THE COLONIAL OPERA HOUSE

The Colonial Opera House Threatre also in view the Lodge Building

In early 1900’s a group of young brothers had a grand vision that one day they would have their own Lodge Home they were brothers of the Loyal Flower of the Day Lodge #6347. It would be a mammoth task, but with determination they formulated plans to erect a building that would stand as a legacy until the end of time. During the era of racism it was not easy to achieve that goal. Five Black Brothers, made up their minds this was going to become a reality. After many meetings with their brother Lodge permission was granted to purchase the land and proceed with the plans.

Brother Clarence Orister Darrell a business man of note who held some clout with the white establishment interceded and the land was purchased on Victoria Street. When the white businessmen found out that Brother Darrell had purchased the land not for himself but the Lodge Order they were furious but the deal was done. They stated “Had we known this is what you wanted the land for we would never have agreed to the sale’ racism as obvious as the nose on ones face. The brothers involved in the building were Brother William ‘Syke’ Smith Master Designer, Brothers William ‘Willie” Stowe, Adolphus D Dickinson, Henry Heard, William Francis Wilson 2nd. known to some as ( W.F ), the youngest of the group and lead Mason, the work began. Once completed people looked in awe at such a magnificent structure with it’s Gothic Style. It became known as The Colonial Opera House Theatre adjacent it housed a Minerial Water Factory operated by William F. Wilson 2nd. and Seth O Hinson and in later years W,F, Sons and brothers -in-laws. The Manchester Unity Lodge Room was on the upper floor situated on the corner of Union Square which in its self has a story to tell and Victoria Street was built. Unfortunately the theatre after being rented out as a church was destroyed by fire in 1976 and was never rebuilt the lodge room still stands and on many occasions used for cultural activities as well as their meetings.

See full store of the Opera House Theatre “A legacy Destroyed ‘ in the book Bermuda’s Forgotten Heroes’ Our Greatest Legacy’ by Joy Wilson-Tucker

Richard Bascome was born in the area of his West Over Farm. He grew up accepting responsibility from an early age. His family returned to Somerset when he was age nine where he could be closer to his maternal grandparents. During this time Mr. Bascome senior raised cows and pigs. Richard along with his siblings had various chores to complete before attending school for the day. Often he travelled to West Side Marketing Centre to deliver farm produce for sale and deliver milk at times to Woody’s in Dockyard. In 1953 Richard travelled to an all trade school at Hampton Institute and later he moved to Ohio and served in the U.S. Air force as a fuel specialist. He took advantage of this career and lived in Texas, California and Korea.

He returned home in 1962, and sought work outside of farming, but as the need to help his family increased, he went back to the farm at West Side. He operates the only slaughter house on the Island, this is a lucrative part of his services to other farmers. Diary farming contributions is a significant portion of his farming as well. His two sons joined in the work along with a small staff.

As technology improves Mr. Bascome expresses his thoughts that every day the farmer has to look for ways to improve. He continues to supply milk for the Island as well as fresh meat which can be purchased twice a week.

He was acknowledged by Bermuda for continuing the family legacy of his parents and the services offered through the years by the Bascome family at West Over Farm.

Researched by Joy Wilson-Tucker Historian

When we think about visionaries we must remember Lloyd Telford born on the 5th of February 1934, he grew up during the racial divide with one set of standards of respect to one race and another set of standards to the other. Lloyd learned at an early age how to navigate in such a racially divided society attempting to be a successful human being while maintaining his dignity and individualism. He attended West End School in Somerset and at age 15 years he entered the five year Apprentice Ship programme at the old Royal Naval Dockyard. When the Dockyard closed in 1950 he was one of the apprentices sent by the Admiralty to Britain to complete their Apprentice-ship at Port-mouth Dockyard.

Mr. Telford ably acquitted himself at Port-mouth and on completion of his training, he was offered a commission in the Royal Navy as a Marine Electrical Engineer, which he declined. He entered employment at the Bermuda Electric Light Company and later at the U.S. Naval Base at Morgan’s Island.

He launched out on his own in 1959, providing electrical service to his community from his home, from these humble beginnings he and his family established the Telford Industrial Complex at Well Bottom in Southampton, and the Telford Depot building in Somerset. He was the founder of the Telford Mile, the youth competition for runners of ages 4-17 years and this event continues to be supported by the community and younger Telford family.

A thank you goes to Mr. Telford Sr, and his workers for his contribution of electrical work to the Bermudian Heritage Museum in 1998. Our good deeds should never go unnoticed.

