Remembering TASPO 60th anniversary

In July, 1951 the then Governor of Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Hubert Rance recommended that a steelband should represent the Colony at the Festival of Britain. The finest steelpan players were assembled under the misical director of Lt Joseph Griffith of the Police Band and left Trinidad for Great Britain to introduce the steelpan, for the first time to an international audience. The contributions of pioneers like Ellie Manette, Sterling Betancourt, Philmore "Boots" Davidson, Belgrave Bonaparte, Andrew "Pan" de Labastide, Theo Stephens, Anthony Williams, Dudley Smith, Oman "Patsy" Haynes, Winston "Spree" Simon, Granville Sealy, and Carlton "Sonny" Roach.

THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE PIONEERS AND ICONS OF THE STEELBAND MOVEMENT

CORRECTION: THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE (REAL) PIONEERS AND ICONS OF THE STEELBAND MOVEMENT!

This is not the TRUE account as to how "Operation Britain" came about, and although Sir Hubert Rance should be credited for his support and patronage, TASPO was not a creation of this former Governor's "recommendations", and the credit should be re-directed to the proper party/parties. What is interesting to note, is that this "operation" coincided with George "Sonny" Goddard's first official post, as Vice-secretary of the (then) Steelbands Association (c. April, 1950). On the invitation of Invaders' Ellie Mannette (Invaders' captain) and Clarence Gulston (Invaders' secretary), George attended a series of meetings, and the result was the forming of the association. The other officials elected at that meeting were Sydney Gollop (President), Nathaniel Crichlow (Vice-president), Sonny Harewood (Secretary), and Carlton Bidhi (Treasurer). Coincidentally, the first recital they held was partly to raise funds to assist Spree Simon, who had been shot (George's book says it was an "accident"), according to recent information I received from Kim Johnson (author and journalist). These former executive members (GOLLOP, CRICHLOW, HAREWOOD, GODDARD, and BIDHI) are the ones truly deserving of the credit, and the evidence shows why.
According to Goddard (in his book), as early as "late in 1950 or...early...1951, on hearing of the Festival of Britain (planned for August 1951), the association believed that "Trinidad and Tobago should present steelband music at the Festival", and solicited the government for financial assistance ($6,000 TTD) for sending a "representative steelband". The government denied their request, stating that their "application was a bit too late" The Trinidad Guardian, on April 13, 1951 (long before the governor's alleged July 1951 "recommendations") reported that the government's "financing of the local team to the Pan American Olympics has exhausted the money for these purposes". The association then decided to raise the funds on its own, and a "nember of sub-committees were set up". During that time, Albert Gomes was a die-hard supporter from "day one", and POS Mayor, Raymond Hamel-Smith made a public "appeal for $7000" (Trinidad Guardian. April 25, 1951). That target was later reset to $15,000 (Sunday Guardian, May 6, 1951) One of the sub-committees the association formed, was headed by Canon Farquhar, and Wilson Marshall, Carlyle Kerr, Lennox Pierre, and Ulric Nesbitt were members of that committee, and these persons also deserve the credit and recognition. Also deserving honor, are the Bermudez Buscuit Company also donated "one dozen steel drums", and well-known tailor, Fitz Blackman "offered to tailor, free of charge, the uniforms..." (Trinidad Guardian. May 3, 1951)
It was in keeping with their fund-raising efforts, that Sir Hurbert Rance, in a brochure the association put out, entitled "Operation Britain", posted a message of support, but he was not the only one, as Albert Gomes, Canon Farquhar, and Roy Joseph, also posted messages. (Trinidad Guardian. May 29, 1951) Interestingly, there was also foreign support from the (then) Mayor of New Orleans, Lesseps Morrison (Trinidad Guardian. June 13, 1951), as well as the "local press". By mid-June, the T & T Tourist Board would "promise to contribute $500...on the condition that the campaign must reach thetarget of $15,000". (Trinidad Guardian. June 21, 1951). Others "chipping in" included Lt. Brian Gething (the Governor's Aide-de-Camp), Mr. Winfield Scott, R. J. Shannon, Edward Lee Lum, the Hon. Stephen Maharaj, E. J. Clovis,, and T. A. Telemaque, and the Hemisphere Club of Barataria. Canon Farquahar also pointed praise to persons such as P.M. Renison, W. minshall, Sir Gerald Wright, Mrs. Mahanna Hathaway, Lt. Griffith (the musical director), and the Montano brothers of San Fernando.

