News Archives - ROYAL COUPLE GOES SHARK HUNTING 1935

---

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent enjoyed the thrills of a shark hunt. But they did not catch any sharks.

Prince George and Princes Marina left their hotel early and the Duke drove down to the Marine Club, Stauble's Bay, where the usual Sunday morning bathers had a pleasant surprise when they saw the Royal couple set off for their day's sport accompanied by major Humphrey Butler M.V.O., the Equerry Col. The Hon'ble A.S. Mavrogordato, O.B.E., The Inspector-General of Constabulary and Inspector G. Liddelow.

Two sharks were sighted, but neither were captured, one had a narrow escape when Inspector Liddelow attempted to harpoon it.

The Duke and Duchess thoroughly enjoyed their experiences and did not seem to care when they were drenched by flying spray when the launch was crossing the Bocas. They went ashore at Huevas (Huevos) and, while there amused themselves by swimming and aquaplaning, a fast and thrilling water sport which is not much seen in Trinidad.

After dinning in their private suite for the first time since the visit began, the young Royal couple decided that they would like to go to the pictures.

It was immediately arranged for them to pay a secret and unheralded visit to the Roxy Theatre on Sunday night. The programme they saw included a newsreel in which H.M. the King is seen and heard launching the new Cunarder Queen Mary, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess themselves, a comedy and "Manhattan Melodrama".

Their Royal Highnesses remained until the end of the programme, and slipped quietly out but a big crowd had gathered outside the cinema as word had got around that the Royal couple were inside.

Back to News

The Venezuelan Tricolour now flies over the strategic island outpost of Patos situated within three miles from the mainland.

It was hoisted there by a sergeant of the Venezuelan police, in the presence of His Excellency the Governor, Sir Bede Clifford, and His Excellency Dr. C. Parra Perez, the Foreign Minister of Venezuela, shortly after 11 o'clock yesterday morning.

Five minutes before the Union Jack had been lowered for the last time, and a moment of tense stillness prevailed as the Trinidad Police Band played "Retreat". Detachments of Trinidad Volunteers and steel -helmeted Venezuelan soldiers stood at "Present Arms" and officials saluted as slowly a sergeant of the Trinidad Police lowered the British flag from the staff where it had floated for the past 38 years.

As the tricolour was hoisted a Venezuelan in the gathering was heard to remark in his native tongue "Bandera Linda" which means beautiful flag.

Patos, which has been the subject of a dispute between the Government of Trinidad and Venezuela for the past two centuries was formally handed over to the neighbouring republic by His Excellency on behalf of Great Britain to Dr. Parra Perez.

In the course of his speech His Excellency remarked that while the territory was small indeed the occasion was great and symbolic

Later in his speech His Excellency remarked that the handing over of Patos which was concluded without any hard bargaining or keen negotiations, was an example to the world which showed that had it been followed by Hitler in 1939 Germany could have settled amicably her relations with neighbours and saved humanity from the seas of blood and tears in which it was plunged today.

Back to News

 From its lush green forests, cobalt blue sea and scenic landscape -just off the beaten path from the hustle and bustle of the capital city of Port-of-Spain, the Chaguaramas Peninsula is fast becoming the location for film making. In the past two years three films have been shot there – Mystic Masseur, Herman’s Tales, Backlash and Contract Killers. The fact that filmmakers are coming to realize the value of Chaguaramas as a backdrop for quality movies is due in no small part to the efforts of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (TTFC). Established in 2006, the TTFC’s mandate is to expand the film industry in Trinidad and Tobago by, among other things, promoting the country as a premier film location to local and international filmmakers. As such, the TTFC has been working tirelessly marketing Chaguaramas as an ideal filmscape. Carla Foderingham, CEO of TTFC commented on the company’s commitment to the development of the film industry locally: “Trinidad and Tobago is probably the best kept secret in the Caribbean,” she stated. “There are so many advantages to filming here, but we need to continue to spread awareness of this country’s benefits to filmmakers.

Places like Chaguaramas, for example, with its wide-ranging scenery, well developed infrastructure and close proximity to the city will certainly appeal to filmmakers, and we will continue to promote the region in our brochures, our video filmscape guide and on our website. With all that this area has going for it, we have no doubt that many more filmmakers will want to use Chaguaramas for location shoots in the future.” Many aspects of the Chaguaramas Peninsula make it ideal for filmmaking. The area possesses a diversity of landscapes within a small geographic area: an expansive coastline with numerous bays and beaches, mountains and forests, waterfalls and rivers – not to mention a variety of flora and fauna. In addition, well developed infrastructure fully supports the production process – access roads leading into and out of the area and nearby ports and jetties for access via the sea. There is even a heliport. The peninsula also boasts numerous high-end restaurants and entertainment facilities, a golf course and numerous sites and attractions of historical significance. The smaller islands offshore, each one unique in beauty and character, lend even greater diversity.

 Here are some of the films that were filmed in Chaguaramas 

Mystic’ Masseur (2001)

The main set used within the film - a shop – is still standing in the area near opposite the old church on the road to Macqueripe. This Merchant Ivory Production was based on the novel The Mystic Masseur by  V. S. Naipaul. The film is about a frustrated writer of Indian descent who rises from an impoverished background to become a successful politician on the back of his dubious talent as a ‘mystic’ masseur – a masseur who can cure illnesses.

Herman’s Tales (2006)

Herman’s Tales is a six-episode comedic series. It is a Caribbean comedy featuring both puppets and humans. The show mixes crime, gang violence, a superhero, kidnapping and romance and focuses on themes such as inefficiency of the police service and gaining respect in the army. One of those episodes, Herman’s Tales: Banana Robber (2006) premiered at the first Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival 2006 and was later screened on the local TV channel CMNG and at both Carifesta 2006 Film Festival and UNESCO Film Festival 2006. The fourth episode, Herman’s Tales: Kidnapped was premiered at Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival 2007, where it won a People’s Choice Award for the Best

Backlash (2006)

In this explosive, action packed thriller, beautiful- but deadly - CIA operative Skye Gold is sent to Trinidad to hide out after breaking up a large illegal arms smuggling operation. Soon after she arrives on the island, Skye discovers that her superiors at the CIA are not the only ones who know her whereabouts. It’s a deadly race against time as Skye must stay one step ahead of two hired assassins and rogue agents while running through the island’s hypnotic streets during Carnival. Danielle Burgio, Kevin Levrone, Lauren Kim, Bas Rutten star.

Contract Killers(2006)

The film features young Swedish actress Frida Farrell in the role of Jane. The movie takes viewers on a roller-coaster ride as Jane is on the run from the company she once worked for as she has evidence of them being involved in fraud. The company, knowing their secret is out, tries to frame Jane who ends up on the popular and prosperous Caribbean island called Trinidad. They later hire a highly-trained contract killer from the island, to eliminate her. Contract Killers is written, directed and edited by debut director Justin Rhodes and produced by G. Anthony Joseph.

Back to News