“Fire, Fire, London’s burning, London’s burning and we have no water” (Old English children’s song).

THE conflagration which has erupted in England’s capital and other areas over recent days has many people stunned and puzzled. What has become of the England of tea and crumpets, of beautiful country lanes, of a pint in the pub and shopping at “Marks and Sparks?” When did the England, for which some of us still yearn, change so radically?

Theories abound as to what has prompted the blind rage of young Brits to go on a rampage, burning and looting. What do they want? the elders ask. What is the source of their rage? While the search for answers continues, England’s prime minister is equipping the police force with water cannons and rubber bullets, if necessary, to give the unruly little yobs (aka hooligans) a dose of their own medicine. Some elders are so angry at the rioters, that there’s even talk of adding live ammunition to the armoury for use against the marauders. (It’s that bad!)

In British Government circles, there is no sympathy for the argument that the protests are about joblessness, as some say, or lack of hope, say others. Still others see the rioters as nothing but nasty little thieves, robbing and trying to sell their ill-gotten gains via the internet. The British Parliament came back from recess ahead of time to debate the issue which featured tough talking by the prime minister, who is pledging the severest of measures to whip the little beasts into line even while preparing to defend forthcoming cuts in social security programmes depended on by many families of which the rioters are a part. The British Constabulary is faced with severe cuts too, but now that they have had to defend the realm in the hour of need, the question is whether their budgetary allocation will be spared.

MANY OF THE AREAS which have been burnt and plundered have been home to Jamaicans who had lived there peaceably for many decades. We haven’t heard their full story as yet but more than likely, some may have suffered damage to property. In the early stages of the battle, Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), a major player in the mortgage field for Jamaicans in Britain who do business back home, reported damage to some of its property and was closed for a brief spell. They’re now open once more.

One of the areas where the battle raged fiercest, and which has strong connections to JA is the borough of Hackney, represented in the north by Member of Parliament Diane Abbott, of Jamaican parentage. I’ve been told that she played a very effective role in helping to cool things down when the violence broke out. A noted landmark in the community is the historic Hackney Empire Theatre, well known to many Jamaican performers, among them, Oliver Samuels, the most celebrated of those who have played there many times. He was relieved to learn at mid-week that the theatre was still standing.

Oliver, who is a proud grandfather, expressed concern, not only for the youth in England but for ours here at home. Putting aside for the moment the humour for which he is noted, onstage and off, he said, “We have to see that our pickney dem have a brighter future than what we are offering them now.”

Concern for the country which played a big part in their development is being expressed by survivors here of the “trek to Britain” in the 50s and 60s, when as Miss Lou wrote, they “colonised England in reverse”. The reported changes in the country where they spent so many years is hard for them to grasp. Some say, however, they are not surprised. “The England of today is nothing like that which we knew when we lived there. Change and decay in all around I see”, said one quoting from the old English hymn Abide with Me.

ANOTHER JAMAICAN, who has lived most of her adult life in England, is set to move into the spotlight — for all the right reasons. Millicent Dolly Small — the famous Millie Small of My Boy Lollipop is to receive the National Award of the Order of Distinction in the rank of commander (CD) here in Kingston on Heroes Day this October.

It is over 48 years since she left here for London, after her first step into the recording industry at Sir Coxsone’s Studio One where she was part of a duo called Millie and Roy. In 1963 she went solo, heading for England, leaving behind family and friends in Milk River, Clarendon, where she was born in 1946. One year later, she was a star, outsold only by the Beatles and Rolling Stones with her recording of a Barbie Gaye tune My Boy Lollipop.

It was re-arranged by the noted guitarist Ernie Ranglin who set it to Ska, which was to become known as “Blue Beat” with which Millie is credited with being the first artist to make a hit. My Boy Lollipop brought her fame in Britain, the US and Australia where it topped the charts consistently. It is said that the record eventually sold over seven million copies worldwide. She made other recordings which did moderately well, but none exceeded My Boy Lollipop which helped to put Jamaica on the music map.

She has grown to maturity in Britain and though hardly if ever heard from on today’s music scene, you only have to hear a recording of that high, clear, child-like voice for memories to come rolling back as those who still believe in “oldies but goodies,” rush to the dance floor to revive their youth. Little is known of Millie over recent years. One source says she lived in Singapore from 1971-73. The record doesn’t say what she did there, but the archives (Wikipedia) placed her back in England where it is said she lives with her daughter. By now the years have taken her from teenager to senior citizen. You can bet if she comes home in October, the welcome will be warm. Congratulations to the authorities who have bestowed the honour. Better late than never. This is one national honour about which there should be no controversy.

BACK HOME, some of the events which keep the temperature up here is the recent sugar shortage followed by full shelves once the price is increased. Even ants have to pay more now if they want a sip of lemonade. Somebody, somewhere is enjoying the sweets of the sugar trade while we “chaw” cane trash. Ahh, sah.

gloudonb@yahoo.com