Honour there, but not here

[Glenroy R Joseph]

Honour there, but not here

By Keith Subero

Story Created: Mar 1, 2015 at 10:17 PM ECT

Story Updated: Mar 1, 2015 at 10:17 PM ECT 

Terrence Noel, playing pan over Carnival Monday and Tuesday with Melodians steelband, may have appeared to onlookers in his home town of Arima as just another panman.
But later this week, back home in London, Terry will put on his “tails”, and his wife, Mary the hat and outfit specified by Buckingham Palace, where he will go to be invested by Her Majesty the Queen as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of his contribution to the development of steelband music in the United Kingdom. 

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http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/Honour-there-but-not-here-294593961.html

[odw]

Pan icon Terry Noel honoured by Queen

Terry Noel, the longtime Leader of the Melodians Steel Orchestra UK went to Windsor Castle on March 6 this year where Queen Elizabeth II awarded him with an MBE, Member of the Order of the British Empire, for his contribution to steelbands in the UK. It was a fitting honor for a leader in the globalisation of pan. 

In December last year, the band also issued their third album, Melodians Magic, the first album in many years. Both serve to recognise a long career in pan education. 

Terry and the Queen had a brief conversation and discussed the fact that the Melodians had played for the Queen at her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 as well as three garden parties at Buckingham Palace and eight years ago at the Commonwealth Day Services in Westminster Abbey. 

For Terry Noel, it was the best. “It was a fantastic and memorable day. It was nice to know the Queen remembered the Melodians and enjoyed their playing.” The Melodians had a big celebration with friends, family and supporters the next evening and Terry wore his special outfit to play the basses with the band. 

From Coryal Village to Arima to London. Terry Noel left Trinidad after being a police officer in the mounted branch and travelled to England to become first a psychiatric nurse and later a youth social worker. He retired after serving over 15 years as a magistrate. But he never was far from pan. He played in the police steel band in Trinidad and in Esso Tripoli.

http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2015-03-16/pan-icon-terry-noel-...

[Ian Franklin]

Thanks Glenroy for the info, and congratulations to Mr. Terrence Noel on becoming a "Member of the British Empire."

Please advise if he is now the 4th Pan Pioneer to be so honoured, as in Sterling, Pepe and Brent?

[odw]

Congratulations and continued success to you Mr. Noel.

I was reminded of a somewhat similar situation faced by a former Solo Harmonites pannist from Atlanta Dr Ajamu Nyomba (Carl Thomas) staging Panwomen is Boss Concert in Trinidad in 2013, the First All-Female Pan Jazz Concert. The lack of support from Pan Trinbago was inexcusable.

https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/forum/topics/poor-production-but-ric...

[kentish borde]

You are absolutely on poin t here Keith. Pan Trinbago's only claim to fame is the annual panorama which only succeeds in ensuring continued bitterness + bad vibes within the pan community, myself included. Right again when you say that the pan has left us for the wider world. It is no longer exclusive to us.. Instead of working fastidiously on the issues of patenting and standardization we are stuck in time arguing about who really win. We should continue to honor our heroes but at the end of the day who knows or cares about who made the first guitar ,piano harp etc.The immediate goal should be having this new instrument in the music stores racking up sales just like the other other instruments. Attaining the status of " conventional" should be the goal.. Keith you would probably would know my name if you read my post . Yes sir this is Lees's uncle. Thank for those ringside tickets you gave my brother and me to see Ali when he came to Trinidad in the sixties. Priceless!

[hollis clifton]

Congrats Terry,

I recall when  you first came to London in the early 1970s, you paid the Ebony Steelband a visit  and expressed an interest in arranging music for us but but we already had a Tuner/arranger in Randolph "Bulbull" Baptiste. You certainly found your way since then. Keep on Keeping on.

Take Care

[Terrance Noel MBE JP]

Hi Hollis

I am sure you are thinking of someone else. I did move down to London in 1973 and a year later I started the Steelband Association of Great Britain (SAGB) and The Groovers Steel Orchestra. Arranging music is not my forte. I remember visiting a pan yard in Shakespear Road Acton in the 70s and meeting Randolph.

Thanks for your compliment.

T. Noel MBE JP.

[kentish borde]

Congrats to a truly deserving man of steel, and an outstanding multiuser- faceted human being.

[Cecil hinkson]

Congratulations to Terry for receiving a MBE.