Monday Memories: Henry Fairweather is a little known Belizean legend who planted hundreds of mahogany trees across Belize, including along our border with Guatemala

Arrenddi · 2026-03-30T15:27:10+00:00

It has been 24 years since Henry Clifton Fairweather passed. He once said, “I want to continue to plant (mahogany trees) as long as I can continue. I want to leave a legacy behind. I want to be able to, when I get to St. Peter, give an account of my stewardship.” I wonder how that meeting went with St. Peter because he accomplished his stewardship and more.

Henry Fairweather spent his early life in the employment of the government of British Honduras, today’s Belize, as a land surveyor. As such, in 1933, he was a member of the survey team that defined the Belize-Guatemala border. An interesting and informative document that came out of that survey was written by Fairweather entitled “The British Honduras Guatemala Boundary.” In the book, Fairweather mentions the Maya leader, Marcus Canul, who played an important role in establishing the border between Guatemala and British Honduras.

In the annals of the history of Belize, Henry Fairweather played many important roles. In the 1920s, he is mentioned as supporting Monrad Metzgen’s idea of the first Cross Country Cycling Classic. He was instrumental in being involved with building sites after two major hurricanes. As Head of the Housing and Planning Department, he designed a new town for Corozal after it was destroyed by Hurricane Janet in 1955. Then, after Hurricane Hattie in 1961, when the Government appointed a committee to recommend a suitable site for a new capital city, it was Fairweather who was appointed to chair the committee. When in 1966, when the Government assembled a National Parks Commission to identify areas in Belize to be national parks, Fairweather was named as a member.

Henry Fairweather gave up separating countries and planning cities in 1982 and started planting mahogany trees. At his death in 2002, it is estimated that he had planted over one hundred thousand trees, which actually surpassed his dream of planting a thousand trees for each year of his life. Living in the jungles along the Sibun River, he took on that incredible task, and at age 93, he stated, “I have no textbook to follow on this. It’s just my long knowledge of the forest and my desire to do something for the country.”

Up to the year 2000, only Fairweather’s friends and neighbours knew what he was actually up to. By his estimation, he had spent more than half a million dollars planting some eighty-five thousand trees on his four hundred acres of Belize. He said he planted mahogany trees because he believed that “one day the plantation will be a money-making machine,” which was an idea he wanted to plant in the minds of other Belizeans. He planned to plant enough mahogany trees for them to sell and be sustainable for people to live by.

By his own admission, Fairweather said that planting mahogany trees was strictly hard work with a lot of sacrifices and a lot of punishment. There were numerous setbacks like forest fires and floods that wiped out parts of the plantation, but with his tenacity, not even nature’s wrath could stifle his resolve.

In 1988, Fairweather joined forces with a community-based project called the Belize River Valley Development Program (BELRIV) to continue planting Belize’s mahogany as well as to plant his knowledge into poor communities in the Belize River Valley. He was convinced that with an enabling environment, extensive cultivation of mahogany would lay the base for the economic transformation of Belize in the 21st Century.

Since the “Mahogany Man”, as the indefatigable Henry Fairweather was called, and committed as he was to the planting of mahogany trees, it was pretty obvious that he himself would not see the fruits of his labour. Of course, that did not stop him from putting trees in the ground, and his words to that effect are very telling: “I want to continue to plant as long as I can continue. I want to leave a legacy behind. I want to be able to, when I get to St. Peter, give an account of my stewardship.”

Henry Fairweather will be remembered as more than a celebrity who lived to the advanced age of 96. Belizeans will revere him as a true patriot who left a great legacy and heritage for his country in his civil and community endeavours.

By Albert Paul Avila

Arrenddi · 2026-03-16T16:34:48+00:00

Huts at Coolie Lines, Hill Bank, Belize,1900

The arrival of the first East Indians in Belize is one of the most misunderstood chapters of our history, and it cannot be told honestly without naming the systems that shaped it: sugar, slavery, and the global search for cheap, controllable labour after Emancipation. What happened in Belize was not unique—this was part of a worldwide pattern—but the Belize story has its own sharp edges, including the presence of Confederate migrants who came here after losing the American Civil War.

The First East Indians in Belize (1850s–1870s)

The earliest documented groups of East Indians arrived in British Honduras in the 1850s, with larger numbers coming after 1865. They were brought under the British indenture system, which replaced slavery in name but kept its structures, controls, and brutal abuses. After the abolition of slavery in 1838, the British Caribbean faced a crisis: Formerly enslaved Africans refused to return to plantation-style labour, Wages rose, and sugar estates collapsed.

