Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School,
Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas,
16 of June 2018 No. 867
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Dear Friends,
Emails follow.
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Prestigious
Award for Cecil Ince
Published
on October 23, 2015
It is with great pleasure that the Directors
of the Foster & Ince Cruise Group announce that our Chairman, Cecil Ince,
has been presented with a prestigious award from the Florida Caribbean Cruise
Association by President Michelle Paige who made a recent visit to Barbados.
The
presentation was made at the Cliff Restaurant where Cruise Industry partners
were attending a conference dinner.
He was
presented with a Crystal cruise ship model inscribed “In honour and recognition
of your significant contribution and dedication to the FCCA member lines and
Cruise Industry throughout your career.”
It was
in recognition of a lifetime of dedication to the Cruise Industry and for
assisting in building the Cruise Industry in Barbados and the wider Caribbean.
In
making the presentation, Michelle Paige, the President of the FCCA, thanked
Cecil Ince for his never ending support and dedication in the “start-up” years
of the FCCA and the Cruise Industry, saying he was always a solid and
reassuring voice for the Cruise Industry in Barbados and the Caribbean.
Michelle Paige always knew that she had a trusted friend in Mr. Ince in the
years when the Cruise Industry was small and growing. Michelle Paige went on to
applaud Mr. Ince for his vision and foresight.
In his
comments, Mr. Ince had praise and thanks for the wonderful staff at the Foster
& Ince Cruise Group and the many dedicated Barbadians and cruise partners -
both public and private sector - for the success of the Barbados cruise
product.
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A SMILE OF satisfaction steals across Cecil
Ince’s face when he reflects on how the cruise ship business has enhanced
Barbados’ tourism figures and the island’s economy.
Today,
he is seeing the rewards of his pioneering work done together with his former business
partner Paul Foster that created and has resulted in a successful cruise
industry for Barbados.
Now in
his 80s, Ince looked back on those days when he used to go knocking on doors of
principals of the world’s cruise lines, to attract them to this hardly known,
tiny Caribbean port.
He
never grew tired of telling people about the beauty of the mere spec in the
vast Caribbean Sea. “Those were the years Barbados was being put on the map,”
he said, and when people in other parts of the world would ask him: “Where are
you from?” and he was always ready with the answer – “Barbados.”
“Where
is that?”, they would ask. His nearest point of reference would often be
Venezuela as he told them Barbados was just “so many hundred miles off
Venezuela.”
Before
Paul Foster asked Ince in 1969 to join his Paul Foster Travel agency, which the
Barbadian tourism stalwart had opened two years earlier, Ince worked for the
regional airline BWIA as sales manager for the Southern Caribbean with postings
in Trinidad, Guyana, Antigua and Barbados.
As
sales manager of BWIA he excelled, and was a respected representative of the
regional carrier.
Thinking
about his contribution to BWIA brought back memories of the 1964 meeting he
attended at Government Headquarters which stands out. “I found myself at a
table with all these tourism figures and the Hon Wynter Crawford told me they
wanted 48 seats on a BWIA Viscount aircraft to fly the Barbados Police Band to
New York for a performance at Radio City Music Hall with the famous Rockettes.”
In
contrast to today where wide-bodied aircraft carrying hundreds of passengers
are the norm, the police band back then turned out to be a whole plane load and
BWIA readily obliged.
Ince
remains impressed but humbled that “Errol Barrow called me to thank me for
arranging that trip.”
He was
named BWIA’s Salesman of the Year in 1962, and chose the award of a trip around
the world, which allowed him to travel first class on jetliners which had only
come into existence about three years before.
He was
always in promotion mode. When it came to Barbados he never lost an opportunity
to push this island.
“That
word of mouth did a lot for the island,” Ince said, and proved to be a valuable
fillip to the young Tourist Board’s efforts.
Ince
treasures the Gold Crown of Merit he received from Government in 2009
for his “highly meritorious service in the area of tourism, in particular
cruise tourism.” The award is prominently displayed among the many mementos of
his achievements, in his Christ Church home.
Ince
told the SUNDAY SUN: “In the 60s cruise ships calling at Barbados were
few. In what was then referred to as the carriage trade, a euphemistic term for
mainly whites, it was the Trumps of this world who cruised and people like
myself could not afford to go on those cruises. Ships would go around South
America, do an 80-day cruise and call on Barbados on the way back to New York.”
He
added: “Cruising started essentially in 1972 as we know it today, and ships are
built differently today. They are bottom line-oriented and carry far more
passengers.”
In the
60s Paul Foster Travel was the leading travel agency providing tours to
passengers on the few cruise ships docking here. The travel agency
sub-contracted its tour business, utilising the services of private taxi
owners.
