Echoes of Waltham, a heritage film documenting the memories, stories and cultural landscape of Waltham, Grenada, has won Best Video Production at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Media Awards.
The film was developed through Island Echoes, a heritage co-production project of the Caribbean Institute for EcoLiberation (CIEL), in partnership with Paxton House’s Caribbean Connections programme, which explored historic links between the stately home in the Scottish Borders and the Caribbean. The project brought together residents, community members, researchers, creative practitioners, young people and heritage partners across Grenada, Scotland and England.
The partnership began after journalist Zoe Smith came across the history of Waltham Estate while researching the area’s plantation past. She contacted descendants of Ninian Home, the former owner of Waltham Estate and Paxton House, to explore heritage work with schoolchildren and residents through Island Echoes.
Smith said: “This award is a beautiful recognition of Waltham’s story, but more than that, it is a recognition of the elders, residents and neighbours who trusted us with their memories.” She added, “Echoes of Waltham was never simply about making a film. It was about honouring a village, preserving living memory, and creating a bridge between Grenada’s past, present and future. I’m especially proud that this work has connected Grenada, Paxton House and the wider Caribbean diaspora.”
Centred on the village of Waltham in the parish of St Mark, Grenada, Echoes of Waltham preserves the voices and memories of local elders and residents. The documentary opens up conversations about plantation history, intergenerational storytelling and the importance of safeguarding Grenada’s intangible cultural heritage.
The film was informed by the historical expertise of historian and archivist Dr Angus Martin, Scottish curator Dr Fiona Salvesen Murrell, and Waltham residents Laslynn Andall and Anthony Patrick.
Dr Salvesen Murrell, Curator at Paxton House, said, “We are delighted that Echoes of Waltham has received this recognition from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation. This highly meaningful film forms part of Paxton House’s wider Caribbean Connections work, which seeks to explore our historic links with the Caribbean in a thoughtful, creative and resident-centred way. We are deeply grateful to the people of Waltham and to all the partners who helped bring this story to life.”
The wider Caribbean Connections programme also included Palimpsest, an exhibition by Grenadian-born artist Billy Gérard Frank, whose work formed a central part of the creative partnership and helped illuminate the layered cultural, historical and emotional connections between Grenada, the Caribbean and Paxton House.
Frank commented, “This film demonstrates the power of storytelling to connect generations, preserve local histories, and deepen our understanding of the enduring ties between Grenada, Scotland, and England. At its heart, Echoes of Waltham is a celebration of memory, place, and the voices that shape our shared heritage.”
The initial work has also helped catalyse further research interest, including a visit to Waltham by researchers from the University of Edinburgh exploring connections between the parish of St Mark and Scotland. The film was recently screened to staff, students and residents at Bonaire Government School in St Mark.
The next stage of Island Echoes’ work, which has received funding from the Grenada Office of Creative Affairs, will deepen oral history documentation with Waltham residents and develop a digital mapping project to preserve stories, sites and cultural landmarks connected to the village and its wider historical landscape.
Island Echoes
