Radio Grenadines

Eric Allen a bike lover received a brand new bicycle from a kind-hearted fan of Radio Grenadines after his previous one was stolen one month ago.

Eric requested the help of Radio Grenadines on August 7th 2015 to publish his story of his missing bike with the hope of recovering it. A few days later the story went viral and Eric recovered only the frame. Much to his disappointment and with no money to purchase a new one or buy parts, Eric was staring at his dark cloud.

Eric however saw a silver lining when news got to him that someone saw his story on the internet and wanted to help. There was another problem however, that person a total stranger to Eric lives all the way across the other end of the globe.

Brian Price, an entrepreneur based in the UK saw Eric’s story on Radio Grenadines and was following the story closely. When Price heard that the bike had been found dismantled he felt that he had do something to try and rectify the situation.

Price decided (via Radio Grenadines) to try and help rectify the wrong and to fully fund a replacement mountain bike for Eric. Staff at Radio Grenadines followed up with Price and facilitated the purchase which was made from a popular store in SVG and transported down to Union Island via the MV Barracuda. Mr King, Owner and Captain of the Barracuda wavered the transportation cost after hearing of Eric’s story.

The Bike was handed over to Eric Allen on Friday 4th of September 2015 by Treasurer of Radio Grenadines Inc. Mr. Allan Providence on behalf of the donor Brian Price. Eric restated his thanks to Price and Radio Grenadines for their support throughout the ordeal.

When asked how he will safeguard this one, Eric jokingly said that he will have to sleep with it. He stated that he will lock it whenever he is not around. Eric stated that he is still awaiting word from the local police to whom he have reported the matter to.

We asked Brian Price what would have prompted him to assist Eric and he stated “Having had a bike of my own stolen many years ago I could empathise with Eric and his loss and how difficult it would be to replace such a treasured item”.

Price also stated that he is a frequent visitor to the famous Palm Island Resort. “Of course to get to Palm you have to travel by plane via Union, my wife and I have made a number of trips to Union Island whilst visiting Palm, not only do we love Union but we love the people, many of which work at Palm. The people are so friendly, always have time to talk and come across as genuine and sincere” Price said.

Price explained that during their trips to Palm Island, Radio Grenadines has often been playing as background music, they love the local music and got hooked. When Brian returned to the UK he found the Radio Grenadines Facebook Page and became a fan and follows local news and activities via our page www.facebook.com/radiogrenadines

How Brian discovered our part of the World

Brian Price lives with his wife Rona and family in South Wales, he has 3 grown up children who all live within 10 miles of each other, all of them have been to Palm and Union Island at least once.
Brian first visited the Caribbean back in the year 2000 when he took his wife Rona to Jamaica for her 40th Birthday… since then they have travelled the Caribbean extensively.

Rona found Palm Island Resort on the internet and booked it for Brian’s 50th Birthday back in 2008 and since then this resort has become their favorite holiday destination.

Brian and his wife will be visiting again next April 2016 for their 13 visit.

On visiting Palm, Price has permission from the St Vincent and Grenadines Government and Palm Island Management to operate his own Amateur Radio Station using a special call-sign J8-8PI and has spoken to thousands of people from all over the world using his specialist equipment.

Price is looking forward to connect in person with Eric the next time he visits Union Island. Whenever you visit Union Island be sure to look out for Eric cruising around town on his Bike.

On Tuesday 17^th February 2015 Nicola “Barracuda” Bresciani returned to Union Island for one night, upon invitation from the management of the Anchorage Yacht Club for an evening of music and reconnection.

Barracuda and his keyboardist, Micah Mathura from Gouave Grenada, entertained fans at the AYC some of which did not hear him play in over 14 years. It was truly a night of reflection as old fans and other musicians were busy chatting about the “ole days” after his gig.

His return to the Anchorage is part of a strategic plan by management to return the establishment to its former “glory days”.

“I have known Barracuda as a close friend, he told me about his history here in the Grenadines. When I told him I was taking on this project he was excited for me. I wanted to bring him here for New Years Eve but it wasn’t possible. I had to take the only date he could give as he’s very busy in Grenada.  I thought it was a nice thing for Union Island people to have again one of its greatest performer from the past. Hopefully we will do it again.” stated  Natale “Nat” Talmo, Manager of the AYC.

The name “Barracuda” is well known to residents of Union Island as he played at different spots such as the AYC, and other restaurants between the years 1991 to 2001. His deep reggae voice and magical guitar strum combined left persons in awe.

