By Bennette Roach
Professor Sir Howard A Fergus launched in grand Montserrat style his two latest books, ‘Festival at 50’ and ‘Obama and other Poems’, at the end of which he also put on display several of his earlier works, such as ‘Road from Long Ground.’ This took place at the Montserrat National Trust (MNT) compound joint hosts with the University of West Indies Open Campus.
‘Festival 50’, buzz words these days, with the setting for the launch of this book connected to them, was formal and set in an environment most fitting for Sir Howard as so many of his books are of a historical nature available at their major outlet. No questioning of special thanks to, “…the host the Montserrat National Trust, recognize the president and Mrs. (Lady) Fergus did assist us greatly in making the arrangements for today. We are grateful to the Trust for hosting, they are our leading book sellers,” he said at the end, as he thanked several others, those people who helped in a very special way.
He said the book itself gives its credits, but he also thanked others as well including those who participated in and supported the launch, in particular with the Festival of 50 book.
Master of Ceremonies for the event was Alrick Taylor, for Permanent Secretary (PS) and MSS principal and who had for many years been very well involved in the Festivals. He introduced and another former Permanent Secretary Anthony Maloney, former member of the Montserrat Jaycees who were most involved in the promotion of festivals in the early and many years hence. Currently the president of the Association of Retired Persons, Maloney reminisced on those early days of festival.
He spoke of Sir Howard’s “abject tenacity to ensure that we have souvenir that is pleasing as he weaved together the loose threads of our history and culture into a single volute (Festival at 50).
Miss Anne Marie Dewar
Miss Anne Marie Dewar, then gave an outstanding review of the book, ‘Obama and other Poems’, which she described as, “… a varied and witty collection of poems: thought-provoking straight-talk which is muscular in metaphor and innuendo, powerful in its precise, apt and bold use of colourful imagery and word painting, and liberally flavoured with humour, reflection, challenge, and pathos.”
She described the contrasts of the poems that “also bring some focus to the impact of the Obama presidency, whether real or padded with expectancy, on the issue of race not only in America, but also in Britain, where the idea of Downing Street experiencing its own Obama is now not such a far-fetched idea after all.”
In the poems, she said, “The poet urges us to remember that after the mountain top scenes of “dizzy glory”, after the euphoria of the inauguration celebrations, Obama will descend to the real world, where the real work is just beginning.”
At the end of her deliberations on the book, she enthused, “This is a most enjoyable collection of poems – rich in the variation and use of colour, tone, rhythm, and pace. I recommend this book to you as one which is well worth reading over and over.
Head of the local the University of West Indies Open Campus, Miss Gracelyn Cassell also gave a review but on the new book History at 50 – 1962 to 2012. She acknowledged Professor Sir Howard, “as a gift to Montserrat, a gift that keeps on giving.”
She explained: “We can now boast hundreds of graduates but unfortunately, there are not that many who are actually doing research and making the results of that research available for improving our understanding of our peculiar history and how it affects our society today. Sir Howard has been one of the very few graduates who has done this and continues to do so,” a very fitting lament, very ably put.
Miss Gracelyn Cassell
She expressed that Sir Howard “has taken the bold step of providing a document that records the development of the Christmas Festival from 1962 to 2012.”
The book is dedicated to Clifford Tuitt and to Jeweline Roberts Riley.
She encouraged, “Every student, every resident, including those now making Montserrat their home, should get copies of Sir Howard’s publications and begin the process of understanding the society in which we find ourselves today.”
We recommend and encourage further the call to include as many others, to include those with any Montserrat interest and connection.
Sir Howard made presentations of the Festival book to several persons/sponsors as he thanked them.“ … but I’m thankful and I really wish to thank God for whatever talent I have because it’s really gift from God and I’m grateful to say that publicly…,” thanking also, “the people who contributed financially, because the truth is, without that the book would not have been possible…”
He also thanked those people who helped in a very special way; “the book itself gives its credits but I’d like to single out Randy Greenaway as the person who has given me the most assistance with this book,” he admitted. But he made special mention of others such as, Ceepeake Lake, Herman Francis, Cedric Osborne, Johnny White… (Buy and Read the book, there is much more…)
Finally, he selected Miss Veronica Hickson, one of the first queen contestants, whom he said his wife Lady Eudora suggested to assist him in making the presentations of complimentary books in thanks and acknowledgements.
(See videos:) http://www.themontserratreporter.com/two-new-books-launched-by-montserratian-author-sir-howard-fergus/
