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GIVE A GIFTOF LOVE THISCHRISTMASTHOUSANDS OF JAMAICAN CHILDREN ARE LANGUISHING IN THE CARE SYSTEM: CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE THROUGH ADOPTION THIS

CHRISTMAS. IT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY OR AN ADOPTION CHARITY FOR DETAILS...SEE P3

A DOG IS FOR LIFE: NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

JOE ALDRED P7

SCENES FROMTHE JAMAICATIMES XMAS PARTYP 23MAKE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL WITH

OUR JAMAICAN RECIPES P16-17

ARE YOU READY TO ADOPT?

GIVE YOUR LOVED ONES A WORTHWHILE GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS THAT WILL LAST ALL THROUGH THE NEW YEAR.... A SUBSCRIPTION TO JAMAICA TIMES WILL KEEP THEM HAPPY AND INFORMED....SEE PAGE 22 FOR DETAILS

NEWS2 December 2014www.jamaicatimesuk.com

Attorney-at-Law

ALL ASPECTS OF JAMAICAN LAW

Barbara J. Ledgister

Tenancy Agreements . Purchasing Property in Jamaica

Selling Property in Jamaica

Obtaining Registered Title for Land in Jamaica

Obtaining Surveyors Report . Surveying Property

Making A Will . Probating/Administrating of an Estate

Divorce and Other Related Matters . Matrimonial Settlement

Serving Notices . Registering a Company

Obtaining Marriage, Birth & Death Certificates

Litigation in both Magistrates & Supreme Court

Personal Injury Claims/Fatal Accident Claims

Including

‘Your link with legal Jamaica’

Shakespeare Business Centre, 245A Coldharbour Lane, BrixtonLondon, SW9 8RR England

Tel: 020 3617 8845 Fax: 020 7738 4549Email: Jalegal-link@barbarajledgister.com Website: www.barbarajledgister.com

AGENTS ROBERTSON SMITH LEDGISTER & CO. ATTORNEYS -AT-LAW

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BJLADVERT.pdf 1 16/04/2014 18:02

Holness Simpson MillerTHe Christmas season for Ja-maicans at home and in the United Kingdom is a time of re-flection and for reconnecting with family and friends.

In spite of the growing com-mercialisation, the season re-mains a spiritual one - a pe-riod to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to reaffirm one’s faith. It also enables us to reflect on our many bless-ings and to commiserate with those who have lost loved ones or have been affected by illness and other social or eco-nomic challenges.

As you go through this very special season, I would like to encourage you to continue to keep the Jamaican flag flying high. Many of you, through your commitment and dedi-cation to your homeland have contributed significantly to the

growth and development of Jamaica. This support is inval-uable and remains critical to the achievement of our goals and objectives. I look forward, therefore, to deepening the collaboration that currently ex-ists with the many Jamaican organisations that are promot-ing the spirit of community as they maintain productive links to home.

I would also like to thank and commend the many Ja-maicans who continue to of-fer a helping hand to those in need and have supported many worthy causes in Ja-maica. You are an inspiration to many across the length and breadth of not only the United Kingdom, but our beloved Ja-maica.

With 2014 nearly over, we can look back on a year that saw us continuing to improve

our services to the Jamaican community, while promoting the best of Jamaican culture and heritage. We remain com-mitted to this task, notwith-standing our limited resourc-es, and to ensuring that the work of the High Commission is advanced.

Let me close by wishing you all a safe and blessed festive season and a happy and pros-perous new year.

“Fly the Jamaican Flag high this Christmas” - Her Excellency Mrs Aloun Ndombet-Assamba

A MAn who stabbed a mother-of-two to death after she fin-ished their relationship has been sentenced to life in prison.

Naudel Turner, 42, a health worker from Fulham, was stabbed in Bruce Grove, Tot-tenham, north London, on 19 March.

Dariusz Miakienko, 46, of Lordship Lane, Tottenham, was found guilty of murder at Isleworth Crown Court. He will serve a minimum of 20 years.

He stabbed her 20 times with a kitchen knife, the court heard.

Ms Turner was followed by Miakienko after she left the GP

surgery where she worked.Witnesses heard her shout

“leave me alone” before she was pushed against a fence and stabbed in the neck and body.

Police said witnesses re-

ported seeing Miakienko standing near her body and having a cigarette.

An off duty police officer detained Miakienko with help from members of the public.

Ms Turner died on the way to hospital.

Det Chief Insp Noel McHugh said: “Naudel was murdered simply because Miakienko could not cope with her re-jection of him. He stalked her over many months.

“Miakienko is a cold and callous man who has robbed her sons of a mother and a community of a dedicated and hard working woman.”

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE JAMAICAN HIGH COMMISSIONER

I would also like to thank and commend the many Jamaicans who continue to offer a helping hand to those in need and have sup-ported many worthy causes in Jamaica.

NEWSMay 2014 NEWS 3December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com

A CHILD FOR CHRISTMAS: ARE YOU READY TO ADOPT?ADopTIon experts are express-ing concern over the large number of children of Jamaican background who are languishing in the care system, overlooked by prospective adoptive parents.

They are making an appeal to members of the Jamaican and wider African community in the UK to place the possi-bility of adopting a child high on their priority wish lists for Christmas and the New Year.

The situation seems dire as a senior social worker at one of London’s largest local authorities related. “We see adoptions being processed and approved every day so it is not a case that adoption is down or is no longer seen as an option for childless adults. The major issue is around eth-nicity. White and mixed race children are being adopted at a steady rate but this is not the case when it comes to black and Asian children. It is particularly bad for children from Jamaican and Carib-bean backgrounds. There are stereotypes around race and some potential adopters un-

fortunately form the view that they will be problematic and so they go for their preferred option,” said Rita Carver who has worked in adoption ser-vices for over 20 years.

She noted that there was a strongly established trend where white adopters choose white or mixed race children because they do not stand out when seen together.

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

“For me, a child is a child but I don’t expect everyone to see things that way. I am not sure what can be done but the government should make this a national campaign to give these children a chance at something of a normal life and a hopeful future. There are too many children in the care sys-tem who are being damaged psychologically. The thought of them being rejected or them feeling unwanted can have ef-fects for many years to come. Surely this must be of national concern and it is one of the issues I would like to hear po-litical representatives from our community bring to the local

and national political spaces.”Eva Baker is an adoptive

parent. She lives in North Lon-don and has three children, all adopted. Despite being a single mother, she says her children are the joys of her life. “I was never able to have children and I knew I wanted a family. It was very hard for me when I started to explore the process. But after the first one it all became easier. Peo-ple can get put off because you have to jump through too many hoops and the local authorities don’t necessarily make it easy. You would be amazed at some of the things on which you get delays and refusal. But the process is worth all the stress when it works out. I couldn’t be hap-pier with my family and we are all from different backgrounds. I would encourage those who are capable and really have love to give to consider adopt-ing.”

The latest figures for adop-tion in England, show that there was a 27% increase in the number of white chil-dren being adopted over 12 months to the end of March

2014. But over the same peri-od there was a 0% increase in the number of black children being adopted.

ONGOING CONCERN

“It is an ongoing concern. While mixed ethnicities chil-dren are being adopted, black boys of African and African-Caribbean descent are wait-ing for families. BAAF believes there should be better en-gagement with the different BME communities; financial incentives, specific training for BME applicants and post placement support pack-ages,” said Savita de Sousa from the British Association for Adoption and Fostering.

Community group The Afrikan Family Works has launched a campaign to en-courage more African and African-Caribbean people to come forward and adopt chil-dren waiting for a permanent loving home.

We are doing what we can to mobilise our community but we need central government and local government to take this issue seriously, said Sund-

jata Keita. The organisation staged

an event in south London on December 6 to introduce pro-spective parents to the adop-tion system and to explore ways around the traditional routes into adoption.

Robert Badley who is look-ing to adopt said he has been finding the information useful and he has been convinced that it’s the right thing to do. “I don’t need to wait until Christ-mas to make a big decision like this but if that is what mo-tivates some people then fine. But I think it is important that when people adopt they know they are in it for life and that their actions will impact anoth-er person’s life; so they should be sure.”