So, when we look at the facts and the events leading to "Operation Britain" and the formation of TASPO, it is important to differentiate between the original organizers and the support base. Agreed, credit should be given to Sir Hubert Rance (and ALL involved) for his support, but to credit the creation of TASPO to the distinguished ex-governor, is both misleading and counter-productive to any attempt at writing the HISTORY OF THE STEELBAND, PAN, AND THE STEELBAND MOVEMENT. And this is not an approach that I am willing to support, nor sit silently, as more and more inaccuracies continue to affect the credible recording of our history.

Yours In Pan,

George D. Goddard, B.A. Music. Cum Laude.
THE GHOST WHO TALKS - Honoring the lagacy of George "Sonny" Goddard

Replies

Janice Perryman April 7, 2013 at 7:47pm

This was indeed a great story. As a Barbadian, it is a pity that we have never seen it fit to honour Mr Joseph Griffith and the very important contribution he made to the steelband movement in Trinidad.
lance Seuanrine April 7, 2013 at 12:36pm

Greetings A good lesson plan for all our members and for all our children, too. Phantun did I not tell you to put the book out. Ah still waiting for more pan food. Dr. Lance Seunarine
Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks July 8, 2011 at 1:20pm

CORRECTION: THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE (REAL) PIONEERS AND ICONS OF THE STEELBAND MOVEMENT!

This is not the TRUE account as to how "Operation Britain" came about, and although Sir Hubert Rance should be credited for his support and patronage, TASPO was not a creation of this former Governor's "recommendations", and the credit should be re-directed to the proper party/parties. What is interesting to note, is that this "operation" coincided with George "Sonny" Goddard's first official post, as Vice-secretary of the (then) Steelbands Association (c. April, 1950). On the invitation of Invaders' Ellie Mannette (Invaders' captain) and Clarence Gulston (Invaders' secretary), George attended a series of meetings, and the result was the forming of the association. The other officials elected at that meeting were Sydney Gollop (President), Nathaniel Crichlow (Vice-president), Sonny Harewood (Secretary), and Carlton Bidhi (Treasurer). Coincidentally, the first recital they held was partly to raise funds to assist Spree Simon, who had been shot (George's book says it was an "accident"), according to recent information I received from Kim Johnson (author and journalist). These former executive members (GOLLOP, CRICHLOW, HAREWOOD, GODDARD, and BIDHI) are the ones truly deserving of the credit, and the evidence shows why.
According to Goddard (in his book), as early as "late in 1950 or...early...1951, on hearing of the Festival of Britain (planned for August 1951), the association believed that "Trinidad and Tobago should present steelband music at the Festival", and solicited the government for financial assistance ($6,000 TTD) for sending a "representative steelband". The government denied their request, stating that their "application was a bit too late" The Trinidad Guardian, on April 13, 1951 (long before the governor's alleged July 1951 "recommendations") reported that the government's "financing of the local team to the Pan American Olympics has exhausted the money for these purposes". The association then decided to raise the funds on its own, and a "nember of sub-committees were set up". During that time, Albert Gomes was a die-hard supporter from "day one", and POS Mayor, Raymond Hamel-Smith made a public "appeal for $7000" (Trinidad Guardian. April 25, 1951). That target was later reset to $15,000 (Sunday Guardian, May 6, 1951) One of the sub-committees the association formed, was headed by Canon Farquhar, and Wilson Marshall, Carlyle Kerr, Lennox Pierre, and Ulric Nesbitt were members of that committee, and these persons also deserve the credit and recognition. Also deserving honor, are the Bermudez Buscuit Company also donated "one dozen steel drums", and well-known tailor, Fitz Blackman "offered to tailor, free of charge, the uniforms..." (Trinidad Guardian. May 3, 1951)
It was in keeping with their fund-raising efforts, that Sir Hurbert Rance, in a brochure the association put out, entitled "Operation Britain", posted a message of support, but he was not the only one, as Albert Gomes, Canon Farquhar, and Roy Joseph, also posted messages. (Trinidad Guardian. May 29, 1951) Interestingly, there was also foreign support from the (then) Mayor of New Orleans, Lesseps Morrison (Trinidad Guardian. June 13, 1951), as well as the "local press". By mid-June, the T & T Tourist Board would "promise to contribute $500...on the condition that the campaign must reach thetarget of $15,000". (Trinidad Guardian. June 21, 1951). Others "chipping in" included Lt. Brian Gething (the Governor's Aide-de-Camp), Mr. Winfield Scott, R. J. Shannon, Edward Lee Lum, the Hon. Stephen Maharaj, E. J. Clovis,, and T. A. Telemaque, and the Hemisphere Club of Barataria. Canon Farquahar also pointed praise to persons such as P.M. Renison, W. minshall, Sir Gerald Wright, Mrs. Mahanna Hathaway, Lt. Griffith (the musical director), and the Montano brothers of San Fernando.

