There are many Dominican returnees who “still proudly use their British passports”.
That was one of the points highlighted by British Honorary Consul Tina Alexander, as Dominica-based Britons, local dignitaries and other nationals gathered on Monday night at the Botanic Gardens to help British monarch Queen Elizabeth II celebrate her Diamond Jubilee – 60 years on the throne.
Diplomat Alexander also observed during the ceremony that Dominica has a strong British flavor in the island’s public service and the judiciary, as well as the Westminster style democracy.
The local gathering was told by Barbados-based British High Commission official Dan Carruthers that “the Queen puts a strong emphasis on the Commonwealth”.
And he expressed optimism that Caribbean representatives would do well in the upcoming Olympics in London.
Education Minister Peter St Jean was on hand to commend “Her Majesty” for a job well done in leading the Commonwealth through 60 years of transition.
Hearty chants of “three cheers” for the Queen were heard during the Dominica observance of that important Queen Elizabeth milestone.
And the Fire Brigade, the Dominica State Prison and the Cadets were instrumental in helping light up the night sky with a beacon built in an old charcoal kiln from which the flames shot up to the sky in front of the cross monument that stands on the old signal site at Morne Bruce.
“It was great to see this global Jubilee having a local cohesive effect, bringing together a cross section of the community in a spirit of volunteerism and generosity” is how Honorary Consul Alexander summed up the event.
Tina Alexander is not a diplomat…. she is an ‘Honorary Consul’ which is the most minor rank of consular appointments which have no diplomatic status, privileges or immunities. Please get this right as people in Dominica are posing as diplomats when they have no locus standi. that is why everything here is upside down and back to front…..
ADMIN: According to the dictionary a diplomat is: 1. a person who represents their country abroad. 2. a tactful person
Wheter Ms. Alexander is a bona-fide diplomat or not, the fact is that she is officially appointed to the interests of British citizens in Doominica. She certainly is not a dilpomat in the 2nd. sense of the word as many British Dominicans resident here felt snubbed,left out and ostracised. They would have loved the opportunity to participate in the jubilee proceedings. They deserve to be acknowledged on an occasion like this, more so than any Govt. officials, who at times criticise the U.K. and may hold- or have been holders of non-British passports (besides their Dominican ones. A “faux pas”, if ever there was one. It makes one wonder whether the consul even knows who/where the British subjects are, whose interests she is supposed to look after.That should not be a difficult task to establish in a small community like ours.
Actually it is true, I am not a diplomat, merely a volunteer Honorary Consul asked to be a contact point for British visitors in trouble.
As far as inviting all the British citizens, I would love to hear from any British passport holders who would like to be on an invitation list for disaster preparedness meetings and the like. Please feel free to go online to register with the British High Commission http://ukinbarbados.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-barbados/registering-withus or email me on [email protected] to go on my personal list.
@Afro-Muslim Diaspora
You call yourself Afro-
it is you who are a house slave. How can you even glorify these Arab people???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLJm65O3Sos
I also recommend you read the U.N. Human Rights Commission report about modern day slavery, perpetrated by “Muslim-Africans” in modern day Mauretania. it is wise to examine all aspects of this terrible scourge before passing judgement.
U ALL ARE JUST BRAIN WASH WITH THAT QUEEN NONECENCE PEOPLE ARE SAYING GOD SAVE THE QUEEN NOT THEM SELVES I WISH THEM GOOD.
The queen is one of the elite whose family have dominated the world and its peoples. She is part owner of the money which bears her picture. Time for a money change.
Was this invites only i know a lot of Dominica base British they were not there, and did not know about this.
The queens head is still on Dominica Money !!!
dominica go to hell that country hungry pm we need food and money that country just going down
Dominica will not go to hell – I rebuke that in the name of Jesus.
Why, whats the point -but you all are quibbling about celebrating African Liberation Day?
Nobody stopped anyone celebrating African Liberation Day. Ironically, all of the African English- speaking commonwealth countries celebrated Queen Elisabeth’s jubilee also. You can make of that what you will.
Queen? Really? What a load of colonial bull…
I cant really say that England has done anything for Dominica. we got that school in Goodwill among other things from the Canadians,we have gotten aids from the Americans, Chineese,Japans,
Venezuelans even Cubans, The British have taken all of our bayleaf oils, lime juices,all our citrus some raw materials among others and gave us petance in return
So who cares of the Monarchy
England was buying our FIG at preference for so many years until the Americans complained. They did quite a bit for us…
Where did the Princess Margaret Hospital come from? and the wharf? I dont really bother about england myself but still… when they donate its substantial, even if it is once every lifetime
Who was the first to arrive after Hurricane David, the British.
