#galleryyuhself/recollections of Neil Guiseppi

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Galleryyuhself - A rousing tribute to the late (Auntie) Hazel Ward Redman by her fellow colleague Neil Giuseppi.

Image of Morris Connor Pianist and co host to Auntie Hazel Ward at (far left)

HAZEL WARD-REDMAN

This morning I am presenting a biographical sketch of one of the greatest women I have ever known.Apart from my mother, Undine Giuseppi, I cannot think of any professional woman who has had a greater impact on my life than Hazel Ward-Redman.Hazel was the consummate professional. She insisted on excellence in everything that she did.

From the time I joined television I watched her every move, intent on learning whatever I could from this very talented woman.Hazel was one of the pioneers of ttt, (Trinidad and Tobago Television) which she joined in 1962 prior to the launch of the station. She had previously worked at Radio Trinidad.She was born Hazel Avion Wilson on July 20th, 1935, at Number 8 Fonrose Street in San Fernando. She was the daughter of Austin and Valentine Wilson and was one of nine children.Hazel’s primary education was at the Coffee Street E.C. School. She then attended St. Joseph’s Convent in San Fernando.

On graduating she taught at the Convent for a short while before venturing into the field of broadcasting. She became a Radio Announcer with the Voice of Rediffusion. From there she moved to Radio Trinidad where she produced and presented a number of programmes, mainly dealing with women’s issues.But being a radio presenter was not to be the eventual  role she was destined to play.And so it was that when a new dawn was emerging over an independent Trinidad and Tobago in 1962, Hazel Ward-Redman was one of a team of pioneers who braved the uncharted waters to launch ttt, an institution which over the next 43 years was to play an integral part in the development of Trinidad and Tobago and which was instrumental in moulding the lives of each and every one of us.Aunty Hazel, as she became known to all, was an almost larger-than-life figure on our television screens for most of those years.Her cultural programmes like “12 and Under” and “Teen Talent” and her magazine programmes like “Mainly for Women,” “Centre Stage” and “Not for Women Only” set standards of excellence that television producers and presenters today would do well to emulate.Strange though it may seem, few people remember that she was the first Weather Anchor at ttt, a position she handled with the same flair and professionalism she did on all her other television programmes.

Image of Morris Connor Pianist and co host to Auntie Hazel Ward at (far left) a young entertainer on her Twelve and Under Show, Auntie Hazel herself and her co-host Richard Pierre.

But Aunty Hazel was more than merely a Producer and Presenter of Television programmes.She was a teacher and mentor to thousands of young people whose lives she influenced positively. She was a guiding light when all around seemed dark and hopeless. While at ttt she got the opportunity to be trained at the B.B.C. in London.The story of how that came about is quite interesting and speaks volumes to the high regard in which she was held at all levels of the society.She related to her sisters that one day, while at work, she received a telephone call from the-then Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams.“What can I do to help you?” was the question posed by Dr. Williams.Hazel immediately thought that this was a great opportunity for her to get the much-needed funding and support that was required for the children’s programmes she was producing at the time and she began to outline the areas that wanted the greatest assistance.“That’s not what I meant,” interjected Dr. Williams in his usual abrupt manner. “What can I do to help you personally?”Hazel could not believe what she was hearing and immediately told the Prime Minister that her greatest dream had always been to receive professional training at the B.B.C. in London.

Shortly afterwards, her dream came to pass, thanks to Dr. Williams.She received many awards during her lifetime.These include the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) in the sphere of Culture…. the National Women’s Action Committee Award for outstanding contribution to the development of Women in the Arts… the San Fernando City Council Award for her contributions in Arts and Entertainment… the Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association Award for Media Excellence… and the Vanguard Award from the National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago.Hazel had a deep religious faith and whenever in Port of Spain she ensured that she attended service at the All Saints Anglican Church.Her love of Almighty God was uncompromising.Although she had none of her own, Hazel loved children and devoted her life to creating opportunities for the nation’s youth.She was also very family-oriented and took great pain to ensure that her brothers and sisters remained a close-knit unit at all times. She also took great interest in her nieces and nephews, particularly those who were involved in the arts.She was a loving and committed wife. In the last few years until his death in 2012 she devoted herself to caring for her husband, Archie, during his illness.

She was always impeccably dressed in public, as most of us knew.What we perhaps did not know was that this emphasis on dressing properly extended even to the confines of her own home.Her niece, Gillian, who lived with her for some time, recalls that she was always amazed that whenever Hazel came home, she would never put on a T Shirt and shorts as most of us are wont to do but instead would change into some elegant wear, a Meiling creation perhaps.This prompted Gillian to remark one day in true local parlance, “But like this woman ent have no home clothes or what.”But this was the woman, Hazel Ward-Redman. She maintained the highest standards in all aspects of her life at all times.I knew Hazel even before I joined ttt in 1971.My parents were very friendly with Wilton Hercules and his wife, Ena. Ena was Hazel’s elder sister. Uncle Will was my Godfather while Aunt Ena was my sister’s Godmother. The two families were very close. When I joined ttt, she always took a keen interest in my career and would always be willing to provide advice and assistance whenever she could. She was also never afraid to pull me up when she thought I had done something wrong.I remember in 1979, after the coup in Grenada, I had succeeded in obtaining an exclusive telephone interview with Maurice Bishop, one of the leaders of the insurrection.The day after the interview was aired, Hazel stormed into the Newsroom and although she congratulated me on scooping the other media and conducting what she thought was a very good interview, she chided me for calling him Maurice and not Mr. Bishop.“You must understand,” she said, “that although you know him personally, you must realise that he is now the Head of the Government of Grenada and must be treated with the dignity and respect that that office demands.”I have never forgotten that lesson.                                                                                                                           

That was the type of person that Hazel Ward-Redman always was. She gave everyone the respect that they deserved.And she handled everything she did with class. I remember at a function at which both she and I were present, a slightly intoxicated individual attempted to make a pass at her. I was actually sorry for the poor individual when she had finished with him. And she never raised her voice; she never used any language of which she would be ashamed. It was a truly classy put down. I always admired that about her.After I left ttt she always followed my career with interest and many were the conversations we had on the telephone. In 2014 during her illness I felt it important that she should meet Carol with whom I was about to get married.We visited her at her home in San Fernando and spent an hour or so with her.As we were leaving she gave me a wink and a nod of approval.That was the positive note on which my visit ended. It was the last time I saw her alive.On Monday 27th October, 2014, at 7.15 a.m., Hazel Ward-Redman, Teacher, Television Producer and Presenter extra-ordinaire, Educator, Guide, Mentor, Patriot and Wife breathed her last on this earth and went to sit alongside her late husband, Archie, forever at the feet of the Lord.I shall always remember being tremendously honoured when I was asked by her niece, Gillian, to deliver a tribute at her funeral, an invitation I accepted without hesitation.To the end of my days, I shall always be proud to have had this champion of a woman as a friend and professional associate.