Introducing the Delisle Bradshaw Resource Centre

The Parkinson Resource Centre now bears the name of former Member of Parliament for St Michael South East and former government minister, Delisle Bradshaw.

The renaming ceremony which took place on Friday, November 22nd was attended by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister and M.P for St Michael South East, Santia Bradshaw, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, Chief Community Development Officer, John Hollingsworth, several government officials and dozens of residents of the Pinelands community, who came to witness the unveiling of the plaques in his honour.

84year-old Mr. Bradshaw who entered elective politics in 1976 and retired in 1994, served as a parliamentarian for the constituency of St Michael South East, for over a dozen years. He was recommended for the accolade by former Minister of Social Transformation, Hamilton Lashley who also served as M.P. in St Michael South East for decades.

In a video tribute played at the ceremony, Mr. Lashley spoke of the qualities and contribution of Mr. Bradshaw to St Michael South East, contending that “it was a necessity to honour him (Mr Bradshaw) given the invaluable contribution he’s made to the constituency,” whilst traversing every nook and cranny within it.

Community activist, Rodney Grant, read the citation in Mr. Bradshaw’s honour, noting that “he treated all constituents as equal and was responsible for providing numerous jobs and houses for his constituents, whilst physically transforming the Pinelands community, since virtually everything before was cane”.

Mr. Bradshaw’s daughter, Deputy Prime Minister and M.P for St Michael South East, Santia Bradshaw lauded the accolades bestowed on her father, noting that it was a very emotional time for him and her family, because the honours came directly from the people.

“You can never understand what it means for us because when you serve the people,  the honour comes from the people and Prime Minister this is not to say that your honour did not mean something, but rather to say in addition to the honour you bestowed on him before, that this one is particularly significant because it came from the bossom of St Michael South East and for that I want to say thank you to the people of St Michael South East constituency for the sincerity and love you have bestowed on him.”

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley remembered Mr. Bradshaw as a teacher and mentor, who encouraged her to buy her first house in Frere Pilgrim, Christ Church telling her she cannot represent people without leading by example and being successful in an M.Ps personal life.

Ms. Mottley posited that Mr Bradshaw has left an indelible mark on all those he came into contact with. She noted that “he always had a giving spirit and that his devotion to public service, was motivated by a desire and willingness to always help people”.

“Even now the wisdom that flows from you, the lessons, the experiences only serve to enhance our ability to make the right decisions against the backdrop of all the facts.  For you to have presided not just here in St Michael South East, but as a Minister with a proud record in housing, community development and sports, the tangible outputs are there for us to see in these physical buildings and in your service to the people.”

Prime Minister Mottley remarked that “the Resource Centre in the Pine continues to be a major asset to the community and that for it to carry Mr. Bradshaw’s name is special and deserving” as she thanked him for his commitment and service to the people of St Michael South East.

Also speaking at the ceremony was the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, the Honourable Charles Griffith, who noted that the honour bestowed on Mr. Bradshaw was “fitting and deserving, especially since he’s still alive”. Minister Griffith stated that going forward other Community and Resource Centres will be renamed in honour of Barbadians who have made invaluable contributions to their communities.