London, England – Saturday November 03, 2012
To the sweet sounds of “Grenadians, May God Bless you” by Casimir Pitt and sung by Cyril Charles, the Annual Commonwealth Fair got off to a colourful start on Saturday November 3 rd at the Kensington Town Hall in London, United Kingdom.
The Fair, hosted by the Commonwealth Countries League (CCL) in its 87th Year, was officially opened by The Worshipful The Mayor of The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea – Councillor Christopher Buckmaster, accompanied by The Mayoress Mrs Anne Hobson. President of the Commonwealth Countries League, Mrs Louisa Service OBE, extended a warm welcome to the Mayor and Mayoress, and Celebrity Guest Cpl Dr Johnson Beharry VC, war-hero and “Dancing on Ice” Star.
The welcome party also included Fair Co-coordinator, Majorie Rennie, Deputy Chairwoman, Joyce Kallaghe of Tanzania, and Jenny Groves LVO, Chairman of the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund (CCLEF). High Commissioner Rouse, who served as Chairwoman for the 2012 Fair, conveyed her thanks and appreciation to all High Commissions, Staff, Volunteers and visitors to the Fair, for their support of such a worthy cause, the Education of girls around the Commonwealth. The Chairwoman conveyed special thanks to Colleague Caribbean High Commissioners and Staff, who supported her chairmanship throughout the year by hosting meetings and fundraising events.
Grenada’s participation at the Fair was supported by the Grenada Marketing and National Importing Board (GMNIB); Mr. Denis Noel of Noelville Ltd., the Grenada Board of Tourism (UK), and volunteers from the Grenadian Diaspora in the United Kingdom, who served Grenada’s National Dish “Oil-Down” on the Menu at the Commonwealth Kitchen.
In her message to the Fair patrons, the Chairwoman said, “2012 has proven to be an exceptional year for the Commonwealth and globally as well, with the celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics.
On behalf of the members of the Commonwealth Countries League Fair Committee, I wish to join in the numerous expressions of congratulations honouring Her Majesty The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth over the past sixty years. Her dedication to the service of her Commonwealth Citizens is unsurpassed, and the particular attention she has paid to women and young people across several regions is worthy of praise.
We also wish to congratulate those exceptional athletes who have made their countries proud at the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer.
The Commonwealth Theme for 2012 “Connecting Cultures” is significant to this year’s Fair, as we have endeavoured to provide a wide variety of performances and food, which are culturally important to the countries you will see here today. The Commonwealth’s two billion people, though of differing beliefs and traditions, share a cultural expression which is the hallmark of a vibrant means of identity and exchange.
Note:
The CCL’s charitable arm is the CCL Education Fund which sponsors bright needy girls to give them equal opportunities for secondary/high school education in their own countries. Over 3000 girls from challenging backgrounds, have been supported in this way. Their progress is closely monitored and their success stories are heart-warming.
Photos: Grenada Produce Stall/Grenada Food Stall
High Commission for Grenada
London
03 November, 2012
