It is with sorrow that the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre joins the family, the steel band community and the general cultural fraternity in mourning the passing of Lennards ‘Scrub’ Wellington.
Lennards Wellington, popularly known as ‘Scrub’,, ’ was St. Lucia’s steel band pioneer who started playing pan at the age of seven. Scrub was from a poor family who grew up in the depressed areas of Castries.
Scrub’s interest in pan started after World War II, when expatriate soldiers, their families and some locals were celebrating the end of the war. Many people joined soldiers and other citizens equipped with bottles and cans to celebrate. These celebrations, which were called ‘Whole Sport’ were like a mini carnival attracting people of all walks of life. Whole Sport became very popular with groups out of Four a Chaux, River Side Road and Conway.
Together with people like Apisole, T-Jab and Bannfè, Scrub attempted to make pans with whatever cylindrical metal containers that were available. Scrub recalled the first tenor pan in St. Lucia was given to his friend Bannfè by a sailor from a ship which had docked at Prince Albert’s Basin. He couldn’t resist the sweet sounds of the pan and immediately had a go at it. The Ship’s crew were amazed to hear Scrub on the pan and brought him a second pan on their next voyage.
Scrub and friends initiated the steel band movement, which eventually spread to many communities in the Castries area such as Marchand, Four a Chaux and Grass Street. Scrub formed “Pirates, Saintt. Lucia’s first steel orchestra.” The Band played on the Grande Villa, a French ship, whenever they were in port. On his return to Saintt. Lucia after spending time in Barbados and Trinidad, where he taught enthusiasts to play the pan, he reorganized the Pirates band and played on the wharf and at official functions. Later, he formed the Scrub Steel Band, comprising his sons, relatives and friends from the Conway, La Pansee and George Ville areas. The Band played at hotels and at carnival celebrations.
His son Ivan understudied him for decades and eventually took over the leadership of Scrub’s steel band, which became known as the North Stars Steel orchestra.
In recognition of this steel band maestro, the FRC inducted him into its hall of Fame as a National Cultural Hero in June 2013.
As an institution established to preserve and promulgate the folk culture of Saintt. Lucia, the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre extends its condolences to Scrub’s immediate family and the wider cultural fraternity.
Like the many Cultural Icons who have passed, Scrub will be sorely missed. His contribution to the development of the Steel band in the country, will not go unnoticed, but will remain etched in the annals of Saintt. Lucia’s history.