I want to take this opportunity to thank those persons whom has taken the time to view the historical information I have posted on this web-site. I take a sense of pride in my knowledge and the time it takes to research and record the contributions Bermudians have made to our history. I also want to extend my thanks to any of you that has taken the time to point out any corrections that needed to be made or any oversites I have made. It is greatly appreciated. I will continue to do my best to record the history of our people to the best of my ability. I realize I’m just a vessel through which God has gifted me to produce and I’m thankful. I would also like to inform my readers that I will developed an additional web-site the domain name will be North Village Griot. I want this site to cover more information on interesting people in our history in story form and more blog notes. I hope at some point to link it with the Bermudianheritagemuseum.com site as I’m the administrator of both sites. Please feel free to view the new site I would appreciate your feedback. Any responds can be directed to bermudianheritagehistoryalive@gmail.com for the new domain site. You can also make comments to me on the e-mail for the bermudianheritagemuseum.com site.

To you I leave my quote: “As you reach the stars of success, no matter where you roam, reach out to hold Gods unchanging hand so you’ll never walk alone.

Joy Wilson-Tucker Cr. Rt.

April 2/ 2011

Many times we have individuals that have faced obstacles throughout life that we hear very little about. Perry Oliver Johnson, Hazzard Florentus Dill and Phyllis Edness were three of those persons. Perry grew up in St. Georges attended East end Primary School and later attend school in Canada. He also did a stint in the Bermuda Militia Artillery which at the time was segregated.  In spite of that it was there he received his first form of training in track. In 1948 Perry had the opportunity to go with a group of people who were travelling overseas to participate with an Olympics team. This team was known for three historical first. The first racially mixed team, the first to include men and women and Bermuda’s first entry into the track and field arena. Many black persons who were interested in track and field were secretly trained by Alma ‘Champ’ Hunt who felt that black athletes should be included in the team. The fact that  an all white team had been sent to Berlin in 1936 did not escape Mr. Hunt. When told that if these persons intended to travel with the all white team they would have to raise their own funds Alma’ realized that the only way this could become a reality was through much hard work and determination and the biggest obstacle of all to raise  funding for these athletes. It was difficult to know that there were persons that could compete and promote Bermuda but would be discriminated against and for financial reasons. Mr. Hunt had a brain storm he approached some of his close friends David Tucker and Hilton Hill upstanding gentlemen in society and when  they learned of the plight of these young people, they quickly formed the Bermuda Amateur Sports Association. They approached other black sports clubs and organizations  for financial aid and were successful in their bid. The three athletes went off to London and participated at Wembley Stadium with 9300 people watching. Champ Hunt however was never recognized as the team coach.  The trio was successful and won their trial events and made their country proud. Bermuda Track and field Association (founded in 1971) became the governing body in 1974. Mr. Johnson left Bermuda in 1956 to work in the United Nations and later for Eastern Airlines. He returned home in 1972 began a career with the Department of Immigration and returned in 1988. He was still interest in the sport of Track and worked briefly as a massage practitioner, he felt this would help future local Olympians. When we look to the future of upcoming persons interested in the field of Track just how much has changed? Perry’s vision was to see a National Stadium that would be used to improve runners of the future and good competition must take place in order to produce world-class athletes.  Alma Champ Hunt shared that vision. Yet one will ask just how much has things changed where do we go from here? See more on Perry at the Bermudian Heritage Museum.

Photo  Hazzard Dill Bermuda’s first Olympian winner

The question we should ask is what is music? When was it created? Where did it come from? 

From a psychological view point, maybe the question of the origin of music is difficult to answer, I will try to express from my perspective what I learned and enjoyed in my younger days. Never-the-less as early as 1620 it is recorded that English explorers  made note of how important music was to the African Cultural and maybe the world in general. The three core types of music are Jazz, Blues and Gospel. Gospel music includes religious hymns that started in the fields sung by slaves as they worked. Blues is basically the religious story telling of learning drums. Jazz is a unique form of music that came to prominence around the turn of the 20th. century. The African was sufficiently advanced to invent musical instruments as he was stripped of every form of birth-right when brought to America, necessity forced them to fashion instruments from materials at hand such as trees, reeds and bones added to clapping and stomping of feet that one form of rhythm grew. The rhythmic patterns were never simple and were made to suit the verbal expression. It is no doubt that the influence of the African music hit Bermuda’s shores. Throughout the 1920’s -1980′ the Bermudian musician expressed the musical talents although faced with many barriers through racism they pressed on and opened doors for those who came after them. These early musicians first played in Big Bands ,  Marching Bands church Choirs and organist. As the war years took its toll and musician returned from their participation in the war we saw the emergence of Calypso Bands,Quartet trio’s and songsters. The world of music has continued to evolve and Bermuda’s musicians continue to play their role as new forms of music emerge in hip hop, reggae, rap and newer forms of inspirational music.  They continue to move their feet to the rhythmic beat of the Gombey drum, Socca, Salsa and the sacred sounds of the upbeat in Gospel Music. For  many people in other cultures music is an important part of their way of life.  The Indian who dances to their special drum beat with their colourful regaled native dress and the chants unique to them. The African who continues to swing and swirl to their African beats and yells of sounds only known to them and the joy that comes from them. Bermuda should be no exception. We should not be struggling to work in a field that we enjoy. We should not have to compete with the visiting musician.  Like many countries we should learn our musical history, tell the story of our past musicians,encourage our aspiring musicians to fight for their dreams treasure the countries  heritage and be proud to be Bermudian.     

