The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

URBAN RENEWAL yesterday announced a new social partnership with the Tribune Media Group in an effort to host a Christmas concert that will raise funds for the much-needed provision of 600 new instruments for the Urban Renewal Band.

Amidst a lively and entertaining performance by the band in The Tribune’s Shirley Street parking lot, the organisation’s co-chairs Algernon Allen and Cynthia “Mother” Pratt joined Eileen Carron, The Tribune’s Editor and Publisher, to

introduce the partnership that aims to promote the flourishing Urban Renewal Band in a Christmas spectacular on Sunday, December 14, at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort.

Mrs Pratt and The Tribune have been partners and friends for more than 20 years. Mrs Carron quoted William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night as she expressed how happy she was to be affirming the relationship through the music of Urban Renewal. “If music be the food of love, play on,” she said. “Urban Renewal has been, and continues to be, a force for good and an agent for change in society.”

Mother Pratt deemed the partnership as one that has always benefitted the Bahamas. “There are some kids that can’t afford instruments but want to be a part of this band,” she said. “This effort will do wonders in supplying those kids with these instruments that can change their outlook.”

Together Urban Renewal and The Tribune have touched the lives of more than 45,000 Bahamian children through the annual Santa Claus Christmas Committee, which annually provides Christmas lunches, toys and bicycles; build and refurbished 34 homes in St Cecilia; removed hundreds of derelict cars; and raised more than $1 million for the Adopt-A-Policeman programme to provide officers with necessary bullet-proof vests.

Mr Allen called the partnership “momentous” and “significant”, adding “the power of music brings love, music brings harmony”. “That is what we want to bring with this Christmas event. We want to bring love and harmony through the talents of these wonderful kids,” he said.

Urban Renewal invited the support of other private groups and companies to join the movement of bettering the Bahamas. More details of the Christmas concert will be released soon by The Tribune Media Group, with its five radio stations and daily newspaper.