Two New Barbadian Knights

Former Central Bank Governor, now Sir Courtney Blackman, was yesterday among the list of dignitaries attending the ecumenical service at James Street Methodist Church to mark the 32nd anniversary of Independence. Sir Courtney (right) and Lady Blackman smile with Anglican Bishop of Barbados, Rufus Brome, after the service.

A LEADING ECONOMIST and a Barbadian who has made a name for himself in West Indies cricket are the two newest people to receive the country’s highest national honour. 

The first Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados is now Sir Courtney Newlands McClaurin Blackman, KA, and he is joined by distinguished son of St. Andrew, Sir Conrad Cleophas Hunte, KA, having both been made Knights of St. Andrew. 

The nation’s second highest award, the Companion of Honour of Barbados, has gone to Harley Sutherland Lewis Moseley, QC. The former Harrisonian was recognised for his outstanding contribution to law and public service in Barbados and the Caribbean. 

The three were at the top of a list of nearly 40 people who were conferred with Barbados National Honours for the country’s 32nd anniversary of Independence. 

Also on the list was 22-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medallist Andrea Blackett and 77-year-old Christ Church fisherman Graham Nurse. 

Sir Courtney, Barbados’ ambassador to the United States who is based in Washington, D.C. but is back in Barbados, said yesterday: “I am humbled and honoured on this occasion and I greatly appreciate those who have chosen me and I am thankful to all those who contributed to this great distinction.” 

Sir Conrad has been a resident in South Africa for the last seven years where he has been working as a national development cricket coach. He was recently named as an advisor to the Barbados Government on sports and youth affairs. 

He said from South Africa last night: “I am excited! I am thrilled and most deeply appreciative of the confidence which Prime Minister Owen Arthur and his Cabinet have placed in me.” 

He confessed that he had known of the award for months, but told absolutely no one but his wife. He said he believed his work in the “growing South African democracy” in building the game of cricket among that country’s future “ambassadors and decision-makers” might have influenced his selection. 

Sir Conrad has spent the last 40-plus years of his life outside of Barbados, including 25 in Britain and 12 in the United States. He returns to Barbados in January to take up his new appointment. 

Of Sir Conrad’s elevation, West Indies cricket legend, Sir Garry Sobers, who is also now in South Africa said: “It is a great honour and well deserved.” 

Nurse, who has made his living from the seas for more than threescore years, but maintains that he still has the stamina of a 30-year-old man, is one of the four recipients of the Barbados Service Star. 

“If I didn’t want to leave them a legacy I wouldn’t still be working. I want to provide my children and grandchildren with a livelihood,” said Nurse, who treats many of the young people of his district as if they were his own.