Dear Editor,
Never in the history of the Mash celebrations in Linden have I ever seen such a mammoth turn-out like the one seen on Sunday, February 27 gone. Ah yes! There have been times before when folks put on their colourful apparel and came out in droves like a thunderstorm, but this time around took the cake – it was enormous and unstoppable, and both revellers and onlookers swarmed the streets, rammed, jammed and crammed! It seemed as if the entire town virtually came out, except for the very old and the ill. And nature too was in conformity and harmony with the jubilation in graciously granting fine weather with brilliant sunshine. It was unbelievable; just what could have caused this massive turn-out of spectators? Was it the beautiful day to relax and free up the mind? Was it to view the various floats and costume bands which were expected, or was it as many like to say, for the sake of a walk – ‘leh we tek a walk,’ whatever? But floats and costume bands were scarce; there were two outstanding costume bands: the Linden Technical Institute contingent, which maintained a very orderly yet lively performance by the use of ropes on both sides as used to be done a long time ago to keep the band in check, and the Purple Rose Foundation which did likewise except for the use of ropes. All in all the entire Mash celebration went well with much hyped-up gyration, bounce and energetic movement reflecting the spirit/mood. Those super large trucks used by Digicel, Banks, L&L lounge and others supplied live music with popular artistes/DJs and string bands/orchestras, while the trucks sagged under the weight of young revellers ram-packed to the sky who displayed their dancing talent and waistline movements with amazing and amusing dexterity.
Yet within all this enjoyment and celebrating one stark reality stood out: the overwhelming majority seemed to lack the monetary muscle to spend. However, they appeared contented at just having been able to be out and observe what was offered; as one woman said as she departed for home: “After all it wasn’t a bad day.”
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
