Our man in hastings: diary of a Sierra Leone visit
Council leader Peter Pragnell spent last week in Sierra Leone. Read his last blog here.
This was the big day for Hastings in Sierra Leone and for the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link (HSLFL).
But first Roy, Kevin and I, with our colleagues from WARDC, paid a courtesy call on Samuel Sam Asmana, the Vice-President of Sierra Leone. After an exchange of courtesies, we discussed the reasons for our visit and the VP wished us well.
Then it was off to Hastings for the official commissioning of the Hastings Twin Centre Centre, a multi-purpose community building built by locals and funded by, among others, the British High Commission in Freetown and those in the UK who took part in HSLFL's fundraising efforts. So far seventy thousand pounds has been raised but we still need another fifty thousand to complete the project. It will provide a bank/post office, library, IT suite and accommodation. Sadly, it's first use will be for the lying-in and funeral on Sunday of Joshua Moses Douglas, the village Headman who died last week. It is only fitting as he, with Deputy Mayor Eve Martin placed a time capsule in the foundations and he poured the libation in 2007. There is now a framed photo of him in the new Headman's Office in the building.
The ceremony was a long, hot and colourful occasion starting at noon and lasting over two hours. There was a glittering array of dignitaries present including Ian Hughes (British High Commissioner) who turned out to have worked for my Dad on South Pacific Desk in the FCO twenty five-odd years ago.
Also there was Sir Peter Penfold, former High Commissioner, joint patron of HSLFL and elected Paramount Chief in Sierra Leone,resplendent in his uniform. The former Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Chaluba, was there - anyone who was at the Singathon in Alexandra Park last year will remember him. The Chairman and the Chief Administrator from WARDC and a large number of tribal chiefs, the Permanent Secretary for Local Government and the boss from the British Council made up the remainder of the top table along with the HBC contingent. The Chairman of The Occasion was Dr Patrick Coker.
Various speeches ensued, children danced and sang, the libation was poured, the building was opened and the '1066 Country' flag draped over the name plaque was torn off - with a bit of effort - by me. Thus ended the formalities. Guided tours of the building were followed by lunch - catered by our very own SLTU 5:10 hotel.
Before we could eat, we held a press conference to discuss HBC's reason for being in Sierra Leone. Twenty two journalists from sixteen media organisations; we've since noticed that actually appeared in two papers - the only two we haven't been able to get hold of. However, we had the slightly surreal experience of hearing ourselves as fourth item on radio news.
We've just finished watching the lunchtime news on Sierra Leone Broadcasting Services (SLBS), on which we are headline news!
First was our visit to the Vice-President followed by an item on waste management directly done because of our visit. Finally was an item on our initial visit to WARDC on Monday. So, we've already had a positive effect.
Today has been relaxation day. We've been to the indoor market for our tourist shopping - thank God for Yvonne and Yvette's bartering skills or we'd have been right royally rooked.
In a little over an hour we're off to the airport, hoping that there are not the same delays as on Sunday - I've an away match at Millwall to get to!
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
