Blondie Bird & Building and Loan Honour Julian “Peling” Pollard, Support Nelson Bloc

The St. Vincent Building & Loan Association (SVBLA) has announced its sponsorship of two prominent mas bands for VincyMas 2025, further strengthening its commitment to cultural preservation and national pride.

The sponsored section of Blondie Bird and Friends, titled ‘Tribute to Julian Peling Pollard’, honours the late Vincentian cultural icon and longstanding contributor to carnival and the arts in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG),the SVBLA said in a release.

The all-inclusive section celebrates Pollard’s legacy of creativity and cultural pride -values the SVBLA said it is proud to promote.

Semone Richardson of Blondie Bird & Friends remarked, “We at Blondie Bird and Friends are happy to have on board, the St. Vincent Building and Loan Association. We thank them tremendously for helping to keep the traditional costuming alive. This sponsorship goes a long way in ensuring that we can keep costumes at a reasonable price so that the ordinary person can have that experience of playing mas”.

She added, “It is very important to note that the sponsorship is given to a traditional mas band so that the creative culture would be around for years to come. Thanks again for your generosity”.

In addition to its partnership with Blondie Bird &Friends, the SVBLA is also providing sponsorship of Nelson Bloc.

“SVBLA’s additional support to Nelson Bloc highlights its dedication to fostering community participation and ensuring that festivities remain vibrant and accessible,” the financial institution stated.

“These cultural partnerships complement SVBLA’s ‘Tun Up De Vibes’ Loan, which provides affordable financing options to help Vincentians participate in carnival, including, securing costumes with Blondie Bird & Friends, Nelson Bloc and other mas bands”. The loan also supports summer, staycations, vacations and travel, making these experiences more financially accessible.