On the night of Thursday, December 18, 2014 a fire still of unknown origin destroyed (Mariet’s) Gourmet Gardens Restaurant, basically a wooden structure in Salem/Olveston, located about 200 yards north of Olveston House restaurant. The cause of that fire is reportedly still being investigated by the Royal Montserrat police Service and Fire Services.
Mrs. Sujue Davis, wife of Governor Adrian, well adept in her fundraising efforts announced on Christmas Eve a fund raiser to replace items lost in the fire, such as a fridge, freezer, cooker, microwave oven etc.
Mrs. Davis announced that this was “initiated by Mr. Martin Healy the renowned musician from Dublin in Ireland, who indicated that he would like to fund-raise in aid of Mariett Walters of Gourmet Gardens.”
“We are hoping to raise enough funds for her to assist her,” she had said in the invitation to the community and Gourmet Garden’s patrons.
The fundraiser was held as scheduled, Sunday, January 4, 2015 at the new Isles Bay Beach Bar.
Sujue reports that it was an evening of good fun listening and dancing to fabulous songs played by the musicians Martin Healy, Tom Walker, Paddie Smith and Peter Filieu with the proceeds totaling $6530.00.
Tom Walker presented the program for the evening, as he announced the musicians. Welcoming the guests he said, “..tonight we have a pretty extraordinary turn out… this is a real testimony to the fondness with which allot of us have held Marie and the good times that allot of us have had there…” announcing, “Sujue Davis is over in the corner, she can take the donations, whether they be cash, whether they be checks…”
Between himself, Martin and Peter they sang Irish songs, Scottish songs, oldies and goldies, amidst dancing and sign-along, bringing the house down with Ivan Browne Sr. songs of the fifties, such as Big, big bamboo, and other songs by Jimmy Buffet recorded here in Montserrat at Air Studios; such songs as the well-known and popular Volcano song.
Receipts from all the donations and funds will be handed over to the restaurant’s owner Miss. Walters once she’s back on the island.
Mrs. Davis has expressed thanks to all of the compassionate and enthusiastic participation and support.
(see photos and videos at TMR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Montserrat-Reporter/203080105851