New Boys' Town programme kicks off By Tony Becca, Senior Sport Editor
BOYS' TOWN kicked off their redevelopment programme at Collie Smith Drive on Monday evening with a double ceremony - the dedication of a well and the presentation of computers to its basic school. The well, situated at the northern section of the ground, was named the "Father Sherlock Well" in memory of the founder of Boys' Town, Father Hugh Sherlock. After opening remarks by distinguished old boy Locksley Comrie, a former president of the Jamaica Football Federation, another old boy, Sunday School teacher Ken Robinson blessed the well and prayed that "from this well will spring a new hope, a new vision, and a new future for Boys' Town". At the presentation of computers which took place afterwards in the "Father Sherlock Hall", a number of the speakers, led by Comrie, Gladstone Robinson - former national cricket representative and current chairman of the Board of Management, and Dr. Fenton Ferguson - MP for East St. Thomas, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Arthur Martin spoke out against the violence in the area which they said was damaging Boys' Town, pledged to bring an end to it, and pleaded with the residents not to stand aside and allow the hooligans to dictate how they lived but to get involved in every effort to stop it. Special guest at the function was Dr. Basil Bryan, Jamaica's Consul General to New York and the man who, with the help of the Jamaican community in New York, donated the computers as well books, school bags and almost a million dollars. The last of 11 speakers, including Lance Comrie - an old boy and deputy Mayor of Morant Bay, Churchill Neita - chairman of Insport and chairman of the Boys' Town Foundation, Pat Anderson - an old boy, former president of the JFF and current president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association, Carl Brown - an old boy, former national football representative and current coach of the national team, Linden Wright - an old boy, former national cricket representative and current manager of the national team, and benefactors Chris Issa and Ferris Zaidie who pledged their continued support of Boys' Town, Dr. Bryan spoke about the importance of Boys' Town to the community. In a short but well received speech, Dr. Bryan reminded of the many outstanding Jamaican sportsmen and citizens who have come out of Boys' Town, showered praise on the work being done by the old boys, and encouraged the many boys and girls present to make use of the opportunity which Boys' Town provides. According to Locksley Comrie, Father Sherlock once referred to Boys' Town as "the city of little men". Boys' Town, however, have produced some big name in sports, numbered among them was the great cricketer Collie Smith, and among the former national representatives present on Monday were footballers Archie Reid and Derrick Denniser, cricketer Len Levy, and footballer and cricketer Lloyd Morgan. Also present were Karl Goodison - former Boys' Town director, Junior Lincoln - president of the Old Boys association, and Earl Bailey representing the JFF.
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