Celebrating Brady's Birthday

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

My dears, legal luminary and international consultant Harold Brady has been the man in the news for some time now. His role at the centre of an imbroglio dogging the Bruce Golding-led government has been the subject of many debates. Speculation was rife as there are those who hold the view that what Brady knows - and refuses to divulge - is responsible for the political survival of the administration.

On the social scene, however, many have now come to associate August 1 with Brady, who celebrates his birthday on Emancipation Day. Over the years, his birthday celebration has evolved into the leading social-calendar event on a day when, traditionally, the mode for the fab and well-to-do, not to mention the power brokers and movers and shakers, is to opt for an out-of-town getaway!

Well, this year, the day took on a tone of social significance, as following the unmasking of the Government's role in the 'Dudus' affair, the supposed crucial role of Brady and the fallout that accompanied the publication of their involvement, many a social observer had been busy anticipating this year's birthday celebration. In past celebrations, the guest list was a virtual who's who of the political hierarchy of the Jamaica Labour Party; as well as fab society and the social elite.

Quieter, reflective day

Well, my daahlings, with matters arising still outstanding from his involvement in the recently concluded Manatt commission of enquiry, Brady opted to forgo his usual birthday celebration for a quieter more reflective one. Needless to say, the news, when leaked, caused quite a tizzy and then some!

Some people, however, thought it prudent; others thought it a natural downside of the lingering Manatt climate, but generally the cancellation was regarded as a social disaster.

Well, my darlings, one of the upsides of the annual Brady Emancipation Day birthday celebration is the fact that the event was also an unofficial family reunion. The Brady family, their offsprings and spouses would all come together on the occasion of Brady's birthday in celebration of family!

And so it was, my dears, that when Brady first shared the news with his beloved sibling, the charmingly lovely Kay Brady-Brown, that he would not be hosting his annual shindig, she would have none of it. She decided a birthday party there would be, albeit one restricted to a shortlist of close friends and family.

On Monday, August 1, instead of the annual smasheroni at his Cherry Gardens residence, Brady was guest of honour at a charming birthday brunch hosted in his honour at the home of his brother-in-law DrPaul Brown and his wife, Kay, at their fabulous Norbrook residence. That was indeed one swanky do, and nothing but!

No damper

Dears, it began raining from pretty early and right into the mid-afternoon at the expected start of the brunch, and mostly throughout. But, my dears, this was one do that not even the pouring rain would be allowed to put a damper on.

Guests poured out in elegant attire and a festive mood to salute, break bread and make merry with the birthday boy and his family. And pumpkins, how!!

My daahlings, Dr Brown and wife, Kay, proved the perfect hosts, their home, an oasis of style, charm and beauty, accented by lovely gardens and an arresting art collection. But the house's beauty is its absolutely fabulous entertainment patio - marvellously accommodating in that it's spacious beyond a fault and houses a full-size bar and open kitchen. It was here at the open kitchen, that Dr Brown donned his chef persona and cooked up a feast, alongside his wife and the family cook, in preparation for their guests and what a feast it proved!

Dears, we are talking one very charming do here and nothing but, as the intermittent downpour, with the pitta-patta of children's feet; their squeals and laughter, with some fab music in the background made for a wholesomely charming do and then some!

And as it rained from the heavens, it rained champagne from the bar. And as the evening wore, the rush of guests made it all that more intimately comfortable as friends and relatives greeted each other and regaled each other with their latest over libations all bonding to create the fab vibe and nothing but!

Traditional fare

And luvs, from the welcoming libation, to the scrumptious fare of homestyle deboned corned pork; country homestyle stewed breast of chicken; giant baked snappers; a fab pasta salad; a tomato, basil and cilantro salad; a garden greens; roasted breadfruit; gungo peas and rice and garlic bread - we are talking a traditional fare here that was all that and then some!

Naturally, there was a selection of desserts, including a collection of birthday cakes.

Among the family and relatives out were sibling Rupert Brady, in from New York; Trudy Brady, in from London; Michelle Brady, in from Baltimore; Craig Brown, in from Singapore; Dr Pierre-John Holmes and wife Dr Anissia Holmes and their children; Junior and Latoya Brady, in from Tower Isle, St Mary; Nicholas Pitt and Haedi-Kaye Holmes; and Nicholas Taylor.

Friends included Security conglomateur Kenny Benjamin; Pulse CEO Kingsley Cooper; State Minister Dr Laurie Broderick and betrothed Sandy Gregory; Ambassador Nii Odunton of the ISA: High Court judge Justice Glen Brown; attorney Paul Beswick and wife High Court judge Justice Carol Beswick; former Junior Minister Dr Ronald Robinson; Capt Rupert Bent and wife, Cindy Breakspeare; Steve and Betty Ashley, with sons Chase and Emil; the très élégant Dorothy Carter-Bradford; Granville Davidson and wife, Dr Marjorie Vassell; Colin and Tina Newman; Michael and Marcia Erskine; the charming Moveta Munroe; Winston Barrett and wife, the statuesquely elegant Barbara; Christene King; Everton Hanson; the lovely Joyce Young; Vinay Walia; the charming Liz Levy; Alex Dropinski and wife, Dr Saphire Longmore; Robert Haughton; Kathy Pike and daughter Giselle; Marvin Wong and his simply head-turningly stunning wife, the très fab Nicole Wong; and the lovely Tanikie McLarty; plus a number of others!