Noel Lloyd’s documentary gathers steam

As the camera crew positioned to start filming scenes for a documentary about national hero Noel Lloyd, Heckle Samuels stood under the shade of the bandstand with a sculpture and was busy retelling events that occurred on Tortola in 1968, which changed the landscape forever.

Samuels was among the handful of persons who gathered last Sunday in Long Bush to be part of a reenactment march from the Band Stand to Government House. Development has altered the 1968 route that Lloyd’s Positive Action Movement and members of the community walked to protest a 99-year lease granted to British businessman Kenneth Bates to build luxury facilities on Wickham's Cay I and II, and two thirds of Anegada.

At the time of the march, Samuels was a teen attending ‘Comprehensive School’, now the Elmore Stoutt High School which had just opened. Samuels recalled that Lloyd knocked at every classroom in the school on the morning of the April 9 march. He said teachers joined the march and about three hundred students from the school. Courtney DeCastro was also a teen attending the school when the march was held and during the lively conversations last Sunday, he too spoke of joining the march. Both recalled that Main Street accommodated two-way traffic and one policeman ensured safety on the road. Cromwell Smith also joined the conversations, but he repeatedly said he only learnt about the march the day after it was staged, noting that he could not vividly recall where he was on the day of the march.

Waving a sculpture which was produced by Lloyd from recycled aluminum, Samuels said Lloyd was way ahead of his times.

“Considering that I wasn’t totally aware of the great action Noel was taken then…I grew to appreciate the creativity of Noel Lloyd…he was so many years ahead of his times. I am humble to be part of this reenactment march for this great man. He was a visionary because here we are years later talking about recycling. Noel Lloyd spoke about these things years go,” Samuels stated. He then pointed to a house at the bottom of Joe’s Hill which was clearly visible. DeCastro pointed out that Lloyd would hide in the cistern below the house whenever police searched for him.

Sowande Uhuru portrayed Lloyd along the march. Dressed in a white shirt jack and brown pant, Uhuru held a placard and lead several chants. Among them, “Save Anegada”, “Down with Foreign Controlled Governments”, “Time to Take Action” and “King will not die in vain”. The ‘followers’ held several placards.

“I am humble for the opportunity to play the role of Noel Lloyd during this reenactment. I consider Mr. Lloyd to be a role model for myself, someone who has done all the things I am currently interested in even before I was born,” Uhuru told StandPoint.

Uhuru said he was comfortable playing the role of Lloyd after researching about the actions he took.

“The documentary is very important. This is something that should have been done a while ago, but of course we have to give appreciation and give respect for those who have taken it upon themselves to do it now because it’s better late than never. This documentary is important for current and future BVIslanders…we don’t want them to take the sacrifice for granted,” Uhuru stated.

April Glasgow also joined the reenactment. She said she jumped at the idea of participating in the march.

“I feel no less than amazing. I am so proud to be doing this for our late elder Noel Lloyd. He was definitely a revolutionary soldier. I would like to consider myself evolutionary seeking change. I know what he did, but it is up for us to continue his legacy to make sure that what he fought for is not lost. I think in these times, we need to remember what happened,” Glasgow stated.

Once the march reached Government House, producers contemplated accessing Government House. In the nick of time, Governor David Pearey showed up.

He was returning home from service at St. George’s Anglican Church and was totally surprised when he met the film crew and actors at the entrance of the compound to Government House.

After some pleadings, the Governor not only agreed to allow the crew in, but to be part of the production. He acted the role of the UK-appointed official who met Lloyd on the steps of Government House and agreed to hear the grievances of the people.

Lloyd, founder and leader of the Positive Action Movement, lost his battle with cancer on August 3, 2008, four months before his 72nd birthday. In 2008 he was recognised as a national hero.

The documentary, produced by Jahphix Television (Channel 55) and its media partners, celebrates Lloyd’s life. It also aims to inspire a new generation and remember Lloyd’s political activism. The documentary is expected to start playing locally next month.

Share on: Facebook del.icio.us Digg StumbleUpon Twitter