The Hollows, Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, circa 1869. Photo courtesy MyHeritage.com.

The history of the Hollows at Queen’s Park Savannah

If you drive too fast you may pass it, as it is below street level. The Hollows sometimes called Rock Garden lies within the sprawling Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, opposite Killarney (formerly Stollmeyer’s Castle), Wild Flower Park and the Emperor Valley Zoo.

Unlike the verdant fields and bustling activity of the Savannah, the Hollows offers a secluded haven, its history as intriguing as its tranquil beauty.

The Savannah itself boasts a rich past, having transformed from sugarcane fields to a public park in the early 19th century. However, the Hollows carves out its own narrative within this larger story. Originally conceived as a reservoir in the early 20th century, it served as a vital source of water for the Savannah’s maintenance.

Construction of the Hollows

The man behind this project was Archbishop Patrick Vincent Flood, the fifth Archbishop of Port-of-Spain. He was also the behind the construction of The Archbishop’s Palace in 1903. Construction of the Hollows began in the same year, and for a period, the Hollows fulfilled its designated role. It was fed by the St Ann’s River, which passed through a channel from the nearby Botanical Gardens.

Wildflower Park was a catchment area for the reservoir’s overflow. But its time as a reservoir was short-lived. The reason for its eventual draining remains unclear, though some speculate that alternative water sources rendered it unnecessary.

With its watery purpose gone, the Hollows entered a new chapter. Instead of reflecting the sky, its basin became a canvas for landscaping. Ornamental shrubs replaced the water, transforming the sunken area into a picturesque garden. This shift not only enhanced the aesthetics of the Savannah but also created a peaceful retreat for visitors seeking respite from the lively atmosphere of the park.

The Hollows stands today as a testament to the Savannah’s evolution. It’s a reminder of the park’s utilitarian past, a time when functionality reigned supreme. Yet, its transformation into a landscaped haven reflects the ongoing beautification efforts that have made the Queen’s Park Savannah a beloved landmark.

Sweet TnT Short Stories

ife in Trinidad and Tobago comes alive in the exciting, entertaining, comical, dramatic, thrilling, mysterious and suspenseful tales in Sweet TnT Short Stories. The novella consists of 34 fictional pieces written by authors from around the twin islands who share narratives with you under the sections Lifestyle, Superstition and Fauna. Created by Culturama Publishing Company, producer of Sweet TnT Magazine from San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago, this book is one of the publications that commemorates the 10th anniversary of the publisher from 2009-2019. US$9.99

A haven for relaxation and reflection

While details about the Hollows’ earliest days are scarce, its current form continues to hold significance. It serves as a valuable green space within the urban environment, offering a haven for relaxation and reflection. The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago even recognises it as a heritage site, acknowledging its contribution to the cultural landscape of Port-of-Spain.

So, the next time you find yourself amidst the vibrant energy of the Queen’s Park Savannah, take a moment to seek out the Hollows. Let its tranquility transport you, and allow its history to whisper tales of a bygone era, when a sunken reservoir bloomed into a verdant sanctuary.

Improve Spelling and Reading Skills (10 books)

AI Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
EA Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
EE Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
EI Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
EY Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
IE Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
OA Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
OO Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
OW Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)
OU Stories (Improve Spelling and Reading Skills)

These fun books of words with rimes that contain digraphs, trigraphs and 4-letter graphemes in many stories are useful for story time, spelling improvement classes, poetry sessions, improving phonological and phonemic awareness, and reading intervention programmes.
These spelling books come in both e-book and paperback formats for your pleasure. They make up a series of fun books that are having a spelling party on the inside.
The 2022 editions are AI Stories, EA Stories, EE Stories, EI Stories, EY Stories, IE Stories, OA Stories, OO Stories, OU Stories and OW Stories. They are all having their own fun with words.

Buy Now

Exploring family history with MyHeritage

The desire to understand our ancestors’ stories is a powerful human urge. MyHeritage, a genealogy website, empowers you to embark on this captivating journey of self-discovery. This article equips you with the knowledge to unlock the secrets of your family history using MyHeritage’s comprehensive suite of services and features.