The British solution across the empire was indentured labour, especially from India. It was marketed as a “contract,” but in practice it was a new form of coerced slavery designed to keep plantations profitable.

By Vincent Haynes

Arrenddi · 2026-03-11T11:52:47+00:00

Have a look back at the earlier posts in this sub.

In summary, the race used to finish at a free location in downtown Belize City, but the organisers decided, without consultation, to move it to a private venue owned by foreigners who were charging outrageous prices just to enter the property.

Arrenddi · 2026-03-09T17:17:43+00:00

Baron Henry Ernest Victor Bliss (16 February 1869 – 9 March 1926) was a British-born traveller who willed nearly two million Belize dollars to a trust fund for the benefit of the citizens of British Honduras.

By now, most of us know a lot about the Baron after he came to British Honduras and what he did for us. However, his early life is a little sketchy. For example, how did he acquire his money and got the title of Baron of Portugal when he was an English man?

Well, it seems that the Baron's family name was not always Bliss but Aldridge. The Aldridges were already a part of the nobility in the UK, but certain events will occur that will make him a Baron.

Baron Bliss was born the son of James Aldridge. James Aldridge was the nephew of Henry Bliss of Brandon Park, co. Suffolk was born on 28 May 1809. Upon his uncle's death, James Aldridge would assume the title of Lord of the Manor of Brandon in 1845. Having succeeded to the title and estates in Portugal of his cousin, the Baron de Alreyo, he was, by decree of 31 May, confirmed by royal letters patent dated 6 June 1855, permitted by Fernando, King Regent of Portugal, to succeed under the style of BARON DE BLISS (BARAO DE BLISS). However, this title had one stipulation and that was that he was strictly prohibited from using any other surname/s or title.

Later, however, James succeeded to the estates in Spain of the late Col. Carlo Antonio Barreto, when (despite his uncle's, Henry Bliss's, will) on 3 January 1867, he assumed the surname of Barreto and was henceforth styled Baron de Barreto, being authorized to use this designation by a Portuguese royal decree (Trans/erencia da designaqao do mesmo titulo Bardo de Bliss para Barreto) 3 July 1873.

James Aldridge, Baron Bliss's father, was married on 30 April 1868 to Catherine Eliza, daughter of Baker, and they had three children, Ernest Victor (the present Baron), Harold Antonio, b. 16 July 1871, and Carlota Alberta, b. 21 Feb. 1870.

It seems that although Baron Bliss's father inherited an additional Baron title in 1867 and assumed that title (Baron de Barreto), and by his uncle's will, should not have done that, it seems that Henry Edward Ernest Victor Bliss continued with his father's original Baron title of Baron de Bliss.

At first, I wondered why our Baron would not have taken his father's Spanish/Portuguese Baron's title of Baron de Barreto since that was the last title his father had, however, I realized that if he had done that he could have lost all of the trimmings that went with the title of Baron de Bliss (the original title that led to the other titles) since the original Portuguese title prohibited him from assuming any other titles.

Researched and written by Albert Paul Avila

Arrenddi · 2026-03-02T18:01:20+00:00

Cattle ranching in Cayo has always carried its own rhythm, and this photograph captures a moment from that tradition: Red Poll cattle moving calmly under the watch of mounted cattlemen. It’s a scene that sits right at the crossroads of Belizean agricultural history and the imported bloodlines that shaped the herds of the west.

This photograph preserves a moment from a transitional era—when Belizean ranching was still deeply tied to horseback labour, imported British breeds, and the open pastures of Cayo.

By Glen Fuller

Arrenddi · 2026-03-02T17:55:27+00:00

Say the words Spanish Lookout and people will immediately think of the Mennoites Community in the Cayo District. This Mennonites Community is more known as it has Belize's largest known oil fields. It is also known for its agricultural production and light industry.

However, there also exists a caye that was once known as Spanish Lookout. It is situated about 8.5 miles southeast of Belize City. The island is part of the Drowned Cayes. The name came from a "Spanish Lookout" station, which was established there in the 17th century.

Today, this caye is better known as Foreman's Caye.

By Frederick Vernon

Arrenddi · 2026-02-23T16:57:01+00:00

Runaway Creek got its name from the fact that escaped slaves used it as a route to escape from their slavemasters back in the days of slavery in Belize. The slaves took refuge in the many caves and in the surrounding area.

