To honour some very good colleagues without whom our early success would not have been possible
“I see you support the PNP (People’s National Party)” said our Jamaican neighbour. “You’d better not let our daughter-in-law see it, she’s from the Republic (of Ireland)” added my cousin. “Glad to see a fellow – Liberal Democrat” observed a passer-by. And a group of young Indian men congratulated me on supporting their cricket team.
All because I put on my orange T-shirt and cap with the black writing.
That’s quite an effect.
Yet orange-and-black have been the colours of Caribcommx almost from our outset. They are the colours of Caribcommx and the Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth beauty contest which we presented. It is well time to tell you the story and to honour outstanding colleagues who have helped us along the way.
In the late-1980s and early-1990s we had a lot of activity with the Netherlands. Miss Caribbean & Commonwealth was promoted once in Rotterdam, several title-holders and their deputies made regular promotional visits to Holland, we organised trips to the Rotterdam, Utrecht and Amsterdam carnivals, as well as fashion shows, beauty contests and even a full “Carnival on the Sea” on the ferries sailing between England and Holland, and we reported on Dutch Antillian (Caribbean) activity, including cricket at international level, in that country.
A lot of people co-operated – usually without payment – to make these enterprises successful. Among them I name particularly the late Mr Julian Patterson and his family and Mr Rudi Wilson of Utrecht, and their efforts and vision should be supported. So, when the officials regulating the activities with which we were involved, asked for our representatives to wear some distinguishing feature/insignia so they could be recognised we decided to “kill two birds with one stone” by also honouring the country whose citizens had given us so much help …. that was the Netherlands (Holland) … whose national colours are orange-and-black.
At first we wore distinctive neck-ties (men) and scarves (women) – but times have changed – and our activities have changed accordingly – and today Caribcommx have adopted the appropriate caps and T-shirts. Consequently we appreciate all your support whatever your political, cultural, religious or national affiliations. Just being part of humanity is good enough (smile)!