Large crowds gathered in the heart of the nation’s capital just minutes before the procession began on Wednesday morning to pay their final respects to late National Hero the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers.
Hours before the ceremonial procession got underway, there was little indication that The City would soon host a State Funeral, as many people hurried to their places of work.
Among the first to arrive outside Parliament was popular personality Aiden Taylor, better known as Mr Barbados, who waited for the procession to begin its journey to Kensington Oval.
Members of the public view the funeral procession as it moved from Parliament to Kensington Oval. (LG)
Taylor said while the occasion was a solemn one, it was also a time to celebrate Sir Garfield’s life and legacy.
“We should celebrate the life of a wonderful man, a great human being, our national hero and also I will say he’s a star that everybody should emulate and try to follow, a great icon in this country, and the West Indies and the world.”
He said Sir Garfield’s influence extended far beyond the cricket field and into the lives of Barbadians: “I believe that he’s not only a hero on the cricket field, but also in the homes, in the lives of our young people, especially this present generation and generations to come.”
Taylor also described Sir Garry as a role model for the nation’s youth.
“Therefore, I believe that we in Barbados especially should really take a leaf out of this gentleman’s book. He was not only an icon on the field, as I said before, but also he is a man that shone the way for our youth, very humble, very patriotic; he represented Barbados across the world, and I am delighted to be here this morning to pay tribute to a great man.”
He said Sir Garry’s contribution would become even more appreciated by future generations.
“I believe in the future that we will really know the impact that this man has made across the world. We might not really sense it as we should now, but as time goes on and time goes on and generations to come, his name really will stand out as one of the greatest Barbadians of all time.
“I take this time to pay tribute and give sympathy to his family and the entire nation. God bless Barbados.”
Also waiting patiently for the procession was an elderly woman who said she had long admired the National Hero and wanted to pay her final respects.
“I always loved Sir Garry, right, and I look forward to when he used to be batting and bowling. Although I don’t really fully understand how it goes, I always look forward to seeing him bowl and the amount of runs that he made, and I thank God for his life.”
Members of the public view Wednesday’s procession (LG)
The cortege, led by the hearse and bearer party, arrived at Parliament Buildings at approximately 8 a.m., for the ceremonial transfer of the casket to a gun carriage. The procession then moved off along Upper Broad Street.
Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force Brigadier Carlos Lovell and the Commissioner of Police Sonia Boyce joined the parade in Parliament Yard before the procession advanced in slow march through Bridgetown.
By about 8:30 a.m., both sides of Broad Street were lined with passers-by, office workers and shoppers who paused to watch as uniformed troops and officers escorted the casket towards Kensington Oval.
Among those paying tribute was an elderly wheelchair-bound vendor, Lenard Alsopp, who normally operates on Swan Street. He said Sir Garry deserved the honours being accorded to him.
“He’s a very great man. He deserves the honour that is being extended to him.
“I feel very sad; may he rest in peace and rise in glory.”
As the procession made its way along Broad Street, through Jubilee Gardens and into Cheapside before continuing along Fontabelle, many onlookers used their mobile phones to record the historic occasion.
The procession was met at Fontabelle outside the Cricket Legends of Barbados by Prime Minister Mia Mottley and members of Cabinet before continuing to Kensington Oval.
Several vendors in Cheapside remarked that the procession moved smoothly and efficiently, allowing them to resume business shortly afterwards.
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