Sybil Millington was the first woman ever to play Pan in St. Vincent. She was a member of Melody Makers, which was based at Middle Street in the City Center of St. Vincent.
Veteran panist Paddy Corea writes
8.35 PM Thursday Nov 7th 2013
Sybil Millington (Dean) died in a Queens Nursing home tonight. She was a playing member of Melody Makers steelband back in the early 50’s when it was TABOO (and looked down upon) for a woman to even associate with steelbandsmen. It was the social order of the day instituted by the colonial authorities who ran our country in those days. It was the same all through the West Indies. They even tried to suppress it with various laws. Sybil was a trailblazer and broke down a few social barriers unnoticed by most Vincentians and she did so without fanfare or any brouhaha.
Her long battle with cancer has finally ended. 'Nuff respect from one panist to another... Sybil - you charted a course that many others have found easy to follow and now socially acceptable..
She was my best friend (Sam DeBiqu's) aunt.
E J paddy corea
Replies
the piece written for the OFFICIAL Vincentian carnival web site is WRONG. IT is written by Hugh Raguette and he made an error but wont correct it. There are still people alive several who can verify my correction. Dr Adams, Fred Prescod and a few other old guys.(even the Capt of Melody Makers Vincent Cato in Toronto- if he wants to be honest) paddy corea
HESTORICAL CORRECTION (sorry) MELODY MAKERS was NOT the first St Vincent steelband to play classical music. 2 or 3 prior to them the legendary SYNCHOPATERS did just that at a Grammar School concert and on the ROAD J'Ouvert morning 1951 (I think) paddy corea
Thanks Paddy for the correction. The info we have came from the official St. Vincent carnival site information for pan... http://www.carnivalsvg.com/panoramastory.htm
My condolences to the family and friends of Sybil and may God bless her. R.I.P.