GHS Yuh Set De Pace

“Hats Off!” or “Thumbs Up!” to GHS who at 7:30 a.m. last Monday morning, December 11 hosted de school’s first Nine Mornings. GHS is possibly de first Secondary School to start Nine Mornings in schools in SVG. Of course this is subject to correct-shun.

I arrived at de School’s new premises in Arnos Vale ah bit late but energy was “High” as in Girls “High.” dem girls always live up to dey name. Ah live just above de Ole School in Mc Kie’s Hill, and every Monday morning when its Assembly, dey does have some lively sessions. Last Monday was no exception. Former Nine Mornings Committee cheerman Michael Peters and his dear wife were present. Guest Artiste was Cultural Icon, Carlton “CP” Hall and his wife. Good Sounds and excellent choice of sober 90% Vincy Christmas Music was provided by DJ Cano my Murray Villager. How well ah remember DJ Cano in de early days of de Revival of Nine Mornings, ah lickle youth man struggling wid ah small sound system wid one speaker. Today DJ Cano is in de big league.

The program flowed smoothly following what is considered de Nine Mornings mould, “clean fun” with de usual competition for students in singing, dancing, modelling, cake/bread eating, juice drinking etc. The teachers presence and involvement were clearly effective and evident. Interestingly there was ah Pigeon Peas shelling competition for Teachers (male and female) quite funny, ah think ah saw ah bit of scribing taking place as some of de contestants were having dey first try at shelling peas. Dey’s no Nine Mornings widout eats and dey was snacks, never mind there was no Calillo soup, bakes and fried fish, Black fish, salt-fish and breadfruit, sorrell and Ginger Beer. By next year all ah dat will be ready I am told by Organisers. Stage Management Team was good. MC Mrs Oliver-Samuel brought ah breath ah fresh air to de Nine Morning Stage.

Ah Nine Mornings Concert widout Carlton “CP” Hall will be an oversight. “CP”is SVG’s Parandero. Number one in Parang. He graces de stage wid a repertoire of about 20 Vincy Parang Songs his own composition. He walks wid ah package: Santa Claws,and ah Bag ah goodies foh de kids. His regular Santa who didn’t show up, was deputized byMrs Santa Claws who fitted nicely and tightly in Santa’s suit. CP did everything on Monday Morning, had de kids doing de Nine Mornings Traing (ah Congo-line thing).

Nine Mornings is about Music, Dance, Fun Games and Pan. Ah wondering where is or was de GHS Steel Band. Dat was noticeable. Please GHS we want Pan and not jut Pan we want GHS Steel Band. Mek sure yuh get your Steel Band up and running foh next year when your show will be Bigger and naturally Better. Ah left Arnos Vale last Monday feeling very optimistic about de future of Vincy Nine Mornings. Once it is in de School dey will be no stopping to where dis Unique Festival will take dis country. Thanks GHS. And wid dat is gone ah gone again.

One Love Bassy

Bassy Alexander is a land surveyor, folklorist and social commentator.