More to bamboo than meets the eye

Although he was seeking a job and was at best 'juggling' to take care of his soon-to-be nine-year-old son, single father Junior Edwards found the time to volunteer at Custos of Clarendon William Shagoury's business place, Shagoury's Aggregate, in an effort to learn a skill.

He said after volunteering for sometime, Shagoury's nephew, Billy Moran, who runs Middlesex Construction and Equipment, gave him a permanent job with the company.

On Sunday, it was a confident Edwards who showcased some of the company's bamboo products in the William Shagoury Pavillion at the 67th Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in the parish.

Edwards, who works as a carpenter in the company, said they do more than bamboo products. However, on Sunday, it was all about the bamboo and holding up beer mug and champagne 'glasses'.

"When anyone looks at a bamboo plant, they see just that. But when I look at it, I see possibilities," he said, with a smile.

He expressed thanks at the way his life is going but he said there are times he has twinges of guilt, especially when it comes on to his son.

"Last year I took him out for his birthday and while there, a family (mother, father and their young daughter) sat at a table across from us and I caught my son staring at them," he said, pointing out that he instinctively felt his son wanted a unit like that.

However, he hasn't found that someone who can fill the mother role for him as yet and it is not a decision he wants to take lightly he said.

Edwards said that in addition to his carpentry work, he has another passion, and that is music. And while he records and posts to YouTube, he said getting a 'buss' in the business is more challenging than being a single father.