PRETTY SPECIAL

Twenty-two year old law stu-dent Richard Giles who is of Jamaican descent but was adopted and raised by a white British couple said the expe-rience has been extremely good for him. “I don’t know my biological parents, but I know

who my mum and dad are. They are the ones who raised me. I never felt uncomfortable because they adopted me when I was quite young. They have shown me all the love and support in the world. I am where I am today because of them. I don’t think about what life might have been had I grown up with my biological parents. The fact that I was put up for adoption says a lot about what might have been. I do get curious sometimes know that the time will come when I get married and have children. I might think about the bloodline but it is not a problem. I have the best par-ents in the world.”

Richard said he would en-courage anyone thinking about adopting to give a child a Christmas gift by at least starting the process. “It might take a while but if you make that decision at Christmas you will be able to say down the road that this was my Christ-mas gift to you in 2014. And that would be pretty special.”

www.theafrikanfamilyworks.netinfo@jamaicatimesuk.com

NEWS4 December 2014www.jamaicatimesuk.com

A MoTHer and her 22-month-old daughter were murdered in a horrific machete attack by her former partner, as her eldest daughter listened helplessly to their screams via an “open line” telephone call, the old Bailey has heard.

Edward Brown QC, prosecut-ing, told a jury that the injuries inflicted on Valerie Forde, 45, the manager of a commu-nity centre, and her daughter Jahzara, at the family home in east London, were “as shock-ing as they are brutal”. The killings, he said, lay “beyond sensible comprehension”.

At the opening of the mur-der trial of Roland McKoy, 53, Forde’s partner of 18 years and the father of three of her four children, Brown said the mother and daughter were killed within a very short time of each other and “in equally terrible circumstances”.

“It is only to be hoped that neither saw the other being attacked so dreadfully and killed,” said Brown. “Given the evidence, however, that is a hope with little foundation.”

McKoy denies the murders.

On the day of the dou-ble murder, Forde called her 28-year-old daughter, Carrise, when an argument broke out over McKoy’s refusal to leave the family home. The line re-mained open as the attack began, jurors heard.

In those “frantic moments”, Carrise was able to dial the emergency services from an-other phone.

Brown told the jury, of six men and six women, that they would hear the call.

But, he said, by the time police forced entry to the third floor of the house in Hackney, Forde and Jahzara lay dead. Forde was found with multiple hammer blows to the head, stab wounds to her abdomen and multiple lacerations to her head, face and hands. Her infant daughter’s neck was slashed “from one side to the other”, Brown told the jury.

The terrible attack, on 31 March 2014, came on the day of a deadline Forde had is-sued three months previously to McKoy for him to leave the family home, after their rela-tionship had broken down.

A note, written on an A4 piece of paper, was found over Forde’s face.

“You will see the note,” Brown told the jury. “You will see that it seeks, in some per-verse way, to blame Valerie Ford for what had happened.”

McKoy was found at the scene, lying in a foetal position on the floor next to a hammer, machete and screwdriver. When he was roused, he vom-ited up bleach.

“You will decide whether the defendant’s apparent attempt on his own life was a serious one,” Brown told the jury.

He said McKoy’s injuries were a “reaction to the truly dreadful and murderous acts carried out by him”.

Two months before the kill-ing, Forde, a mother of four, became afraid of McKoy and

went to Stoke Newington police station to report death threats he had made to her and her family, the court was told.

Brown warned the jury that the case would arouse strong emotions. “It involves, after all, a wholly defenceless and very young child” and her mother in “terrible circumstances”. But, he said, they had to put them aside and look at the evidence with a dispassionate and criti-cal eye.

When they met 18 years ago, Forde and McKoy had a happy relationship and ap-peared to be in love, the court was told. They had three children together, including Jahzara.

The family lived together in a three-bedroom terraced house in Hackney, but the relationship deteriorated af-

ter Forde discovered McKoy had been living a double life and was still married to an-other woman, with whom he had two children. In the latter years, McKoy spent little time at the family home, except to sleep.

The couple’s relationship improved briefly in 2012 when Jahzara was born, but dete-riorated again and, six months before the murders, in Octo-ber 2013, Forde issued Mc-Koy with an ultimatum: either he should contribute £150 each month to the household or leave.

“One source of argument at least between them was that the defendant did not contrib-ute to the household, either financially or in effort,” Brown said.

She told friends he was lazy, used her for money and that

he was mentally and emotion-ally abusing her.

By December, she told him the relationship was over and gave him three months to find somewhere else to live.

The deadline resulted in a change in McKoy’s behaviour, the court heard.

In January, Forde told McK-oy he could not take any of the children when he left. He then told her: “If I can’t have them, then you’re not having them” and, “I’ll take Jahzara and you’ll never see her again,” the court was told.

In December 2013, he told a neighbour he would “get a shotgun, kill everyone in the house and then kill himself, rather than go to prison”. Forde became afraid of him, telling her sister: “Just looking at his face and body language tells me I have to be very, very

careful and pray for my safety each day and night.”

She reported “feeling a bit scared of him but I continue to be guided by my angels”.

Forde went to police on the 12 February to report the threats he had made to a neighbour.

She also began recording McKoy’s conversations with her and would often ring an aunt or her daughter on an “open line” so that they could hear the conversions between them, the court was told.

A postmortem revealed Forde had at least 30 separate injuries, including 17 hammer blows to her head and 15 ma-chete lacerations to her neck and hands, including one that penetrated her skull and eight stab wounds to her abdo-men. Jahzara had wounds to her neck and windpipe, one of which was 18cm long, the effect of which was “devastat-ing”, and would have caused “torrential and rapidly fatal bleeding” the jury heard.

Brown said that the defend-ant’s case was that he was acting in lawful and reason-able self-defence when he caused the injuries to Forde.

“So far as the killing of Jahzara is concerned, the de-fendant’s case is that he had nothing to do with her death,” Brown said.

The case, which is being heard by Judge Charles Wide QC, continues. It is expected to last for two weeks.

Father on Trial for Ruthless Murder of Mother and Baby

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ADVICE6 December 2014www.jamaicatimesuk.com

IMMIGRATION MATTERSwith CAroL SIMpSon

Dear Ms Simpson,

“My friend has been here in the UK for 12 years. She was trying to satisfy the 14 years so that she could make an application under the 14 year long residence rule. Unfortunately this changed to 20 years. Why can’t she apply under the old rules since she has been here for a very long time?”

-SJ

Dear SJ,

In response to your question, I must say that your friend, like many others in the UK, was caught out by the changes to the Immigration Rules 09 July 2012, but the bottom line is

that the Rules have changed and the 14 year long resi-dence rule no longer exists in terms of new applications be-ing made. The Article 8 family life is now considered under Appendix FM of the Immigra-tion Rules as of that date. An-yone who made applications before 09 July 2012 under the 14 year rule can still have their applications considered under that rule.

If your friend has a child here and has a genuine and con-tinuing relationship with the child and the child is under 18, in the UK, who is a British citi-zen or has lived in the UK for at least 7 years and it would be unreasonable to expect the child to leave the UK, or if she has a genuine relationship with a partner who is a British citizen, settled or have been granted humanitarian leave, she can make an application as a partner or parent and the

Secretary of State will consid-er all the facts of her case. So in essence, all is not lost.

For new applicants, the Immi-gration Rules now specify that under the private life section of Article 8, the time f r a m e which ap-plies is 20 years (discount-ing any period of i m p r i s -o n m e n t ) as op-posed to 14 years. Un fo r tu -nately for your friend she is now short by 8 years.

If your friend is over 18 years old, she may also make an application if she has spent

less than 20 years in the UK, but would additionally need to prove that she has no ties including social, cultural and family ties to the country (I am assuming Jamaica) to which she would have to go, if she is

required to leave the UK. This is quite dif-ficult to demon-strate as not only are our fami l ies u s u a l l y extend-ed fami-lies, but we tend

to maintain our social and cul-tural ties irrespective of where we are. Therefore she may be able to make an application, if she has no ties left with Ja-maica.

The Secretary of State will also consider whether there are ex-ceptional circumstances war-ranting a grant of leave under the European Convention. All factors of your friend’s case would be considered such as extended family in the UK, work both paid and voluntary, health, friendships and any other factors which apply spe-cifically to his/her case.

Additionally, the Secretary of State frequently grants leave to persons outside the Rules when it considers that the Rules are not satisfied but form the view that neverthe-less some leave should be granted. This is usually dis-cretionary leave for a period of 2.5 years which then has to be renewed before the leave runs out for another period of leave to be considered. There is a charge for the application and there is a charge for the renewal. Your friend should

also be aware that there is no guarantee that leave will be granted so she will be taking a chance that something will be forthcoming.

