In November 1966 I was 13 years old and naturally still at school. I remember two events related to Barbados becoming independent.

Firstly – a historical pageant at Kensington Oval on Thursday 1^st December 1966 at 4.15pm in the presence of their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Kent

There was a historical pageant at Kensington Oval: The Children’s Rally which depicted Barbados’ history leading up to independence. Some of the secondary schools were invited to partake and each school was given a segment to portray one aspect of our history.

Presentation College was one of the schools chosen and the students were invited to join. I was not certain if I should but Daddy told me I should. He said “If Independence is a failure don’t talk about it. But if it is a success be proud that you were part of it.”

An area of the playing field was marked out with stones and we practiced how we would come on stage, where to stand and how to walk off. I think that one student was to say a few words but this requirement was dropped before the final rehearsal.

After we had our part rehearsed to military precision we had a visit from the event organizer or director. After viewing our presentation which went, from our point of view, perfectly she said that it was all wrong. Among the changes we would have to stand in different places on the stage and enter from both stage left and right.

So we went back to the rehearsals. I don’t remember if she returned or not.

On the day we gathered at Kensington Oval. Someone decided I needed to look more distinguished so they made me wear an oversize jacket which I remember smelt musty. My face was marked with chalk to represent a beard. Or maybe I was depicting a resident from “below the Cliff”.

The schools were lined up in order behind the stage and were told when to go on and leave the stage. There was someone speaking on the PA system but I don’t remember what they were saying.

We finally were directed on stage which was facing a packed Kensington Stand, had our four minutes of fame, and left.

This celebration of Barbados’ history leading up to independence took place 60 years ago on the day after Independence on Thursday 1^st December 1966 at the Kensington Oval!

If you can add some information or correct my memories please do so in the comments section at the end of the post.

Do you have any photographs of the event you could share with us? If you do please contact us.

A copy of the program is available in the UCLA library digital collections – Ephemera from the Barbados Department of Archives.

Click on the link to see the program for: The Children’s Rally to celebrate the Independence of Barbados – Thursday 1^st December 1966 at 4.15pm Kensington Oval in the presence of their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Kent.

Many thanks

William

Secondly – Independence night 29^th/30^th November 1966 at the Garrison Savanna

I also remember the Independence night at the Garrison Savanna.

Our parents drove from St. Philip to the Jordan family home at the Garrison on the night of Tuesday 29^th November 1966.

I remember that the dining room table was laden with food. There was most likely a well stocked bar for the old people. For celebration or to drown their sorrows?

Mr. Jordan had a workshop and we children went on the roof and had a very good view of the event that we really did not understand the significance of.

There was a heavy rain shower but most people did not move. I am not sure if it was before or after midnight. This did not stop the mounted police from riding through the water and mud from the overflowing gutters. Also present were detachments from the Police, Harbour Police, and various other organisations.

I remember a few displays showing Mr. Barrow’s profile, the outline of the island and of our new flag. Maybe also the new coat of arms. As each one was lighted a cheer went up from the crowd.

I seem to remember that there was also some kind firework display at the end of the ceremony. This was the first I had ever seen so I would have been impressed.

I do not remember the actual lowering of the Union Jack flag at midnight on 29^th November 1966 or the raising of the Barbados Broken Trident flag at 00:01 hrs (12:01 am) on 30^th November 1966, but I do remember everyone standing at attention singing the National Anthem for the first time.

For our parents to leave St. Philip at night and drive to town and not return until probably well after 1am was not normal. They knew that it was a very important event that they or their children should not miss.

I can never be sure what they thought of Independence but I think that they were quietly optimistic. I know that my father liked Mr. Barrow and Mr. Walcott. Mr. Barrow was the Prime Minister and Mr. Walcott the founding member of the Barbados Workers Union.

This celebration of Barbados’ Independence at the Garrison Savanna on 29^th/30^th November 1966 took place 60 years ago!

If you can add some information or correct my memories please do so in the comments section at the end of the post.

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Do you have photographs you could share with us? If you do please contact us.

A copy of the program is available in the UCLA library digital collections – Ephemera from the Barbados Department of Archives.

Click on the link to see the program for: Barbados Independence Celebrations held at the Garrison, Savannah, on 29th November, 1966. Contains programme of events for display, flag raising ceremony, and fireworks.

Many thanks

William

For more information see:

• Barbados Independence Celebration 27th November to 4th December, 1966: Official Programme of Events – 26 pages. Contains photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, the Governor, the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister’s residence, followed by a programme of events and other photographs of government buildings.
  
  Interestingly this official program does not include the: The Children’s Rally to celebrate the Independence of Barbados on Thursday 1^st December 1966 at 4.15pm Kensington Oval, listed at the start of this post.
  
  Source: UCLA Library Digital Collections – Ephemera from the Barbados Department of Archives: Ephemera Collection.
• Barbados is Independent by Tony Vanterpool, The Barbados Advocate, Wednesday 30th November 1966
• Barbados – Independence Day (1966) by Rob Bertijn (in Dutch)