MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Residents of this south central town and the wider parish joined with Jamaicans everywhere in celebrating Emancipation Day (August 1) and Independence Day (August 6).

Activities included a Parish Emancipation Thanksgiving Service, Jamaica Day and Emancipation Extravaganza, a Parish Emancipation Vigil, an Independence Flag-raising, Parade of Uniformed Groups and an Independence Gala and Stage Show.

The activities were an opportunity not only to reflect on the past but to think pointedly about the present and future.

Mandeville Mayor Brenda Ramsay, in presenting Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s Independence message, said that individuals must take responsibility and be accountable for their actions for Jamaica to progress.

“It is only when we truly internalise the view that ‘This is Jamaica, My Jamaica’ that we can give our all to this rock. We have to unite for a common purpose. We must have a sense that we are indeed stakeholders. ‘This is Jamaica, My Jamaica’ means that in the face of our most severe drought in recent memory we must take personal responsibility for conserving water. We must make the necessary sacrifices…,” she said.

Messages from the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Opposition Leader Andrew Holness were read respectively by Custos of Manchester Sally Porteous and Jackie Charlton-Stephenson, daughter of former Mayor Cecil Charlton.

Here are pictorial highlights.

(PHOTOS: GREGORY BENNNETT)