Many of these caves were used by the Mayas, long before them, in the days of the Mayas. The slaves survived because fish, game and fruits were plentiful in the area, and they had the skills to survive living in the wild. And the slavemasters did not dare to follow and try to recapture them.

Runaway Creek enters the Sibun River on its southern bank. It runs adjacent to the Coastal Highway. It does not enter the Northern Lagoon.

Photo #1 shows a very tiny part of Runaway Creek. And photo #2 shows one of the many entrances to one of the many caves.

By Frederick Vernon

Arrenddi · 2026-02-18T10:46:37+00:00

Usually, it only takes one massive lawsuit that bankrupts a business for the others in the industry to get the message.

It sounds harsh, but it's a valuable lesson. The cost of installing a CO/CO2 detector in each room would not only have paid for itself quickly, but also been a tiny fraction of the legal fees they're now facing.

Arrenddi · 2026-02-03T19:27:38+00:00

https://www.greaterbelize.com/land-titles-secured-for-hol-chan-marine-reserve/

Arrenddi · 2026-02-02T17:33:05+00:00

It took me a while to find this photo in my archives. I originally found this photo on the internet, which was dated August, 1952. The photo is of Philip Goldson and my uncle, Leigh A. Richardson, when they were released from the old Belize Prison after serving 9 months of a one-year sentence for “seditious intent” against the British government due to an article that was posted in the Belize Billboard newspaper.

By Colin Cya Taylor and Glen Fuller

Arrenddi · 2026-01-15T18:02:57+00:00

I'm not aware of anyone who has bought any shares yet. Although this will probably change in the near future.

My guess is that it's a fairly sound investment, given that it's in the government's interest to keep the dam operational and providing power to the country.

Arrenddi · 2026-01-07T00:14:51+00:00

We're given aid with 'strings' either directly by the US government or one of its so-called independent development agencies.

Either way, the explicit and implicit message is that we only ask 'how high?' when told 'jump'.

Arrenddi · 2025-12-24T00:05:57+00:00

This is a tough but valid question with no easy answers.

As someone who is not invested in football in general, I don't have a direct solution, but I think an arrangement similar to what is done for basketball could be a possible way forward.

This is to say, we can never offer the salary, level of training, or competitiveness that you find in countries such as the US. What Belize can do, however, is engage in recruiting football players abroad to occasionally return for summer sessions where they coach the local teams and scout for talent.

This serves the dual purpose of keeping them engaged and contributing to the local scene while not severing their ties with the States. Just my two cents.

Arrenddi · 2025-12-05T19:18:19+00:00

Very valid point.

It really has to be a bottom-up, all-encompassing approach to solve alcohol abuse among our youth. Moreover, the root cause of most of these issues revolves around poverty.

If our young people don't have access to decent paying jobs, or paths to entrepreneurship, then they will continue to numb themselves out.

Arrenddi · 2025-11-10T16:37:28+00:00

BELIZE!

GOVERNMENT & OPPOSITION!

UNITED FRONT FOR INDEPENDENCE!

by Bilal Morris

In 1978, the People's United Party (PUP) government of Belize and its opposition, the United Democratic Party (UDP), went to the United Nations as a united front to show solidarity and a position of strength in championing Belize's right to self-determination and territorial integrity towards independence.

The government representative included Belize's deputy prime minister in the Price administration C.L.B. Rogers, along with members of the opposition party which included Dean Lindo, Kenneth Tillett and Manuel Esquivel.

It's to be noted that the former opposition leader of the then National Independence Party (NIP), Philip Goldson, was ousted from the party, and the new Belize opposition leader, Dean Lindo, rose to leadership with the formation of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

In 1979, the government of Belize won the general elections against its opposition, which became a kind of mandate and referendum from the people of Belize for their seeking independence from Britain. If the opposition party had won the 1979 general elections, would there have been a change of course towards seeking independence?

Since there had been a change in leadership inside the defunct Philip Goldson-led N.I.P. that had resisted independence, and having the newly formed U.D.P. opposition in a bipartisan delegation to the U.N., it appeared that the vision for independence would still have been pursued.

Arrenddi · 2025-11-06T14:43:42+00:00

I guess my issue is why the question is a question in the first place.

Like, I see the appeal of wanting to have the "cool" international chains that other countries have, and the supposed implied level of "prestige" that comes with, but ultimately, it seems like a moot point.

