Today in Bajan History| April 2nd 1950 The Social Scene

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Stockholm Network and the Department of History and Philosophy, University of the West Indies Cave Hill campus present today in bajan History good day. [00:00:09] Speaker B: My name is Randy Batson. I am a graduate of the Department of History and Philosophy of the University of the West Indies CAFL campus. Today we take a look back at the social scene in Barbados through the advertisements in the Barbados Advocate dated April 2, 1950, which was Easter Sunday and holding center stage in the advocate were announcements in relation to church services across the many denominations such as the Anglican Methodist Church of God, 7th day Adventist, Christian Science and the Salvation army. Apparently for other churches there was no need to advertise as this was the day when many flocked to church to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. But there was also secular advertising. In this edition of the Advocate the Majestic Cricket Club advertised a picnic and dance at Gun Hill Barracks for the Easter bank holiday. The Marine Hotel no palm promoted a cold danish bouffet dinner for Easter Sunday from seven to 10:00 p.m. And reminded patrons that they would also be dancing in the marine ballroom. The Quain Hotel in St. Philip was not to be outdone there too publicized a dance with music by Arnold Meanwell and his little meanies. The admission was $1 and for those who wished for a brief vacation, Edgewater Hotel in Bathsheba advertised its morning facility. For those yearning for intellectual stimulation, the extramural department of the University College of the West Indies hosted a lecture at the YMCA and Oliver Cromwell and Roger Williams which was presented by Aubrey Douglas Smith. For barbadians all these events demanded new outfits and clothing stores did not miss the opportunity to advertise the master tailor. CB Rice and Company advertised the range of mens suits whilst William Fogerty carried mens footwear of distinction. The modern dress shop informed the public of their array of bags, belts, hey ties and house coats, while Delima and Company Limited had on display an assortment of jewellery and wedding gifts while Harrisons advertised bedtime apparel which features ladies satin neck dresses and ladies nylon neck dresses. For those who wish to purchase Easter eggs, knights drugstores, Bruce Weatherhead and Company and C. Carlton Brown on Robert street carried a lovely assortment. And for those who prefer to stay at home to enjoy the Easter festivities, Stanfeld Scott and Company Limited offered the three year old cockade fine rum at $1.60 per bottle. This was said to be the rum for Easter parties which were held in communities and at favourite picnic spots such as the Crane Bath, Bathsheba, Morgan, Lewis River Bay and Archers Bay to name a few. Wages and generally high levels of poverty at the time did not prevent Barbadians from enjoying the Easter festivities, some of which were advertised in the Barbados Advocate on this day, April 2, 1950. [00:03:22] Speaker A: Today in bajan history with Starcon Network and the Department of History and philosophy, University of the West Indies, Cavill campus.