In an interview with Radio Grenadines “Barracuda” related that after playing in Union Island for about 10 years he moved to Grenada where he continued in the entertainment business. “the ten years that I played in Union Island was Fun Tastic” he said.

Born in Italy he came to the West Indies in 1979 visiting St Barts and St Marteen, he then moved to Carriacou in 1986/87. He settled in Union Island during the years 1991-2001 after which he moved to Grenada.

Apart from being an accomplished musician, Barracuda is also a Skipper and Diver and as a result got the name Barracuda.

Being in Union Island last Tuesday Barracuda was able to reconnect with old friends. “ those days in Carriacou, Union and the Grenadines are the best years of my life, so it’s always a joy for me to come up the islands, I am an Islands boy.” Barracuda stated.

Barracuda is back to his busy schedule being booked almost all week between Carriacou and Grenada.

 

Clifton, Union Island – March 25, 2014

For the first time ever, the 2014 Union Island Easterval will include a lionfish derby and lionfish barbecue. The island is wholeheartedly joining their neighbours on Mayreau in the effort to control the voracious and venomous species in the waters around the Southern Grenadines, especially the Tobago Cays Marine Park.

“Lionfish are eating machines,” said Mr. Ken Williams, Manager of the Tobago Cays Marine Park. “If we don’t get them, they’ll get all the fish and crustaceans in our waters, which will destroy our fisheries. Then, without cleaner species, our reefs would die. That would be a nightmare for the Tobago Cays Marine Park, which relies on the protective Horseshoe Reef.

So, with coaching from the Mayreau Regatta and Sporting Committee, who started hosting lionfish derbies in 2012, we are working with the Easterval Committee to get Union Island’s first annul derby off the ground.”

“On Friday, April 11, we will be offering a $500 cash prize for the team that brings in the most lionfish, a $300 prize for second place and $200 for the third-placed team,” said Lesroy Noel who is spearheading the project with coaching from Mayreau’s Nancy Saul-Demers. “We are also offering $250 to the team that brings in the single largest lionfish and the same again for the smallest lionfish. Since the entry fee is only $5 per man or woman, this is a good chance for fishers to make some good money while also doing good for our local fish and keeping our tourism and fisheries industries healthy.”

“Teams must pre-register with us and attend a safety briefing before heading out,” stressed Noel. “Safety comes first.” Teams may leave the fisheries dock on Union no earlier than 6 a.m. on April 11 and must return by 3 p.m. After the contest concludes and the catch has been weighed and measured, it will be cooked up by a local chef so that fishermen and others have a chance to sample the tasty treat. “Some people think you can’t eat lionfish because they think the meat is poisonous,” said Saul-Demers “But that’s just not true. Lionfish do have 18 venomous spines, so you handle them carefully and you don’t eat the venomous spines, of course! Lionfish are on the menus of many good restaurants elsewhere in the Caribbean and they’re delicious. Now folks on Union Island will have a chance to eat them. Once they’ve tried them, I’m sure they’ll love eating them.”

After kicking off with the lionfish derby, Union Island’s Easterval 2014 runs from April 12 to 21 and features fun of all kinds: inter-school sports, a comedy extravaganza, church service, princess pageant, full-moon party, fish fest, fire fete, cultural extravaganza, foam fete, fashion show, sports night, all-white glow, cricket, kids’ fair, soca fest, boat cruise, Miss Easterval pageant and J’Ouvert. Don’t miss it!

 

For more information:

Mr. Lesroy Noel (784) 542-6090 

Mrs. Nancy Saul-Demers (784) 458-8006 

 

St Vincent & the Grenadines – For the Christmas holidays the Union Island Lions Club launched a major project, this project took the form of a Lighted Structure/Metal Christmas Tree. Located in the Village of Ashton, stands this 100 feet structure of lights which was once an old police station communication mass. Rigging this structure was hard work which involved climbing and hand wiring this structure and Lion- Wayne Regis was the man behind all the technical work.

What is more amazing  is the fact that this structure stands tall among other major countries worldwide, such as the 80 feet metal structure that was launched in the City of Brussels, Belgium; also Britain tallest lighted steel structure for the holidays stood at 98 feet; but it was a tie with South Korea who launched its metal  tree which stood at 100 feet. The usual Rockefeller Christmas tree in NewYork City stood at 75 feet.

The Lions Club also conducted their annual Gift Basket initiative where persons in the community were visited by the Club and Baskets of goodies were distributed.

