Last-minute labour agreements averted disruptions to public transport and postal services on New Year’s Eve, allowing thousands of Jamaicans to move freely and take part in holiday celebrations across the island. With key services operating as scheduled, revellers were able to attend church services, parties, and nightspots without interruption as the country ushered in the New Year.

Published Sunday, January 2, 1972

Worship and dance as Jamaicans usher in 1972

In traditional style, the New Year was ushered in by thousands of Jamaicans who packed clubs and other nightspots and attended churches in the Corporate Area and rural Jamaica on New Year’s Eve night, to welcome 1972.
Revellers, led by the Governor-General, Sir Clifford Campbell, who welcomed the New Year at a dance at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club, donned festive attire and made merry into the wee hours of the morning as the old year slipped away.
In the city, where last year rain and power blackouts threw a damper on holiday revelry, a possible disruption of public transport and postal services was avoided by last-minute labour agreements, and holiday-makers of all age groups turned out to nightspots in large numbers. Many others attended numerous parties.
While some made merry, others welcomed the New Year with worship and, at the East Queen Street Baptist Church, a capacity audience listened to the sermon by the Rev J.A. Leo-Rhynie. At the Coke Methodist Church, Rev T.B. Rose preached the sermon at the “watchnight service”, and many other Corporate Area churches held services as the old year came to an end.
Prosperity
At the Caymanas Golf and Country Club, the sound of bursting balloons, the racket of toy horns and rattles, and some 250 voices raised in the ageless Auld Lang Syne, to the accompaniment of Ingrid Chin and the Avengers, ushered in 1972.
A spirit of festivity and goodwill prevailed, and a toast was moved by Mr Joe Ziadie, president of the club, to Sir Clifford, who sported one of the festive hats provided by the organisers of the New Year’s Eve Ball. The governor-general replied, reciprocating the wishes of a prosperous New Year, and commented: “If we prosper, may the New Year bring to Jamaica added economic prosperity and, with this, a place among the nations of the world.”
At the Constant Spring Golf Club, where patrons included the Hon Edward Seaga, minister of finance and planning, and Mrs. Seaga, Tomorrow’s Children, aided by the Circle of Sound Discotheque, provided music to the large number of patrons welcoming in 1972. Band manager Ronnie Nasralla, assisted by the wives and female guests of band members, welcomed patrons.
Hughenden Great House at the Community Centre was also the scene of another festive New Year’s Eve Ball. Put on by the citizens' association under the chairmanship of Mr Ossie Lannaman, people of the area and other sections of the Corporate Area danced to the sound of The Young World Band and a discotheque.
Meanwhile, at the Assembly Hall, University of the West Indies, over 900 revellers danced to the sounds of Fabulous Five Incorporated. As midnight approached, some of the revellers took time off from their dancing and cuddled under trees on the campus or in their cars.
Tears
One woman welcomed the New Year with tears when the revellers shouted “Happy New Year.” The attractive ensembles worn by the women added colour to the fun.
A young woman was seen wearing see-through hot pants with knee-length boots, while another chose an African-print outfit.
At the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club, Buccaneer Beach, businessmen danced to the music of the Sonny Bradshaw Band. This dance was attended by 500 people.
At Morgan’s Harbour in Port Royal, some patrons were disappointed as the band the hotel had engaged for the occasion did not turn up. However, a discotheque was summoned and dancing went on to popular Jamaican music.
At some popular nightspots in the Corporate Area, a few patrons had to be turned away as the clubs were filled to capacity.
Midnight movies held at some theatres drew large audiences.
The atmosphere was calm and somewhat sophisticated at the Swiss Chalet, as the versatile Mile Thompson entertained guests with organ music at a sit-down dinner.
The Tomorrow’s Children Band played to a packed house at the House of Chen. Among the guests were the Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon Lynden Newland, and Mr Keith Johnson, Jamaica’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
Champagne flowed
Excitement mounted at the Sheraton Kingston Hotel as one guest collapsed, apparently after having too much champagne, and had to be lifted by some of her friends and taken home.
Swingers at Devon House, meanwhile, danced to the music of Charles Hanna and the Graduates and the Count Owen Calypso Band. Good food and wine were never scarce, and champagne flowed.
At the “witching hour” of midnight, the scene at the St Andrew Club was brightened with a little romance. Lovers exchanged kisses on the stroke of midnight while dancing to the music of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.
Dancing continued until early this morning.
At Courtleigh Manor Hotel, the Celebrity Room and the Gold Room accommodated a large number of revellers. Dancing to the band Hell’s Angels, couples toasted each other with champagne.
At the Tit for Tat Club, all available tables were booked out. Late arrivals could find only standing room but all danced to the strains of the resident band, Flesh and Bones.
Young couples were seen drinking toasts to the New Year at Hotel Kingston until this morning. The Generation Gap provided the music.
Meanwhile, at the Queen of Hearts Club, the Heartbeats occupied the bandstand, featuring Sugar Belly on bamboo sax and a sensational floor show.
As the morning dragged on, patrons drifted from the bigger dances and continued their festivities at the VIP Club, Sombrero, and other intimate nightspots. Derrick Harriott’s Disco and the Soul Syndicate Band provided music at the VIP. Miss Musical Chariot and her runners-up made appearances, along with the Chosen Few, Scotty, Bongo Herman, Les and Bunny, and Augustus Pablo.
While some made merry, others remembered to worship. Corporate Area churches had the usual worshippers at this time of the year, and many found time after services to celebrate in their own way.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2025.
www.project-syndicate.org

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