If your friend is here and has no partner, children, and as you state in your question above, has been here for 12 years then just submitting an application without anything else is quite risky as that ap-plication is likely to be refused. She should therefore seek in-dependent legal advice before making any such application.

This grant of 2.5 years is sig-nificantly different from that which would have been grant-ed under the 14 year rule as when an application is suc-cessful under the 14 year rule the applicant is entitled to in-definite leave to remain.

I hope this answers your question.

Award-winning Barrister Carol Simpson is here to answer all your immigra-tion queries. Please send questions to info@jamaica-timesuk.com

For new applicants, the Immi-gration rules now specify that under the private life section of Article 8, the time frame which applies is 20 years (discounting any period of imprisonment) as opposed to 14 years. Unfortu-nately for your friend she is now short by 8 years.

FINANCE AND YOUTHere IS something truly special about this time of year. For one, it marks the end of one year and signals the approach of a fresh new Year.

It is also a time when the par-ties and other festivities are aplenty. It can also be the perfect time for self reflection. Naturally some people are in a slow down mode, while others are in the peak of their activi-ties. Regardless of where you find yourself however, it is im-portant that you make some time for reflection.

Stop and Reflect Now!

As a matter of fact, wher-ever you are right now read-ing this article, just stop and take a moment to reflect on the kind of year you have had financially. Has it been good, bad or indifferent? Regardless of how it has been, taking the

time to reflect can allow you to come to terms with it. If it has been good, it is an opportu-nity to acknowledge yourself for a job well done. However, if it has been bad, it is equally important to acknowledge yourself for learning what you cannot repeat next year if you want to be successful. This should be the main outcome of your reflection: to under-stand how you arrived at this place financially.

Areas for Reflection

In the area of personal fi-nances you can reflect on the level of wealth you have cre-ated, or not. For our purpose, wealth is created when the amount of money you have is greater than the amount of money you spent. The excess is then placed into some kind of savings or investment. The level of your surplus is one of

the key indicators of financial success.

If you are in business you can reflect on the perfor-mance of the business: Did you grow your turnover, did you add new staff, and was your business profitable? Prof-itability or surplus is one of the key indicators of a successful business.

Plan for Your Future Success

Reflecting not only provides an insight into the past, but it also clears the path for inspi-ration to flow for the future. Having now discovered what you have done right or wrong, it is a great time to make plans for your future success. Plan-ning takes financial success out of the realm of hoping and wishing, and into the space of deliberate creation. Next year can be your richest and most

successful year ever, but only if you are prepared to make an action plan and fully commit to following it.

New Beginning

You may or may not believe in New Year Resolutions, but this New Year is perhaps a good time to consider making one. However, this time will be very different. You would have spent time reflecting, devel-oped a plan and committed yourself one hundred percent to seeing it through. Yes, your resolve will be tested for sure, but remember that success is reserved for those who can overcome any and all adversi-ties.

Albert Forbes is an Accountant and Business Advisor. Com-ments to aforbes@edward-forbes.co.uk

Reflection Essential for Financial Success: Celebrating Another End of YearUse Jamdoku to sharpen your mind and win prizes! (December 2014)

Email solution and contact details to info@jamaica-timesuk.comSolutions will be entered into a drawing for one meal for two at a popular Caribbean Restaurant Drawing at end of the calendar month of the publication

*T&C applies (Jamaica Times staff and family of staff are ineligible)

FAITH 7December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com

Send your answers to info@jamaicatimesuk.com

JOE ALDRED MERRY CHRISTMAS?

GroWInG Up in rural Jamaica during the 1960s, we children had a little phrase that said, ‘Christmas comes but once a year’.

It aptly reflected our sense of mild depravation in that at Christmas we were sure to get a present or two, some new clothes and lots of food. Not to mention the proceeds from ‘rat-cut’ coffee we saved up for sale at Christmastime! We wished that Christmas came round more often than once a year. In this country Christmas brings out some of the worst in human excesses: over eating, over drinking, getting in debt, giving unwanted and useless presents - including dogs that are subsequently abandoned, leading to the well-known warning that a dog is not just for Christmas – and the crass over-commercialisation of the festive season. For some it’s as well that Christmas comes but once a year, or they’d be in even more debt.

News of the first Christmas two-thousand years ago was not meant to be a temporary fix. When the angel said, ‘Be-hold I bring you good tidings

of great joy’ that a saviour had been born, it heralded a once for all redemptive shift in hu-man relations with each other and with God. One prophet said, the people who sat in darkness had seen a great light. And those who lived in the valley of the shadow of death need fear no more. The coming of God in Jesus, fully man and fully God, called in Christian theology ‘the incar-nation’, had at its core human need for salvation: freedom from tyrannical and oppressive rulers, commercial exploiters such as those Jesus drove out of the Jerusalem Temple, those falsely imprisoned by unjust laws, and all who were enslaved by the forces of sin and the Devil. Jesus was to say later, I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly, or to the full.

As we look around us this Christmas, what we are likely to see is more and more ex-ploitation of the human desire to fill a void that God alone can fill, leading to further oppres-sion of the poor. Yet, the Je-sus whose birth we celebrate says, come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and

I will give you rest; take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. From mul-tinational conglomerates feed-ing greed bought with money people don’t have, to credit card companies and loan sharks and banks giving credit that come January will be mill-stones around the necks of

the poor, to pastors commit-tee raising big bucks to give pastors and their families who don’t need it the most expen-sive gifts going, while ignoring the real needy ones among them, included in those being pressed give.

Of course we should have fun, but we should never be blind-

ed by the flashing lights of our Christmas trees and the size of the Christmas hampers; or deafened by the melodious carols, choirs and bands while many go to bed this Christ-mas hungry and lonely. It is to those less fortunate than ourselves to whom we should turn our attention this Christ-mas and throughout the year.

Too many of us and too many of our churches are selfish and self-serving – giving to those who have already.

So this Christmas, let’s pledge to make salvation our watch-word. First of all let’s spend quality time with our families, whether they are Christians or not – many families need redemption from brokenness. Let’s be on the lookout for those who are really in need and seek to satisfy those needs. For some, it will be the need for human company and companionship and assis-tance; for others it will be the need for warm clothes, food and shelter. And for those we befriend this Christmas, let’s make every day Christmas for them in the coming year and beyond.

Wherever in the world you are, Maranatha! Emmanuel!! Hap-py Christmas!!!

Bishop Dr. Joe Aldred is an au-thor, ecumenist, broadcaster and speaker.

Christmas has arrived early for a lucky Digicel customer in the UK”

Andre Etienne is the grand weekly winner of the £3000 prize draw. Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK H.E Mrs Aloun Ndombet -Assam-ba, congratulated Etienne along with Maudelyn Darby & Dwight Norman, Digicel UK‘s Diaspora Territory Managers and Paul Harrison of PK Me-dia during a brief presentation

at the Jamaican High Com-mission.

Dwight Norman said: “Digi-cel is still giving away a brand new car to the grand prize winner of the campaign. But there’s more; weekly winners are receiving £3000 cash, and American Airline tickets back home to the Caribbean. Andre said “I still have more top ups to do. The car would go down well.”

Maudelyn Darby said “ All top up transactions during the eight-week promotional pe-riod qualify-whether custom-ers send Digicel minutes to friends and family in Jamaica, Haiti, Guyana, Trinidad, St Vin-cent, St Lucia and Grenada, via Digicel or formally author-ised retail location. The more they send, the higher their chances to win.”

Christmas arrives early for lucky Digicel winner

Left to right Dwight Norman, Maudelyn Darby, Her Excel-lency, Mrs Aloun Ndombet Assamba and the lucky winner Andre Etienne at the presentation at the Jamaican High Com-mission.

A dog is not just for Christmas!

NEWS July 2014FEATURE 7February 2014

COLUMN 9December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com

MUSING WITH LOVELOCK‘TIS THe season to be jolly and I will be, just as soon as I get a few things off my chest.

Not so long ago we had some-thing of an outrage about ab-sent fathers, and in particular black absent fathers, upon which a huge amount of blame was laid for the involve-ment of young black boys in gangs and criminality. Adding to that was a general feeling that boys (and girls presum-ably) without fathers were the source of society ills. Even prime-minister David Camer-on got in on the ‘baby-father’ debate urging black fathers to ‘be more responsible’. Absent fathers equal single mums, right? And by all accounts, that spells trouble, right? So I was somewhat bemused to find out that there is a grow-ing rise in white middle-class women using IVF to deliber-ately become single mums.

