Buxton comes alive with community fair
Guyana Chronicle
November 1, 2003
THE East Coast village of Buxton came alive yesterday afternoon with the opening of a three-day fair themed "Recapturing the Glory of Buxton" at the village community playground.
The activity, organized by the Buxton/Friendship Community Alliance (BFCA) comprising a group of concerned citizens, aims to showcase the once-troubled community in a positive light by enhancing the image and reputation of the Buxton/Friendship catchment area.
However, the highlight of the event takes place this evening with the staging of the Miss Buxton Spice Beauty Pageant, when one lucky contestant will walk away with the coveted crown.
At yesterday's impressive opening at which Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gail Teixeira was the main speaker, were US Ambassador Roland Bullen and wife Hilda; Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) Robert Corbin, and General Secretary, Oscar Clarke, and Presidential Adviser on Empowerment , Odinga Lumumba and wife Nicolette, among others.
The programme included, too, members of the Toucan Club rendering the Buxton Battle song; an overview of the Community Alliance by its secretary, Ms Cheryl Forde; a brief history of the village by Mr Deon Abrams; acknowledgements and pledges by Dr Una Paul and the introduction of the delegates of the tonight's contest by Ms Nickolet Trotman-Lumumba.
The proceedings chaired by Ms Magda Pollard who hails from Buxton, was called to order by Ms Norma Younge, Chairperson of the BFCA.
Ms Younge at a news conference held prior to yesterday had said "We are hoping that besides helping to bring normalcy to Buxton, the fair would also bring in funds which would help us to sustain our programmes."
She noted, too, that since last April programmes were conducted to enhance persons' chances at post secondary education at various institutions, including extra lessons for students writing the Secondary School Entrance Examination and a literacy programme for villagers.
Other programmes in the pipeline for which the group is soliciting donations to help fund are, a Study Hall Programme which entails supervision of homework for first formers of the Buxton Community High School; a Numeracy programme, and a School Feeding Programme to cater for the first three grades in the village's primary school.