FORMER COUNCILLOR THANKFUL FOR 21 YEARS OF SERVICE, WOULD DO IT AGAIN
PEDRO RIVER, St Ann, April 27, 2026
There was an outpouring of positive tributes and compliments to former Councillor for the Bensonton Division in St Ann, Lydia Richards, at a function in Pedro River in South East St Ann Constituency.
Pedro River is one of the communities of the Division and is the district where Mrs Richards was born.
The Appreciation Ceremony was put on by the Pedrovian Community Benevolent Society at the community centre in the district, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Mrs Richards served as Councillor for 21 years from 2003 to 2024.
(Lydia Richards, former councillor, posing after the ceremony, standing with husband Terrence and thanking residents in the Bensonton Division for honouring her)
Several speakers at the event praised Mrs Richards for her bold and tireless efforts in representing the division and its remote districts. Districts include Concord, Prickly Pole, Fort George and Douglas Castle.
STILL CALLING HER
They said her name continued to be called by the people of the communities, and they described her as being selfless, a good councillor who
gave to and represented people regardless of their political affiliation
.
(Principal Veronica Walters, giving a tribute. Seated is emcee for the event, Neresia Williams, Acting President of the Pedro River Benevolent Society; in picture at right, Guidance Counsellor Omar Brady) also gives a tribute)
Guest speaker Pastor Iris Lacey compared Mrs Richards to Esther in the Bible, who was fearless in taking on authorities and championing the cause of her people. She noted that while Mrs Richards served as Councillor, she was also Principal of Duhaney Park Primary School. Mrs Richards served in education for 42 years. She said Mrs Richards did not neglect the division and the needs of her people. Continuing the theme of Esther, Pastor Lacey said, “She could have stayed in her palace, but her heart was with the people of Pedro River” and other districts she named. “You are our Esther”, she said. “She nuh fraid a nuh face.” She said even since Mrs Richards ceased being a councillor, people were still positively mentioning her. “Her name never stop calling,” Pastor Lacey said.
Principal of Fort George Primary and Infant School, Veronica Walters, said Mrs Richards was a source of great assistance to the school in many ways, putting in her appearance at events such as graduation and sports days, speaking to the students and motivating them. She said Mrs Richards, as a councillor, provided book vouchers for students in need, and directly materially assisted parents too. She said Mrs Richards didn’t think about the party to which one belonged when doing her work. “She is a people person: Her heart is clean,” Ms Walters said.
(They all wanted to be photographed with the honouree, Lydia Rickards, at the appreciation ceremony in her honour)
Paulette Grant was on the same theme, that the former Councillor’s name was still being called. “Even though yuh gone…yuh name still a call,” Ms Grant said. She said many people had been helped by Mrs Richards over the many years of her service.
DEFINED BY SERVICE
Omar Brady, guidance counsellor at Bensonton Primary, said Mrs Richards was a “woman whose life has been defined by service.” He said she had “given selflessly of her time, energy and resources” and had left a legacy firmly rooted in the community.
(Guest speaker Iris Lacey likened Mrs Richards to Esther)
Kerry Ann Robinson read a citation to Mrs Richards. It said her service touched the lives of many in the more than twenty years she was a councillor. The citation described Mrs Richards as “a compassionate person…and a woman of substance” who worked tirelessly for the growth and development of the Parish Council division of Bensonton.
In her reply, Mrs Richards thanked her husband, Terrence, who was seated beside her at the head table throughout the proceedings. She thanked those who had come up with the idea of the appreciation service and for honouring her. She said special thanks to those who worked closely with and assisted her to serve during the period she was a councillor. These included Al Russell, Torrain James, and Cadian Grant, also called ‘Shaka’.
(Several community members presented gifts to the former councillor)
Reflecting on her service for more than two decades as a councillor, Mrs Richards said it was fun and not done for money. Often, she used her own resources to assist people. She said her only regret was not doing more for education. Mrs Richards stressed the importance of education, saying if the country looked after that it would have an easier time in the future. She said one of those she assisted with her education was now in her final year at college, and that gave her great joy. Mrs Richards said if she had her life to live over, she would do the same, except do more for education.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Against that background, Mrs Richards announced a scholarship fund, details of which are to come later. However, she said the first award would be made this year, following the scholarship launch, which will take the form of a fundraising event
The members of the Benevolent Society did a song.
Neresia Williams, Acting President of the Benevolent Society, was the master of ceremonies
Jenise Clarke and Michael Strachn catered for the event.
HERE IS A SHORT VIDEO OF SOME OF THE HIGH POINTS OF THE EVENING:
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