Wednesday, September 24 2008

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SHE'S TOO CUTE: A young girl joins a protest against the expansion of Heathrow, Manchester and all UK airports outside the venue of the 2008 Labour Pa...

THE EDITOR: It was gratifying to see that the steelband movement represented by three of the originators of the instrument past and present had been honoured in the Independence Day Honours. Better late than never, I suppose.

However one remark made afterwards caught my eye. Dr Finbar Fletcher was quoted as saying that ‘we need to effectively brand the steelpan with TT’.

At least 15 years ago, and on many occasions since, I have suggested that we place the pan with the crossed sticks on every postage stamp in the same manner as the Queen’s head is on the UK stamps. The postage stamp is the one item with the words Trinidad and Tobago on its face that is sent to more places and in greater numbers than any other ‘product’ that we produce, effectively branding the pan.

I have also encouraged the placing of the same ‘logo’ which, by the way could be patented, on all TT teams’ shirts, regardless of the sport.

Bovell could wear his on his swimming cap, just like the Fern Leaf on a New Zealand team’s shirt/hat etc.

The pan would again be branded to the extent that seeing the steelpan would assure the International World which country you are from even before you see TT.

We have lost two great International sporting events recently to expose the Pan – The World Cup and the Olympics. If we start now philatelists worldwide would be the harbingers of our message – the Pan is ours in Trinidad and Tobago. While we have hesitated over the years, other countries have taken up playing the instrument. We have nearly missed the bus.

Dallas Kidman

Petit Valley