By Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter RING DING will rise again. The children's show, hosted by folklorist Dr. Louise Bennett-Coverley, known affectionately as 'Miss Lou', made its debut in 1968 on the defunct Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (now TVJ) and spent many years entertaining children before being taken off air.
It will now be re-released in special edition in the near future.
Dr. Hopeton Dunn, chairman of the Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC), said on Monday that his organisation is preparing to produce the special edition.
But some episodes of Ring Ding will have to be reconstructed because of the destruction of several archival records of the show, which were at the old Jamaica Broadcasting Commission (JBC). The destruction has "shocked" CPTC officials, Dr. Dunn said.
However, there is good news.
Reconstruction is possible with the help of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and university lecturer and musicologist, Marjorie Whylie, who toured with Miss Lou and consider her a mentor.
In addition, Miss Lou will again preside over the opening edition of "this merry Saturday morning celebration of real Jamaican Heritage," he said.
RECORDS TO BE PRESERVED
The CPTC will be working with the National Library of Jamaica and the new Audiovisual Information Network to preserve records, Dr. Dunn said while speaking at the launch of a CPTC video, entitled, Visiting with Miss Lou, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.
The video, being sold at a cost of $1,000, outlines various aspects of Miss Lou's life, including her professional contributions to local dialect and her relationship with her husband of nearly 50 years, the late Eric Coverley.
Miss Lou was on hand for the launch and kept the audience in stitches with her storytelling for more than 20 minutes.
"I have been travelling all over the world and I have never had that sort of feeling with any welcome but this one," she said at one point.
The reason for the huge welcome is that "everybody feels that he owns a little part of her, because each person, in his own way, becomes who he has become because of her and her influence on teachers, radio broadcasters, poets, stage performers, regular parsons and (those) who preach from time to time," Minister of Information, Burchell Whiteman, explained in his greetings.
He said Miss Lou's video and others featuring more Jamaican icons will inspire the nation, the region and young people.
"It clearly can make a major contribution to the national psyche and the building of self-confidence, reinforcing our belief in ourselves and our ability to exceed and demonstrate excellence in all aspects of our national life," Minister Whiteman said. He said the story and life of one such as Miss Lou is about "working to overcome challenges."