And even more shocking, they say fathers are a thing of the past. Hold on one cotton-picking minute. How is it ok for white women to be ap-plauded and take up huge column inches in national newspapers and glossy mag-azines advancing the case on ‘absent fathers’, stating their child does not need a father. At least in the black commu-nity a man was involved, and a child would have seen or at least have some knowledge of their father at some point. But in this case, ‘a lifestyle choice’ as one of these test-tube baby mum puts it, a child would have no idea whatsoever who the daddy is. It is one thing for a child not to have a father through circumstances but quite another to deliberately bring a child into the world without one. Where is prime-minister Cameron when you need him?

Here’s a question. Is it ever right to remove a child from a loving and secure family envi-ronment and make them go and live with people they have never met? I ask this because recently a judge took away a mixed-race boy from his white adoptive parents who is re-garded as loving and devoted to him, and to whom the child is extremely attached, and sent him to live with a black aunt he has never met and probably did not even know existed. The judge made his decision on the basis that the child brought up by his Afri-can’s father family can teach him about his heritage. But the boy also has white heritage. Whilst I fully understand and appreciate that when dealing with a child’s best interest the courts have to exercise what’s right for the child throughout

his life, I sometimes fail to understand their reasoning. Who’s to say that the aunt, just because she is black, is going to be a better parent to this child than the two loving white ones? Is nature always better than nurture? Surely, the child could have remained with the loving and devoted white par-ents and have regular contact with his father’s family who could teach him about the rich history and traditions of Africa. Did he have to live with them to learn that? Not so sure.

As if flying wasn’t scary enough now I’m told the fold-down table I eat my child-por-tion meals off on the plane has as much germs as a lavatory seat. And if that’s not worry enough, I might even find my-self sitting next to a pig. Of the four-legged kind, I hasten to

add. What am I talking about? On a flight be-tween Con-necticut and Washington an American woman was removed from the plane be-cause her ‘emotional s u p p o r t animal’, the pig, would not be-have itself and sit in its seat. And to cap it all, he did his business on the airplane floor. Now, where’s my broomstick?

I’ve had a night out. A friend and I went to see the final showing of The House That Will Not Stand at the Tricycle in London. What a show! It certainly lived up to all reviews

and expectations. Set in New Orleans of the 1880s, it was at once educational and enter-taining. Very ‘laugh out loud’ funny. And I just loved those head-wraps worn by the fe-male characters. Our night was really made when we later met the stars of the show. Su-persweet.

Joyanna Lovelock

NEWS July 2013

VIEWS10 December 2014

JamaicaTimesThe newspaper of choice for Jamaicans in the UK

COMMENT

THe management and staff of this newspaper sincerely wish all the readers and the wider community a blessed and holy Christmas and a happy and prosperous new Year.

Blessed and holy at Christmas because as Dr. Joe Aldred points out elsewhere in this edition, the focus and true spirit of Christ-mas seems to be getting increasingly lost in the festivities.

Many Jamaicans have settled here in the UK and forsaken their Christian values as they try to make life in a very tough and difficult country. Traditions of attending church and offering reg-ular prayer are no longer observed. In fact, many Jamaicans have learned about and adopted atheism and or have become agnos-tics in this great land of freedom of thought and expression. That is their right to choose and this column is not in any way intended to condemn anyone for their chosen path.

This is to say that a departure from religion ought not to be a departure from humanity. And that this is the time of year when love for humanity should be the driving force in all thought and activities. This is indeed a festive time but for some, it might also be a time of painful experiences and tremendous sadness. Many would have lost loved ones throughout the year and others might be confined to medical facilities struggling with poor health. Still, others might just need shelter and warmth from the frigid condi-tions outside.

What will you be doing to help someone in need this Christ-mas? There are many elderly people in the community who are often lonely and desperate for a bit of company; someone to talk to and share their stories.

We salute the community groups that have already started the great work of visiting and lending a hand in homes for the seniors and those most in need. Long may your spirit of giving last. Keep your humanity shining brightly so that your work may inspire oth-ers to put into real practise the saying, ‘we are our brothers’ (and sisters’ keepers).

VOTE TO CHANGE BRITAIN FOR GOOD

IT’S just over five months to go before the next general elec-tions in the UK. The main issues on which the polls will be fought are now coming to the fore. Immigration is currently

the main political football and the major parties are all trying to score on that issue.

That is an ominous sign for the black community and other eth-nic minority communities. over the years immigration rules have only become tougher in the UK and all the parties seem to be pandering to a strident white lower and middle class majority, bent on keeping foreigners out of Britain.

And while it is accepted that based on the national population profile, they constitute the majority, That is not always the case in urban centres. Yet most of the political representation in these cities do not reflect the diverse population. There is much that can be done to correct that situation. It is called voting. This is not the time to stand back and be critical of the electoral system. The fact is that the same system delivers good results for others, so why not this community? This newspaper is encouraging readers to make sure they are registered to vote and that you vote for a candidate who will take our interests to Westminster and give us the voice in the house that we so desperately need.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS FESTIVE SEASON

Editor-in-chiefAndrew Clunis - aclunis@jamaicatimesuk.com

ContributorsBishop Dr Joe Aldred, Evette Roper, Albert Forbes, Debbie Neil,

Kamesha Skeen, David Sortie, Alphanso Clue, Paul Hensby, Xposure Photography

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JamaicaTimesThe newspaper of choice for Jamaicans in the UK

OPINION 11December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com

By Paul Hensby

THe ASInIne comment made by nigel Farage, blaming im-migrants for his delayed drive on the M4, has paradoxically made many people reflect on the role those from minority back-grounds have played and are playing in making this country such a fine place to live, though we more than most are aware of its injustices.

If Farage had thought a bit harder, he would have real-ised that many of the buses, coaches and trains transport-ing other people around this country whilst he was stuck on the motorway were be-ing driven by people whose background is from over-seas, and that our transport infrastructure depends on the hard work and commitment of ‘immigrants’ who get up very early in the morning and work throughout the night to ensure the country functions properly.

And the NHS, the future of which has caused the UKIP leader some embarrassment, also depends on those who come from many countries whether they be top consult-ants or ancillary staff. The

NHS, admired around the world, employs those more motivated by a desire to care for their sick and suffering fel-low human beings than by big salaries. As anyone who sees our health service in action will observe, the quality of mercy

is colour blind.An increasing number of

teachers from immigrant backgrounds are enabling our

children to succeed academi-cally, and indeed the latest research shows children from immigrant families are the highest achievers. They will go on to be captains of our indus-tries, scientists, artists and in-novators, with a greater desire

to achieve in no small part be-cause of the values imparted by their families…yes, Mr Far-age, immigrant families.

Of course, these examples of positive contributions to our society - to which can be added those playing in our top sports clubs, leading lights in the arts world, creative indus-tries and entertainment - do not mean we’re living in some sort of multicultural paradise. Racial injustice and social deprivation which hits the BME community the hardest remain with us, and sadly the current government has done very little to address these is-sues. Indeed, depressingly Labour and the Tories, seem intent on mimicking UKIP’s stance on immigration.

In the run up to the May General Election, we’ll be working tirelessly to impress upon politicians of all parties that they must take the power of the black vote seriously and put the issues faced by the BME community far higher up their agendas. This is particu-larly important because, unlike in the other sectors mentioned above, in politics and public administration, there has been less progress by those from BME communities. We will expect whichever party holds power after May to address the democratic deficit which sees far too few Black people involved in politics and partici-pating in civic society.

Immigrants: Putting the record straight

A black nurse

What’s gotten into your eye Nigel? A beam of xenophobia or racism?

NEWS

April 2014www.jamaicatimesuk.com

NEWS FROM THE ROCK

NEWS July 2013

JAMAICA12 December 2014www.jamaicatimesuk.com

preSIDenT of the Jamaica Ag-ricultural Society (JAS), Senator norman Grant, is reporting that consumers will have enough lo-cal produce for the festive sea-son.

Speaking with JIS News, Sen-ator Grant said following the severe drought conditions in the second and third quarters of 2014, the agricultural sector has rebounded.

He attributed this to the fa-vourable weather conditions Jamaica is now experiencing and the injection of over $150 million into sector by the Min-istry of Agriculture and Fisher-ies to mitigate the drought that affected over 18,000 farmers.

“We are seeing significant growth in the fourth quarter,

because of the investment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the strategies implemented by the JAS, the Rural Agricultural Develop-ment Authority (RADA), and farmers. We will have ade-quate supplies of ground pro-vision,” Senator Grant said.

