Governor General of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave greets six-year old Taylor Parkinson and some of her peers, during the meet and greet segment.
The sound of children happy at play, as well the occasional interaction with these joyous “neighbours” while strolling the grounds of his official residence at Government House are key aspects Governor General of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave says he will miss, when he demits office at the end of June this year.
As he paid a visit to students of the St. Winifred’s School yesterday, located at Pine Hill St. Michael, Sir Elliott noted that the staff and students there have been good neighbours, during the time he has been in office. He pointed out that a mere fence, rather than a wall, separates the two properties, that of St. Winifred’s and his official residence at Government House, Government Hill, St. Michael. As such, he recalled instances where he would respond to students who greeted him whilst he was walking around the grounds on mornings or who would enquire of him if he could lend assistance in returning a ball that found its way onto his premises.
He told those gathered in the auditorium at St. Winifred’s, “It is a great pleasure for me to visit this school this morning and to say goodbye to the management, teachers and students, who have been my neighbours since 2012.”
“I have a lot of time for the youth of this country and it pleases me to know you are happy and you are enjoying yourselves,” he also told the students, in relation to the sounds he would often hear during their play time or on sports day.
He meanwhile commended St. Winifred’s Principal Kim Lewis and her team, for the high standard of education the private institution provides and the excellent work put in to develop the children who attend classes there.
“This school is an educational institution which provides excellent teaching for Barbadian children whose parents can pay. It also provides (excellent schooling) for children of non-nationals who work in Barbados,” the Governor General observed.
He meanwhile expressed his hope that one day, “someone with deep pockets and a charitable spirit” would provide funds to enable the school to relocate, thereby easing the heavy traffic congestion around the school on mornings. He meanwhile joked that he would be returning to his own residence “a stone’s throw away” from the area and he would likely still be faced with traffic congestion.
Closing out his address, Sir Elliott wished those at the school continued success in all their endeavours, and then he declared to all present, “I shall miss you all!”.