'The Story of Westmoreland'

Curtin shares the legacy of parish in new book

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

Each parish in Jamaica is different, each is unique and author Marguerite Curtin has begun to preserve the legacy of Westmoreland through her new book, The Story of Westmoreland, A Jamaican Parish.

The book, which is sponsored by the Jamaica National Foundation, cost some $8 million to produce and, according to the general manager of the foundation, Saffery Brown, it was worth every penny.

"We want to be a part of recording the history of Jamaica, which is extremely vast and in-depth," she explained during Saturday's book launch at the Manning's School in Westmoreland.

She said that Jamaica National Foundation wanted to ensure that their reputation was represented well and "Marguerite, having just completed the story of Hanover, which was an excellent piece of work, we thought that we could bring on board to help us do the story about Westmoreland".

The Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education Fund financed her first parish book on Hanover.

The JN Foundation wants to partner with other organisations to record the history of other parishes over the next five to 10 years.

Come full circle

"We have to understand not only where have come from but what has shaped society into what it is today, the good and the bad. And, also, what you want to do to recreate the things that are good, and eradicate the things that have led to the bad; and that can only be done if you know and are aware," Brown added.

Curtin said of the book: "It's sort of a dream I've had. I started off years ago with the Ministry of Education in 1972, so it's like now the wheel has come full circle, that in my retirement I am able to do this [authoring books about Jamaica's parishes]".

"It is important, as we would be much more aware of why things are the way they are and, therefore, how we can change them. Doing this shows us that as Jamaicans, we should forget about the negatives and focus on the positives. Stop thinking poor Jamaica and start thinking about things we can do".

She said the book is for "our children" so that they will understand why Westmoreland is an important piece of Jamaica's history.