Image Text:

FLOWERS FOR THE SPECIAL GUESTS: Deputy High Commissioner Mrs Deidre Mills (third left), Mayor of Haringey Councillor Sheila Peacock and President of the Association Mrs Mavis Stewart are presented with flowers from the executive members

Jamaica Independence activities in the UK got off to a rousing start on the weekend of August 3 with a series of events to mark the island’s 51st anniversary celebrations.

Over one thousand people attended the annual Service of Praise and Thanksgiving hosted by the Jamaican High Commission at the Southwark Catherdral, London Bridge at which the Prime Minister’s message was read by High Commissioner Ms Aloun Ndombet Assama.

Later that evening the Association of Jamaicans (UK) Trust, one of the oldest West Indian organisations in the UK having launched one year after Jamaica gained Independence in 1962, hosted their annual Independence gala dinner and dance in Wood Green, north London.

The gala night has become the premier event in the UK to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence and it is also used to honour its outstanding members.

On Sunday the action moved to Crystal Palace in south London for the annual Jamaica Basic School Foundation family fun day also in honour of Jamaica’s Independence celebrations. Hundreds of patrons came out to enjoy the food, entertainment and support the many stalls promoting Jamaican products.

The celebrations continued on Sunday, August 11, when the Association of Jamaican Nationals Birmingham will be hosting their Independence Praise and Thanksgiving Service at the New Testament Church of God, 240-244 Lozells Road, B19 1NP, starting at 3 pm. The guest minister will be Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to Her Majesty The Queen.

On this page, we feature some of the activities from the Association of Jamaicans (UK) Trust gala dinner and dance.