BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, August 27, 2017 (PLP PR Media Inc.) -- The Peoples Labour Party/Prime Minister’s (PLP/PM) Monthly Health Walk held on Saturday August 26 was as historic as the environment it was held.
Starting shortly after 5:30 am at the foot of the Brimstone Hill, a World Heritage Site, it ended at the hard courts in Challengers by the Stone Fort River, which is better known as the Bloody River. History has it that in 1626 nearly 2000 Kalinago Caribs who were trying to displace white settlers were massacred and blood ran in the river for three days.
The two sites, Brimstone Hill and Bloody River, attract hordes of tourists and local visitors alike for their historical importance. It was fitting that the health walk organising committee of the PLP Constituency Number Four Executive Branch capitalised on the symbolic importance.
But in a free and independent St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister and Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party Dr the Hon Timothy Harris galvanised the support of health conscious citizens and residents who joined him as they walked the 3.75 mile stretch on Saturday August 26.
The monthly health walks which were initiated by the Prime Minister over ten years ago as the Dr Harris Constituency Number Seven Health Walk to promote healthy lifestyles among the people of his constituency, have now assumed a national outlook. The latest walk is the third held outside Constituency Number Seven.
Dr Harris, who is also the CARICOM’s lead spokesman on human resource, health and HIV matters, was one of the early walkers to arrive at the St. Kitts Marine Works boatyard in New Guinea where the walk started. Joining him was his Cabinet colleague, the Hon Ian Patches Liburd who is the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Post, Urban Development and Transport.
Area Parliamentary Representative for Constituency St. Christopher Four, the Hon Lindsay Grant, could not join the walkers in his constituency as he is off island on official business. Hon Grant is the Federal Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry, and Commerce.
Joining in the walk also included PLP’s Deputy Political Leader Senator the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, PLP National Chairman Mr Warren Thompson, PLP National Party Organiser Mr Alexis Nisbett, PLP Women’s Arm Representative Mrs Sonia Henry, and PLP Youth Arm Representative Mr Manasses Huggins.
The various Peoples Labour Party Constituency Branches were represented by members of their executives, and general membership including the Chairman of Constituency Number Eight PLP Branch Mr Wendell Wattley who was awarded for being the oldest finisher. A notable and regular group was the PLP Branch #7 Women Empowerment Group.
The enthusiastic walkers set off at a blistering speed, which a ten-year veteran of the walks and PLP Founder Member Mr William Phillip said was ‘quite fast’. It saw them walk through the scenic villages of Half Way Tree, Godwin Ghaut, Conyers, Lamberts, Middle Island, Verchilds, Old Road, ending at Challengers.
While the first wave of walkers gunned straight for the finish point, those walking along with, and behind the Prime Minister made a brief stop at the Old Road Fisheries Complex. While there, Dr Harris engaged members of the fishing community some who were coming from their overnight fishing duties.
At the end of the walk, a traditional breakfast was served. In addition to a rich variety of fruits, for the first time walkers were treated to coconut jelly water. PLP Constituency Number Four Branch Coordinator Ms Petrona Thomas thanked all the persons who contributed to make the walk, and breakfast the success they were.
Prime Minister Harris assisted in giving out of the various prizes, which were presented to the first finisher, oldest person on the walk, the youngest person on the walk, first boy and first girl to finish.
“Four most outstanding persons on the walk got vouchers to spend nights at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel,” said Mr Thomas. “A young lady got a gift for her birthday celebration which was on Sunday 27 August. We had gifts for children which included school supplies.”
Donations were received from Royal St. Kitts Hotel, Dr Charles Warner of Challengers Village, Mr Michael Hendrickson, Gabby’s Supermarket, Springfield Egg Farm, East Caribbean Printers, Mr Sylvester Boncamper, Ms Icilma Isaac, Ms Alison Spencer, Ms Mayplyn Adams, and Mr Amos Francis of Constituency Number Five.
She thanked the Core PLP Executive of Constituency Branch Number Four: Chairman Mr Philmore Bedford, Deputy Chairperson Ms Shazill Bergan, Women’s Representative Ms Lornette Browne, Secretary Ms Norecia Hamilton, and Mr Talbert Warner. Singled out for special mention for the assistance they gave were Ms Carla Johnson of Constituency Number One, and Ms Shirley Williams of Constituency Number Seven.
Ms Petron Thomas thanked Prime Minister Harris and all the many participants who took part and made it the success it was. She noted: “Thanks must be given to our Prime Minister for the promotion of healthy lifestyles because indeed we as a people must understand and embrace the ideology of ‘a nation’s health is a nation’s wealth’.”
Prime Minister and Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party Dr the Hon Timothy Harris described it as a lovely walk. He suggested that the next walk should start in St. Paul’s (Constituency #6) and end in Sandy Point (Constituency #5). He however left it to the PLP Branch Executives in those constituencies to work out the route for the walk.
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