At the ‘University of Woodford Square’ walk with your facts…or just relax

Story and photos by Lara Pickford-Gordon

snrwriter.camsel@catholictt.org

It is after noon at Woodford Square and as usual there is steady foot traffic. Former 1990 Coup hostage and activist Wendell Eversley, without much audience, is chastising the lack of integrity of persons sitting in the Parliament. Two Spanish-speaking workers are having their lunch of rice and peas, and a couple other people are sitting around in a slumber or occupied with their own thoughts.

Wendell Eversley

“Pathways from the several gates on the perimeter of the square drew people in throughout the day and evening for relaxation and debate on the lawns and benches beneath shade trees. The circular bandstand (with elegant ironwork and roof) on the north side of the square provided a stage for both musical performances and speechmaking” (p 289, Stuempfle, 2018).

Woodford Square has been witness to many political, social, economic and cultural activities: the Water Riots 1903, May Day observances by the Trinidad Workingmen’s Association, the rallies of the People’s National Movement, trade unions and events from religious bodies and non-governmental organisations.

It was dubbed the ‘University of Woodford Square’ by T&T’s first prime minister Eric Williams who, pre-independence, gave a series of lectures on philosophy, history, politics, and the economy. In 1950, he had debates with Catholic monk Dom Basil Matthews.

Woodford Square got the title ‘People’s Parliament’ during the period of the 1970 Black Power Movement. Today, it is the space where citizenry can gather, after getting permission for mass gathering, usually on Friday, when there is the sitting of the House of Representatives.

They can message their anger and discontent with policies, decisions, or lack of action by those in authority. Some recent notable demonstrations: 2021, for the protection of women after the murder of Andrea Bharath; 2009 “Axe the Tax”; 2005 Death March organised by the Keith Noel 136 Committee, and the 1986 anti-apartheid rally.

Woodford Square has also been the scene of many leisurely times, including the lunchtime Soca shows held during the Carnival season.

Preston George

Preston George was sitting waiting to speak on a programme hosted by Eversley. He said: “Woodford Square is a place I normally come on a regular basis and enjoy the environment. It is a place where you could come sit down, and well, you feeling the breeze, from the little hecticness, even while walking and shopping and traversing Port of Spain, you know you can find a relaxing place”.

George said long ago it was a place where people from various religions and political perspectives came to share their views with the public. “It still have it, but more in the evening. It happens on a Friday evening so but that used to be a daily thing on a lunchtime. Even members of the Parliament would come into the Square and address persons,” George said. He recalled former Prime Minister Patrick Manning and former Tobago East Member of Parliament, Morgan Job.

George said, “It is a place that they will tell you when you’re coming, walk with your facts. That is one of the sayings when you’re coming to university, walk with your facts”.

Daniella Bradshaw

He still enjoys spending time at the Square although he has seen a change, “there aren’t [sic] much engagement intellectually as it used to be.”

Daniella Bradshaw, 18, was sitting on a bench contemplating. She said she has “history” with the square. She directs attention to the National Library Information System (NALIS) on Abercromby Street. “Every Saturday, my dad would make time, because he had a really busy job that kept him working, make time to take me to NALIS and at some point, we would have to pass through Woodford Square”. She added that whether she was going to the library or not, Woodford Square was the usual shortcut. Bradshaw continued: “One day, I was going through something and I just found myself sitting on that bench and I just couldn’t move until I stopped crying and I always go there when I have to be deep in thought about anything…for me, I just like not only the environment but the scenery as well.”

Margaret Alexander

Margaret Alexander said Woodford Square is a place of unity, “although you know people up, down”. She said it was the place to encounter “people you ain’t see for years! Right here you does meet them”.

After she said her prayers and completed whatever she had to do, Alexander visited the Square. “I come out here and I does feel real good.”

Sno-cone seller Kennedy Samuel felt safe in Woodford Square. “You can come here and relax, come with a box of KFC, you come with lunch from home and enjoy it in the fresh breeze of Woodford Square. That’s how I think about it, and it is safe also, with the security it have.”

The Square is a good retreat to diffuse weighty emotions. A woman sitting smoking a cigarette at one of the concrete tables in the Square, who preferred to be unnamed said, “you angry, you just take a little walk, you walk down by Woodford Square and could just sit down here and just relax. Nobody to harass you, nobody to bother you, enjoy the atmosphere.”