While
speaking about this stage of the development of the cruise industry, Ince
briefly recalled the excitement among people like him and others in tourism
when the united Taxi Owners Association led by Hamilton Bailey imported the
first coach for tours.
He
expressed his pride at being one of the people attending the special James
Street Methodist Church blessing for the 20-seater Toyota Coaster.
“Before
then, it was just taxis and visitors complained that some of the taxis had
holes in the floor and they could smell the gas.”
Nowadays
it is common to see the Foster and Ince fleet of sleek air-conditioned coaches
on the road ferrying visitors across Barbados. It was Ince who first influenced
his partner Foster to move in this direction when Paul Foster Travel began to
face fierce competition from several new travel agencies opening their doors in
Barbados.
It was
then Ince said he started to take a much more active role in the cruise
business, largely because he said: “I discovered that the cruise lines were not
happy with the standard and quality of tours being offered in Barbados.”
Today
Foster and Ince through Platinum Port Agency provide a wide range of services
to both cruise ship passengers and crew. Largely through the efforts of Ince’s
son and business successor, Martin who is constantly jetting around the globe
to seek out new cruise ship business for Barbados, some of the world’s mega
ships now call at the Bridgetown Port bringing thousands of visitors. More and
more of them are overnighting here in a growing home porting business.
Ince
senior retired in 2001 and has handed the mantel to Martin who continues to
grow the business and like his father, play a pivotal role in the development
of cruise tourism.
In
retirement, he is as committed to Barbados as he was when actively at work. “I
keep saying one of the best things Mr Barrow ever did was to make this country
independent . . . . We have made tremendous strides. Independence has
made us such a proud country much admired by the rest of the world” he
remarked.
The
apparent increasing levels of crime on the island are for him a disturbing
development.
Still
he prefers life in an independent Barbados which he thinks is now a more
congenial society. Ince says he has seen a definite change from when Barbados
“was controlled by a very select group of companies.” He is also relieved that
the “divisions among the social classes” he saw in the mid-50s appear to be
disappearing.
Of
those days he said: “The small entrepreneur almost did not exist. In those days
if you wanted a tyre, if you wanted a wheel, you went to one of the Big Six –
BS&T (Barbados Shipping and Trading). It was a very one-sided affair. Thank
God that generation of Barbados has passed on. It was a very ugly side.”
The
former all-white Barbados Yacht Club and the exclusive Bridgetown Club in his
view are happily, now features of Barbados’ past too.
“Though times have changed,” said Ince, he
assured his love for Barbados never will
WhatsApp
10-02-2017 Ramsahai Winston 99: Aziz lets network the guys in NYC on this
chat post name and numbers directly to Salvador he will add as Joe suggested.
my cell is 337-412-8751. Salvador no above
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Great idea
10-02-2017 Gyuris Attila: 👍 I am here for the lime-ing.
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Hey Sal
10-02-2017 Gyuris Attila: Hi. That's was Attila GYURIS
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Oh god long time Attila
10-02-2017 Gyuris Attila: Thanks for adding me.
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Hey who's that with a 201 #
10-02-2017 +1 (876) 361-1846: Hi guys I am Angel Gomez Abbey Boy 1971 –
1974 Chemical Engineer Venezuelan. Living in Jamaica .Great to be here in this
group ! If you can all introduce yourself for me to add each of you in my
contact list .
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Hi Angel Azizul Mohammed 1966-1971. Living
in New Jersey
10-02-2017 Zanelli Enrique: Hello Guys.... Enrique Zanelli 67/70.... living in
Houston/Katy Tx. I need to let Salvador know to put names with nrs that way we
can all have complete contact info
10-02-2017 Cantore Oscar: I think Kiko you need to put those iPhone #
and names in each one contacto list si their names pop Up when they write if
not they Will be anonymous. Hi Óscar
Cantore 66-69
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Salvador what about your brother Pedro? How
is he? Hope to see posts from him.
10-02-2017 +1 (876) 361-1846: Enrique Greetings !
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Oscar, ian gomes here whats up miserable?
How are you man?
10-02-2017 Cantore Oscar: Hey Ian how u doing piece of crap, Living in
Panama now, Set Up base here. Raising mushrooms and manufacture paints
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Next time I am in Panama I will look u up
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Lol. Still the same you misery. Wow panama.
Enjoying it. Im retired now.
10-02-2017 Cantore Oscar: Dont fear. Now get yo enjoy both ocean. 80
kilómetros apart
10-02-2017 +58 414-8719686: Hello guys!!! Nadia Mellone Our Lady Coromoto School 71/74
I'm Luciano's sister... living in Pto. Ordaz Venezuela .Thanks for adding
me...Salvador!!!!❤😘🙏🏻
10-02-2017 +1 (876) 361-1846: Winston What's up man Where are my Trini
friends ?
