Superintendent Ronald Campbell (third from right) Director of Music, Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, receives a set of the six-set Commemorative Stamps from Minister of Transport and Aviation, the Hon. Glennys Martin-Hanna during Wednesday’s launch at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters. Pictured (from left) are: Mr. Carl F. Smith, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ellison Greenslade; Post Master General, Mr. Leslie Cartwright; Mrs. Hope Strachan, Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Aviation; Mrs. Hanna-Martin; Superintendent Campbell; Mrs. Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent secretary, Ministry of Transport and Aviation and Fr. Stephen E.R. Davies, Force Chaplain and Education and Training Officer. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band continued to observe its 120th anniversary Wednesday with the launch of a set of six commemorative stamps. The stamps are in the denomination of 15c, 25c, 50c, 65c, 70c and 80 cents. Police Commissioner, Ellison Greenslade, said the stamps serve as a “treasured piece” of the story of the Band and also as a “testimony of the strength of an independent people.” “For the past 120 years, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band has been a Bahamian national icon,” Commissioner Greenslade said. “This Band has been used as a centerpiece to promote travel to The Bahamas and its place is etched in the annals of Bahamian history – including our country’s birth into nationhood 40 years ago. “When these stamps are attached to a piece of mail or purchased as a keepsake, it is my hope that those who will view it will see it as a treasured piece of the history/story of this Band and also as a testimony to the strength of an independent people,” Mr. Greenslade added.
Mr. Greenslade said the Band has represented the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the country “with skill and honour.” “As Commissioner of Police, I am not only satisfied that the members of the Band are the outstanding musicians they are, but I am also proud of the fact that these men and women are first and foremost, trained Police Officers and at a moment’s notice, they are ready to protect our nation’s resources with the same level of commitment they bring to their duties as members of the world famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Band. “To say that the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band is a part of the Bahamian tapestry is an accurate description of an institution within an institution,” Commissioner Greenslade said. “Today, the members of the Band are thoroughly professional and many of them have successfully completed international exams that have made them by far, the most credentialed group of Police musicians anywhere in this region,” Mr. Greenslade added. Commissioner Greenslade applauded current Band Director, Superintendent Ronald Campbell and “his team of dedicated supervisory staff” for their stellar leadership over the years.
The Commissioner also thanked a number of former Band Directors and members present for the launch for their faithful work in “bringing the Band into national and international prominence.” “You stand on the shoulders of many great directors who have brought the Band to this stage of national prominence,” Mr. Greenslade told the current Band members. “I wish to challenge the leadership of the Band to spare no effort in continuing to use the Band as a tool to help in the development of communities across the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. “Take advantage of parks, green spaces, playgrounds, national events and all other legitimate venues to enhance the Bahamian experience,” Mr. Greenslade added.
Post Master General, Mr. Leslie Cartwright, said the set of stamps show “both historical occasions and contemporary images of the Band performing in The Bahamas and against the backdrop of the Atlantis Resort.” “The two historical stamps (the 15c and 25c stamps) show events in 1948 and 1975,” Mr. Cartwright said. “The 15c stamp shows His Excellency, Sir William Murphy, KCMG, LLD, Governor of The Bahamas, presenting the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry to Constable Fred Neville Seymour on June 10, 1948. “Mr. Seymour,” Mr. Cartwright continued, “had been responsible for the capture of a dangerous escaped convict during which he had received a lifelong cutlass would to the head.” (Mr. Seymour served as the first Bahamian Conductor/Bandmaster of the Band from 1949-1958. He retired from the Force as a Chief Inspector in 1965). Mr. Cartwright said the 25c stamp captures the Band performing for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, as she boards the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1975. “The launch of these stamps will no doubt accentuate the Police Band’s vast and rich history,” Superintendent Campbell said. “Now your packages and/or envelopes have the privilege to travel with music in the air.”