According to Senator Grant, there is evidence of a consid-

erable increase in production in all agricultural produce, in-cluding Irish potato, gungo peas, yam, sweet potato, veg-etables, sorrel, pork, and red peas.

“Based on the figures, and projection at this time, there is no anxiety to import anything. There is no signal of shortage in any product, and if there is

any need to ensure there will be balance, in terms of prices, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government will make the call,” Senator Grant explained.

He noted that prices of goods are trending down. “In the third quarter, tomatoes were being sold for $300 per pound and the price is now between $60 and $80 in the different markets across the country. So, prices will be competitive, which will be good for the consumers,” he said.

“I am appealing to con-sumers to buy local this fes-tive season, as we continue to grow what we eat and eat what we grow,” Senator Grant added.

JAMAICA WILL HAVE ENOUGH FOOD FOR CHRISTMAS

ToUrISM and entertainment Minister, Dr. Hon. Wykeham, says that 1.2 million airlift seats have so far been secured for stopover arrivals for the 2015 summer season.

He said all the main source markets are showing increas-es in airlift. “The United States is up 58,000 seats and there is an overall increase of ap-proximately 163,000 seats to Jamaica,” he informed.

Minister McNeill was speak-ing at a Montego Bay Cham-ber of Commerce and Industry luncheon at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Thurs-day, December 11, where he announced some positive de-velopments for the 2015 tour-ist season.

He informed that foreign exchange earnings from the tourism industry are projected to rise by 4.6 per cent, while cruise passenger arrivals are

estimated to increase by five per cent to 611,500 passen-gers for the 2015 winter sea-son.

“This follows an expected 10 per cent increase in cruise arrivals this year …we have had growth in arrivals in all three main ports this year,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Tourism and Entertainment Minister said the 2014 winter season, which begins on December 15, is expected to receive a sig-nificant boost from the home porting of three cruise ships in Jamaica.

These will be the Thomp-son Dream, the Ida Bella and the Louis Cristal. “The advan-tage of the Thompson Dream home porting in Montego Bay will be that we will also get four additional flights coming out of the United Kingdom into the Sangster International Airport,” he pointed out.

1.2 Million Seats Secured For 2015

MInISTer of Finance and plan-ning, Dr. the Hon. peter phillips, says the Government continues to take all the necessary steps to ensure that the country is set firmly on a path of sustained economic growth.

Dr. Phillips was opening the debate on the First Supple-mentary Estimates for fiscal Year 2014/15, now before the House of Representatives, on December 9.

The estimates reflect an overall revised expenditure of $539.3 billion, representing a net reduction of $739 million against the original approved estimates of $540 billion.

Dr. Phillips said the country continues to see positive signs under the economic reform programme being implement-ed by the Government.

“Jamaica has successfully completed five International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviews

and we are confident that the sixth review will also be com-pleted successfully when the IMF Board meets later this month,” he noted.

The Minister also informed that the country’s Net Interna-tional Reserves (NIR) are now at US$2 billion, while inflation is under control.

“Our competitiveness has improved, so too has our rank-ing for the Doing Business En-vironment, both having been

assessed by internationally recognized institutions; and the international capital mar-kets, the rating agencies and the diaspora have noticed and acknowledged our progress,” Dr. Phillips said.

He reported that the unem-ployment rate is down from 16 per cent to 13 per cent, while adding that there have been improvements in the country’s balance of payments.

Jamaica set for sustained economic growth

13December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com JAMAICA

NEWS FROM THE ROCK

PM SAYS NO CHILDREN WILL BE LEFT BEHIND

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prIMe MInISTer, the Most Hon. portia Simpson Miller, says stu-dents who leave the school sys-tem without marketable compe-tencies will not be left behind, as the Government will continue second chance programmes.

She pointed out that the Career Advancement Pro-gramme (CAP) is one of sever-al initiatives designed to offer a second chance for educa-tional attainment to students aged 16 to 18, who have not performed well in traditional school exit examinations.

The Prime Minister was de-livering the keynote address at a teaching strategy sym-posium organized by CAP, in collaboration with the Union Institute and University, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in New Kingston on December 13.

She explained that the CAP initiative provides for young people, “training that will help them obtain a career for life, earn certification and find a job.”

Mrs. Simpson Miller said while educational successes are celebrated, the adminis-

tration acknowledges existing challenges in the system, and provides support to address them.

“Secondary school teach-ers from across the island can gain even greater insight and apply practical international best practices in education for the benefit of our children,” she said, adding that part of the continued transformation of education is to ensure that teachers are equipped and empowered to guide children.

The Prime Minister com-mended the Ministry of Edu-cation for inviting the interna-

tional presenters to assist in the training of teachers, and urged the educators to “gain all that you can” from the ses-sions.

“This process provides our teachers with a global per-spective on how to success-fully teach young adult learn-ers,” she noted.

The University awarded two scholarships valued over $3 million to two CAP students at the Haile Selassie High School, in St. Andrew.

The seminar, with leading Professors from the Univer-sity, looked at effective teach-ing styles among young adult learners, strategies for de-

veloping interactive lessons/classroom for adult learners, classroom management, and strategies for addressing mul-tiple intelligence.

CAP was implemented in 2010 as a second chance for students aged 16 to 18 to fulfill their career goals. Since then, the programme has been re-structured to enable greater levels of efficiencies in its ad-ministration and outcomes. For the current academic year the projection is for just over 6,000 students to participate in the programme, up by 2,000 over last year. A total of $273 million will be spent on CAP.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (3rd left), with Union Institute and University scholarship recipients, Adrian Stephenson (left), and Nyoka Taylor, from the St. Andrew based Haile Selassie High School. The scholarships valued at over $3 million, were presented December 13, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in New King-ston, at a teaching strategy symposium organized by the Career Advancement Programme (CAP), in collaboration with the University. At second left is former Dean at the University, Professor Michael Tredinnick.

GenerATIon 2000 (G2K) has again expressed concern about the effects of the sliding Jamai-can dollar on the poor and most vulnerable, this time during the current Christmas season.

G2K, the young professional affiliate of the opposition Ja-maica Labour Party (JLP), in a release noted that since December 1 the dollar has lost over 60 cents in value against its US counterpart, moving from $113.58 cents to $114.12 cents at the start of trading Monday, December 15.

“On Friday the dollar trad-ed as high as $118 dollars against the US dollar,” G2K pointed out.

“It appears as if the Minister of Finance just does not un-derstand, or is clearly insensi-tive to the effect that that the rapid devaluation is having on the pockets of Jamaicans,” the G2K release said.

“We are all quite aware that there is a direct relationship between the devaluation of the Jamaican dollar and the rise in basic food prices. Therefore, if urgent steps aren’t taken to stem this slide, we are all look-ing at basic food items which have increased by more than 30 percent since December 2011 are going to see anoth-er significant rise during this Christmas.”

Sliding Dollar Affecting Xmas Shopping

In THe near future Jamaica could be importing cannabis (ganja) from the United States, says ethan nadelmann, founder and executive director of the Drug policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the war on drugs.

“Consumer tastes have shifted from outdoor growing, which is what you do in Jamai-ca, to indoor growing (which is being done in the United States),” Nadelmann said in his keynote address at the Ne-gril Chamber of Commerce’s Gala on Saturday night at the Couples Swept Away Resort.

“If you guys in Jamaica don’t get your act together soon, you are going to be im-porting ganja from America…better start moving because the world is going to leave Jamaica behind,” he told the guests.

He said that efforts being made in Jamaica to legalise the drug for medicinal and

religious reasons was moving forward at the pace of “Ja-maica time”.

“You know, at some point, Jamaica time becomes out of time. If you want this to hap-pen, it gotta happen now. I know that the nations in the region are not used to provid-ing global leadership, but its got to move forward quickly and it’s got to move forward with collective action in this country if something’s going to happen,” he suggested.

Nadelmann says that the United States government has been forced to become more flexible on the issue of how re-gional governments interpret the international conventions on the use of the drug, be-cause the provisions contra-dict treaties on development, health and human rights.

He said that this has been manifested in the results of referendums on its use in a growing number of American states.

Jamaica Could Import US Ganja

NEWS July 2013

REGIONAL14 December 2014

www.jamaicatimesuk.com REGIONAL 15December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com

AROUND THE CARIBBEAN

SoMeBoDY in Dominica is holding a lottery ticket for eC$270,000 (US$100,000) and the Dominica national Lottery (DnL) is urging the person to cash in the ticket.

