Latest update May 22nd, 2026 12:38 AM
Village Focus: Catherineville cries out for some refurbishing
By Alex Wayne
Way back in the 1930s it was mainly a bushy location with fruit trees, coconut palms and dense foliage.
Over the years self help efforts by people on East Coast Demerara have transformed the community into a quaint little village, Catherineville, which still cries out desperately for modern refurbishing and ultimate maintenance by the related authorities.
A bushy section of the village that cries out for attention.
Located some 36 miles east of the city and nestled between the more developed Calcutta and Little Abary villages, Catherineville is in dire need of a thorough cleaning up and several features vital to its development.
This village, located on the outskirts of the Mahaicony District, sports one modern feature which is actually the well-maintained main road that passes through it.
It has at least one popular nightclub for entertainment. On days when the sun is hot and broiling, the village takes on the picture of a yesteryear settlement, save for the presence of a few modern and high class residences.
Not highly populated like its two neighbours (Calcutta and Little Abary) there are hardly any children running around in the streets or youths parading the roadways.
In years gone by the exploits of many who now inhabit the village helped to remove dense foliage, overgrown bushes and even mangroves in a few area. One section of the village now referred to as the ‘Waterside’ was a swamp, being close to the Atlantic Ocean, but luckily, drainage was introduced and this area was altered significantly.
A few houses now dot this area but residents there have to ready themselves for flooding during the intense rainy season.
The access dams that lead into the backdam are constantly bordered by bushes and villagers blame this on the irregular cleaning schedule of the authorities responsible for the village’s maintenance.
There are no major grocery outlets in this village. There is the small shop owned by Edda Wilson to which housewives flock to obtain kitchen necessities before nightfall.
An irrigation trench in Catherineville that is overgrown with weed and foliage.
In the early 80s Aunty Pearl Grocery was the main supplier of household goods but when she died the once thriving business dwindled and disappeared for lack of proper management by those who took over.
Drainage seems to be a major problem in this village. Most of the trenches are overgrown with weeds, bushes and various plant parasites.
The talented tailor, called ‘Manu’, died a long time ago, so villagers now have to depend on the services of lone seamstress, Noreen Crawford, to provide their homemade styles made to perfection and with excellent finesse.
There is still no school in the village and youngsters residing there attend Calcutta Primary School. Before time, academic sessions were held in the Catherineville Methodist Church during the week, but halted on Sundays so that the building could be used for worship.
A historical landmark of the village, this church has been repaired and is now in splendid form.
The Unicorn Nightclub which in years gone by offered glitzy entertainment and theatrical recreation is no more since the owner is now focused on religious issues. Villagers now have to travel to other areas for reveling, or soak up music at the Dolphin Grocery and Bar which does not really host parties. Ann Moore’s grocery also has disappeared maybe because of the little sales it garnered from a sprinkle of villagers during its existence.
Conversations with villagers revealed that there are no recreational facilities in the village and at present villagers utilize the Cath-re-calab Sports Club located in Calcutta.
However teenaged entrepreneur, ‘Tanny’ who resides in the Waterside location of Catherineville is managing a cozy little shop at the ‘Junction Koker’ and a mini hangout bar where young people congregated for snacks, jolly conversation, and friendly games of chess, cards or for friendly taunting of each other.
There is just no scope for employment in this village and the few occupants are not too interested in having kitchen gardens as is the case in the surrounding villages.
There is however at least one talented dance group in the village, famous for its original Passa Passa, Wacky Dip and other related dancehall techniques.
Villagers are however trying their utmost to facilitate development in village as is seen in the earnest efforts of Group Representative, Gloria Lyndo, and many others who man the functions of the village’s Social Welfare Group.
This group is concerned with vital aspects of planning in the village as well as with ensuring the welfare of villagers received its deserved attention and focus.
Taking a stroll through Catherineville will give one the impression that the relevant authorities have neglected a village that can be transformed to into a location of interest, as long as it is modified.
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