“All Stars’ Woman On The Bass, is my all-time favourite pan song” says Ms. Pennelope Beckles at her hamper drive for steel bands.
“Similar to the feeling the song Lauren by Explainer does to our diaspora in New York when they hear it, so does Woman On The Bass affect my feelings”. Explained Ms Beckles, “ I was studying in Barbados and there was a low time for me, just dealing with the stresses of studies and not being home. It was All Stars’ Woman On The Bass that steadied me through”.
This was explained to me before an electrifying morning of generosity by her constituency office to its Arima residents, with a special emphasis on steel bands.
A little over two weeks ago, I partnered with the MP for Toco/ Sangre Grande, to bring relief to steel bands in that community. Due to the extreme success of that distribution effort, I was recommended to the MP for Arima, the Honourable Pennelope Beckles, to assist with their organization of a similar venture. The venue, the Arima Community Centre, the huge, modern, orange building which sat under clear blue sky, run by friendly, well-trained and organized staff. Two hundred massive hampers were allocated to be distributed. One hamper comprised of three heavy bags, a provision pack, veggie pack and a bag of dry goods. In addition to those, eggs and chickens completed a hamper set. Twelve steel bands were beneficiaries of five sets each with the expectation that they be given to their band members who are in need. Plus, another five hampers for the steel band leaders will be distributed in two weeks.
Distribution to the public was simultaneously taking place with amazing coordination and skill, but prior to that, I was privileged to see the general in her element.
Ms Beckles coordinated the delivery, welcomed the public, showed recognition of old steel band friends, hosted the steel band leaders and I, and unpacked the trucks of goods like a super woman on steroids. It was nothing short of phenomenal to see her work for the people she loves. During the comradery between her and the steel band leaders, she found out that I am from South. She jokingly explained that Arimians are so possessive of her that she was pulled through the coals by the council member in town hall for announcing in a South event that she went to school in South. She said “Aquil I take meh buff and apologise”. After her story, we all had a good laugh about it. She went on the tell us that as the past Minister of Culture and Tourism, one of her high-profile projects was to make sure that all pan yards had proper lighting. She claimed not to be a panist but was self-taught a song or two on a tenor pan gifted to her by Pan Land. She mentioned her involvement in the infrastructural development in Nutones Steel Orchestra when Clive Bradley was their arranger. She boasted of the large number of single pan bands in her constituency and of her close relationships with various band managers.
“Ms Beckles passed through the pan yard a day and beat a whole side ah we in table tennis”, confession from Nu Tones Manager, Mr Oswald Alexander, who was there to collect hampers on behalf of his band and help manage the distribution. We thank you Mr Alexander. One of the major coordinators for the program and recipient on behalf of Arima Angel Harps Steel Orchestra, Mr Julian Gibbs, thank you. Anthony Walker, Chairman of the Eastern region was also there to collect on behalf of his band Pan Elites, and was asked to publicly thank the organizers of the event. Thank you for your kind words Mr Walker. Special thanks to your constituency officer Mrs. Melika Walters and the rest of the team.
Pennelope Beckles, a Trinidad and Tobago politician, diplomat and attorney-at-law. Minister of Housing and Urban Development and the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Arima in Trinidad and Tobago. A friend in Pan is a friend of the ground and in politics, the ground is power. They say first impressions count. You impressed me with you charismatic, warm and welcoming personality, your intelligence and the ability to multitask with such ease. Arima is lucky to have you and by extension Trinidad and Tobago. On behalf of the Steelband community, thank you for your continued support for steel bands.
Change starts with me.
Aquil Arrindell
Replies
Aquil: Yuh acting as if YOU IS the PRO or PRESIDENT OF PAN TRINBAGO coordinating with all dem PNM MINISTERS and sharing out HAMPERS TO PAN MEN. Yuh bound to get SUE for IMPERSONATING A PAN TRINBAGO EXECUTIVE.
Meanwhile sits buried in a COVID SILO in TOBAGO collecting her $27,500 a month, building her GUEST HOUSE and HANDING OUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of DOLLARS to TOBAGO PAN YARDS to seal every last TOBAGO VOTE in the UPCOMING ELECTIONS.
AQUIL AH HOPE YUH HEARS DEM TENORS!!! THAT IS THE REAL THING!!!They should rename PAN TRINBAGO to PAN TOBAGOTRIN as long as BEVERLEY is in OFFICE -- which it look like it will be next NINE YEARS. WOE BE ONTO PAN PROGRESS over the NEXT DECADE with THIS KIND OF STAGNANT and SELF-SERVING LEADERSHIP.
Ah have to GIVE UP DIS PAN TING -- it too STAGNANT and RETROGRESIVE FOR ME!!!