Saturday 28th October 2007 was an important and significant date in the history of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons for two reasons. The first was a celebration of twelve years of steady and successful growth since its inception in October 1995 and the second was the official opening of the new BARP building at Collymore Rock, St. Michael.
In her opening address, current BARP President Kathleen Drayton welcomed those present, who included a number of the Association’s founding members, past Presidents and directors. Thanks and acknowledgements were given not only for the vision and imagination that they had brought over the years,
but also for their great administrative and management skills, and their commitment to the work of the Association. The President also gave thanks for the immeasurable contributions of those sadly no longer with us, including Branston Collymore and Evan Mandeville.
Also thanked, were all those whose expertise, advice, guidance and assistance, freely given, had enabled BARP to purchase and convert the once dilapidated buildings at Collymore Rock into a spacious and comfortable office complex befitting the ever growing size and stature of the Association. Singled out for special appreciation were architect Erskine Rose and project manager Jim Hall.
The President went on to highlight how the dramatic changes in society over the last 50 years have resulted in a shift in demographics, such that we now have an ageing society unlike any other time in our history. She expressed her concern that material changes have been accompanied by a dangerous decline in respect and reverence for life, and that older persons have lagged behind younger persons in receiving the economic benefits conferred by social progress.
Of the many problems affecting elderly persons, the President drew attention in particular to small incomes which cannot cope with the high cost of living; inadequate housing, with cases of persons living without running water or indoor toilets; and inadequate provision for free or subsidized health care with examples of members whose assets had to be liquidated to pay for health care for themselves or relatives.
Looking to the future, Kathleen Drayton talked of the need to transform Barbadian society into one which enables all persons to live with a sense of security and well being; which permits us to continue functioning at the highest cognitive and physical levels for as long as we can, and which recognises and continues to use the considerable knowledge, skills and expertise we have accumulated over the years. As for BARP itself, in the coming years it must devote its energies to working to redress the inequalities which older persons suffer, and in so doing, hopefully create a society with greater social justice for all.
Former BARP President Ian Archer then took to the podium
to remind those assembled of the history of the Association, from its incorporation in October 1995 as a non-profit organization, to its current status as a major advocate for those aged 50 and over. Much of the credit for the idea of establishing the Association in the first place was given to Sir Carlisle Burton, who had been inspired in his thinking in the mid 1990s by a similar organisation which existed in Trinidad and Tobago. Initially, a Steering Committee was formed which eventually led to the launch of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons which we know today.
From its humble beginnings with just 179 members and two standing committees, former President Ian Archer proudly pointed out that the Association now boasts well over 15,000 members and some 13 sub-committees; an active Personal Assistance Fund and Medical Assistance Scheme, and member concessions available at over 430 business establishments island wide. He then drew attention to what he called the remarkable achievement of BARP’s total expenditure never having exceeded its total income in any year since inception. 
As a result, the accumulated surpluses at 31st March, 2007 totaled just over $2 million, with total assets of $3.4 million being shown on the most recent audited Financial Statements.
On that positive note, Sir Carlisle Burton was then invited to unveil the plaque and declare the BARP building officially open. Entertainment provided by Lauretta Hackett, and Lionel and Phylis Clarke, was then followed by refreshments and a tour of the building.