Radio Bimshire Presents

Ambassador David Comissiong, noted pan-Africanist writer, thinker, and diplomat, explores the complex history of slavery, colonialism and compensation in a five-part series based on his lecture for the National Library Service. He presents a comprehensive legal and moral case for reparations, tracing the journey from the transatlantic slave trade to the modern-day CARICOM movement. He argues that...

Welcome to Radio Bimshire's new oral history and cultural heritage strand, This Barbadian Life - real voices, true stories, only in Barbados. Listen to intimate, surprising and memorable stories of the people, places and things that shape Barbados. New episodes are available here each week, beginning Wednesday January 14, and all day, every day on Radio Bimshire .

A Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols from Barbados, with radiant choral music, timeless readings and organ favourites for Christmas Day. Recorded at St Cyprian’s and St Barnabas Anglican Churches between 2022 and 2025, The Myriad Singers of Barbados are directed by Jerome Clarke, with Artistic Director and organist John Bryan and a prelude for organ and flute from Nathan Richards (flute). Fo...

In a special November presentation, we unearth this short story gem from Timothy Callender, written for a special publication he created to celebrate Barbados' 21st anniversary of Independence. Step into the world of Grandfather Willie, a World War Two veteran, on Remembrance Day. He recounts his extraordinary (and perhaps exaggerated) encounters with Mr Hitler and the "Notsees" (Naz...

We conclude our four-part miniseries of stories from Timothy Callender, as read by Alfred Pragnell. In this final episode, "The Boyfriends," we return to St. Victoria village. Imagine a young woman caught between two very different suitors, watchful grandparents, and a village that always has something to say. Enjoy this story full of wit, warmth, and humor. Discover more of Timothy Callender's wo...

In the third episode in our Timothy Callender series, read by Alfred Pragnell, we return to St. Victoria village for "I Done Attending Parties," a lively tale capturing a Barbadian Saturday night. Discover what makes a man swear off parties for good in this unforgettable story from Barbadian Short Stories .

"Red Letter Day" by Dorothy Lovell, masterfully read by Alfred Pragnell, is an insightful 1967 story delves into Maxine's journey following unexpected news, exploring themes of betrayal, grief, and the transformative path to a new beginning. It offers a touching reflection on how love can manifest itself in the most surprising and unexpected ways. The collection “This Land is Mine: B...

In this second episode of the stories of Timothy Callender to mark his death at age 43 on October 12, 1989, reader Alfred Pragnell invites you into the home of Agnes for "A Surprise for Agnes." This poignant story explores the intricate bonds and tensions that tie families together across generations, as Agnes faces a revelation she never expected. With rich dialogue and unforgettable ch...

Immerse yourself in "The Blue Blue Sea" by Dorothy Lovell. This evocative and beautifully crafted story, read by Alfred Pragnell and first aired on July 16, 1969 (the historic day of the Apollo 11 launch!), follows 16-year-old Janice as she navigates chance encounters that profoundly alter her perception of the world around her. The collection “This Land is Mine: Barbadian Short Stories”...

Off The Shelf begins a four-part series celebrating the stories of Timothy Callender, performed by the masterful Alfred Pragnell. Callender, a beloved Barbadian storyteller, artist, and musician who died at October 12, 1989 aged 43, captured the essence of village life with his witty and moving depictions. Alfred Pragnell reads "Peace and Love," a powerful portrait of a community grappli...

"The Shoe" is a captivating mystery by Dorothy Lovell, featuring a young girl who makes a strange and unsettling discovery. Read by Alfred Pragnell, this 1967 broadcast skillfully incorporates elements of Barbadian obeah, bringing a touch of local folklore to the narrative, a particular gift from Dorothy Lovell’s stories. The episode highlights the recent rediscovery and renewed interest...

The fifth and final episode in our miniseries of live recordings from CARIFESTA XV in 2025 features an excerpt from Timothy Callender’s masterful collection, It So Happen , read by Cherie Jones. Callender, a giant of Barbadian short story writing, captured the voices and rhythms of everyday life with wit, warmth, and sharp insight. Discover  “It So Happen” and more literary treasures by Timothy Ca...

