Lick and Lock Up Done Wid!

Explore a graveyard at night, learn about our history through reenactments, experience the ancient Bridgetown created by the brave, risk-taking Barbadian men and women who went from poverty to success post-emancipation and haggle with vendors from the past.

The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) Bridgetown by Night Heritage Walk, produced by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), will take patrons on a new route with a new story and recognise a different cast of historical figures that have shaped the capital as we know it today.

The walk tagged “Emancipation through Entrepreneurship or Lick and Lock Up Done Wid” was recently launched in the Bethel Church yard, Bridgetown, one of the stops on the tour, by its Producer, Alison Sealy-Smith of the NCF.

“This year’s tour focuses on the stories of Barbadian entrepreneurs on whose hard working shoulders this nation stands and is expected to highlight historical figures such as John Blackwood, London Bourne, Darnley Greenidge and Gwen Workman,” said Sealy-Smith.   John Blackwood built the Blackwoods Screw Dock, London Bourne moved from slave to successful entrepreneur, Darnley Greenidge was the owner of popular nightclub ‘Pepperpot’ and Gwen Workman a well-known Shop Proprietor.

The walk will also feature performances by the Aguardian Quartet and the Barbados Dance Project, as well as other interactive stops throughout Bridgetown.

Sealy-Smith explained, “The NCF understands that key to preserving our cultural heritage is the provision of opportunities for Barbadians and visitors alike to not just see, but to feel and experience facets of the past.”

She noted that the success of these walks is due to the fact that they tap into people’s desire to learn more about themselves. There isn’t a lot of content out there that features Barbadians, if you want to experience that, you can come to the tour.

BTMI Product Officer, Ms. Andrea Cadogan, who was in attendance at the launch, extended a thank you to the NCF and to Alison Sealy-Smith.  In her remarks Cadogan noted that the BTMI sees cultural heritage as one of the most important parts of Barbados’ tourism product, explaining that cultural tourism has become one of the fastest growing tourism trends.  “It provides us with an opportunity to learn and reflect more on our historical underpinnings including who we are as a people.”

The NCF and the BTMI have been long time partners and together they have hosted a number of events including the Holetown Heritage Walk and Stories from St. Nicholas Abbey, to name a few.  “Both entities are notorious for producing events of a high standard and this one should be no exception,” Cadogan added.

The BTMI Bridgetown by Night Heritage Walk will take place on Sunday, June 16 starting in Cavan’s Lane and moving along a route that includes Fairchild Street, Bay Street, Nelson Street, back to Fairchild and over the Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge ending at Wharf Road.

There will be three night time tours at 5:30, 6:15 and 7:00, led by Writer/Historian, Morris Greenidge, Deputy Director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Kevin Farmer, and talented tour guide, Zuwena Perry, respectively.

Ms. Sealy-Smith stated that the increase in tours is to facilitate a demand for a more personal experience. Now you can choose to go on an early or late tour and witness the performances up close.

The Producer encouraged patrons to get their tickets early to join in this exciting interactive guided tour through the streets of Bridgetown, to see the buildings, hear the stories and meet the personalities who have contributed to making it a capital city like no other.

Submitted by Alec Begg
NCF Corporate Communications Intern