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ST. LUCIAN ASSOCIATION OF
LONDON (1963)
During
the 1950/60s many St. Lucians emigrated to the UK from various parts of
St. Lucia. Making contact with fellow nationals was not too difficult
during that early period, as many tended to congregate within the same
locality. On 10th February 1963, a group of St. Lucians met together to discuss the formal setting up of
a St. Lucian Association. At that gathering, Mr I.O.S. Duplessis
presented a 20-point constitutional document, which established the
first official St. Lucian group in the
UK – ‘The
‘St. Lucian Society of Great Britain’. The first AGM was held on
26th April 1963
and Mr Duplessis (now deceased) was duly appointed as the first
President. Later that year, a number of constitutional amendments were
made which included changing the name from SOCIETY to ASSOCIATION.
The
Association’s main aim during its early stages was to assist and
support nationals arriving from St. Lucia. This group was also seen as
the main St. Lucian Association, and it played an important and
significant part in helping to integrate new arrivals into the ‘English
way of life’, customs and traditions.
Since its
formation, the Association has supported our community (both in St.
Lucian and the UK) in several important ways. A number of the groups
that are now affiliated to Unity were originally established or
assisted during their creation by the St. Lucian Association (1963). In
addition, the Association was also responsible for spearheading the
formation of a Youth Wing (The New Generation of Young St. Lucians –
who catered for the younger members in the group), and the Women’s
Committee – which caters for women and raising funds for specific
projects.
The St.
Lucian Association’s overall aim is to assist targeted areas in St.
Lucia where needs have been identified, respond to request for help or
assistance, and identify and support other needy projects and
activities within our community. However, since the birth of the
district groups e.g. Canaries Assoc., Anse-La-Raye Assoc. and now
Unity, the St. Lucian Association has played a less involved role,
preferring to let Unity take on the more strategic and directive
responsibilities in deciding on major activities and events. This
change although significant, has not reduced the ‘Main Association’s’
influence in any fundamental way and the St. Lucian Association of
London (1963) still holds a central position within Unity.
Similar
to the above Associations, the St. Lucian Association of London has
also contributed immensely (both financial and non-financial) to our
community in St. Lucian. Amongst their many underlining contributions
are:
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Hosted
a number of Biennial Conventions in the UK on behalf of the Union of
St. Lucian Overseas Association (USLOA).
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Submitted representatives to represent our community on the West
Indian Standing Conference.
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In
collaboration with the Women’s Committee, created the Quadrille Dance
Group to promote and maintain the St. Lucian culture.
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Sponsored and donated educational items to schools in St. Lucia and
contributed funds to assist other charities and projects annually,
including the UK.
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In a
joint venture with its youth wing (New Generation of Young St.
Lucians – New Gen) and Helen Television Systems, organised Christmas
video messages to St. Lucia.
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Founded
the Lennie Theobalds Award for Performing Arts i.e. a Biennial award
given to St. Lucian students that achieves academic excellence in the
arts discipline.
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In
partnership with New Gen, organise ‘Patwa’ lessons for our UK
residents.
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In
association with the Women’s Committee, sponsored a children’s ward
at the Victoria Hospital in St. Lucia, and donated funds for the
Golden Hope (La Toc Mental Hospital) and the Marion Home for elderly
and disabled people.
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Been
instrumental in the creation of the St. Lucia Benevolent Fund in the
UK.
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Continue to give substantial support to our community during times of
national and personal crisis and bereavements.
-
Carry
out regular visits to patients in hospital or in need of home help.
The St.
Lucian Association has achieved a great deal in its 39 years history
and, similar to many associations of its time, endured many difficult
periods, where its very survival was a constant topic of debate.
However, the Association can pride and credit itself knowing that
several of its former members have been elected as Members of
Parliament in successive St. Lucian Governments and others have
occupied important posts on the island. One such prominent member, who
still remains in the UK, is Ms Jessie Stephens, and she received an MBE
for services to her community in 1986.
It is
very much expected that the association will remain within our midst,
with an ever-present determination to maintain the ideals of its
earlier pioneers.
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