ST JAMES, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange says the birthplace of late former Prime Minister Hugh Lawson Shearer in Martha Brae, Trelawny, is to be declared a heritage site.

Additionally, she said the family house in the community, in which he grew, is to be restored.

The minister was speaking during the National Heritage Week Thanksgiving Church Service at the William Knibb Memorial Baptist Church in Falmouth, Trelawny yesterday.

Grange also announced that a life-size statue of decorated Jamaican Olympian, Usain Bolt, will be erected in the historic town of Falmouth in December. 

“It is my pleasure to say to you… that his (Usain Bolt’s) statue is ready to be erected here in the town…. [and] this is a gift to the parish of Trelawny,” the minister stated.

Sculptures of Bolt and fellow Olympians and athletes — Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Veronica Campbell Brown and Asafa Powell, have been erected in Statue Park at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Grange further advised that Troy Primary School in Trelawny will, in short order, be renamed the Veronica Campbell Brown Primary School in tribute to the athlete.

She noted that Trelawny, which is currently celebrating 250 years as a parish, has contributed significantly to Jamaica’s cultural diversity and development.

The minister pointed out that Trelawny is the third largest supplier of domestic agricultural products, and provides the perfect environment that the upcoming generation needs to flourish.    

“Trelawny boasts an inspiring history of resilience dating back to its inception in the 17th century. This parish has given so much to Jamaica,” Grange said.

National Heritage Week 2020 is being observed under the theme ‘Celebrating a Heritage of Resilience and Pride’.

Against this background, Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Colin Gager, implored citizens of Trelawny and, by extension, Jamaica to adopt a unified approach that will enable the nation to overcome its challenges.

“We must be our brothers’ keepers instead of tearing down each other. We must seek to uplift those who are weak and protect the vulnerable as we celebrate our heroes and bask in the milestone of 250 years as a parish. Let us embrace our past and with resilience and pride, embrace the future,” Councillor Gager urged.

Among the dignitaries attending the service were: Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, who represented Prime Minister Andrew Holness; State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Alando Terrelonge; Speaker of the House of the Representatives Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert; North Trelawny Member of Parliament Tova Hamilton; and Senator Janice Allen, who represented Opposition Leader, Dr Peter Phillips.

— JIS