 Inez Ruth Caroline Kennedy was the eldest daughter of Arthur and Ada Kennedy. She grew up on Sea Gull Lane in Spanish Point.  Both her parents were teachers and encouraged her to excel in school. Inez attended the Berkeley Institute and the Excelsior Secondary School. At age seventeen she began teaching privately and in 1938 she was appointed assistant teacher at the Temperance Hall School in Hamilton Parish. In 1941 she transferred to the West Pembroke Primary School where she remained  until 1944. She entered Teachers College at Columbia University, earning a diploma in early education. Upon returning home she accepted a post at the Francis Patton School where she taught for twenty-five years. She was famous for her Christmas plays and under her guidance students, teachers and parents participated in the productions which raised much needed funds for the school. Inez was an expert at teaching with one hand and making costumes with the other. She was known for always having extra art work displayed in her class room. She eventually rose to the position of deputy head and on occasion served as acting principal. In 1979 she received the Service award from Francis Patton School for faithful,devoted and valuable service. Inez Kennedy excelled in other areas she was a gifted tennis player. She became involved in the sport when she was a teenager and played competitively until her thirties. She captured the Somers Isle Lawn Tennis Association Ladies Singles title, the Unity Club Ladies Championship and several other trophies.  Inez believed in family and at the loss of one of her siblings she encouraged her nieces to further their education and supported them in their endeavors. They excelled  one becoming a teacher, one a nurse and the other a legal Secretary. On contemplating retirement in 1975 she was  presented with a new challenge. Inez took on the job of teacher -librarian at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium Library. During her summer recess she continued her studies at teacher’s college Columbia University and Ontario College in Canada. There was another side to Inez’s life, that off her spiritual learning. She worshiped at the St. Paul. A.M. E church  where her love for children led her to serve as a Sunday school teacher. There she taught for over twenty years becoming District and then Conference Superintendent. In 1972 she was presented with the church’s highest lay award “The Richard Allen Award” for outstanding services in the church and community. She was also chosen as the Outstanding Christian woman of the year. She was an avid gardener , loved fishing off the rocks in her Spanish point area and  loved to travel. She explored Italy, Egypt, India the Orient and many other places. Hers was a life most loved and well lived.

Iris Mae deShield was born to Thomas and Annie Jones Phillips. She received her early education from Ms. Edith Crawford and Rufus J Stovell. Iris had the desire to go into the nursing field but her parents had other plans for her. They were in the Tailoring and Dressing Making Industry, and needed her to help them run their business. She obediently followed their lead and became  gifted in the art of tailoring and professional designing. She studied for several years under the guidance of her father and developed the skills required for her creative craft which was “good workmanship, accuracy, and attention to detail.” Iris was recognized for her abilities and this was demonstrated at the Woman’s Shop (now known as Gibbons Company ) where she supervised the designing of garments for the display window for several years.  She continued to develop her skills in her profession and soon opened her own business known as the Fashion House on Church Street. She was able to hire three assistants and  her business thrived. She created many fashions for prominent people among them Mrs. Sheila Leather the wife of the serving governor at that time Sir Edward Leather.

In 1938 she married George Arthur deShield, and of this union had three sons. After some years Iris ventured into the teaching field and began that career at the Girls Institute where she remained for several years making the students blazers and teaching tailoring. She moved on to Prospect School for Girls and later to Sandy’s Secondary School where she instituted a new class room to teach sewing. The students were taught to make designer garments, pillowcases, and other arts and craft projects which were later displayed for purchase. She enlisted the services of inmates to make her some cutting tables. While at Sandy’s Secondary she was instrumental in developing a charm school course, the first in a secondary school it was a venture that became very successful. Upon retirement from the school  Iris used her talent in many ways and in 1966 she presented “Extravaganza of Style” for stout women creating one of a kind garments. She was later hired to make shrouds for the deceased at  Cecil Frith’s Funeral Home on Ewing Street. She took a course in Millinery and received a Diploma from the Academy of Millinery Design, qualifying her as a professional Custom Millinery. Iris was very much involved in church and she became a stanch member of St. Paul A.M.E. on Victoria and Court Streets. She was active in the Senior Choir, Steward Board, and Missionary Society. She was elected to the office of Conference Branch President. She gave of herself to her community serving as Chaplin of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, member of the Sunshine League, President of the Socratic Literary Club, President of the Gay Nineties  Club , Secretary of the Sunshine Garden Club, a life member of the Bermuda Garden Club a member of National Trust Tree Committee. She was a founding member and President of the Fellowship Circle, a founding member of the ladies Auxiliary of the Matilda Smith Williams Senior Residence. She was also an active member of the Star of Warwick Lodge N0.3 and a member of the Commission of Charities. Iris hobbies included travelling, gardening, singing and  poetry. Iris had a lovely quote centered around her life. “Sewing is my life, take sewing from me and my work is done. Well done church sister your living was not in vain.

