A bittersweet adieu for the Drakes

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

When it comes to the international profiling of nationals, the idiom - 'a stiff upper lip' - has been used to describe the Brits. This supposed national trait speaks to their reserve and fortitude. However, when it comes to British diplomats serving here in Jamaica, what has been noticeable is the fact that serving high commissioners and other senior members of the British diplomatic entourage have thrown in the stiff upper lip for a meld of island refreshing chutzpah and a blend of the trademark British reserve.

Jamaica has been blessed in its history of diplomatic relations with its former colonial rulers to have had high commissioners who have been sensitive to the history and ties that bind both countries and, in this respect, have been diplomatic exemplars.

Sadly, there's a bittersweet social ritual that plays itself out every three to four years in the island's capital. Saying goodbye to one high commissioner and welcoming another.

It has just been about three years since British High Commissioner Howard Drake and his quite charming wife Gill, took up duties here in Kingston. They did so with all the cordiality and goodwill expected and accorded those assuming the office by a Jamaican society which has embraced warm relations with the Motherland, despite the island's independence.

During their tenure, the Drakes have managed to perform and execute their duties while making time to bond and explore the island and its people, and proved to be gracious hosts themselves.

So when it was first announced that the commissioner and his wife would be taking leave of Jamaica, there was palpable disappointment within the diplomatic community and along the hallowed social halls. The news was seen as a loss to the community, tempered only by the fact that the reassignment was a positive move in the form of an elevation.

Well, my dears, high society went into overdrive in its quest to hold laudatory farewell receptions in their honour. The premiere social farewell, however, was a most charming reception co-hosted by Robert MacMillan and Michael and Thalia Lyn, at MacMillan's fabulously appointed St Andrew residence.

Dears, when it comes to throwing a party, nobody does it better than these three. So, you can all imagine, with these two social powerhouses combining their efforts, that indeed, the do would be a social zinger. And, my dears, that it was!

Everyone loves a good party, so the rush was on by the social bystanders to secure the all-important invite to what many saw as the diplomatic outing of the season. In the end, it was restricted to a shortlist of diplomatic colleagues and friends, and it made for a fabulously attended and a most charming social swansong.

Dears, the do was to commence at 7 p.m. and the hosts and guests of honour were very much on hand and welcoming guests when the clock struck seven. From then on, MacMillan's residence was the social epicentre of the region- with a constant flow of dignitaries, diplomats, socialites, power brokers and those of good standing, and it all made for one august swelleganza, and nothing but!

Short on officialdom but long on sentimentality, it made for a spectacular do and more so as this was a smasheroni of the finest order. In between sips and tete-a-tete, and Rosina Moder and friends entertaining, the co-hosts Robert MacMillan and Thalia Lyn, she, looking as fab as ever, led the way in thank yous to the departing commissioner and his wife, the cutting of the cake of friendship (dessert actually a fabulous chocolate cake done up with the Jamaican flag and the Union Jack); and prayers by Cecilia Levy. Commissioner Drake was fulsome in his praises and thank yous and then it was back to enjoying each others' society, libations and the fab fare by Island Grill.

Dears, what a night! A social humdinger and then some! But suffice to say, it was the buzz of the season and faultlessly so as among those out were Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips and wife, the elegant Sandra; Delroy Chuck and his wife, Patricia; Ricardo Alicock of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; dean of the diplomatic corps Ambassador Yuri Gala Lopez, of Cuba; Canadian High Commissioner Robert Ready; French Ambassador Ginette de Matha and Brazilian Ambassador Antonio DaCosta Silva. Also out were the Reverend Russell Awkard, husband of the United States ambassador; the affable Alex Crowther, husband of the Spanish ambassador; Gary Rex and his stunning wife, Ingrid; the esteemed Peggy Blades; Alexander Hamilton and his charming wife, Erica; celebrated artist Judy Ann MacMillan; her sibling, the fab Peta-Gaye; Christopher and Michelle Bovell; Earl and Beverly Levy; Ainsley Henriques; Sylvia Collister; Paul and Oriente Issa; his sibling, the fabulous Suzanne; Richard and Diana Stewart; her mom, the fabulously charming Jo Paige; Russell and Carol Hadeed; Dr Richard Gomes; Richard Khouri; Andrew Issa; Matthew and Jennie Pragnell; Leicester and Belinda Levy; the distinguished Harold Brady; Ian and Cecilia Levy; KIA Motor's Dwight Moore and his fabulous wife, Sharon Millwood Moore; Capt David McRae; Mike and Beverly Hirst; and Doug Brown. Also, the lovely Nicola Crosswell-Mair; William Tavares-Finson and his fabulous wife, Sandy; George Cumming; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Earl and Doreen Patrick; the lovely Candy Creighton; Terry Pearce and companion, Carol MacMillan; the fabulous Rosa Josephs; Micky Hill; Jimmy Josephs; the fab Lisa Marzouca; Travis MacMillan and the lovely Natasha Chang; Warren Chang; Jackie Guisan; Michelle Perkins; and the celebrated artist Lisa Remeny; plus many others.

Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer