(Road Town, Tortola) City Manager's Newsletter, 21st December, 2007 [Snip] Years ago, at this time of year several bands of carolers would go from house to house and village to village singing carols. One of those bands, the Great Britain Unity Band, is still going strong today. For many years, the Great Britain Band was led by Rosanna Helena Smith. Ms. Smith was born on 22nd November, 1890 and went on to raise 13 children with her husband, Henry Smith. She joined the band at an early age and took over its leadership from Camelita Greaves in 1924. For more than 60 years she led the band on its caroling rounds on Tortola. Every year people looked forward to seeing the Band with its colorful banner and flag and, on Christmas morning, when the bands tried to out-sing each other, many felt that the Great Britain Unity Band was the one which ruled the waves of carolers. Today the band is led by Ms. Iona Thomas, Ms. Smith's grand-daughter. [Snip] Eugenia O'Neal <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> City Manager, Road Town "The Little City With the Big Heart!" Virgin Islands Quoted by :-) Peter Moll East End Tortola BVI
Thank you so much for this information. I had the pleasure of going to Tortola last Saturday to carol with the Voices of Love and my group, Party Hardies Carolers. For the Party Hardies, it was our first time venturing to Tortola, invited by the Voices of Love. We had a truly cultural and wonderful experience caroling to many homes, one of which was the O'Neal family. It was truly an experience for us and yes, a bit different than how we carol in St. Thomas. We went from house to house and each home we went to, even though they expected us, their lights were out until we sang out "arise-arise" song, then the lights came on and the entire family greeted us. Everyone was so appreciative, as we sang their favorite "sankies" and traditional Christmas hymns. We started at 7:00 p.m. caroling in front of Vanterpool's Pharmacy, then on to several homes such as the Wheatleys, Camerons, and O'Neal's. I can't remember the other family names but I do know we went to about 9 homes. The sweet bread, tarts, hams and local drinks were to die for... I know one thing, God permits, we will be back again next year. May God continue to bless you and the wonderful people of Tortola. Yvette Finch, member Party Hardies Carolers -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Spring Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2007 12:42 AM To: Rootsweb: Caribbean Subject: Christmas in the BVI - more (Road Town, Tortola) City Manager's Newsletter, 21st December, 2007 [Snip] Years ago, at this time of year several bands of carolers would go from house to house and village to village singing carols. One of those bands, the Great Britain Unity Band, is still going strong today. For many years, the Great Britain Band was led by Rosanna Helena Smith. Ms. Smith was born on 22nd November, 1890 and went on to raise 13 children with her husband, Henry Smith. She joined the band at an early age and took over its leadership from Camelita Greaves in 1924. For more than 60 years she led the band on its caroling rounds on Tortola. Every year people looked forward to seeing the Band with its colorful banner and flag and, on Christmas morning, when the bands tried to out-sing each other, many felt that the Great Britain Unity Band was the one which ruled the waves of carolers. Today the band is led by Ms. Iona Thomas, Ms. Smith's grand-daughter. [Snip] Eugenia O'Neal <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> City Manager, Road Town "The Little City With the Big Heart!" Virgin Islands Quoted by :-) Peter Moll East End Tortola BVI ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Thanks to all of you for sharing this information. Even though I am not there, we are in Maryland, and did caroling for people in Assisted Living and Nursing homes, your experience reminds me of caroling when we were children in California, and at the end there was hot cider, donuts, etc.etc. etc. piñata, for the carolers. It was a wonderful time. That was in the 1950s. I dont remember how caroling was done in Trinidad. Anyone want to remind me? Nevilla -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of vettie finch Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2007 9:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Christmas in the BVI - more Thank you so much for this information. I had the pleasure of going to Tortola last Saturday to carol with the Voices of Love and my group, Party Hardies Carolers. For the Party Hardies, it was our first time venturing to Tortola, invited by the Voices of Love. We had a truly cultural and wonderful experience caroling to many homes, one of which was the O'Neal family. It was truly an experience for us and yes, a bit different than how we carol in St. Thomas. We went from house to house and each home we went to, even though they expected us, their lights were out until we sang out "arise-arise" song, then the lights came on and the entire family greeted us. Everyone was so appreciative, as we sang their favorite "sankies" and traditional Christmas hymns. We started at 7:00 p.m. caroling in front of Vanterpool's Pharmacy, then on to several homes such as the Wheatleys, Camerons, and O'Neal's. I can't remember the other family names but I do know we went to about 9 homes. The sweet bread, tarts, hams and local drinks were to die for... I know one thing, God permits, we will be back again next year. May God continue to bless you and the wonderful people of Tortola. Yvette Finch, member Party Hardies Carolers -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Spring Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2007 12:42 AM To: Rootsweb: Caribbean Subject: Christmas in the BVI - more (Road Town, Tortola) City Manager's Newsletter, 21st December, 2007 [Snip] Years ago, at this time of year several bands of carolers would go from house to house and village to village singing carols. One of those bands, the Great Britain Unity Band, is still going strong today. For many years, the Great Britain Band was led by Rosanna Helena Smith. Ms. Smith was born on 22nd November, 1890 and went on to raise 13 children with her husband, Henry Smith. She joined the band at an early age and took over its leadership from Camelita Greaves in 1924. For more than 60 years she led the band on its caroling rounds on Tortola. Every year people looked forward to seeing the Band with its colorful banner and flag and, on Christmas morning, when the bands tried to out-sing each other, many felt that the Great Britain Unity Band was the one which ruled the waves of carolers. Today the band is led by Ms. Iona Thomas, Ms. Smith's grand-daughter. [Snip] Eugenia O'Neal <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> City Manager, Road Town "The Little City With the Big Heart!" Virgin Islands Quoted by :-) Peter Moll East End Tortola BVI ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message