So, when we look at the facts and the events leading to "Operation Britain" and the formation of TASPO, it is important to differentiate between the original organizers and the support base. Agreed, credit should be given to Sir Hubert Rance (and ALL involved) for his support, but to credit the creation of TASPO to the distinguished ex-governor, is both misleading and counter-productive to any attempt at writing the HISTORY OF THE STEELBAND, PAN, AND THE STEELBAND MOVEMENT. And this is not an approach that I am willing to support, nor sit silently, as more and more inaccuracies continue to affect the credible recording of our history.

Yours In Pan,

George D. Goddard, B.A. Music. Cum Laude.
THE GHOST WHO TALKS - Honoring the lagacy of George "Sonny" Goddard
Kelvinjames July 4, 2011 at 8:41pm

Thanks for that lesson on the history of a band, and it's dedicated arranger. And I would think father to those boys who travelled to England.
Gerry Tamar July 4, 2011 at 5:02pm

K.J

Excellent, Thank you.
terry July 4, 2011 at 12:42pm

Quite an enlightening history of PAN....Thanks
Audley Sue Wing July 3, 2011 at 9:59pm

I join Kim Johnson to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra’s journey to the Festival of Britain in July of 1951 and to pay homage to those youthful Steelband pioneers who under the knowledgeable leadership of Lt. Joseph Griffith led the way forward. Thank you Kim.

How can we honour these heroes, especially those who are still with us in this earthly ‘Panyard’?

WST, now is a good time to raise yuh voice! Leh we hear yuh voice nuh?. Everybody listening!

Audley Sue Wing - Trinidad & Tobago.
James Martinez July 3, 2011 at 9:10pm

Thank you Mr. Kim Johnson for sharing this amazing and valuable historical account of TASPO and for noting the contributions of Lt Nathaniel Joseph Griffith and others. Everyone hears about the work of all the great pioneers like Ellie Mannette and Tony Williams and these are great men, but the invaluable contributions of people like Lt Nathaniel Joseph Griffith, had long been obscured from history until now. Thank you for this detailed and factual account of an important part of the history of the Steelpan movement. I only wish that some photographic record of that historical event existed for posterity.
Glenroy R Joseph July 3, 2011 at 1:19pm

I Love the history lesson, Kim !!! ( and the subtle tribute to the Beatles )
- Clarence Curvan > Glenroy R Joseph July 3, 2011 at 3:55pm
  
  I Remember when that band left on this historical tour,i was very young but had an interest in pan .today Mr Johnson 's account is a valuable lesson to all pan persons world wide thank you sir.

of 2

This reply was deleted.