President receives book on history of cricket in Guyana from Hand-in-Hand

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 January 2016, 17:24 by Denis Chabrol

President David Granger receives a copy of the book “Hand-in-Hand History of Cricket in Guyana 1865-1897” from the insurance company’s board member Mr. John Carpenter

President David Granger Wednesday received a copy of a book that chronicles the history of cricket in Guyana from members of the Board of Directors of the Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies, during a meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The book is a legacy project undertaken by the company to commemorate of its 150^th anniversary.

Renowned Caribbean writer, Mr. Ian McDonald, explained that cricket is an important part of Guyanese history and culture and as such, the company felt that this book, “Hand-in-Hand History of Cricket in Guyana 1865-1897”, would be an apt tribute, not only to the game, but to all Guyanese.

“I think it is probably the only time such a comprehensive history of cricket [has been] written from an individual West Indian country. So it is a very distinguished book and the Board of Hand-in-Hand is hoping that it contributes to the history of Guyana for a very long time to come… We are proud of this legacy project and we hope that the Guyanese people will be too,” Mr. McDonald was quoted as saying in a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency.

Prominent Guyanese historian, Professor Clem Seecharan researched and wrote the book and a second volume is currently being worked on.

President David Granger is presented with a collection of the Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies’ commemorative stamps by Mr. John Carpenter, while other members of the Board of Directors, Mr. Ian McDonald and Howard Cox (left) and Mr. Paul Chan-a-Sue (at extreme right) look on.

Mr. McDonald said that in researching the book, it was found that the first ever inter-colonial cricket match was played in Guyana at Parade Ground in 1865, the same year the Hand-in-Hand Fire Insurance Company was founded. That match was between the then British Guiana and Barbados.

The officials also presented the President with a collection of their 150^th anniversary commemorative stamps, which were launched in October 2015.