Significant national honours are now in the offing in Jamaica for the man who became known as ‘The Bermuda King’ primarily in the local parish where he was born and surrounding areas. James (Dick) Richards, revered for his benevolence and philanthropy to his homeland, is slated for a posthumous by the Jamaica 50 Celebrations Committee.
That’s the latest word from Vincent Samuels whom we dubbed the ‘BOSA Man’, during his high profile, week-long visit to Bermuda in September in his capacity as secretary-treasurer of the Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), connected with the Beersheba Primary School. That is the alma mater of ‘Dick’ Richards. which BOSA plan to turn into a museum in his honour.
http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20121027/ISLAND09/710279951
RESOLUTION TO RENAME BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL JAMES RICHARDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
In the pursuance of recognizing philanthropic deeds done by James “Dick” Richards to Beersheba School Community in general and Beersheba Primary School in particular, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) unanimously passed a resolution at its bi-monthly general meeting which was held at Beersheba
Primary School on March 11, 2012, requesting the Ministry of Education, Jamaica, West Indies, to take appropriateaction to rename Beersheba Primary School James Richards Primary School.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has circulated the resolution to all local churches in New Market and adjoining communities in Saint Elizabeth, Beersheba Primary School PTA, the Moravian Church in Jamaica, National Council on Education, Regional Director, Region 5, Ministry of Education, Administration and Academic Teaching Staff at Beersheba Primary School – including the Board of Governors at the School – to solicit their support.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to report that in accordance with its Mission Statement, the Association accepted an invitation from His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Parish Council Councillor Everton Fisher to attend the Civic and Community Affairs Committee of the Saint Elizabeth Parish Council to do a presentation to the committee on James “Dick” Richards (1872 – 1965), Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, and Philanthropist, the Secretary/Treasurer attended the meeting that was held in the Council’s Meeting Room in the E. V. V. Allen’s Council Chamber on November 05, 2012 and made his presentation that was well received by all fifteen (15) Councillors who were present at the meeting.
In addition, to recommendation that the Secretary/Treasurer made to the Committee that appropriate action should be taken to have the Corporation Council of the City of Hamilton, Bermuda twinned with the Town of Black River, saint Elizabeth so as to promote commerce, tourism, and cultural heritage development between the two Municipalities, the Secretary/Treasurer asked the Committee to support the resolution which was unanimously passed at the bi-monthly general meeting of Beersheba Old Students Association which was held at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) with respect to renaming Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) as James Richards Primary School (Government Leased) that he circulated to the meeting. The Committee assured the Secretary/Treasurer that it supported the resolution and would take appropriate action to present the matter to the Ministry of Education.
With respect to recommendation that the Secretary/Treasurer made to the meeting that appropriate action should be taken to twin the City of Hamilton, Bermuda with the Town of Black River, Saint Elizabeth, the Committee under the Chairmanship of Deputy Mayor of Black River and Vice Chairman Saint Elizabeth Parish Council Councillor Mordant Mitchell, assured the Secretary/Treasurer that appropriate action would be taken by His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Parish Council Councillor Everton Fisher to contact and liaise with his counterpart His Worship the Mayor of Hamilton, Bermuda and Chairman of the Corporation Council The Right Worship Graeme P. Outerbridge, JP, with a view to hold discussions with him pertaining to the desire of the Saint Elizabeth Parish Council for appropriate action to be taken to twin the Town of Black River, saint Elizabeth with the City of Hamilton, Bermuda in recognition of Philanthropic and Entrepreneurial Service that James “Dick” Richards has rendered to Beersheba School Community, New Market, Saint Elizabeth in particular, the Parish of Saint Elizabeth in general, and the island of Bermuda.
A MUSEUM TO BE ESTABLISHED AT “DEL COTTAGE” CARR DISTRICT, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES IN HONOUR OF JAMES “DICK” RICHARDS
In the pursuance of establishing a museum at “Del Cottage” to display artifacts, writings, quotes, memorabilia, and a portrait of James “Dick” Richards which the Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) collected and brought to Jamaica, West Indies during his visit to Bermuda September 17-23, 2012, the Association is delighted to provide all Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends, and Well-wishers in Jamaica and the Diaspora with the following progress report with respect to this invaluable project:
The Secretary/Treasurer is continuing dialogue with Tony Tatham, the present owner of the property on which “Dell Cottage” was located so as to ensure that he will follow through on his commitment to make the museum become a reality.
The Secretary/Treasurer has made Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCO), South Coast Tourism resort Board, and Social Development Commission (SDC), Statutory Government Entities in Jamaica, West Indies aware of this project and has solicited their support.
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