Trelawny: Yesterday’s glory, today’s gift

There are places in Jamaica that feel like stories waiting to be told, and Trelawny is one of them. The proud parish on Jamaica’s north coast, where past and present walk hand in hand. Falmouth, the capital of this proud parish, established in 1769 by Thomas Reid, was no ordinary town. It was a jewel of its time, an 18th-century marvel that once pulsed with the heartbeat of the empire.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Falmouth thrived as a bustling port and market town, flourishing during the height of Jamaica’s sugar empire. It was a hub of commerce and trade, attracting ships from all over the world when Jamaica led as the world’s top sugar producer. The wealth generated from this golden age of sugar allowed Falmouth to pioneer infrastructure. In fact, Falmouth was among the first towns in the Western Hemisphere to install piped water, long before New York City. This bold innovation symbolised the ambition and forward thinking of the people of Trelawny.

REMNANTS

Today, the remnants of that grandeur remain in Georgian architecture, historic churches, and heritage buildings, many lovingly preserved to remind us of the parish’s rich past. Among places of interest are the Greenwood Great House, once owned by the family of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and the Good Hope Estate, an 18th-century plantation-turned-cultural site. A visit to Martha Brae River, where you can raft on tranquil waters once used by Spanish settlers, adds nature’s serenity to Trelawny’s historic charm.

But beyond the monuments and museums lies something more powerful: the spirit of Trelawny’s people. A place that once thrived on sugar now sweetens lives through community, creativity, and culture. Every day offers a new way to connect with the past and build a brighter future.

And so, a gentle reminder: Make each day a special day in your life. Make each day count. Don’t just wake up to go through the motions. Do something, anything, that sparks life in you. Read something new. Start that idea you’ve been sitting on. Call someone you love. Close your eyes, imagine the version of you that tomorrow needs, and start being it today.

This day is a rare gem. It will never return. Use it well.

Reference:

https://jis.gov.jm/information/parish-profiles/parish-profile-trelawny/

Contributed by Dr Lorenzo Gordon, a diabetologist, internal medicine consultant, biochemist, and a history and heritage enthusiast. Send feedback to inspiring876@gmail.com