So if you are in the Caribbean next Christmas be sure to visit St Vincent & the Grenadines and make your way down to Union Island to view this amazing structure of lights which is one of a kind in the region.

 

Story By Stanton Gomes

1st – Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle – Monster

2nd Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd – Rum Please

3rd Shaunelle McKenzie – Carry on

4th Antonius “Baddy” Simmons – Road Calling

The Union Island Carnival / Music Festival 2012 kicked off on Saturday 30th June with a Family Funday at the Hugh Mulzac Square, Clifton Union Island. Exciting the patrons were lots of games and activities like; buns eating, beer drinking, food eating, lime and spoon, sac race, lie competition, crying competition, and more…..

On Sunday the Road Jump up started on the road at around 5pm with Dj Hype and High Voltage longside the CubbyHole man “miamore” leading the T Shirt Band with patrons wearing their “Down In a Cubby Hole” T shirts.

The Union Island Carnival 2012 was organised by the Music Festival Committee of Union Island.

See the Union Island Carnival Album on our facebook page:  www.Facebook.com/radiogrenadines

May 1st was an exciting day for the children of Canouan when they were treated to a day of fun by Uncle Mac of Canouan Sol. Food and drinks were served and they participated in many activities, which it appeared, were thoroughly enjoyed by the children and adults alike. Activities included; beach races, tug of war, lime and spoon, turtle race,crying and dancing competition and hoola hoop. There was also a huge bouncing castle which took the center of attraction.

By Aly

 

On May 1st, at around 5am persons assembled at the Bank of St Vincent & the Grenadines for a Digicel/BOSVG Fun walk.  The Walk commenced around 5:15 with about 50 persons of all ages, however men were outnumbered.

The group walked to Cherry Hill, through Barbruce, up Balance Hill , down to Glossy and back to the starting point. At about 6:30 the walk ended with refreshments and persons took the time to poise for the camera amid smiles and statements like  “when is the next one?” and “we should do this more often”.

By Aly

(FOXNEWS.com) Skywatchers take note: The biggest full moon of the year is due to arrive this weekend. RG Note: (Don’t forget the catch the action at the JTPro Center aka Union Island Kite School, Bungalo Union Island for this Full Moon Party) http://www.facebook.com/jtprocenter

The moon will officially become full Saturday (May 5) at 11:35 p.m. EDT. And because this month’s full moon coincides with the moon’s perigee — its closest approach to Earth — it will also be the year’s biggest.

The moon will swing in 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers) from our planet, offering skywatchers a spectacular view of an extra-big, extra-bright moon, nicknamed a supermoon.

And not only does the moon’s perigee coincide with full moon this month, but this perigee will be the nearest to Earth of any this year, as the distance of the moon’s close approach varies by about 3 percent, according to meteorologist Joe Rao, SPACE.com’s skywatching columnist. This happens because the moon’s orbit is not perfectly circular.

This month’s full moon is due to be about 16 percent brighter than average. In contrast, later this year on Nov. 28, the full moon will coincide with apogee, the moon’s farthest approach, offering a particularly small and dim full moon.

Though the unusual appearance of this month’s full moon may be surprising to some, there’s no reason for alarm, scientists warn. The slight distance difference isn’t enough to cause any earthquakes or extreme tidal effects, experts say.

However, the normal tides around the world will be particularly high and low. At perigee, the moon will exert about 42 percent more tidal force than it will during its next apogee two weeks later, Rao said.

The last supermoon occurred in March 2011.

To view this weekend’s supermoon to best effect, look for it just after it rises or before it sets, when it is close to the horizon. There, you can catch a view of the moon behind buildings or trees, an effect which produces an optical illusion, making the moon seem even larger than it really is.

Class A: Large Double Ender Boats (crew of 8)

1. Iron Duke (Bequia)
2. Limbo (Bequia)

Class B: Double Ender Boats (crew of 4)

1. Unity (Union)
2. Ark Royal (Canouan)
3. Lightning (Mayreau)
4. Unity 2 (Union)

Special Entry: Tornado  – crew of 4 (Bequia)

 

Class C: Flat Stern Boats (crew of 5)

(no results for Saturday – results will be published after Sunday’s races)

Purple Blast (Petit Martinique)

Dutch Man (Petit Martinique)

 

Class D: Small Double Ender Boats (crew of 3)

1. Bad Feelings (Mayreau)
2. Hard Target (Mayreau)
3.  Still Alive (Mayreau)