SVG40 Evening of Excellence and Diaspora Award
PRESS RELEASE
UK SVG40 Expo & Evening of Excellence in celebration of St. Vincent & the Grenadines
40th Anniversary of Independence
Saturday 30th November 2019 marked the inaugural SVG Expo UK as part of the UK Diaspora’s celebration of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ 40th Anniversary of Independence this year at the Holiday Inn Hotel, High Wycombe. St. Vincent and the Grenadines celebrated its 40th Anniversary of its Independence on 27th October 2019, with many events and activities across the UK. The 30th November was specifically chosen as a later date from the actual date of Independence to accommodate the many celebrations being attended by our Nationals in the UK Diaspora.
The expo concluded with a sold out Evening of Excellence hosted by the SVG40 Committee. A special message was aired from the General Secretary the Rt. Hon. Baroness Patricia Scotland stating how much the Commonwealth values St. Vincent & the Grenadines including a special presentation for the first UK Diaspora Award. The award was presented to His Excellency High Commissioner Cenio Lewis, for his loyalty and dedication to Vincentian Nationals. Performances by members of the School of Steelpan and Wycombe Steel Orchestra entertained the guests in attendance. The evening culminated with visiting Vincentian artiste Hance John performing with the backing of Wycombe Steel Orchestra. The collaboration was a success from the long hours put in by members of the steel orchestra with Hance John.
A Vincentian Diaspora plan is already in its draft form to address some of the Diaspora challenges and opportunities that will align with the UN sustainable development goals and agenda 2030. The Vincentian Diaspora UK will become visible players on the global stage from awareness of culture, heritage, peace building and advocacy to humanitarian assistance.
The event was attended by the High Commissioner – His Excellency Cenio Lewis, The Lord Lieutenant Sir Henry Aubrey Fletcher, Chairman’s from the district and county councils, the Mayor of High Wycombe and representatives from sponsors Kestrel Liner Agencies.
Andy Thorne, CEO of Kestrel Liner Agencies said “We are delighted to have sponsored the inaugural SVG Expo UK. Kestrel has specialised in shipping from across the world into the Caribbean since our doors opened; we are very proud to have a local office in St Vincent run by Marlon Gibson and an ever expanding team of local Vincentians. The growth of the St Vincent and the Grenadines economy is dear to our hearts, as is supporting the Vincy population both here in the UK and back home in the Caribbean. Having spent my life living between the Caribbean and the UK , I understand how reliant the Caribbean is on bringing cargo in from overseas and how much it affects day to day business and life, hence our motto – Global Reach with Local Focus.”
ENDS.
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