“We at the Dominica Na-tional Lottery are sending a plea to the general pub-lic with interest and lottery players to pay close atten-tion to their ticket of various games.

“We are particularly in-terested in the winner of the super six games of $270,000 that was won on the 14th of November 2014 and has not presented their winning ticket,” said DNL marketing manager Ken George.

George said that the win-ning ticket was bought in Grandbay, south of here, and that “while the win-ner has 90 days to present their winning ticket, it is our responsibility to encourage the playing public to kindly redeem their tickets at the earliest”.

George said it would be sad for such a sum to be lost in the “current eco-nomic climate”.

THe nUMBer of babies born with HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean declined by 78 per cent between 2001 and 2013, ac-cording to a new report from the pan American Health organiza-tion/World Health organization (pAHo/WHo) and the United na-tions Children’s Fund (UnICeF).

The report: Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis in the Americas, takes stock of progress in the region’s coun-tries toward the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

Using data from PAHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS, the re-

port esti-mates that 10,700 ba-bies were born with HIV in Latin A m e r i c a and the Caribbean in 2001.

By 2013, the number

had declined 78 per cent to just over 2,300, representing around 5 per cent of all babies born in the region to mothers with HIV.

The countries and territories of Latin America and the Car-ibbean have set the collective

goal of reducing that propor-tion to less than 2 per cent by 2015. So far, nine countries and territories have reached that goal: Anguilla, Barba-dos, Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Unit-ed States.

“We need a final push to en-sure that 100 per cent of preg-nant women have access to sexual and reproductive health services, including HIV testing and antiretroviral treatment, which can save their lives and reduce the chances of trans-mitting the virus to their ba-bies,” said Massimo Ghidinelli, chief of PAHO/WHO’s HIV/

AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Hepatitis Unit.

In 2013, 87 per cent of the 11 million women who gave birth in Latin America and the Caribbean attended at least four prenatal visits, a bench-mark for adequate prenatal care. An estimated 74 per cent had access to HIV test-ing and counselling—up from 62 per cent in 2010—and 93 per cent of HIV-positive moth-ers-to-be received antiretro-viral treatment, a significant increase over the 59 per cent who received treatment in 2010 and only two percent-age points short of the target for 2015.

AnTIGUA & BArBUDA paid trib-ute to Jamaican investor and entrepreneur, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, for his significant in-vestment in the island’s tourism sector, saying his chain of hotels also contributes tremendously to the economies of Caribbean countries.

Stewart, 73, is the chairman of hotel chain Sandals Resorts International.

Antigua & Barbuda Tour-ism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy Min-ister Asot Michael, speaking at a retreat for managers of the hotel chain, said “in many countries Sandals Resorts now pays good wages and salaries to Caribbean people, and trains them for executive and other positions”.

He said Stewart had opened his first hotel there in 2006 expanding the project two years later and spending an estimated US$150 million in developing a new product which the Government “is fully committed to and has made it lucidly clear that there will be no impediments to this pro-ject.

“Our pride is enhanced by that fact that Sandals is not a US, UK, Mexican or Span-ish brand, but a home-grown Caribbean brand — one of our own…a success story that is now legendary.”

He said that more than 52,000 visitors come to the

Sandals in Antigua every year.“We are delighted to call you

our partners. With an estimat-ed EC$130 million (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents) spent on everything from taxes, payroll and utilities, tours and taxis, your contribution to the economy is already immense.

“The future sum of US$150 million potentially being pumped into the local econ-omy as well as a minimum of 1000 construction and an ad-ditional 750 hotel positions, the future of Sandals Resorts International and Antigua and Barbuda is bright and excit-ing,” Michael said.

Michael said that Stewart

has been dubbed the “King of all-inclusive resorts,” the “Cu-pid of the Caribbean,” and the “Master of Marketing”.

But he said while all descrip-tions are appropriate, none of them quite capture the full measure of Stewart, chair-man and founder of Sandals Resorts International, parent company to Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.

“How could a simple phrase define a man who today con-trols what analysts estimate to be a billion dollar, privately-owned, Jamaican-based em-pire that includes 25 Carib-bean resorts, ATL Automotive,

Appliance Traders Ltd, FYAH 105FM and The Observer newspaper?

“All told, Butch Stewart spearheads two-dozen di-verse companies that are collectively Jamaica’s larg-est private sector group, the country’s biggest foreign ex-change earner, and its largest non-government employer.”

Michael also spoke of Stew-art’s involvement in Air Jamai-ca, noting that when he gave it back to the Government, it had recorded an increase in revenue of over US$250 mil-lion.

“Showing unrivalled com-mitment to the airline he had

bailed out, Stewart addition-ally gave an additional US$27 million to Air Jamaica.”

He said Sandals Resorts In-ternational currently gives ac-tive support to more than 150 major projects in its host com-munities, through the com-pany’s philanthropic arm, The Sandals Foundation.

“This support ranges from the building of schools, to the paying of teachers, to pro-viding hospitals with linens, to bringing health care to the doorsteps of those who can-not afford it. In his homeland of Jamaica, Stewart stepped in to revive the economy by donating one million dollars to stop inflation and adjust the exchange rate.”

Michael said that despite Sandals International’s “re-lentless investment in new resorts, expansions and its people, Stewart’s eagerness for evolving his award-winning brands shows no sign of slow-ing up with further agreements made to develop Beaches Resorts in Antigua and Barba-dos and kicking off a $65 mil-lion facelift project for Sandals Barbados”.

Michael said he wanted to take the opportunity to thank Stewart for his “dedication and innovation throughout the Caribbean”.

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA HONOUR BUTCH STEWART

Decline in Number of HIV Babies in Caribbean and Latin America

Dominica Calls In Lucky Lottery Winner

THe eSTIMATeS of Income and expenditure for 2015 will be pre-sented in parliament this month but already opposition Leader Arnhim eustace is labelling the fiscal package “a joke”.

“The estimates, as far as I am concerned, that are to be presented are a joke. They are typically a thing that you get in an election year, and very little will be done by the time the election year is finished,” he said during his radio pro-gramme.

The general election is con-stitutionally due by March 26 next year, but political observ-ers believe that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves will call an early poll.

“We will not live up to figures that are in the Estimates,” Eu-stace said, adding that they

are “very unrealistic.“The deficit on the recur-

rent budget is EC$147 mil-lion (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents)], even higher than be-fore,” he said, and accused the government of including “some fictitious figure about other receipts…”

Eustace said that the Prime Minister has told public sector unions that he will not pay a bonus this year.

“He wants the private sector to pay it — who closing down and who they owe,” Eustace said.

Gonsalves recently an-nounced that his government will give a tax break to any company that pays their em-ployees a end-of-year-bonus of EC$250 or more.

St Vincent Opposition Leader slams estimates

Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart

16 December 2014www.jamaicatimesuk.comCUISINE

NINJA MAN

CHRISTMAS ham is a must in just about every pork eating home in the Caribbean. There are many who choose not to dine in the swine, but I refuse to be prejudice against this wonderful meat, so you know I had to share this wicked recipe. I fondly recall the ham sandwiches our mom would have ready for us at breakfast on Christmas morning as she had other delectable goodies going in the oven and stove. Speaking about ham, don’t forget to check out the chow chow recipe I shared a few days back.

You’ll Need…

Ham (smoked/bone in) * about 8lbs5 sprigs thyme8 cloves2 scallions

Glaze…

1 cup pineapple juice1 table spoon grated ginger1 tablespoon orange marmalade1/2 cup brown sugar (golden)2 table spoon honeypinch of cinnamon

Dressing the ham when glaz-ing…

5-8 slices of pineapple10-15 clovestooth picks for securing the pineapple slices

Note: If using a shoulder ham with a fat cap on the top, be sure to place that side up when roasting. As the fat melt it will keep the ham nice and juicy.

If your ham is encased in a cloth mesh be sure to leave it on at this point, but you’ll have to remove it before get it in the oven. Give the ham a rinse (btw I used a smoked leg), then place it in a deep pot. Cover with water, add the scallions, cloves and fresh thyme. Bring to a boil, then re-duce to a gentle boil and cook for about 30 minutes. This will help remove some of the smoky impurities and infuse it with the herbal notes.

