It was an afternoon of reflection and remembrance, under blue skies and intermittent rainfall, yesterday for the hundreds of people who converged at Spring Gardens Moravian Church and later at St John’s Public Cemetery to pay their respects to media icon and patriot Winston “Mr D” Derrick.

In his first public remarks since the death of his friend Winston Derrick, Dr Errol Cort recalled spending Derrick’s last day on earth with him.

Crowds are expected to turn out today for the thanksgiving service for the man who dared to, and eventually broke, the chains of suppression on broadcast media in Antigua & Barbuda 12 years ago.

As the state gives iconic independent broadcast media pioneer Winston Derrick an official send-off today, police have cautioned that parking will be forbidden in some areas of the city to allow for the funeral procession led by police and the military.

Cabinet has appointed Acting Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Gender Affairs, Winston Williams as chair of the Official Funeral Planning Committee – co-ordinating the official Thanksgiving Service for the life of Co-founder and Chairman of OBSERVER Publications, Winston Derrick.

Captain Jason Forbes, the pilot who was among three killed in the Fly Montserrat crash, will be laid to rest this Friday, November 2, following a service at Spring Gardens Moravian Church.

The funeral for Chaplain of the Senate, Romeo Challenger was held yesterday at Spring Gardens Moravian Church with members of both Houses of Parliament in attendance.

The official funeral of the late Sir James “Bags” Thomas will be held this Friday, December 2, at the Spring Gardens Moravian Church.