Are you sure? I do not think so.
Wow wow wow Skerrit really hate America & Britain, he did not even attend such an important event.
Lets not get too excited. Skerrit has been out of state for the past couple days. The acting prime minister was present at the function.
Skerrit out of country….again? He go to London for the daimond jubilee perhaps and take his remote control with him.
Please what are they doing for Dominica!Please
i hope that some of the persons commenting here about a waste of money and they not doing nothing are not the same ones defending the 27 million state malice and the red clinic.
Nice
Refusing to go negative”. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN”. IT IS WHAT IT IS”. Lets lick our wounds and move on.
Dominica was present in the London river pageant with a flag carried by the scouts.
I remember reading on here complaints that the monarchy weren’t going to visit Dominica on their Caribbean visit – is it any wonder with all the negativity that they can read on here. Not just about the monarchy but about other countries and even complaining about yourselves. For a country where the sun is always shining, isn’t it time to look on the bright side of life!
Dominica wasn’t visited because the Queen is not the head of state in Dominica
CONGRATES TO THE DOMINICANS BRITTS.HAD IT BEEN THE CUBANS, VENEZUALANS OR CHINESE THAT WERE CELEBRATING SUCH A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT,SKERRIT WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENT.
anyway skirrit do dame right china helping us venezuala helping what de hell .
And you still can’t get up and running….
i want to echo the sentiments of out of the south.
“who Cares!!!!!” who cares about the monarchy, what good came out of her being on the throne for 60 years?.how has humamity improved because she was on a throne. please i need someone to explaine this to me.
you got your independence didn’t you??
It would have been nice to attend the event or at least see the beacon. Too bad there wasn’t any publicity about this beforehand.
The Queen is an amazing person who has delivered over 60 years of hard work and service around the globe. Something that we should all aspire to.
You being sacarstic right? You can’t be serious in this day and age of information to make such a statement
have to agree with Bob where was the publicity for this event
OK. Tell me, where was the publicity. There are 7 members in my family with British passports/or have lived in England for 40 plus years and didnt know Dominica was having this little do.
We watched it on TV. Mind you it was really nice to see all the familiar sights and enjoyed naming the various bridges over the river Thames.
I’m not a fan of the Queen, and I’m one who thinks that she has never done a hard days work in her life, and that with all the homeless people and with so many living in poverty the monies spent on all that pomp and ceremony was such a waste.
Bring on the Olympics, cant wait to see the completed transformation of Stratford in full swing (it was only half completed when I left).
Agree with Bob, did not hear or see any publicity to give ordinary citizens a chance to participate. What’s up with that consul? She made sure Govt. ministers and dignitaries were informed.There are a lot of Dominican Britons living here we would have liked to participate. You missed a “diamant” opportunity there MS. Alexander.
Seriously? No disrespet, but why should we care? All the royal family do is live lavishly at the expense of British taxpayers. The Monarchy does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for England and Commonwealth countries.
And doent your GOVT live lavishly at the taxpayers expense so think about it what do you get ” Insults after Insults ” maybe if we had stayed with the British most likely we wouldnt be in so much mess as we are in today just think about it.
I actually don’t envy the Queen …why don’t you look up her duties before you make that comment. the woman is 86 …and still working
Actually that is not true – the money generated from their estates finance them and the remainder goes towards their country. The Royal family (and all the others around the world) are a symbol of their country. What they do is tradition, a glimpse into the past (which we should never forget, good or bad). Its nice to participate in something that brings people together – a break from all the sad and bad things going on all around the world.
@ Sive: Are you black? Are you a house slave? How can you even glorify these people?
And what we do for ourselves then, begging??
Who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Funny DNO can post such comment while other persons who are posting comments of substance are left out, thought you guys on the editorial board are more sensitive than that
i totally agree. All these people do is waste tax payers money, while others are barely living.
Certainly those people , who returned to their country of birth, including Grandbay who were able to do so and build their homes because of good old Britain and receive their well-earned pensions in English pounds to spend in our local economy. Go and ask them before you come and spout your negative sentiments. If we follow the logic of the likes of you we shouln’t even be playing cricket. Bet you would be one of the first ones on the plane to London if they dished out work- and residents’ permits tomorrow.