Mottley: Chris Gibbs was the “very epitome of the Bajan spirit”
People who have influence over the youth have a responsibility to let them know about those who made Barbados a special place.
That is one of the takeaways for Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley as she reflected on the life of the late Chris Gibbs, a founding member of the world famous group The Merrymen and an outstanding sportsman.
Gibbs passed away on Tuesday and in a statement, Mottley said she was “mindful that despite his immense familiarity among older Barbadians, most of our school-age citizens probably have no idea who he was or his contribution to national life”.
“Chris Gibbs, along with (Sir) Emile Straker, Robin Hunte, Willie Kerr and Peter Roett, performing authentically Caribbean musical styles as The Merrymen at home and in many of the world’s best-known capital cities, compelled countless visitors to return over and over again,” she noted.
“A lover of our most prolific natural resource, the sea, Chris distinguished himself as a national representative and team captain in the sport of water polo, completed the enviable feat of swimming around the island as part of a relay team in 2003, and made international headlines at the age of 58 as the only Caribbean national to swim the English Channel.”
Full statement below:
As I reflect on Chris Gibbs’ passing this week, I am mindful that despite his immense familiarity among older Barbadians, most of our school-age citizens probably have no idea who he was or his contribution to national life.
This ought to be a reminder to all of us who have responsibility for, or influence over, our youth and who are concerned about what appears to be our failure as a society to consistently pass on the values that created that true Bajan spirit, which made Barbados a special place, that we have a critically important task ahead of us.
Chris was the very epitome of the Bajan spirit. He was as caring as he was humble. He revelled in the Bajan culture, particularly in sports and music, and like many Barbadians of old, he was self-taught in the areas in which he excelled. His life is a potent lesson for every young Bajan with a goal – it is within you to determine your future success, regardless of where you start or what obstacles confront you along the way.
As one of the founding members of the most recognised Barbadian musical group of the 20th century, The Merrymen, Chris not only played a key role in the development of our entertainment industry but was an essential part of the cultural element that gave the island’s tourism its stable foundation.
Chris Gibbs, along with (Sir) Emile Straker, Robin Hunte, Willie Kerr and Peter Roett, performing authentically Caribbean musical styles as The Merrymen at home and in many of the world’s best-known capital cities, compelled countless visitors to return over and over again.
A lover of our most prolific natural resource, the sea, Chris distinguished himself as a national representative and team captain in the sport of water polo, completed the enviable feat of swimming around the island as part of a relay team in 2003, and made international headlines at the age of 58 as the only Caribbean national to swim the English Channel.
For his successful swim across the English Channel, Chris was awarded the Barbados Service Medal and in 2022 he was conferred with the Order of the Republic.
On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I extend sincere condolence to his family and friends and encourage all young Bajans to take a leaf from his book.
May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory. (PR/SAT)
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