Vincies receive MBEs in UK

Fri June 28, 2013

by Natricia Duncan

It was celebration Vincentian style in Croydon, London as Buckingham Palace honourees architect Moulton Mayers and builder Gideon Browne collected their MBE medals on June 6.{{more}}

The pair, who received MBEs in the Queen’s 2012 honours list, shook hands with Her Majesty in a prestigious awards ceremony, then shared their accolades with UK-based Vincentians at a champagne reception hosted by Janetta and Mervin Grant.

The event included a multi-course dinner with speeches from the honoured guests and their supporters.

The Grants said they were delighted to be able to welcome them into the Vincentian community in London. In his toast, Mervin described their success as a testament to the wealth of talent that abounds in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Janetta added: “It warms my heart to see my countrymen putting their stamp on the world in such a positive way.”

Vincentian folklorist and director of award-winning, UK based community organisation Africa Caribbean Development Foundation (ACDF) Bilal Ameen described Browne and Mayers as “modern day heroes”, and encouraged them to create a legacy by imparting their skills and knowledge to young people.

Also in attendance was Glenda Spencer, DHL manager and founder of a new charity for the disabled in St Vincent, which is being supported by Mayers.

She congratulated the pair and said: “I really feel proud to be here this evening; I’ve been telling my staff at work today that I am going to meet my royal Vincentians”

Mayers and Browne expressed their gratitude to the Grants for their hospitality, and to Carlton and Dorothy Payne who travelled from St Vincent and the Grenadines to support them.

Mayers, the genius behind well-known designs such as the National Insurance Services headquarters, the Building and Loan offices, the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines building at Reigate, the Curriculum building, the Forestry Division headquarters, KFC and the Super J Arnos Vale supermarket, was awarded for services to architecture and community work.

He spoke about being inspired by his father, the late Milton Mayers, who had also received an MBE award.

He said: “It would be remiss of me if I do not thank the good Lord and then my father, who played a pivotal role in my development in architecture. He recognised my talent and refused to allow me to give up on my education. He pushed me to the limit and supported me with the funding I needed to get my qualifications.”

Browne, who was recognised for his services to the construction industry and the private sector, said he was humbled by the achievement and owed his success to God, his family and hard work.

He said: “It was a remarkable experience to be able to shake hands with the Queen and talk with her face to face”

The wives of the honourees spoke of the sacrifice their families have had to endure to secure success. Sylma Browne said she has been encouraging and supporting her husband through prayers and determination and Yvonne Mayers assured Moulton that his family is always “standing behind him.”

Other Vincentians honoured by the Queen this year include Leila Euphemia Greaves, who received a CMG for services to business and to the community; Dr Roslyn Eartha Ambrose and Elroy Raymond John, who also received OBEs in recognition of their contributions to medicine and banking respectively; and Renold Adolphus Hadaway, who secured an MBE for services to the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and to law and order.