Bdos Loses Two Culture & Entertainment Stalwarts

Barbados has over the past 24 hours lost two stalwarts of the culture and entertainment sector – former promoter, politician and radio show host Mark Williams and veteran Crop Over band leader Gwyneth Squires.

Mr. Williams passed away in the early of this morning.

One of his sons Christopher Williams remembers his dad as a no-nonsense and dedicated father and noted he had a long a varied career.

Beverly, the first of Mr. Williams several children, says her father was a strict disciplinarian.

Another son Paul describes his dad as a man that lived his life fully and did it his own way.

Paul Williams, son of the late Mark Williams.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has also paid tribute to the former Member of Parliament describing him as a “boss” at sales, a show promoter at the top of the class, a politician who could hold his own against the biggest names and a social influencer long before social media was even conceived.

Ms. Mottley remembered Mr. Williams for role in the successful airing of the “Looking Back” programme on CBC radio and as one of the driving forces in the Nation Publishing Company’s Advertising department in its earlier days.

She thanked Mark Williams for supporting her and the Barbados Labour Party over the years while also saying that his public criticisms helped her to sharpen her focus.

Veteran Band Leader, Gwyneth Squires, has also died.

Starcom Network News understands that Ms. Squires passed away between late last night and early this morning.

She is remembered for her contributions to Grand Kadooment, winning many awards as a band leader over the years.

Former President of the Barbados Association of Masqueraders, and leader of Kontact Band, Anthony Layne, describes Ms. Squires as a legendary designer.