Brilliant & Beautiful

Brilliant and beautiful, two words that very appropriately sum up my seven months in Montserrat. And this is it - my final post here on this blog which I first started 224 days ago when I was fresh off the boat in that beautiful, tropical paradise. I would like to thank a few certain individuals in particular who have been immensely helpful whilst I was there and would like to pay tribute for without their help, my job would have been made much more immensely difficult.

First, Herman "Cupid" Francis is truly the epitome of the Montserrtain spirit - he grew up there and has stuck with Monty all through the various Soufrière eruptions, and now is a vital member in the community who is continually enthusiastic, helpful and loyal. As Director of Culture, he has a massive responsibility in making sure the arts and culture of Montserrat continues to thrive from strength to strength, and also ensures that tourism continues to flourish. Thank you for your help in getting me settled in, in helping to move things along and for helping to get organised when I first stepped off the plane without any much of a clue as to what to do.

Next, I would like to thank the governor of Montserrat and his wife, Adrian & Sujue Davis, for always being such welcoming hosts. If the spirit of Montserrat could be condensed into a brick-and-mortar household, it would be yours - endearing, generous and warm. Thank you for all your help, especially in planning the diamond jubilee recital. Sujue - I will always fondly remember your cooking (and wonder when might be the next chance I get to taste it)!

To everyone whom I met on Montserrat, thank you for showing me such a wonderful time - you have made it essentially a wonderful 7-month working holiday for me. Jo & I would also like to thank everyone who come to our informal wedding reception at the Royal Palm Club. It has been absolutely wonderful to get to know all of you and we hope to see you again soon at some point!

And finally, thanks to Sir George & Lady Judy Martin, Gordon Young and Clare Catchpole for essentially making it happen. Nothing would have even gotten off the ground if not for all the support, belief and conviction towards this inspiring project. And best wishes to Rebecca - I'm starting to get a bit envious of the wonderful year which I'm certain is lying ahead of you! And thanks to all my blog readers whom I hope have managed to enthral and entertain in some small way or another - I hope you've had as much fun reading it as I have been writing it. Here's till the next time I find myself on the Emerald Isle!

Instruments & Beyond

Over the last two weeks, Herman "Cupid" Francis, the Director of Culture, has been running his annual Easter music workshop where primary and secondary school students can get a chance to receive basic instrumental tuition, with hopes to spur them on to pick up music. Assisted by his brother Bimshaw, the both of them cover an impressive array of instrumental teaching ranging from guitar to violin to trombone to keyboards.

At the end of this two-week period, most of the participants got together and put on a presentation about what they have learnt over the course of the workshop, as well as perform some basic tunes on their selected instrument. At the end, they performed Amazing Grace as an entire ensemble.

Sounding out the trombone.

Introducing the inner workings of a trumpet.

The violins having a go.

The guitars performing their bit.

While I would have loved to part of this workshop, I couldn't do so because I was back in London for my Easter break. Cupid has been carrying out this programme for many years now, and most participants who signed up usually stay on and form part of Small Beginnings, a young persons orchestra that provides students the opportunity to play their instrument as part of an ensemble after school.

Perhaps it would be possible to re-look at the dates in future for the next education specialist coming to Montserrat to be able to be part of this continually ground-breaking effort, as the term dates for secondary school differs from primary.