Pan pioneers paid for landmark tour
Posted: Sunday, November 12, 2006

By Gary Cardinez, newsday.co.tt
Sunday, November 12 2006

FIFTY-FIVE years after their first overseas tour as a steel orchestra, several veteran pannists have been honoured for the role they played in advancing the global reach of the steelpan.

Surviving members of Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO), as well as members of the first national Steel Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, were honoured by Pan Trinbago and the Ministry of Community Development Culture and Gender Affairs at a grand ceremony at Crowne Plaza on Friday night.

Simply called "Honouring The Panguard", the function was held not only to honour the pan veterans but to redress the fact that they were not paid for the part they played. In her address, Culture Minister Joan Yullie-Williams said she found out that the pan pioneers were never paid.

"You cannot work for Trinidad and Tobago and not be paid. As a government we like to pay our bills, the envelopes you get tonight are just for that first trip you made."

Each awardee was given a plaque and a cheque for their outstanding contribution to the steelband movement. TASPO members Sterling Betancourt MBE and Anthony Williams were on hand to receive their awards from the Minister. However, Dr Ellie Mannette was unable to come to Trinidad because of a prior engagement. Oscar "Bogart" Pile was given a special award, as was Minister in the Ministry of Culture Edward Hart who was absent from the function.

http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,47475.html

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