STORY BY Cheryl Harewood
Captain Charles Sandiford has lent his artistic skills to the cultural landscape of Barbados for over 50 years, keeping the Barbados Landship and tuk band traditions on course.
His contribution has not gone unnoticed.
On July 4, Sandiford was among an exceptional group of individuals and organisations honoured during the Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes at Queen’s Park.
Those honoured are said to “represent the many hands, voices, rhythms and traditions that have shaped Barbados’ premier cultural festival across generations, reflecting the spirit that has made Crop Over one of Barbados’ most treasured cultural celebrations.”
From learning under Captain Ivan Cumberbatch to founding Barbados Landship (BLS) Queen Elizabeth in Speightstown, St Peter, and pioneering the “bashment landship” style, Sandiford’s contribution is said to reflect both preservation and innovation.
When he sat down to share with Easy his exploits in the entertainment arena, he did so with a sense of pride and accomplishment, as he journeyed down memory lane.
“I was in the Landship Queen Victoria from the age of 13, and when that broke up, I joined another ship in Speightstown. The first ship was run by Ivan Cumberbatch and the second ship by Rufus Ramsay. I later branched out to the Barbados Landship with Captain Vernon Watson.”
Sandiford would go on to form the Cornwall Landship and was the commander of this ship which, sadly, did not last very long. He returned to the Barbados Landship Directors, which is now the Barbados Landship Association. In all, Sandiford has spent a total of 51 years in the Landship and tuk-band arena of Barbados, and has toured “St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and North America with Dancin’ Africa, Pinelands Creative Workshop and the Barbados Landship, playing tuk band music.”
Some 20 years ago, this Crop Over stalwart who hails from Rose Hill, St Peter, established the “bashment landship.”
“We called it the Rose Hill Tuk Band and Landship when it was formed, because I was from Rose Hill. When we are performing at traditional functions we go by the name the Rose Hill Tuk Band and Landship. If we are doing road stops and parties, we refer to ourselves as the Bashment Landship. We have 12 members overall. The tuk band usually comprises four persons. We have the person on the base drummer, the penny whistle, kettle drum and triangle. At times we have the Mother Sally as well. These are referred to as the engine of the ship. The tuk band can perform on its own, but the Landship cannot perform without the tuk band being present. This means that if I receive a call for the Landship to perform, the tuk band must be there.”
Sandiford, 64, has “played with many of the older tuk band stalwarts,” most of whom have since passed away.
“I am perhaps the only young boy who played with the older folk and who came up playing in the tuk band from a child,” he disclosed.
What is worthy of note, is that Sandiford’s mother was a member of the Barbados Landship, while his dad was a member
of a tuk band. As a child, he was also inspired and influenced by his grandfather and “other older folk” to get involved in the Landship and tuk band.
His most recent award was just another of the many awards he has received over the years. Close to two decades ago, he was recognised for 30 years of service to the entertainment industry by the Lions Club of Barbados. He also received the Tyrone Husbands and Lord Radio Award, for his contribution to entertainment, and was presented with the Pride of Barbados Award for his community work in the parish of St Peter. In addition, he copped the St Peter Parish Independence Committee Beacon Award of Excellence. In 2002, he received the Barbados Service Medal (Gold), and was also the recipient of the Barbados Landship Association Award last year.
How he feels about his many awards is best summed up in the following words: “I am always thankful. Anytime you get an award in your country you should be thankful. Anybody can call me anytime to perform and I would do so. I would even perform for free if I have to.”
This father of four sons and grandfather of many has no plans to throw in the towel.
“I plan to continue playing as long as I have the strength – maybe up to 90-something-years-old,” he said with a chuckle.
“I love tuk band and I love the Landship.
Outside of his cultural exploits, the affable Sandiford is a small business owner for many years.
His immediate plans as he looks towards the future, is to see what contributions he can continue to make to the island’s national cultural festival. With this in mind, he is considering producing a “bashment Kadooment” band next year.
It seems like there is no stopping Sandiford from building on the strong cultural legacy he has established over the years. He lives and breathes culture, and would have it no other way.
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