Time to pull from off the shelf the work of a little known Barbadian author, Dorothy Lovell, whose short stories were published in a collection shortly before her death in 2021 at age 89. This episode features a recently discovered 1967 recording by Alfred Pragnell, who brings to life Lovell’s "This Land is Mine" – a moving tale of Ruben and his profound connection to the land he has cul...

The fourth and penultimate episode in our series of live recordings from CARIFESTA XV in 2025. This episode features Frank Collymore’s celebrated poem, "Lesson for the Day," performed by Kerry Belgrave. Collymore, a literary giant and mentor to many, exemplifies gentle reflection and keen observation in his work. Discover this and more literary treasures at The National Library Service.

We continue a series of performances at CARIFESTA XV in 2025 where today’s authors explored essential works of Barbadian literature. Among them, George Lamming’s classic, In the Castle of My Skin . This excerpt, from what many consider the Great Barbadian Novel, is read by award-winning writer Karen Lord. Explore this and many more literary treasures at The National Library Service.

This episode features an excerpt from Brown Girl, Brownstones , the debut novel of Paule Marshall. Born to Barbadian parents in New York, Marshall’s groundbreaking 1959 novel explores themes of migration, belonging, and identity. This excerpt was read by Heather Barker, recorded live at CARIFESTA XV in 2025. Find Paule Marshall's novels at the National Library Service.

Off The Shelf - a new series of readings of Barbadian writing - begins with a miniseries of performances recorded live at CARIFESTA XV in 2025 by contemporary Barbadian writers reading from classic Bajan authors. Hear "We Country" by Bruce St. John, performed by Kenneth "Jack" Lewis and Winston Farrell. Discover the works of Bruce St. John in his anthology, Bumbatuk: Poems in B...

As full emancipation approached in 1838, the fight for true freedom intensified. Join Dr. Henderson Carter as he recounts the compensation meetings at Apes Hill, where 400 apprentices demanded land, money, and their homes. This episode also covers riots at Belleplaine and Walkers, St Andrew, and acts of defiance challenging planters, revealing the unwavering spirit of resistance. Recommended readi...

Explore two remarkable moments of rebellion as the end of slavery loomed. In this episode of "Sounds of Freedom," Dr. Henderson Carter details the uprisings that occurred during the Great Hurricane of 1831 and the 1834 New Year's Day conspiracy. Discover how enslaved people seized opportunities for resistance amidst chaos and imminent change.

Uncover the layers of resistance hidden within a slave song from the 1760s. Historian Dr. Henderson Carter explores the deeper meanings behind "Massa buy me, he wouldn't kill me all," a song now listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. This episode also delves into Joseph Griffith's 1823 plot, showcasing the constant and creative ways enslaved people fought for their freedom.

Dive into the heart of Barbadian resistance in "Sounds of Freedom." This episode unveils the little-known story of Tony, a man whose extraordinary courage during slavery became a symbol of defiance. Featuring insights from Ambassador David Comissiong, explore the 1675 conspiracy and Tony's unwavering spirit against oppression. Discover how his words echoed through generations, reminding us that th...

In this episode, hear Edward Kamau Brathwaite’s tribute to Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén. Recorded in 1976, this poem reflects on the shared Black Atlantic experience and the struggle for cultural affirmation. Brathwaite honors Guillén as a fellow warrior in the fight for social justice, celebrating the power of poetry and solidarity across the diaspora.

Edward Kamau Brathwaite reads“Cane” from Islands . This stirring reflection on the role of sugar cane in Caribbean history explores the journey from bondage to freedom. “Cane” symbolises both suffering and survival, reminding us of the resilience that led to liberation.

Hear Edward Kamau Brathwaite read three powerful poems: “Mammon,” “Unrighteousness of Mammon,” and “Naming.” Drawn from The Arrivants , these poems confront the legacy of colonialism and the power of language to reclaim identity. Explore themes of profit, memory, and the redemptive power of naming in African traditions.

Continue the journey with Edward Kamau Brathwaite as he reads two poems from his collection Islands , recorded in 1973. "Pebbles & Islands" and "Coral" delve into the Caribbean experience—fragmentation, memory, and the search for unity. Brathwaite uses imagery of islands and coral reefs to reflect on shared heritage and resilience.