Building your family tree: The foundation of discovery

MyHeritage’s core functionality lies in constructing your family tree. Begin by adding basic details like names, dates, and locations for your immediate family. The intuitive interface allows you to effortlessly add photos, stories, and even multimedia files to personalise your tree.

Sweet TnT 100 West Indian Recipes

Sweet TnT 100 West Indian Recipes is your kitchen guide to cooking in the Caribbean. Add flavour to your pot and put a smile on everyone’s faces with the right amount of seasonings, spices and stories about the foods you prepare. This cookbook contains 100 tantalising recipes and full colour photographs of home-cooked meals, street foods, treats and drinks that are known in the West Indies for having particular names, ingredients and preparations. The 10 sections are Breads, Fillings, Chutneys and Sauces, Soups, Main Dishes, Salads, Drinks, Desserts, Sweet Snacks and Savoury Snacks. • Kindle – US$4.99 • Paperback – US$29.91

Unlocking hidden connections: Smart Matches™ and Record Matches

MyHeritage goes beyond simply storing information. Its powerful Smart Matches™ technology scans its vast user base, identifying potential matches between your tree and others. This can reveal previously unknown relatives, filling in gaps in your family history.

Furthermore, MyHeritage boasts a massive collection of historical records – census data, immigration documents, and even obituaries. The Record Matches feature scours these records, uncovering documents mentioning your ancestors. These records can be invaluable in fleshing out your family’s timeline and experiences.

DNA testing: Unveiling your genetic makeup (subscription required)

MyHeritage offers DNA testing kits, allowing you to delve deeper into your ancestry. By analysing your DNA, MyHeritage generates an ethnicity estimate, revealing the regions your ancestors originated from. Additionally, DNA matching connects you with individuals who share your genetic heritage, potentially leading to new relatives and ancestral discoveries.

US$20-US$31/hr Remote Virtual Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING) Jan 24

$20-$31/hr Remote Virtual Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING) Jan 24 Browse 48,899 REMOTE VIRTUAL ASSISTANT jobs (US$20-US$31/hr) from companies with openings that are hiring now. Find job postings near you and 1-click apply!

Collaboration is key: Sharing and connecting with others

MyHeritage fosters a collaborative environment. You can share your family tree with trusted relatives, allowing them to contribute information and build upon your research together. Additionally, you can contact potential relatives identified through Smart Matches™ and DNA connections to exchange information and build a more comprehensive picture of your family’s past.

Exploring historical newspapers: A glimpse into the past (subscription required)

MyHeritage offers a vast collection of historical newspapers, some dating back centuries. Imagine unearthing articles mentioning your ancestors – a birth announcement, a wedding notice, or even an obituary. These glimpses into the past can add a captivating layer of detail to your family narrative.

EOS R8 Content Creator Kit

24.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS image sensor
Dual Pixel CMOS AF II
Uncropped 4K movie at up to 60 fps that is oversampled from 6K
Max movie record time of 2 hours
In-camera compositing
2.36 million dots OLED EVF
3.0” 1.62 million dots vari-angle LCD touchscreen
UVC/UAC compatibility for webcam and streaming
Compact and lightweight unidirectional stereo (120°) microphone
Tripod grip with bundled wireless remote control

~~Was US$1,899.99~~ Now US$1,699.99

Buy Now

Preserving your legacy: Sharing stories and memories

MyHeritage goes beyond simply tracing ancestry. It allows you to chronicle your family’s story. You can compose detailed biographies for your ancestors, recounting their achievements and experiences. Adding photos, videos, and even audio recordings further personalises your family history, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

MyHeritage – your gateway to uncovering your family’s story

MyHeritage stands as a powerful tool for anyone seeking to unlock the mysteries of their family history. From building a detailed family tree to uncovering hidden relatives and delving into historical records, MyHeritage empowers you to embark on a captivating journey of self-discovery. So, why wait? Begin your exploration today and uncover the rich tapestry of your family’s past.

Sources: https://nationaltrust.tt/home/

________________________