Drain and get ready to finish cooking in the oven. Set your oven to 350F and you’ll be us-ing the lower rack. Remove the cloth mesh if your ham is covered in one, then wrap the entire ham in tin foil and place in a roasting tray. On average you’ll need to cook for 20 min-utes per pound.

Please use a roasting pan with a rack, so you can add a couple cups of water to the pan without the ham sitting di-rectly in it. If you find that the water dries out before it’s fully cooked, do add a cup or 2 more. This will help keep the ham moist.

As we wait for the ham to roast evenly, lets prepare the glaze. In a sauce pan add all the ingredients mentioned above, bring it to a boil then simmer for about 5 minutes. Remember to whisk it so the sugar melts and everything is blended.

When you ham is fully cooked (use the 20 minutes

per pound guide), it’s time to dress it up and start the glaz-ing process. Trim off the skin and most of the fat (a little good), then stick in the cloves in a pattern evenly. Attach slic-es of the pineapple with the toothpicks and hit it a good dose of the glaze (I used a brush). Then place back in the oven for 10 minutes.

Repeat the glaze a couple more times.. brush and place in the oven for 10 minutes. You will start getting a lovely shiny finish on the ham, the slices of pineapple will start getting lovely caramelized edges and the entire kitchen will have a lovely aroma. Remember to brush on the glaze evenly. For

additional color I turned on my broiler (about 450 – 500 F) and allowed the ham to sit in there for about 5 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on it as the high heat can burn it very fast.

* You’re free to add as many layers of glaze as you like. For me.. 3 layers was enough.

Allow the ham to rest (cov-er in tin foil) before slicing. I assure you this will be the best ham you’ve ever had or serve… don’t be surprised if your kids start giving you un-expected hugs and your “spe-cial” someone may even get frisky.

CHRISTMAS HAM CARIBBEAN STYLE - A MUST HAVE!

When most people think about the Caribbean (if you’ve never lived on the islands) one of the things which comes to mind is sipping on a cold glass of rum punch, decorated with slices of fresh fruit while sitting tak-ing in the rays on white sandy beach (or a swim-up bar at an all-inclusive resort). Truth be told, rum punch is not as common a drink with locals as you would think. A more clas-sic drink would be rum and coke or if you were in Cuba, a Mojito and if in Puerto Rico, it would be Piña Colada.

I’m going back to my “ulti-mate” series and in doing so,

give you what I think is the perfect rum punch recipe.

You’ll Need…

1 cup fresh lime juice2 cups grenadine syrup2 cups rum (Caribbean rum)1 cup coconut rum2 cups pineapple juice2 cups orange juice5-8 drops of Angostura bit-

tersdash nutmeg

Orange slices, for garnishPineapple slices, for garnish

Notes. The traditional way of making rum punch is to use a strong white rum, but I much prefer a dark rum as I love the undertones you get from it. If you don’t have Grenadine, use

a simple syrup or if you have a cane juice syrup that would work well also. Be sure to add crushed or cubed ice before serving.

The only real work here is to squeeze the limes for that freshly squeezed juice we need (you’ll need about 8 limes). Basically all you have to do is add all the ingredients mentioned above into a large container, mix well and put in the fridge to chill.

If you’d like you can also add 1 cup of carbonated water to the mix before serving for that extra zing. Then pour into your serving jug or punch bowl, add some ice and watch your guests hover around as they enjoy what is sure to be the ultimate rum punch. Re-member to garnish with slices

of orange to make everything look pretty. Speaking about punch bowl, I recall my mom had one and to this day I’ve never seen any punch in that thing. My dad used it for toss-ing receipts and other things from his pocket.. that’s where you’d also find our house keys as well.

Do remember this holiday sea-son to partake in the beverag-es in moderation and NEVER drink and drive. BTW, you’ll get about 10 cups of rum punch from this recipe and more if you add the carbon-ated water and ice.

Classic Caribbean Rum Punch Adds a Kick to the Festivities

CUISINE 17December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com

Gungo peas and rice is a variation of traditional Rice and Peas. However, instead of kid-ney beans, gungo peas (also called pigeon peas) are used. This version uses creamed coconut which can be found at tropical grocers and some supermarkets. However, you can also make it with coco-nut milk. For the same recipe using coconut milk instead of coconut cream, go to Jamai-can Rice and Peas Recipe and use gungo peas instead.

Foolproof Tip: All the liquid for this recipe – water and liq-uid from beans – should add up to 4 cups

Ingredients

1 can (19oz) Gungo peas (also called pigeon peas), in-cluding liquid

19-oz Water ⅓ pkg Creamed coconut

1 Small onion or 2 stalks scallion, chopped

2 Cloves garlic, chopped 1 tsp Dried thyme 1½ to 2 tsp Salt, to taste 1 tsp Pepper ½ cup Water 2 cups Long grain rice

(rinsed and drained)

Instructions

Empty canned gungo peas and liquid into a large saucepan.

Fill empty can with water and pour in saucepan.

Add chopped onion, gar-lic, thyme, salt and pepper

Add creamed coconut and ½ cup water and bring to a boil.

Add rice and boil on High for 2 minutes.

Turn heat to Low, and cook covered until all water is absorbed (about 15 to 20 min).

Fluff with fork before serv-ing.

Serves: 6 to 8

Forget Red Kidney Beans....It’s Gungo for Christmas

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and Ackee and Salt-fish is the national dish. So it goes without saying that this is a must-have recipe if you want to cook like a Jamaican. It’s a savory dish with lots of salty flavour and is so versatile you can eat it for breakfast lunch or dinner! I prefer serving it for Sunday breakfast along with Fried Dumplings, Fried Plan-tains and hardough bread!

Shopping tips: Salted cod

can now be found in most su-permarkets. If you can’t find it try a West Indian grocer or Portuguese fish store. In cities with large Jamaican commu-nities canned ackee is easy to find, or you can request a special order.

Ingredients

1/2lb Salted cod2 Cans of ackee

(19oz)8 Strips of bacon,

chopped1 Medium onion,

chopped1 Medium to-

mato, diced

3 tbsp Cooking oil1 tsp Black pepperSalt to taste Instructions 1. Reduce the salt in the

cod fish. Overnight method: remove skin and soak in cold

water overnight. Drain, flake and set aside. Same day method: put codfish in a

saucepan with water and bring to a boil then drain. Re-peat two more times; drain,

flake and set aside.

2. Drain canned ackee in a colander and set aside

3. Fry chopped bacon and set aside

4. Saute chopped onion and tomato in cooking oil until onion is transparent

5. Add flaked cod fish, ba-con and 1/2 tsp of black pep-per to saucepan

6. Gently fold in ackee and sprinkle with remaining pep-per; simmer on low heat for five to 10 minutes

Serves 6 to 8

Ackee and Saltfish is the perfect Christmas breakfast

Sorrel recipeIngredients

You will need the following ingredients to prepare 2 litres of sorrel:-

1 lb Sorrel sepals 1” of ginger 5 tbsp sugar 2 litres of water A splash of rum (ideally Ja-

maican white rum)

Optional spices 1 tsp cloves 1 tsp ground pimento 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tbsp orange peel 1 tbsp lemon peel 1 tsp mace

Optional alcohol Wine Sherry Rum

Preparation

Grate the ginger.Add the ginger, sorrel and

water to a pot and rapidly bring to the boil.

Add a selection of optional ingredients to the mixture to personalise the drink. You will probably need to experi-ment with these ingredients until you find the combination which is perfect for you.

Allow the mixture to boil for 10 minutes.

Take the mixture off the heat. Once it has cooled, place in the fridge for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, take the mixture out of the fridge and strain.

Stir in the sugar and a dash of rum (the rum helps to pre-serve the drink). If you wish you can add some wine, sherry or additional rum at this stage.

Serve with ice.

Good old Sorrel puts the colour, flavour and taste into Christmas

Oxtail and Butter Beans Make a Nice Main Course

Ingredients

12 ounces dried lima beans4 pounds oxtails2 large Vidalia onions,

chopped3 scallions, chopped4 garlic cloves, smashed1 bunch fresh thyme2 tablespoons red pepper

flakes4 teaspoons hot paprika2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons hot sauce4 tablespoons gravy master6 cups low-sodium beef

broth4 teaspoons tomato paste2 tablespoons saltRight rice, recipe followsRight Rice:2 cups rice

Directions

In a large bowl, cover lima beans with water, cover with a towel and soak overnight.

In a large pot, add ox-tails, onions, scallions, garlic,

thyme, red pepper, paprika, bay leaf, hot sauce, and gravy master and marinate at least 4 hours or overnight in the re-frigerator, stirring occasionally.