Once again I have decided to include in my reflections of black history the record of a dynamic  and forthright young man with a great personality. The story of Glenn Smith.Glenn was born into a family of history makers and example his father Glenn Blakeney  became a politician of one of Bermuda’s major political parties joining many other family relations in their quest to contribute to their country.It has been recorded that at the tender age of 14 years Glenn was showing his prowess as an up and coming cricket player to be watched. He was at that time associated with the Hamilton Parish Club. Glenn was left handed  and was instantly noticed at his young age as an outstanding player.  He was an impressionable cricketer  with a winning smile. More than likely he was one of those teenager that had his heart sat on the sport he wanted to become involved with and nothing would change his mind. One would know that he was a force to be reckoned with in early school. Glenn made a debut half century in the pre-cursor to the Red Strip Bowl in the West Indies. Notable he left much for Bermuda to talk  about in his cricket exploits. He  loved the Eastern Counties and Cup-match. In August 2001 he made a double century  and a triple century a year later, and to prove his prowess he made another double hundred in 2011 on the field at the Eastern Counties. It is no surprise that he was involved with several sports clubs. Who would not want to be noted as knowing him with his impressionable personality and sportsmanship? In spite of fighting a serious illness Glenn did not let this dampen his spirits and he played on. In 2012 he was presented with the Bermuda Friendly Societies Sportsmanship award,which included The Clarence Darrell Memorial Cup donated by the great-grandson (Dr. Ewart Brown ,JP. MP.) A plaque and several other gifts for his achievements. He joined the ranks of several others such as, Clay Smith, Stephan Kelly,O.J.Pitcher,Janerio Tucker,Terryn Fray, Kyle Hodsoll and Dexter Baisden to name a few. There are times one gives their all and receives little praise. Glenn worked well throughout his sport with vigor love and enjoyment. He had reached his dream. He left a legacy for all to remember. Some suffer in silence and smile and accept the pitfalls that life had to offer. He will always be remembered by his family, friends and colleagues for his contributions to the game of cricket and life in general. Some would say he is gone too soon, but some of the greatest rewards are received beyond this veil. Well done Glenn like so many others you will always be remembered. 

Lawson Mapp was born in Parsons Road  Pembroke Bermuda. Like lots of young people during that time he was raised by his grandmother. He attended Elliott Primary school. He was not fortunate enough to attend the high school of his desire so at sixteen years of age he like many during those early days went off to work. His first job was sanding floors and painting houses. While working on a site he recognized a sign painters’ business boldly displaying his handy work Harry Greene located on Serpentine Road. Lawson having the urge and most of all courage he approached Mr. Green and obtained a part-time job in sign painting. He made a wage of 10/- for a days work. After a few months at the job he was hired full-time and remained in that job for twelve years.  He and Mr. Green were credited for painting the Hamilton Coat of Arms on the City Hall building in 1960. It can be noticed from the South left hand side of the building. Lawson  knew in his heart that at some point he wanted to branch out on his own  .He  eventually  opened his own sign painting business under the name Mapp Signs Ltd.on Tills Hill,Pembroke. He soon moved his sign painting business and operated on Richmond road. He was definitely from the old school he did all of his painting by hand and stayed with this method and tradition, his service to many became invaluable until he retired after fifty years in that field. Although a busy man in 1979 he submitted his name to become a Councillor with the Corporation of Hamilton.  Lawson was successful in his quest. He eventually moved up the ranks to Alderman, then Deputy Mayor and Mayor of the City of Hamilton from 2000-2006. He became the second black Mayor after Cecil Dismont who had been elected in 1988 and eventually had a street named after him ‘ Dismont Drive.’ Lawson  had the pleasure of welcoming her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of England at City Hall in 1994. He was a long time member of the Anglican Cathedral Church in the city of Hamilton and served as a board member of the Eliza Dolittle Society. He certainly proved that if you dream high  enough and pray long enough prayers will get answered in due time.  Mr. Mapp ‘s hobbies was stamp collecting. He served his community and church well. His work can still be seen about the Island. Well done Lawson. Thank you for your invaluable service to the people of Bermuda.