Free events include informal presentations and a moment of observance
Sunday, February 2, 2025 will mark the 60th Anniversary of the ‘65 BELCO Crisis, a pivotal milestone in our Island’s shared history. The word ‘Crisis’ reflects both ‘Danger’ on the one hand and ‘Opportunity’ on the other. That particular crisis emerged during a sustained campaign to gain the right of 90 BELCO workers to ‘Collectively Bargain’ for better wages.
On the morning of February 2, 1965 a spate of violent confrontation between workers and police, led to some of the most challenging times our Island had ever experienced. However, within days our society emerged, experiencing a dawning transformation; eventually birthing a better Bermuda.
Today, on Friday, January 31, stakeholders – BELCO management, the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Electrical Supply Trade Union and Imagine Bermuda – are collaborating in an Observance on BELCO’s campus, involving current employees and a limited number of the public, given safety matters.
Additionally, on Sunday, February 2, 2025, our whole community is being invited to join in reflecting on those challenging times, as well as celebrating the transformative outcomes that emerged; this, in the spirit of reconciliation. :
1. For 9 am on Sunday, Feb. 2nd, Bishop Dill has invited the Island’s various Anglican Churches to ring their Bells for 60 secs – commemorating the resolution of that Crisis.
2. From 4 – 6 pm Sunday Feb 4th, there will be a Family Friendly Gathering at the Devonshire Recreation Club – celebrating the lemons producing lemonade in 1965, with a free relaxed event, which will include brief informal oral presentations and uplifting music:
Brief reflections by some ‘witnesses’ of the Crisis- both union activists and former Policemen – nb Andrew Bermingham and Roger Sheratt.
· Current leaders will briefly share some views. For instance; one rep from each of the 3 Political Parties + an ‘Independent’ – are being invited to offer a 6 – minute response to the question – “ Why is it vital that we make our entire community fully aware of our shared legacy?”
· Musical entertainment will include outstanding local artists, donating their talent in the Spirit of ‘65: Gene Steede, ‘Live Wires’, Willard Burch, ‘Juggling J’, Chewstick, and more.
· Manifesting that Rallying spirit, there will be some Free food available – eg. Soup.
An event spokesperson says that “this free event captures the essence of the light that eventually emerged in 1965; reflecting our community collaborative spirit as we sustain Always Learning.”