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: so guys , anyone living in New Jersey
10-02-2017 Fr. Imash: Winston it look like you joe and I are the
only Trinidad left in Trinidad
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Winston and Joe I kno who r u
10-02-2017 Zanelli Enrique: Ill try to update names with pone nrs. Sad reality
10-02-2017 Cantore Oscar: Eat anything you find Kiko
People are starving
10-02-2017 Zanelli Enrique: Flamingos are pretty , don't know if they
taste good 😝but who cares if you are hungry
10-02-2017 Gyuris Attila: Introducing myself:
Attila Gyuris, attended Abbey School
1964-1969, Prep A till Form V.
Chemical Engineer / Professional
Pilot.
Lived in Venezuela -> USA ->
Mexico -> Peru -> Colombia -> now living in Ecuador.
10-02-2017 Zanelli Enrique: Hello Attila.... i remember you with the bb guns shooting
lizards behind the woodwork shop...😂😂😂
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Hi Attila long time great to hear from u
10-02-2017 +1 (876) 361-1846: Enrique , I was confused There was a
guy Zanella from Barinas state when I attended MSB. Not you !
10-02-2017 Cantore Oscar: It happens 😂
10-02-2017 Tito: Enrique cómo estás?
10-02-2017 Zanelli Enrique: Yeah, Zanella was there same time i was
(67-70) and then my brother Victor (70-71).... i think Zanella stayed longer
than me
10-02-2017 Gyuris Attila: Hi Enrique: yeah that was me, except it was
a pellet gun. Still do a lot of competitive shooting but with real guns this
time, he he.
10-02-2017 Zanelli Enrique: Yeah, pellet guns... i got one myself ,
Diana brand i think it was....bought it downtown on Frederick st
10-02-2017 18:46:33: M Zanelli Enrique: Hola
Antonio.... todo bien y tu?
10-02-2017 1 (876) 361-1846: 1970's Killing me softly
MSB time
10-02-2017 Gyuris Attila: Yes mine was a Diana model 25,
.177 caliber.
10-02-2017 1 Berment Joseph: Anyone remember making the honor roll and being
allowed to go to POS on Saturday - - spending money, lunch at Humming Bird/
Gaylords Restaurant, a movie at West Indies Drive In (Royal Castle) and a
chicken and chips and/or devil dog and a slush. The long sleeved white shirt,
straight cut pants (Gannum Style), kick and stab shoes, Mount tie and
monogrammed blazer?
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: I remembered the movie somewhere in POS and
the chicken n chips walking around with the group
10-02-2017 Berment Joseph: Aziz, You actually made the honor roll?. Iremember
you as a very naughty boy.
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Azizul ian gomes here. When you visiting
trini boy? You was misersble as hell in school. You make honours list. Dat was
when d monks was sleeping. You were in Nigel's (Dec'd) class. add keith allen
(Puggy) to the group. His number is 785-2098.
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: I was there in Nov will be back sometime
just before Easter
10-02-2017 Zanelli Enrique: What area code for Puggy?
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Raj rooplalsingh asked me to visit him and i
know you and he were friends in school. You must give me a call when you here
man
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: Will don
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Enrique here are some others all with area
code 1-868(Trinidad) : milton julien 758-5614 joe habib 750-6583 Kelvin Khan
680-2847 Prem Diptee 678-0557 Douglas Watson 682-3312
10-02-2017 Kenny Azizul: So Is Raj in Trini or the US
10-02-2017 Zanelli Enrique: Ok... will do
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: He is here. Lives in sando and works in marabeñla.
He runs the family business now Marabella
10-02-2017 Coscarart Salvador: Ian how are you and family. Have you heard
from Neil. He must be traveling a lot . Have not heard from him in a while.
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Good man. Retired and enjoying life. My
brother Nigel passed away in Dec. I think you two were in class together as
well. I have not heard from neil for a while. Do you have his number? If you do
ask enrique to add him to the group.
10-02-2017 Dornellas Michael: Good night gentlemen, greetings from Specs.
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Hi michael how are you man? Long time no
see.
10-02-2017 Dornellas Michael: Ah still dey boy.Good. You things on your
end?
10-02-2017 Gomes Ian: Ok
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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com,
if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you
would like to include.
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Photos:
53MBS0004ABBEY, story by Marie Boissere
17LK0720FBNDVWFE, Nicholas de Verteuil and
wife
11LK1059FBPAL, Peter Alkins
15LK1813FBGMC, Garth Mc Alpin
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