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'Back Then' Recalls Life inNorth Side
The author, Tricia Whittington
Top: The cover of 'Back Then' features Mr. Nolan Smithof North Side
Back Then
by Tricia Whittington
First published in 2000 by the author
166 pages, paperback
Tricia Whittingham's opus delves into thelives of well-known Northsiders, chronicling their hardships,joys and families and more importantly, keeping alive the essenceof the truly unspoiled Caymanian.
It is often said in many circles that Cayman has no culture andthat its people are lazy. Give 'Back Then' a read and it willdescribe why Cayman's older generation is hard-working, resourceful,full of life and God fearing.
The book is made up of 40 autobiographical pieces, with charactersin the Old Man Bay, the Hut, Rum Point and Cayman Kai -- the settlementswithin the North Side area. Each person's conversation with theauthor is told in the first person narrative in that district'sdialect, describing the quintessential life of Caymanians backat the crack of the 1900's.
But more than that, Mrs. Whittington's book illustrates that district'sexistence from conception to modern living, concluding with amulti-page pictorial of the children of the North Side.
Perhaps the only inappropriate aspect of the book, if that canbe said, is why such an expose has not be done for the entireisland, as 'Back Then' clearly demonsrates what makes a Caymaniana Caymanian.
Below are excerpts of good yarns spun by the Northsiders themselves,recording their history so that younger generations can trulyappreciate what makes Cayman, Cayman.
One of the characters was Mr. Nolan Smith who wrote, "I gift(sic) my words so future generations of Caymanian children cansee how hard life was."
The Rev. Jerold Smith noted that North Side used to be referredto by locals as "the tail end of the pig." Times couldn'thave been learner when he was growing up, he related. Whilst GeorgeTown was thriving, Northsiders were going hungry... Access toGeorge Town was by shanks' pony or by catboats. There were noroads back then, shanks' pony was a way of life and a walk toGeorge Town could take two days," said Rev. Smith.
Mr. Cyril Rankine or 'Old Sea' had his own catboat and when therewas no 'sea breeze' to make use of the sail, he used oars to pullhis boat to fish at Rum Point. Everybody depended on him for apiece of fish. 'Old Sea' still freely offers advice on fishingand years, and years of experience.
Ms. Ida Chisholm described going to school as an adventure. "Myschool was the old Presbyterian church school. I remember goingto school with no shoes, along an old dirt track, picking ourburrs from feet as I go. My mother though it was too far for meto walk to school from Hutland, so I stayed with grandma Lee Mondaytill Friday."
Mr. Craddock Ebanks, OBE, MLA, JA, put it best, "From timeI can remember my mother was a good woman, never from my sight,hardworking. I have kindest of memories of life with my mother.I never had no disrespect for her. She always tried to help meto help, because those days poverty was three quarters of thepeople, community was all in one boat, we call it, one helpingthe other."
Mr. Craddock continued his narrative, saying, " I tried togo to school as much as I could many a morning I get up and goon beach to see if I could catch a fish. Then I could give itto mother so she could cook if for me when I come home midday.That was the way we went, day after day, week after week, samething; we was poor."
Mrs. Beryle Kathleen Whittaker said, "I am a real McCoy,only Whittaker by marriage...they days was hard days, we livedin harmony, eating fish and what the men planted. My father hadcows and horses and chickens were kept for eggs. No supermarketsback then. Poor but happy, we didn't want for thing. We made ourropes and exchanged for floor, sugar or anything like that. Afamily that stuck together, and we still do now."
About the Author
Tricia Whittington was born in Buckfasileigh,Devon, England in 1946.
After marriage, she and her husband Richard raised their threesons in the South of England. Mrs. Whittington wrote fiction storiesfor children while her sons were furthering their education atcollege and university.
Her career changed direction for several years and she went backto university and studied psychology. She worked with abused childrenand their families for a National Children's organisation.
Upon retirement to Grand Cayman, Richard and Tricia chose to livein North Side.
"Twinkley eyes and mischievous smiles endear people to me,"said said.
"I am happiest when in the company of senior residents andthe young children of the community."
'Back Then' can be purchased Hobbies & Books and Book Nookfor CI$20