Originally a sugar estate owned by the Siegert family, the large Woodbrook district, west of Port-of-Spain, was sold to the Town Board in 1911 and developed into a residential neighbourhood, with many of the north–south streets named for the Siegert siblings, some of whom were Carlos, Luis, Petra and Alfredo.
Countless families have been spawned in this western suburb but in the last 20 years Ariapita Avenue has become almost entirely commercialised, with the space west of Murray Street becoming a relatively upscale dining and entertainment “strip.”
One of the larger and older green spaces in Woodbrook is Adam Smith Square, located on Ariapita Avenue in close proximity to Murray Street and tonight it will be the focal point when the Woodbrook/St James Community Association pays tribute to 30 of the community’s stalwart families. The families will be honoured at the Association’s 2017 edition of Pan on d’Avenue, to be staged between Taylor and Colville Streets, from 6 pm.
On Thursday, Allima Garcia of the Woodbrook/St James Community Association told T&T Guardian: “When the 100 year anniversary of Woodbrook was celebrated in 2011 we awarded 30 Woodbrook residents in a variety of fields, including education, mas, sports and commerce.
“Having already awarded mas, calypso and pan individuals we decided this year to honour families.
“For instance, the oldest Wodbbrook resident, Leonora Dolly, will celebrate her 106th birthday in October so she will have a special place of honour. We must remember these families who have made Woodbrook their home for decades.
“To arrive at the other awardee families we consulted with the Woodbrook Residents Committee, headed by Lynette Dolly, Leonora’s daughter.
“All of these 30 awardee families are longstanding residents of Woodbrook and have contributed valuably to the development of the community.”
It has not been smooth sailing for the Woodbrook/St James Community Association in staging this year’s Pan on d’Avenue which is once again supported by the Office of the Prime Minister.
On Thursday, a crestfallen and disappointed Garcia said: “None of these businesses that make so much money, and are thriving along Ariapita Avenue, have come on board for this year’s event. The only Woodbrook corporate resident to donate any type of financial assistance has been Ma Pau Members Club, now located at Aria.”
Other non-Woodbrook sponsors include the National Carnival Commission (NCC), Petrotrin, Blink bMobile, Port-of-Spain City Corporation, Carib, Louis Clark & Associates, Automotive Supplies, Nestle, Simon’s Musical, Scaffolding Experts-Johnny Q and the Achievement Centre.
Thirty of the country’s popular steelbands are listed to perform along the Avenue from approximately 7 pm but the pan parade will be preceded by performances by the Wasafoli Rhythm Section and dancers followed by Stephen Derek’s masqueraders, a tonight’s programme has been dedicated to the memory of this departed popular Woodbrook mas designer/craftsman.
The pre-parade tributes and entertainment will also feature Suave Steel at Adam Smith Square as well as Arabian dancing.
FAMILIES TO BE HONOURED AT PAN ON D’AVENUE
1. Ammon
2. Arjoon/Ramkissoon
3. Blackman/Hinkson
4. Carew
5. Chan Sing
6. Chuckaree
7. Clarke
8. Corriera
9. Dharrie-Maharaj
10. Dolly
11. Douglas
12. Granderson
13. Hadeed
14. Harper
15. Ayow/Hospedales
16. Jaggernauth
17. Karam
18. Largen
19. Lee Kim
20. Lee Loy
21. Mahabir
22. Mankee
23. Pantin
24. Persad
25. Rollock/Germaine
26. Sabga
27. Sealy
28. Waddle
29. Walker
30. Woods/Sherriff