Friends of the Georgian Society of Jamaica

The History of the FGSJ

In the way that these things so often happen, the Friends of the Georgian Society of Jamaica (FGSJ) came to be formed largely as a result of chance meetings.

These occurred in Jamaica in the early 1990s between the President of the Georgian Society of Jamaica (GSJ), and two visitors from Britain, one English, the other Jamaican, who were to become instrumental in bringing about the establishment of the Society. As a consequence, the FGSJ became a reality and was formally launched in London in October, 1993.

The current Trustees are:
Patsy Robertson (Chairman)
Stephen Porter (Secretary)
Faye Watson (Treasurer)
Gordon Baker
Douglas Blain
Dennis Doble
Jane Flower
Theo Holland
Andy Lindo
P J MacDonald
Felicia Pheasant
John Pheasant

Newsletter

The first newsletter, entitled Georgian Jamaica, Volume 1, No. 1, went out in November, 1993 to those who attended the launch, and to others who were thought to be interested, accompanied by an application form for membership. The newsletter has been sent out regularly since.

FGSJ Inaugural

The FGSJ was inaugurated at a meeting held on 25th January, 1994 at the Irish Club in Eaton Square. Dr. Pamela Beshoff was elected Chairman, Dr. Victor Page, Vice-Chairman and Mr. Anthony Moulton-Barrett Treasurer. Douglas Blain, an early enthusiastic supporter of the idea of the FGSJ, gave a talk on 'Falmouth - a Georgian town in peril', an indication of the group's interest in Falmouth which has continued.

The well-known artist, Jamaican-born Eve Foster, offered to allow one of her paintings to be used as a Christmas card that year and an FGSJ tradition was born, as Eve Foster has continued to be generous with the use of her paintings on FGSJ cards.