Byron McDaniel, Contributor

Birthday boy, Albert Powell (right); grandson, Delmar (left); and son Terrence. - photos by Byron McDaniel

Walderston:

Albert Powell, who resides at Wild Woods, Walderston, Manchester, celebrated his 70th birthday in the bosom of family and friends on Saturday, November 9.

Mr. Powell who was born at Succeed, in the parish, on November 9, 1936 from humble beginnings, became an astute businessman and worked hard in several fields before literally entering a construction career in which he became the owner of Somerset group, producing aggregate and concrete. At 70, he is yet to retired.

From as early as noon on Saturday, guests began arriving for the party, which by nightfall would become an event that would raise the rural community several notches on the social ladder. There were 250 invited guests.

The palatial two-storey home cannot be seen from the main road, because of the surrounding woods, but as one ascends the inviting driveway, a canopy of trees opens to reveal the breathtaking ambience of the aptly named haven.

A casually dressed Albert Powell greeted guests with an energy, which belied his years and with his brother, William, his children ushered visitors to a huge tent, gazebo, bar and kitchen to enjoy copious provisions of food and liquor.

On well manicured lawn, 17 classic cars shone brilliantly in the sun. The display was viewed by members of the Classic Car Club of which Mr. Powell is a member. The vehicles included a silver Spirit Rolls Royce and a 1965 Buick Rivera, two from the host's collection of four.

The birthday celebration doubled as a family reunion for the Powell clan who arrived from several countries including Holland, the United States and England for the occasion.

Among them were his nine children, eight of whom had arrived form Europe and the United States. They are Terrence, Annette, Maurice, Shyrell, Lara-Ann, Claire-Marie, Janice, Tashnie, and Albert Junior from Jamaica.

Among those attending were the Barbadian Consul, Winston Bailey, and his lovely wife, Marjorie; Rocky Shields of Island Hardware; Stafford Haughton, pharmacist; Drs. Morris and Adolph Edwards; District Vice-President of the Bank of Nova Scotia, Egeton Anderson; Alpart manager, Dane Ottley, and his wife, as well as accountant; Dayle Blair, and retired educator, Steadley Webster.

Master of ceremonies, Authur Lyn, had the guests in stitches with anecdotes about the host. This was followed by dancing, eating and drinking in the fairytale setting of Wild Woods. Each guest got a parting gift of a bottle of 'Albert' a rum punch specially concocted in honour of the birthday boy.