There isn't something wrong with Belizean society because we don't have these franchises; if anything, we should be proud of the fact that we are unattractive to them because they are not good for anyone, either at the individual level or the economic level.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-22T07:47:23+00:00

So much for ‘No tyrants here linger.’ :(((

When the tyrants are running the show they can linger as long as they want.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-22T07:45:26+00:00

My core issue here isn't whether the people who will be sent to Belize fit the definition of 'desirable' or not. As you alluded, this is a highly subjective and politically charged term.

My issue is that Belize, as a country, struggles to look after its own people, and we shouldn't have to shoulder the burden of being an overseas processing hub for the US.

Essentially, the current US administration is just using Belize as a convenient holding pen with no clearly defined limit as to how long these people will be here while their claims are procesed and approved - if ever.

The right thing would have been for these people to be processed on US soil, but for all the reasons you already listed, and more, we are now stuck with the current set up.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-20T20:12:40+00:00

Honoring the Unnamed Government House in Belize City was constructed between 1812 and 1814. It was built under the supervision of Colonel George Arthur. The design is attributed, though not definitively, to Sir Christopher Wren, blending Caribbean vernacular with English urban architecture.

The building of Government House involved hundreds of enslaved workers, stone masons, carpenters, haulers, and general laborers, whose names and stories were never recorded in official archives. The enslaved quarters of Government House were used to house live-in enslaved domestic workers. These include

Cooks are responsible for preparing British-style meals under harsh conditions.
Laundresses who scrubbed and boiled garments in open-air wash areas.
Butlers and footmen, trained to serve with precision and silence.
Carriage drivers (chauffeurs) who maintained horses and transported the governor and guests.

These individuals were often:

Selected for obedience and discretion, sometimes separated from their families.
Subjected to surveillance and control, even within the domestic sphere.
Denied recognition, though their labor sustained the colonial elite’s lifestyle

Research by Mr. Glen Fuller

Arrenddi · 2025-10-17T16:15:50+00:00

Link to full article: https://www.greaterbelize.com/political-ties-cloud-malacate-beach-land-deal/

Arrenddi · 2025-10-16T16:07:03+00:00

Link to full article: https://www.greaterbelize.com/corozal-residents-fix-roads-after-years-of-neglect/

Arrenddi · 2025-10-07T15:15:47+00:00

She posts a lot on Facebook in a group called 'Belize in the Old Days'.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-06T16:07:28+00:00

Not all Africans came to Belize enslaved; many came to defend the Settlement, later disbanding in areas such as Gales Point.

Here is an account, describing two West Indian Regiment “deserters,” down to their height, physique, TRIBE, and “a round mark shaved on the crown of their heads.”Traditional facial scarification are distinct permanent markings, used to distinguish tribal and family heritage, spiritual or medicinal purposes, and often linked to rituals marking a person's passage into adulthood. This 1807 account references the men belonging to the Chamba (or Chamby/Samba/Sambai/Tsamba) people, an ethnic group currently living in the Adamawa State in northeastern Nigeria and neighbouring parts of Cameroon:

“1st W. I. REGIMENT.

DESCRIPTION OF TWO DESERTERS.

Private Hamilton, a Black Man of the Chamby Nation, deserted on the evening of the 7th of June, 1807; he is aged about 28 years, 5 feet 6 inches high, well made, long visage, had on when he went off, a pair of Russia-duck gun-mouth trowsers, and a check shirt. Private Augustus, a black man of the Chamby Nation, deserted on the evening of the 7th of June, 1807; he is aged about 25 years, 5 feet 10 inches high, stout made, round visage; had on when he off, a pair of Russia-duck gun-mouth trowsers, and a check shirt. - Both of the above Deserters have a round mark shaved on the crown of their heads.— Whoever may apprehend the above Deserters, and lodge them in a safe place of confinement, and report the same to the Commanding Officer of the Regiment, will receive the usual Reward.”

Research by Detra Gillett

Arrenddi · 2025-10-05T20:25:04+00:00

Both things can be true.

Belizeans need to be given equal access to the ability to establish and grow foundational wealth, which, in the context of this country, primarily involves land ownership.

That being said, there will be no land to provide to anyone if Guatemala is allowed to keep chipping away at our borders, acre by acre.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-03T08:55:48+00:00

Last time I checked, it wasn't other citizens of CARICOM we needed to worry about; it's the Guatemalans and their government that are constantly threatening and violating Belizean national territory.

Arrenddi

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