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LONDON:
NEW VENUE FOR BCO FUN DAY 2008:
Sunday June 15, 2008:
Barbados Cultural Organisation (BCO) held their Annual Extravaganza, on Sunday June 15.
This Year’s event took place at a New Venue, the spacious Civil Service Sports Ground, Riverside Drive, Chiswick, London, instead of the popular Uxbridge Cricket Club.
The proceeds raised from previous events were donated to various charities such as; the Child care Board (Children’s Homes), the Cancer Society, the Kidney Association, the Challenor School (school for the physically challenged), the sickle Cell Association (UK) and the purchase of computer equipment for St Stephens Primary School in Barbados.
The staging of this year’s event at the new venue, met with mixed feelings from some of the patrons interviewed by PE. Their main contention is based on the distance they had to travel from the car park to the ground, also the items they had to carry; portable tents, cooler boxes, picnic baskets etc. etc., “these items can be very heavy and difficult to carry, taking account of the distance involved, they contend”.
The setting at the new venue is ideal for the large crowds this event attracts. Patrons were able to pitch their tents, create their own picnic spots and play dominoes etc. without any bother, while children roamed about also creating their own entertainment. The only thing missing was a “Bouncing Castle” for the many children who attended the event and one feels the organisers missed the boat by not catering for children; however this is something the BCO’s committee should look at and ensure they do something to attract the kids to next year’s event.
The weather was nice, sunny and warm, ideal for cricket and the background music which was supplied by DJ Martin J, generated a carnival atmosphere which reverberated around the large ground.
Two Twenty/20 games were played, the first game commenced at 11a.m. when the Barbados High Commission Cricket & Social Club came up against Billingshurst CC. The main game which is an annual fixture between Australia House X1 and a BCO select X1, started at 4.15p.m. The BCO X1 included; former West Indies and Barbados all-rounder, Collis King, former England and Gloucestershire CC player , Mark Alleyne, West Indies U19 player & Barbados U19 captain Shamar Brooks, also Shurlan Greaves and Victor Walcott from the renowned Empire Cricket Club in Barbados.
Barbados' only "living legend" Sir Garfield Sobers met the players before the game commenced and no doubt gave each player a few tips.
Both games were exciting; however the main game late in the afternoon always seem to take centre stage because of the high profile players involved. Unfortunately the home teams lost both games but no one seemed too bothered anyway as both games were played in the true spirit with some exquisite stroke play and fine bowling on both sides
There was a noticeable police presence that assisted the local security with the smooth movement of the large crowd which was estimated at approximately 4 thousand.
Kudos should be given to the BCO’s committee for another successful staging of this annual event.
CK.
BCO CRICKET @ CHISWICK 2008
BCO FUN DAY @ CHISWICK 2008 (1)
BCO FUN DAY @ CHISWICK 2008 (2)
ENGLAND – London
Fantastic time at BCO Fun Day Extravaganza
Monday June 15, 2009:
An estimated 4000 plus spectators converged at Uxbridge Cricket Club ground, Park Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, for the Annual Barbados Cultural Organization (BCO)Fun Day Extravaganza yesterday, Sunday June 14, and had a fantastic time.
The change of venue for last year’s event, held at the spacious Civil Service Sports Ground, Riverside Drive, London, met with disapproval from scores of spectators, some extremely vocal, who openly vowed their intention not to support the event again when or if it is held there.
The BCO committee may have heard about those comments and acted positively by returning to the more popular and much preferred Uxbridge Cricket Club ground for the staging of this year’s event.
The decision to return to Uxbridge proved quite lucrative as there was a significant increase in numbers. The sun shone in all its glory throughout the day, the atmosphere was filled with merriment; children frolicked on the expanse around the ground without any disruption to the cricket match that was taking place. Many picnic areas were created and the ground looked more like a picnic arena than a cricket field.
Presidentenquirer interviewed a number of people and it was not surprising to hear the same sentiments echoed by almost everyone: ‘We are glad the event has returned to Uxbridge and are having a fantastic time’.
Before the start of the main cricket match; BCO X1 v Australia House X1, all the teams that participated in the two T20 games that was played, were introduced to H.E. Mr Hugh A Arthur, Barbados’ High Commissioner and the legendary Sir Garfield St A Sobers, widely regarded as ‘the greatest cricketer’ ever.
The large crowd was entertained throughout the day by Big J sounds, featuring the energetic DJ ‘Big J’ who also provided the P.A. system.
Mr Robert ‘Bobby’ Morris, Deputy General Secretary, Barbados Workers Union was in attendance.
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