St George’s Cathedral restoration fund off to promising start

A number of local musicians, both young and old, came out in their numbers on Sunday night for a concert, which was held to assist the St George’s Anglican Cathedral Restoration Fund-raising Committee.

The concert, dubbed “We have a gospel to proclaim,” was held at the Russell’s Auditorium at Stoney Ground and had as its main aim, to raise funds to help with the restoration of the St George’s {{more}}Cathedral in Kingstown.

The committee, which is headed by lawyer René Baptiste, is hoping to raise some EC$2 million dollars, to be used for restorative work on the Cathedral, which was constructed on September 8, 1820.

Sunday’s concert was held under the patronage of Bishop of the Windward Islands, His Lordship Rev Leopold Friday.

Coming out to give performances free of cost at the event were a number of youngsters, among them members of the Renaissance Dancers, doing “It is what is is;” La Gracia Dance Company, doing “The Message” and “Faithful;” violinist Milan Compton with “Morning has Broken” and “Hallelujah;” and Jordan Lawrence-Hamlett with a guitar solo “Redemption Song” and a piano solo “Where Do I Begin.”

Other entertainment came from the “Servers,” who did a skit entitled “Old Woman Yo Tannia Ripe;” the St Georges Cathedral Choir; the St Paul’s Church and Cathedral Dancers; and poet Adrian Wright with “Peter, James and John” and “Judgement Day”.

Performers also included Geron Maule (solo), Samuel Toka, panist Saeed Bowman, Cecil “Blazer” Williams (poet), Trevor Edwards (solo), Daneil Soleyn, Kemron Jobe, Caran Gordon, Elliot Providence and Ronnie Richardson.

Renowned gospel singer Bridget Blucher also made a special guest appearance.

Commenting, Bishop Friday said that the concert was the first major activity, as they seek to restore the historic structure which has seen no major work carried out on it in more than 25 years.

He said that he was extremely grateful to the persons who turned up at the event, while asking for continued support as they hold other activities, which include a dinner party and a moonlight cruise.

A United States based organization, the Atlantic Heritage Foundation, is expected to assist with the project.(LC)