Hanover Speaking!

I would like to take you on a magical journey through time so you can understand who I am and where I am going because without knowing our past we cannot claim or re-claim our future and our position in history. What a wonderful thing - technology, affording us the ability to communicate over land and sea. Most of my districts may not have phone lines, thank God for fiber optics - making communication possible.

So sit back, get your fingers in shape, sharpen your eyes, open your mind and enjoy my journey, for in it you will find your way and remember "wherever you roam"...come back home" to Hanoverjamaica.org. Although I am the second smallest and the most low-lying parish in Jamaica - 9 square miles and about 1000 feet, I have given a lot to our country and the world. My natural resources have fed the world. I once was known as the food basket of Jamaica - famous for cattle and Lucea yam.

Physical appearance, character and offspring are measures of a woman's beauty. I boast three natural waterfalls; Paradise Falls, Kempshot, and Dry Hill Falls. Three parishes; St James, Westmoreland and Hanover herself can be seen from my highest point, Birch Hill, which stands tall at 1809 feet high.

My children - Hopewell, Sandy Bay, Lucea, Green Island and Negril all provide a picturesque coastal view to travelers while Birch Hill and Dolphin Head serve as a landmark to mariners. Knockalva produces horned stock of superior size and breed. Oh Lucea, my eldest, what can I say? She is known for her perfectly horseshoe-shaped, land-locked harbor and Fort Charlotte, my protector, is still standing with his guns and canons in hand. My way-ward, fun-loving son, Negril is home to major hotels and resorts. The harbor known today as Negril Harbor was once called Bloody Bay. I have two major public markets, Hopewell and Lucea.

My grandchildren, what can I say, they are considered among the best in the country, not to mention the best behaved. To date, I have the lowest crime rate on the island. Did you know Jamaica's first Prime Minister and National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante, is from Hanover? Merlene Ottey, Elon Beckford, Coleen Crooks, Errald Miller, Wesley Miller, Dr. Collie Miller, Glegg Watson, the Honorable Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, and Allison Taylor are all mine. And there are many others who have and continue to make their mark on the world.

These are the attributes that make me, Hanover, beautiful. Back in my younger years, life was good. Lucea was known then as a maritime town providing fun to those who came her way. Today I am not doing so well. Lucea has lost her glory. There is a lot to be done, so I can continue to look my best. I have set the foundation, but time has eroded my strength. I need you, my offspring, to help me take back what is Hanover.