Big contribution from a humble man

Editor: It is with great sadness that I learnt last week of the passing of Dick Lowe. Not as well-known as his fabled siblings, Guy and Raltie, of national football stardom, Dick was one of those humble individuals who make sterling contributions to the development of our society, while remaining “under the radar”, as they say.{{more}}

In our society, the contributions of such individuals are often overlooked or do not get the credit they deserve. Dick was one such individual, and the field of sporting exchanges and helping to develop sport both in rural communities and in his own, is the area which I would like to highlight in memory of him. Dick Lowe was not a bad footballer himself, and made his mark in first division football with Eagles.

However, it was off the field, that his talents at organizing were best demonstrated. He took it upon himself to become a chief organizer of sporting exchanges with rural communities, taking teams based in the lower part of Kingstown to play softball cricket and football in rural communities. Those days of the sixties were far different from today – communication was difficult, for very few persons had telephones; there were, of course, no cellphones, and transportation to rural areas was a nightmare.

Dick was not fazed by this, or by the fact that when games were organized to be played in rural areas, one had to hire transportation (the late Mr Woodley from Lowmans Hill was a life-saver), though often many of the players couldn’t afford the meagre fare. All too often, Dick had to help out with bus fares for those who couldn’t afford or, were “playing smart” and “backsqueezing”.

There was no multiplicity of football, or even cricket leagues then, for sporting facilities in the rural areas were sadly lacking or very sub-standard. Football itself, save for the towns of Barrouallie, Layou and Calliaqua, and later Mespo and Georgetown, was not a popular sport in rural communities. Dick tirelessly worked to organize regular Sunday matches in these communities, helping to spread the popularity of the sport and so aid in its development. Moreover, these exchanges did a lot to help to break down the barriers between town and country, to develop friendships and camaraderie.

There are many other areas in which he contributed, as no doubt others will testify. As an employee of Hinds Trading, Dick was very helpful to many very small business people and customers and he continued this support for small people in his later endeavours, including at the Port. Not many people are aware that Dick was one of the key young persons who launched the Calabash bar in Middle Street., a favourite recreation spot of the 70s and 80s.

Save for me to say that this society could do well with persons like him. Sport and our society, like me, should say a big, THANK YOU, DICK.

RIP

Renwick Rose