A man of and for the community

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) mourns the loss of one of its own.  Mr. Anthony DeVere Browne better known as ‘Vere’ Browne joined the NCF as interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2008 at a very challenging period for the organisation and he immediately made unifying the stakeholder communities one of his major priorities.

In his short stint as CEO, he used his experience as a longstanding Tent Manager of the Conquerors and then All Stars Calypso Tents and by extension a member of the cultural community to advance the relationship between the various stakeholder interests.

Mr. Browne, described as a man with a community focus, posited that the Crop Over Festival belonged to the people and that there was a need for more community based events and interactions throughout the season.  He was instrumental in reintroducing the Float Parade in 2008 and galvanised support from many of the communities on the production of a Whistle Stop Bus Tour across the island to, like the cavalcades, bring additional publicity to the start of the Festival.  His legacy includes the securing of greater recognition for the King and the Queen of the Crop, which still pertains today.

As a retired public service administrator, he shared his vast wealth of experience in the enhancement of the operational procedures within the NCF.

Vere Browne has made an indelible contribution to the Crop Over Festival and the Calypso Tent Fraternity.  His passing will certainly leave a void in the cultural community.  May he rest in peace.