Black Immigrant Daily News

Queen Elizabeth II has been remembered as a pillar of strength and inspirational stateswoman by leaders of the Caribbean following news of her death.

Her majesty passed away this afternoon at Balmoral Castle in Scotland where she was being observed by a medical team after her health took a turn for the worse.

She was 96.

The queen, who has recently celebrated her 70th anniversary as monarch, was the head of state of eight countries and five colonies in the Caribbean.

Premier David Burt of Bermuda was the first leader of the Caribbean colonies to send his condolences to Queen Elizabeth II.

“A life of undimmed duty, a model of strength and devotion to country…On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I express sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.” Burt said.

Cayman Islands Premier Wayne Panton said: “I, on behalf of the Cayman Islands, join others from around the world in offering our condolences to the Royal Family. It is our prayer that God grants them the grace and peace to get through this difficult time. May God be with and comfort us all.”

Panton also acknowledged Prince Charles’ ascension to the throne as King Charles III.

President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali sent his condolences to the Royal Family and people of the UK, saying Guyanese people will always remember Her Majesty’s visits to the country.

“I join all Guyanese in expressing our profound and deepest sorrow at the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Her passing marks the end of an era in the history of the British Monarchy, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations,” he said

“Queen Elizabeth’s place in history is assured and her legacy is intact. Her long and impactful reign has helped to shape the post-World War II world. Her Majesty has been a source of stability for her country. She will be long remembered for her sterling leadership of the Commonwealth of Nations.”

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the people of Dominica are saddened at the news of Her Majesty’s death.

“Our prayers are with the Royal Family during this period of grief. Her passing ends an iconic 70-year reign and is a profound loss for the Commonwealth of Nations and the world. May she rest in peace,” he said.

St Lucian Opposition Leader,Allen Chastanet, said: “For the last 70 years, Queen Elizabeth reigned with honour and distinction. My thoughts and prayers are with the royal family and all those across the globe who mourn her passing. May she rest in peace eternally.”

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness sent condolences to the Royal Family, saying that he has them in his prayers.

T&T Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley remembered the Queen for her dedication and service to the people of the UK and the wider Commonwealth of Nations.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

Dr Joy Spence, the master blender at J Wray & Nephew Limited is going back to her roots and her first love, of sorts, with benevolence.

Spence recently donated over JM$4m to the chemistry departments of seven institutions across the island.

Students from Mona High, Dinthill Technical, Denbigh High, Edwin Allen High Schools, College of Agriculture, Science & Education (CASE), Montego Bay Community College and University of the West Indies, Mona, will start the new school year with brand new chemistry equipment.

J Wray & Nephew Master Blender Dr Joy Spence (4th L) presents a symbolic cheque worth JM$1.5m to the Chemistry Department at UWI, Mona. They are (l-r) Dr Donna Minott Kates, head of the Chemistry Department, UWI, Mona; with colleagues Dr Marvadebe Singh Wilmot, lecturer and academic dean for student experience; Dr Robin Rattray; Dr Novelette Sadley McKnight; Professor Emeritus Robert Lancashire and Dr Winklet Gallimore. (Photos: Contributed)

Dr Spence who began her career as a Chemistry teacher has always supported the sciences through her mentorship of young scientists and her donations to the J Wray & Nephew Foundation which goes directly to students studying chemistry.

In recognising the challenges faced by teachers and students in the delivery of the science curriculum, she decided to donate to non-traditional high schools that have managed to rise above these challenges and deliver excellence.

On Monday, August 22, Dr Spence handed over poster-style periodic tables branded with the words “Chemistry is Life”, words that have guided her life and career to students “As a chemistry graduate, I especially wanted to assist chemistry students at the non-traditional schools as well as the tertiary level to develop their talents in that discipline so they can take their places in the field internationally”, Dr Spence noted.

The donations to the schools will include hundreds of burettes, volumetric pipettes, beakers, Bunsen Burners, safety boggles, measuring cylinders, test tubes and test tube holders.

Dr Joy Spence signs a symbolic cheque before presenting it to members of the academic staff of the Department of Chemistry at UWI, Mona. (Photos: Contributed)

Mona High School will benefit from a JM$1.1m facelift which will include a repainted science lab, new stools, and cabinets to secure chemicals, and a new counter and a train board for the lab technician’s room.

Dinthill Technical, Denbigh High and Edwin Allen High schools, as well as the CASE and the Montego Bay Community College, will receive donations of chemistry lab kits valued at JM$220k each.

The Chemistry lab at UWI will receive JM$1.5m towards the purchase of an electronic analytical Balance, a much-needed tool for chemical experiments.

“As a student, the Chemistry Department of the UWI played a major role in my decision to become a chemist.

40 years later, I am the Master Blender for a global brand, Appleton Estate and celebrating my wonderful career at J Wray & Nephew which has allowed me to give back to the next generation” said Dr Spence.

40 Years of Joy was launched in December 2021 to celebrate Dr Joy Spence’s forty years with JWN.

Spence was gifted J$20M to donate to forty (40) charities of her choice.

Dr Spence, who joined JWN as the chief chemist in 1981, rose through the ranks to become the industry’s first female master blender in 1997 and was recently named one of Jamaica’s Tourism Brand Ambassadors by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.

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News

Image courtesy CDC

THE MINISTRY of Health has issued encouraging news on the covid19 pandemic on Thursday, announcing no new deaths and 154 active cases, a considerable dip compared to the previous day.

There are 210 patients hospitalised among the 5,294 active cases. The death toll attributed to the virus remains at 4,166.

Thursday’s announcement of 154 new cases reflects results taken between Tuesday and Wednesday, and not the 24 hours preceding the latest update.

The figures indicate a sharp drop from 239 new cases reported the day before, and the 302 reported on Tuesday.

The latest local figures also complement Wednesday’s announcement by the World Health Organization of a 12 per cent decrease in cases worldwide.

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