Category: Features

R. G. Sharples

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By Clive W. McWatt Richard Gui Pennington Sharples, better known as R. G. Sharples, was a man of extraordinary ability who demonstrated a wealth of talents.  Alongside his legal career, Sharples is recognised equally for his artistic legacy and his contribution to the development of a ‘local style’ in the history of fine art in Guyana. Sharples was born in Georgetown on May 1, 1906. He was the youngest son of Mary Johanna (née Scott) and John Bradshaw Sharples, the famous architect and builder. He began his early education at…

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A natural wonderland

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Shiriri Mountain is located in South Central Rupununi, Region Nine. Picturesque landscape and pristine forest make Shiriri a natural wonderland. According to Vaughn Duncan, whose grandparents live in Shiriri village, a place he considers his “second home”, Shiriri’s mountain has an interesting story to tell. Duncan said he met a village elder who knows of the many legends relating to Shiriri. These were passed down to the elder from his parents and grandparents. “I sat and listen to him [village elder] as he educated me about this unique culture in…

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Chic designer wear

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At the recently concluded Guyana Fashion Week, designer Paul Burnette rolled out some of his chic designs for 2016. The veteran Guyanese designer’s collection ‘Hidden Beauty’ was a show-stopper at the prestigious fashion event. ‘Hidden Beauty’ offers bespoke fashionable pieces for men and women. Every occasion – beach, elegant, casual, formal – is catered for in this collection. Over the years, Burnette is known for creating “sexy looks for women who dare to be different and make a statement whenever they go out” and “clothing that is cool, edgy and…

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Establishment of Demerara

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Laurens Storm van Gravesande [regarded as “the doughty founder of the Colony of Demerary, the Dutch Commander-General of the Two Rivers”]made the decision that agricultural development should move towards Demerara. The fertility of the soil and the depth of the river helped him to make this decision. From 1746, Gravesande began to grant land on the banks of the Demerara River for sugar cultivation and within two years there were 18 plantations which were established. Settlements were growing at such a rapid pace that Gravesande recommended to the directors of…

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A tribute to my sister

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Affected by personal loss due to cancer, one woman vows to spread awareness of the disease In memory of her sister who lost her battle to cervical cancer, Jacqueline Marshall is resolute in her efforts to educate others on the disease and the benefits of early detection. In April 2016, Jacqueline started The Anciee Shondel Marshall Cancer Awareness Foundation in honour of her loving sister, Anciee Shondel Marshall. “The Foundation is in memory of my (our) beloved sister, daughter, mother, friend who passed away on March 10, 2016 due to…

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Caribbean innovators urged to take advantage of World Bank funding project

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CMC – Climate change innovators in the Caribbean can access funding to develop their projects through the World Bank’s Entrepreneurship Programme for Innovation in the Caribbean (EPIC). These innovations include clean technologies in energy, water, agriculture, transport, among other areas, that are designed to mitigate the effects of and adapt to climate change. “There are many opportunities for Jamaicans and the rest of the Caribbean to utilise climate change to increase employment, economic development and sustainability,” said Karlene Francis, the Operations Officer at the World Bank. Francis said that beneficiaries…

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Exploring wild Guyana

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Biologist reminisces of his work and discoveries in Guyana’s interior Uncovering new species of amphibians and reptiles in Guyana, some found nowhere else in the world, Philippe J. R. Kok, a “taxon-oriented scientist”, is certainly someone you would enjoy chatting with. The 45-year-old holds a PhD in Biology. He was born in the (Democratic Republic of Congo, where his father was a medical doctor for the Kilomoto mines. Philippe has been working for more than 20 years as a research associate at the Royal Belgian Institute of Naturals Sciences, and…

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PLANTATION NAMES

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Part I British historian James Rodway (1848 -1926) wrote regularly about the colony of British Guiana, from which today we are able to learn of many aspects of our early history. One such is the story behind the names of many of the plantations of the day that have now become our towns, villages and neighbourhoods. Here is an edited excerpt of his essay entitled, “The Names of our Plantations”, published in the Timehri: the journal of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society of British Guiana (1911). The estates that…

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Epilepsy is ‘Not a phenomenon of the spirit world’

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The Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana seeks to dispel superstitions about epilepsy while enabling epileptics Epilepsy means the same as “seizure disorders”. It is said that “public perception and treatment of people with epilepsy are often bigger problems than actual seizures”, which is why the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana (EFG) is an unwavering ally in the battle against this debilitating medical condition. EFG is an association of physicians, health professionals and allied and para-health professionals and other persons of any sort – including epileptics themselves – in Guyana, committed to promoting…

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A Banquet of Books

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by Petamber Persaud (Extract of an interview with Ric Couchman, Georgetown, Guyana, September, 2016. Mr Couchman is an outdoorsman who would be launching four books of poetry on Friday Oc. 21, 2016 at the International Learning Institute, Queenstown) PP Whenever I introduce a book, I’d usually describe it as a treat – a literary treat, a literary delight. But to be introducing four books – I’d say this is a banquet. I noticed that in one of these books, you advised the reader against rushing through the poems. In other…

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