Several Streets in Belladrum and El Dorado, West Coast Berbice, named after ancestors

In a simple yet powerful ceremony last Saturday, several streets in the villages of Belladrum and El Dorado, located in the Profit/Rising Sun NDC,  were named after several ancestors. These ancestors were either founding educators, farmers, leaders, or philanthropists.

 The ceremony was chaired by Mr. Lelon Saul, who highlighted that ‘Belladrum’ is a Scottish name. 

The ceremony was attended by relatives of the ancestors who were honored, as well as Trade Unionist Mr. Lincoln Lewis and representatives of the NDC. The ceremony started with a prayer, then Mr. Lelon Saul addressed the crowd.  

He said, “Today, we gather not just to discuss streets and signposts, but to talk about the very soul of our village, etched not in stone, but woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. We speak of a simple yet profoundly powerful act: naming our streets after villagers who have given invaluable service to the development of our community and country.

Why does this matter? Why look beyond grand monuments or plaques tucked away in halls? Because streets are the arteries of our daily existence. We walk them, drive them, live on them. They are the paths that connect us – to our homes, our neighbors, our schools, our fields, our futures. What greater honor, then, than to have one’s name become synonymous with connection, with homecoming, with the journey itself?”

Further he added: “Think of the significance of this; it acts as a Permanent Memorial, Woven into Daily Life: Unlike statues that stand apart, or ceremonies that fade, a street name is encountered constantly. Every time a child walks to school down “Frederick Roberston Street,” every time a farmer drives his tractor along “William Burgan Avenue,” every time a visitor asks for directions to “Egbert Noble Avenue,” the story is whispered anew. The dedication, the sweat, and the quiet perseverance of that individual become an inseparable part of our landscape. Their legacy isn’t locked in the past; it’s alive beneath our feet every single day. Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: Our villages thrive not just on grand gestures but on the countless acts of quiet devotion. The teacher who nurtured generations in a one-room schoolhouse. The farmer who pioneered sustainable techniques. The midwife who safely delivered half the village. The elder whose wisdom settled disputes. The volunteer who tirelessly organized festivals and clean-ups. Naming streets after these individuals ensures their invaluable, often overlooked, contributions are finally recognized and permanently celebrated. It tells the world, and reminds us, that this is what truly builds a community.”

Mr. Saul also mentioned, “Rooting Our History in the Tangible: History isn’t just dates in a book; it’s the lives lived and the work done right here. When streets bear the names of those who shaped us, our history becomes immediate and relatable. A child living on “Eustace Wilson Avenue” naturally asks, “Who was Eustace Wilson?” The answer becomes a living lesson about dedication to education, about the village’s journey. It transforms abstract history into personal connection. Inspiring Future Generations: Imagine growing up on a street named after someone known for their integrity, their hard work, or their service. It sets a powerful, local example. It whispers: “Look what one person from here can achieve for us.” It fosters pride in our community and plants the seed that their own contributions, however humble, matter and could one day be remembered. It creates a lineage of service, visible for all to see.”

“Affirming Our Shared Values: Who we choose to honor speaks volumes about what we value as a community. By naming streets after those who served selflessly, built bridges, nurtured the land, or cared for others, we publicly declare: “This is what matters here. This is the spirit we cherish.” It strengthens our collective identity and reinforces the values that bind us together.

When we name a street after a villager who served us all, we do more than assign an address. We weave their spirit into the map of our home. We declare that the foundations of this place were built by hands like theirs. We ensure that their quiet dedication echoes in the footsteps of every generation that walks these paths. 

So, let us move forward. Let us honour those quiet giants who came before us. Let us ensure that the lanes they walked, the roads they helped build or maintain, bear their names. Let us create a living memorial where every journey, every errand, every return home, becomes a subtle nod to the service that made our village what it is today, and what it will become tomorrow.

Let our streets tell the story of our heroes. Let them be constant reminders of the service that built us, the values that sustain us, and the legacy we are all called to continue.”

