More than 10,000 people attended the Barbados Labour Party’s tenth annual National Heroes Day picnic at the Ermine Bourne Highway yesterday.
Contending the picnic was possibly the largest such event ever held in Barbados, BLP General Secretary Dr. Jerome Walcott said that initially the party had booked 83 commercial passenger vehicles to transport supporters from each of the 30 constituencies to the highway. But even this record number proved inadequate, and the party had to contract 20 more vehicles.
“We ended up hiring a total of 103 commercial passenger vehicles, including coaches, minibuses, ZRs and 15 Transport Board buses,” said Dr. Walcott.
One MP, St George South representative Dwight Sutherland, confirmed the crowd was the largest he had ever seen for the annual event during his six years of elective politics.
“By 11 a.m. we had already passed 10,000 persons and more persons were still coming. This indeed is a hallmark within our party and we will continue to do this because we as a party continue to show our dedication and commitment to what our forefathers would have done for this country,” Sutherland said in an interview with Barbados TODAY.
With the unprecedented crush of vehicles on the highway, Dr. Walcott said the police worked hard to keep the traffic flowing.
“The Royal Barbados Police Force personnel expertly managed the situation to ensure the smooth flow of traffic through the highway for those just passing, while making sure those who needed to park could be accommodated. The police’s efforts cannot be understated,” stated the general secretary.
Traffic apart, the day was essentially a mix of camaraderie between party supporters’ and individual family fun. The crowd, made up of Barbadians from all walks of life, were also entertained by the various DJs on hand.
Unfortunately, in the first major incident at any of these picnics, a drowning occurred. The individual was an elderly Christ Church gentleman named Edwin Atherley. He was 69 years old and lived at Lodge Road.
In expressing his condolences to the loved ones, family and friends of Atherley, Dr. Walcott said: “The sudden loss of any life is tragic and is something one can never be prepared for. Because of this, when such incidents occur it deeply affects those left behind. This is why as a party we grieve with those who were close to Mr. Atherley.
“We want you to know that the BLP hurts with you because we, too, regarded him as a member of our family.”
