The heroes of the Caribbean island of Barbados have been celebrated at an event in Reading.
The town has one of the biggest Barbadian diasporas in the UK, with Reading being twinned with Speightstown, the second biggest town on the island.
Members of the community and politicians enjoyed a celebration of leading figures from Barbados at St George’s Church in West Reading.
Councillor Wendy Griffith (Labour, Battle) said: “It was a wonderful event which was about strengthening the ties between the Barbadian community in Reading and Barbados.
“This event was celebrated in Reading on Sunday, April 27 and in Barbados on Monday, April 28, where it is a national holiday.
“Barbadians show appreciation for 11 outstanding individuals who are recognised as heroes for their roles in positively changing Barbados.”
Examples include Bussa, who led a slave revolt against the British Empire, Samuel Jackman Prescod, the first person of African descent to be elected to the Parliament of Barbados, and the popstar Rihanna.
“It was an honour to be invited to the Heroes of Barbados Service at St George’s Church on Sunday.
“It was wonderful to be able to celebrate with the Barbados High Commission, Cllr Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood) the Mayor of Reading, cllr Wendy Griffith, members of Reading Barbados and Friends Association and many members of the Barbadian community.
You can see the list of recognised heroes of Barbados below:
Sir Grantley Adams (1898 -1971)
Errol Walton Barrow (1920 – 1987)
Bussa (Unknown – 1816)
Sarah Ann Gill (1795 – 1866)
Charles Duncan O’Neal (1879 – 1936)
Clement Osbourne Payne ((1904 – 1941)
Samuel Jackman Prescod (1806 – 1871)
Sir Garfield St. Auburn Sobers (1936 – present)
Sir Hugh Worrell Springer (1913 – 1994)
Sir Frank Leslie Walcott (1916 – 1999)
Robyn Rihanna Fenty (1988-present )