Add enough water to just cover the oxtails and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower to a simmer, cover and cook 2 hours. Every 30 minutes for 2 hours add 2 cups of water or broth, alternating, as neces-

sary, to keep oxtails covered with liquid.

At 2 hours, add the beans, tomato paste, and 2 more cups of beef broth and water, if needed. Bring to a boil then simmer uncovered 2 hours, skimming fat off top and stir-ring occasionally. In the last 1/2 hour of cook time, season with 2 tablespoons salt. Serve with rice.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sunny-anderson/oxtail-stew-recipe.html?oc=linkback

18 December 2014ENTERTAINMENT

Email: anshelly@icloud.com

19December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com ENTERTAINMENT

’Advertisements’ for businesses

Wooooooh—Sunshine in the UK on the weekend

…….at last, why has this taken so long, finally!

JamTV’s 6 months journey is history in the making,

the first journey of its kind and undoubtedly a needed

revolution for all Caribbean people.

Since the launch party in April 2014, JamTV viewers

have been active in giving their opinion in the type of

programmes to be aired. This is evident as the live

date of 3rd May 2014 showed a 50K viewership which

by no surprise includes the wider UK audience and

this has been rising ever since. This rise is the end

product of a combination of the programme

schedulers knowledge and experience as well as

viewers giving their personal opinion via

www.Jamtelevision.co.uk/contact

Viewers of JamTV constantly expressing they are

pleased they DO NOT need to subscribe and pay any

extra to see programmes. “The fact that we can see

JamTV on my basic SKY package or freesat is a

massive bonus” stated by a JamTV viewer.

All comments have been received with the warmest

gratitude from the JamTV hard working team and

Directors, as without their constructive criticism,

JamTV would not be as popular and required as it is to

date.

Do you have a product or service

needing MORE exposure?

Restaurants

Nurseries / Schools / Colleges

Local councils

Supermarkets

Clothing stores

Travel Agents

Hair dressers/Barbers shop

Property developers

Hotel owners

Advertise on the JamTV platform

No business too large or too small.

adverts@jamtelevision.co.uk

NO SUBSCRIPTION FEES for Caribbean programmes

YOUR LOGO HERE

Keep JamTV alive

During the summer, community and charity event

organisers had approached JamTV to film and

broadcast their event for awareness. As they are so

many events in various areas, time was limited to be

everywhere.

JamTV had attended events in various areas to

show communities that we have and should support

our events, with the hope that all communities

would come together and share thoughts of

togetherness to enhance our vibrant culture.

This evidently gave all event organiser's an extra

sense of reassurance that JamTV is wanting to help

promote awareness of what is done in our

Caribbean communities. Our new project and soon

to be one of the flagship program “Insight” a

collolabartion with Jamaica Times publisher

Andrew Clunis has exceeded our expectations as the

viewership on that hour had sky-rocketed. The pilot

saw Mr Clunis getting full INSIGHT on the former

Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness on his

plans for the future.

Ziggy Marley joins the Reggae Grammy pack yet again

Multiple Grammy winner Ziggy Marley is once again among the nominees in the Best Reg-gae Album category for the 57th annual Grammy Awards.

The list is completed by vet-eran Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry with Back On The Controls, Sly and Robbie and Spicy Choc-olate’s The Reggae Power,

Shaggy, Sean Paul with Full Frequency, and American reg-gae band SOJA with Amid The Noise.

The 57th annual Grammy

Awards show is scheduled for February 8, 2015, at the Sta-ples Center in Los Angeles.

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21December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com ENTERTAINMENT

IT HAS Been billed as a ‘night with a difference’ and it is easy to see why Charmed entertain-ment has gone for that tag line.

As far as the black commu-nity in London goes, the con-cept is untested but is rich in potential and that is why the organiser of The Erotic Poetry Show is so upbeat about the event coming up on Decem-ber 27.

Founder April Brown de-scribes it as a night “Where we don’t need permission to talk about sex”.

This inself may cause a few raised eyebrows in what is a largely conservative commu-nity but she reassures that it will be artistic, creative adult entertainment that everyone can enjoy.

Charmed Entertainment’s

Erotic Poetry came about three years when they had their first show in March 2011. April Brown got the idea after attending a show in the USA, and was amazed by the concept and how lyrically talented the poets were. She also observed that the venue was packed with male and

females of all ages and differ-ent races. So impressed with what she saw, she decided to bring it back to the UK, as she felt there was a niche in the market that could appreciate an event like that.

April has her own views on how people in the black com-munities within the UK, view

sex and sexual activities. She believes that openly talking about sex in our community has a tendency of being ta-booed and often viewed quite negatively. Whether histori-cally these types of attitudes stem from growing up in fami-lies with strong Christian be-liefs and to speak about sex or sexual activities is unheard off. She also believes that if peo-

ple were more open and hon-est about what they require from their prospective part-ners, then there will less hurt and relationship breakdown’s.

So with that view in mind, she felt the need to bring this topic to an open forum where it would be embraced and looked at more positvely, where one can appreciate sex amoungst two consenting

adults for what it is, which can be one of the most beautiful experiences.

The Erotic Poetry Show came about, with three main aims:

The first, was to provide a platform for unknown linquis-tic artists, such as spoken word poets to perform in front of a live audience who were ready to embrace the topic.

Secondly, to cater to people between the ages of 35 and up, who were feed up with going to the same old dances and raves, week in and week out doing the same thing.

The last, but not the least, many attendees who came to the event love the concept of being able to socialise with like minded people providing an evening of adult entertain-ment, where it’s acceptable to talk about sex and watch acts that is performed in a way that is classy, funny and sexy leav-ing everything to the imagina-tion.

Poetic Entertainment With A Difference Dec 27

22 December 2014CUISINE

EDUCATION

Jamaica Times T T T T T T T T T T T T T T TFREE

The newspaper of choice for Jamaicans in the UK

www.jamaicatimesuk.com January 2013

JAMAICA TRAVEL CRISISWith airfares in excess of £1200 per person, Jamaicans in the

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23December 2014 www.jamaicatimesuk.com SOCIAL

JAMAICA TIMES AT CHRISTMAS SCENES FROM THE EXCLUSIVE STAFF PARTY

The Jamaica Times team gathered recently at an exclusive location to celebrate the Christmas season and the end of another busy year. Among the special guests were Reggae Star Factor winner Chardel and recording artist Zeena Banks who gave exciting cameo performances. There was lots to eat and drink and everyone had a great time. In the other photos, (top left) Jamaica Times Editor Andrew Clunis and his sons Zaine and Neo who shared in the occasion and bottom right, Albert Forbes, Debbie Neil, Wrall Brown and Bobo El Numero Uno. The special moments on the night were captured by Xposure Photography. Music was supplied by One Vice while catering was arranged by Stoney Hill Restaurant.

SportJamaicaTimesDecember 2014

www.jamaicatimesuk.com

ALIA’S XMAS GIFT TO YOU

BIG ConGrATULATIonS to Jamaican swimmer Alia Atkinson, who is a new 100m breaststroke champion. Atkinson completed the race in 1 min-ute and 2.36 seconds at the Fina World Swim-ming championships in Doha at the weekend, equalling the record set by Lithuanian swimmer rūta Meilutytū. Atkinson is the first ever black woman to win a world swimming title.

Atkinson, who mostly trains in Florida, where she also works with the International Swimming Hall of Fame to promote swim-ming to youngsters from different communi-ties, looked overwhelmed by her win on Sat-urday.

According to a 2010 survey by USA Swim-ming, 69% of African American children have low or no swimming ability. The stereotype of black people refusing to learn how to swim is a stubborn one to shake, but with Atkinson’s win – and others such as Justin Lynch (an 18-year-old California swimmer who broke Michael Phelps’s 2001 national age-group record last year) – perhaps it is being eroded.

After her win, Atkinson told AFP: “Hope-fully, my face will come out, there will be more popularity, especially in Jamaica and the Car-ibbean, and we’ll see more of a rise.”

Her victory has been celebrated widely in Jamaica where swimming is not a very popu-lar sport. Officials labeled her victory an early Christmas present for Jamaica.

She was a big hit on social media with hun-dreds of messages of congratulations from around the world posted on Facebook and Twitter.

The 27-year-old is eyeing more big achieve-ments, beginning with the World Champion-ships in Kazan, Russia, next summer, which she is currently preparing for.

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