John Holder receives Barbados Golden Jubilee medal

John Holder receives Barbados Golden Jubilee medal

Local former cricket umpire John Holder received a Golden Jubilee medal marking the 50th anniversary of Barbados’ independence, at a gala dinner at London’s Savoy Hotel.

300 guests were in attendance for the ceremony, which was presented by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, and Sir Garfield Sobers, a former cricketer for the West Indies who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time.

Speaking about his achievement, Mr Holder said: “I feel humbled because I was doing my job because I loved it and wanted to do the best I could. It’s great that people want to recognise it.

“My sisters, my wife and my son are all very proud.

“Members of the Rotary Club of Rochdale [where John is President] have been so supportive of me too and they’re as proud as I am.”

Rochdale Online director John Kay, a former President of the Rochdale Rotary Club said: “John Holder lives cricket. It is great that his contribution to the game for so many years has been recognised in this way.”

The medals were given to recognise 50 people for making a significant difference in Anglo-Barbadian relations and for excelling in their field of employment.

Barbados achieved independence from the UK on 30 November 1966, after being a British colony for 339 years.