stphilippic - FATHER OF ST. PHILIP

                 Wise
                     Yeoman service

                    Noble

                    Talkative

                    Enthusiatic

                   Reliable

Wynter Crawford

Six Roads Roundabout To Be Renamed

Wynter Algernon Crawford (1910-1993) is said to have been "one of the giants of the movement for political and social enfranchisement that culminated in the independence of Barbados in 1966".

He founded a weekly newspaper, The Barbados Observer in 1934 and was its publisher for 41 years of its existence. The newspaper was seen to give a clear voice to the concerns of the underprivileged. It was radical in nature, boldly identifying and attacking ‘conservative' forces and racial discrimination, while vigorously promoting ‘progressive' causes. It also campaigned for socialist rearrangement of society, for self government and independence.

Mr. Crawford was also a founder and leader of the West Indies National Congress Party. As a parliamentarian, he represented the parish of St. Philip and worked for its development for a continuous period of 26 years.

His achievements for that constituency included getting a bus service to St. Philip for school children, the establishment of a branch library and the Princess Margaret Secondary School, the construction of an access road for fishermen at Long Bay Beach, and the restoration of King George V Memorial Park as a playing field and recreational centre.

His major parliamentary interventions spanned from 1940 to 1961, where he called for the nationalisation of the sugar industry and campaigned against the unjust treatment of peasant farmers and small cane growers.

During this time, Mr. Crawford championed educational issues, including the free supply of school books and stationery, as well as milk and biscuits for school children. He also made contributions on labour, the cost of living, war and the fishing industry.

Among his most important proposals was the creation of the Hilton Hotel, the Flour Mill and the East Coast Road, for which construction began in the 1940s.

From 1961 to 1965, Mr. Crawford simultaneously held a number of key ministries - Trade, Industry, Labour and Development, and Commerce and Tourism. He was also named Deputy Premier of Barbados. As a Minister, he advocated the establishment of the National Insurance Scheme and proposed the adoption of the Puerto Rican model of economic development. As Minister of Development after 1961, he played a crucial role in the formulation of the policy that created the various industrial estates and attracted several industries to the island.

In 1980, Wynter Crawford was awarded a Companion of the Honour of Barbados (CHB), for his sterling service to the country.
The re-naming ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2009. Barbadians who traverse the Six Roads area will see a lasting memorial to this outstanding son of the soil.

Six Cross Roads, St. Philip roundabout officially renamed in his honour

Wynter Crawford’s legacy honoured

8/30/2009

The great legacy of Wynter Algernon Crawford and the outstanding contribution that he made to Barbados, especially the parish of St. Philip which he represented for some 26 years, was celebrated last night as the roundabout at Six Cross Roads, St. Philip was officially renamed in his honour.

The special ceremony, which was attended by Prime Minister David Thompson, several cabinet ministers, members of the Crawford family, local historians and residents of St. Philip, sought to pay homage to a great son of the soil who dedicated his life to ensure the social and economic advancement of the people of Barbados.

During his address Prime Minister Thompson outlined Crawford’s eagerness to secure better conditions for the masses, while pointing to his dedication to see greater educational opportunities being made available for Barbadians.

The prime minister described the late political figure as a visionary, a man of formidable insight and intellect and a man of integrity.

While not going into details, Thompson further hinted at the possibility of other steps being taken in the future to fully recognise the life and work of Wynter Crawford, who also served as the deputy premier of the first Democratic Labour Party Government.

“His focus and determination, coupled with practical suggestions on the development of St. Philip and Barbados marked him as one of our nation builders. Today, we carve his name on the landscape of our country in this first act, but not the only one of what is strongly affirmed to be our intention to give this outstanding citizen his due,” he said.

The ceremony also featured a selection of cultural presentations in dance, song and poetry, all performed by individuals and organisations from the St. Philip area.

In addition, Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney General Freundel Stuart delivered a presentation entitled Memories of Wynter A. Crawford, in which he chronicled the life of the former St. Philip Member of Parliament (MP), highlighting Crawford’s rise as a great political figure and his involvement with various organisations in Barbados.

Stuart contended that Crawford’s contribution to Barbadian politics can in fact be found right across the country, noting that he advocated for and was instrumental in the establishment of several establishments such as a law faculty in Barbados, the Hilton Hotel and the National Insurance Scheme.

“Issues like compulsory education for school children, school meals for school children, milk and biscuits for primary school children – all of these initiatives that we have come to take for granted can be traced back to the advocacy and the concerns of the late and great Wynter Algernon Crawford,” he added. (AD)