Hugh Cholmondeley should be given the Order of Roraima posthumously

Aug 13, 2012 Letters

Dear Editor,
I am saddened at the passing of Hugh Cholmondeley, the pioneer of broadcasting in Guyana, the man who worked tirelessly as of September 1968, almost round the clock to launch GBS “Action Radio” on October 1, 1968. I was there from the inception and Hugh should be praised for the excellent manner in which he spearheaded the national project.
Although the station was government financed, he did not allow his staff to go overboard with government propaganda, but to carry balanced stories. He ensured that there were cultural presentations and gave Wordsworth Mc Andrew a full hand in his “queh-queh” and other folklore programmes.
Efforts were made to have nationwide coverage hence the introduction of the programme GBS nationwide. He also placed Berbice in the broadcasting map with the introduction of the Berbice Digest programme, where Berbicians had the opportunity to air their progress as well as their problems.
He also saw the need for the county to have a fulltime representative when he posted me to my hometown in New Amsterdam in 1969, where I did not only contribute daily to the national magazine programme, but to carry live reports of activities in the Ancient County.
Cholmondeley wanted the Guyana Broadcasting Service to be self-sufficient and he concentrated on sponsored programmes and advertisements to realize funds. I played a very important role in this regard by getting Berbicians to be involved. “Action Line”, and “No Big Thing” were also his idea, and he was the first person who introduced “inserts” in newscasts. An insert is a voice piece of the spokesperson in the news item. This, Hugh said, is like placing a photograph of the person in the newspaper.
The icon took broadcasting to a very high level, which was well appreciated, since there was no television in those days. He had a lot of vision and foresight.
He was not only a talented broadcaster, but an honest and sound administrator who moved on to the regional and international scene where he also excelled. The broadcasting icon was above politics.
He told me time and time again that his desire was to see fair play and racial harmony in the country, but unfortunately he passed before this became a reality. However one wonders if Cholmondeley’s dreams would ever materialize.
I do not think that he was a recipient of a national honour. What a shame. Even press photographers Winston Oudkerk and Ken Moore received Arrow of Achievement (AA) award. The powers to be prefer to honour political friends, who in most cases, do not deserve recognition.
I have been advocating for years for McAndrew to be honoured, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. I am now calling on the authorities to award Hugh Cholomondeley, the Order of Roraima (OR) posthumously, for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting, mass communication and public relation.
The last time I saw Hugh was about four years ago at the funeral of Wordsworth Mc Andrew in Brooklyn New York.
My condolence goes out to his sorrying widow, children and other relatives.
May his soul rest in peace.
Oscar Ramjeet
Florida

Latest News

Hugh Cholmondeley should be given the Order of Roraima posthumously

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Thomas’ hat-trick inspires D.C Caesar Fox 10-5 victory, as Annai...

Stabroek Ballers, Sparta Boss, Bent Street...

West Indies Falter in Disheartening Series Loss...

Trophy Stall hands over trophies for Kennard...

Omari Glasgow, carrying the hopes and dreams of a...

GCF eyeing growth across other regions in 2025...

Features/Columnists

The stakes are high in Guyana’s democracy

Let the asylum seekers go: a first step for Venezuela to rebuild relations in the Americas

A leader undresses in public

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Hugh Cholmondeley should be given the Order of Roraima posthumously

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]