Montserrat gives ‘Arrow’ a rousing send off

A member of the Antigua & Barbuda police band plays a tribute to Arrow during the funeral service on Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Montserrat Cultural Centre as His Excellency the Governor Peter Waterworth looks on.

LITTLE BAY Montserrat – Tears were few and merriment much as Montserrat, with visiting family and friends from near and far, bid farewell to the Soca King of the World Alphonsus ‘Arrow’ Cassell MBE on Friday, October 1, 2010.

The estimated 2000 people at the funeral included many dignitaries and entertainers from around the Caribbean. Antigua & Barbuda was well represented with the presence of the Prime Minister Mr. Baldwin Spencer, Minister of Culture, Carnival & Independence Eleston “Namba” Adams, Mr. Vaughn Walters, Chairman of Antigua’s Carnival,others like long-time business partner and friend John E Wyke of Johnnie’s Mecca Fashions recalled the support that he received when he became an entrepreneur. Wyke recounted during the tribute segment that he and Arrow were never competitors but rather Arrow offered advice and ideas to help him build his business. It went even further as both men would share hotel rooms and shipping as they built their burgeoning enterprises.

More than 10 radio stations throughout the Caribbean and in the United States carried the service live. Hundreds of others tuned into the live television and radio broadcasts which were streamed by the Government of Montserrat’s IT team.

Following the service, 300 specially invited guests were driven by bus to the private burial ceremony of the Soca King at his