes into putting on a good festival and they are not paid….I want to pay them but I don’t have any money to pay them, so the lord will bless them.”

On the other hand, Chairman of the BVIF&FC, Trefor A. Grant appealed to persons to show appreciation to committee members who volunteer as they work to ensure patrons get a good time. He described their work as “A labour of love.”

Opening night acts deliver

Following the opening of the Bernice Sprauve Festiville it was time for musical entertainment by local and overseas performers.

Local band VIBE put on a show that was well received by the crowd and set the pace for the night.

The international acts included Jamaican artist Jah Cure, who also took a brief moment to tell the crowd to cherish the life they have in the Virgin Islands, a place where there are not many murders and guns as compared to the country he is from.

Jah Cure noted that he would have been able to do much more writing of songs had he lived in the VI because of the quiet that exists.

Rock City

The brother duo "Rock City" of the US Virgin Islands was another good treat at the opening night.

Patrons were treated to a few of their new songs and many familiar ones. But persons were shocked to learn from the musical brothers that they were being blocked from performing in the village of the USVI carnival of 2017.

Rock City was performing for the first time in Virgin Gorda and they no doubt had the crowd wanting more.

30 Responses to “No money to pay Festival Committee volunteers – Hon Walwyn”

  • Rookie (16/04/2017, 14:32) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Myrrun talk too much he worse than Trump
  • whey deh money gone? (16/04/2017, 14:34) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    money gone in wall and mold
    • Anonymous (16/04/2017, 20:56) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      No one should ever give a politician more than the minimum power necessary to do the job. Worship no man and don't fall for "give me all the power and I'll fix it" routine.
  • belonger (16/04/2017, 14:43) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Minister should pay volunteers with extra money he makes from HoA.
  • just asking... (16/04/2017, 14:59) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Where the money gone?
  • dog (16/04/2017, 15:59) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply

    Yes 2014 he was saying all kind of sh*t to f**l the people

  • Volunteer (16/04/2017, 17:29) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    I thought it was doing it out of the goodness of your heart? Why always some tola person asking for handouts... ah beanie man say! Gimme Gimmie
  • student (16/04/2017, 18:46) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    last time i check volunteers dont need to get paid
    thats the point of volunteer work
    but what do i know?
    • pro student (24/04/2017, 05:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Student: I was wondering the same thing.
      Volunteer means exactly that! No pay expected.
  • Real Volunteer (16/04/2017, 19:08) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now, if you paid me I would not be a volunteer, would I?
  • ? (16/04/2017, 19:29) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    If they are volunteering, why on earth would money even be involved? The nature of the word indicates that community spirit is the motivation, not money.
  • one eye (16/04/2017, 20:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    what will festival committee members need money for?....... this man thinks he alone must be rich
  • trrefdrfds (16/04/2017, 20:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    All political science books need to be rewritten stressing the point that dictators are just as easily elected and given power by voters, rather than having to seize it by force.
  • his big win (16/04/2017, 20:59) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    voter intimidation, and low turn-around, also enormous amount of money shoveled to buy results.
  • Thing to talk (16/04/2017, 21:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    last night when myrrun said that no money to pay festival committee bonecrusther said it was the wrong thing to say he was right .
  • think we ate our school fees (16/04/2017, 21:48) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    all the nonsense Myron in there doing why he do not give up his salary and be a volunteer? he thinks we can take the blessings to the grocery store or the bank??.
  • Hawk. (17/04/2017, 07:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This Moron at it again. Puhleese.
  • Ghost (17/04/2017, 12:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    all the money gone in ndp bank
  • Political Observer (PO) (17/04/2017, 21:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is trending in US where some companies are promoting community engagement by paying employees for volunteer services. It is admirable that these companies are demonstrating some corporate social responsibility. On the other hand though, service on government boards and commissions.....etc, especially local government, are strictly voluntary and free. Citizens volunteer for community engagement, for the public good, to give back to the community .......etc.

    Similarly, service on local boards, commissions........etc should be voluntary and without compensation. Citizens should be compensated for any cost incurred incident to serving, i.e., overseas travel...........etc. It will be interesting to see how many people will race to volunteer if there were no compensation.

    Moreover, paying volunteers is just another opportunity to feed at the government trough at taxpayer expense, to reward cronies, political payback...............etc. Taxpayers provide much, i.e., roads, garbage collection, schools, college, social services.........etc so we should be motivated to give back to the community.
  • teacher john (17/04/2017, 22:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    At this point, it is patently obviously that MVW says whatever comes into his head without any thought to what it actually means.
  • ta ta (17/04/2017, 22:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is THE KEY ISSUE, How much do we need to plan, manage and finance the society and where is the money going to come from?
  • kelo (17/04/2017, 22:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He will do whatever gets him re-elected. Can't win with deplorables alone, you know.
  • Wow! (18/04/2017, 08:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe August elections is true?? Politicians on the campaign trail... Walwyn had his own float at the Easter Fest. Parade with a few children at top and walked up and down in the middle of the parade hugging and greeting individuals. His NDP Party associates were seen on the sidewalk meeting and greeting the public. The VIP members were more united as they shared a float and were given out water etc. but Walwyn was a 'one man ban'. What is truly going on in my country?
  • egg face (18/04/2017, 19:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i can't stand this man
  • Wendy (19/04/2017, 20:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another reality in the VI. Volunteers seek payment for their volunteering. Only in the VI folks.


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