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Young Progressives to honour ‘community-based heroes’

Photo by Glenn TuckerGershwin Shiloh Smith, June Caisey, Clevland Simmions of the Young Progressives group shared plans for their national heroes convention at the City Hal Tuesdayl.

A celebration of “community-based heroes” is to be held this Saturday by the Bermuda Young Progressives.The group is to honour four former members of Parliament: Roosevelt Brown, EF Gordon, Sir Henry Tucker and Sir Jack Sharpe. The trio will also have their efforts celebrated as part of National Heroes Day next month.The Young Progressives said their celebration, to be held on the steps and lawn in front of City Hall, is an event wholly separate from Government’s National Heroes Day.The group said in a statement yesterday: “The National Heroes Convention, to be held on May 14, 2011, is not part of the PLP Government programme but has been called by supporters of the Young Progressives within the Bermuda community. It is a grassroots convention of celebration and nominations for our community-based heroes.”Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling will open the convention shortly after 12pm.United Bermuda Party Senator Michael Dunkley will deliver a tribute to Sir Jack.Deputy Governor David Arkley will present “heroes papers” to relatives of Dr Brown, Dr Gordon and Sir Henry.Press officer for the Young Progressives, Cleveland Simmons said: “Students from Victor Scott Primary School will be speaking on EF Gordon, Dellwood Middle School students will talk about Roosevelt Brown, and Mount St Agnes students will present the story of Sir Henry Tucker.”Activist Eva Hodgson and Mayor of St George Kenneth Bascome will also speak.The event will continue with an open microphone for “seniors, retired politicians, teachers and other citizens”.Music will be provided by Compound Band, Chewstick, Native Percent and other artists. The event is expected to finish at 4pm.The organisation said it has also compiled a list of community heroes, including Austin Thomas, Fern Wade, Ottiwell Simmons, Rolland Hill, Clarence Hill, Rick Richardson and Kenny DeFontes.They said: “The community heroes will be honoured this Heritage Month and at our other community events, such as the National Heroes Peace and Love Children’s Picnic to be held on June 24 at Shelly Bay.”The group says it is “not a political party, but a movement drawn from the community”.