REDDITCH Mayor Roger Bennett has praised Veronica Allen who was instrumental in setting up the town’s official twinning link with St Elizabeth Parish back in 2006.
At the full council meeting on Monday Coun Bennett said: “Veronica presented me with a history book about the 14 parishes of Jamaica during her stay in Redditch on Jamaican Independence Day.
“She told me she would like to see a proper student exchange set up between our town and St Elizabeth and I think that’s an excellent idea.
“Veronica also said she would like to invite borough councillors to go and visit her at the heritage centre in St Elizabeth.
“I know it’s a long way but I’m sure it could be done.”
During the noughties Veronica and her team held cultural events at Redditch schools and hosted ‘Jamaican fun days’ at places like the Trico Stadium.
She set up various meeting groups for the town’s Caribbean community, with the help of Redditch Borough Council and former borough mayor Madge Tillsley MBE before moving back to Jamaica in 2011.