The relatives of the honored ancestors reflected on their ancestors’ life and contributions as well as expressed their gratitude to Mr. Saul, the Profit/Rising Sun Neighborhood Democratic Council, and the residents of Belladrum and El Dorado for this amazing gesture.

The following persons were honored:

1. Frederick Robertson 
2. Claude Saul 
3. Brumell Williams 
4. William Burgan  
5. Newton Fraser 
6. Sydney Greville Avenue
7. Anthony Amon Avenue
8. Henry Cummings Avenue
9. Nelson John Avenue
10. Martin Hutson Avenue
11. Egbert Noble Avenue
12. Eustace Wilson Avenue

Canon William Granville Burgan (1886-1958). In 1938, he was appointed Canon (St Alban’s) at St George’s Cathedral.

During his many years at Belladrum, in addition to his ministerial duties, he interested himself in the general welfare of the villagers.   He was Chairman of the Local Authority of Eldorado and as President of the Farmers’ Association and First Secretary of the Belladrum and Lichfield Co-operative Credit Banks.   He was instrumental in encouraging farmers to expand the area under rice cultivation. For his services in connection with the Credit Banks, he was made a Justice of the Peace of the Colony, and so that the operation of the Banks could be effectively controlled, a considerable area of undivided lands was brought under the provisions of the District Lands Partitions Ordinance.  For this purpose Government appointed him Settlement Officer for the partitioning and the issuing of titles of the villages of Belladrum, Eldorado, Paradise, and Golden Fleece.

STREETS/AVENUES NAMES FOR ELDORADO AND BELLADUM

1. Eldorado Sideline Dam

The common boundary between Eldorado and Foulis

This name is in keeping with the cadastral plan

1. Plummy Dam

The common boundary between Eldorado and Belladrum

Was given the name by our predecessors

1. Station Dam

Common boundary between Belladum and Paradise

Was given this name owing to the train station that was located at the backdam.

1. Frederick Robertson Street

Primary School’s Road Extending from public road due north to school compound. He was a  renowned educator and son of the soil. 

5.Claude Saul Street

Belladrum Middle Walk extends from the public road due south to a dam bordering the rice field. Mr. Saul was a Renowned senior public executive and engineer.  

6. Brumell Williams Street

Belladrum Secondary School Street

Farmer and community leader

7. William Burgan Avenue 

Dam north of the rice field extending from Eldorado Sideline to Station Dam. Burgan was an Anglican Priest who served as headmaster and Priest at St Albans Parish. He was instrumental in the layout of the villages and established the first community bank, He encouraged the citizens to be self-reliant through agriculture. 

8. Newton Fraser Avenue

Road immediately behind burial ground

Renowned educator

9. Sydney Greville Avenue

Newly constructed roadway commencing from Belladrum Middle Walk (In Front of Ganja’s house extending to Plummy Damm by Boodum). He was a Renowned community activist and local politician.

10. Anthony Amon Avenue

Extending from Primary School west to Plummy Dam

One of the four original purchasers of Belladrum. Jackie Wilson is a direct descendant of him.

11. Henry Cummings Avenue

Commencing from Station Dam extending due west to Belladrum Middle Walk south of public road and north of rice field dam. He was one of the four original purchasers of Belladrum.

12. Nelson John Avenue

Extending from Plummy Dam due west to Eldorado Sideline north of public road. John was one of the two original purchasers of Eldorado

13 . Martin Hutson Avenue

The street immediately north of secondary school fence, extending from Eldorado Middle Walk to Sideline

One of the two original purchasers of Eldorado

14. Egbert Noble Avenue

Second street north of public road extending Plummy Dam to Eldorado Middle Walk. He was a Farmer and entrepreneur. 

15. Eustace Wilson Avenue

Street behind Omadelie’s residence Belladrum commencing at Station Dam due west to Eldorado Sideline Dam. He was a renowned educator.