DONNAS BEACH CHATTEL SHACK 

She makes her scarf's, shifts, shirts and shorts
With cloth from the haberdashery bought 
Fine imports from the swan street stores 
She knows just where to get the best

They treat her with great respect 
And give her prices of the trade 
For all the garments she has made

"Hey Miss Donna" they will say, 
"Just a little bill to pay" 
As she carts the store away. 

Shopping early, stitching late, 
Working fingers to the core. 
Making garments for the beach, 
Serving there from 10 to 4. 

Stitching, hemming late at night 
Rising with the crack of dawn 
Morning  chores out of  the way 
She digs her toes into the sand 
And hangs her work for all to see 

Fun clothing with a native flair. 
Pretty colours, pink and blue 
Sea green, red and yellow too 
Patterned, fancy, simple ware 
Flowing breezy on the racks 
In Donnas Beach Bar Chattel Shack


 

 
Donna is happy with her trade. She loves the outdoor life and all the people she meets. She is a single Mum with two daughters, one married. When the morning chores are done, there may be a quick visit to the haberdashery, but mostly its to the beach in the old car. The clothes are carried back and forth in bags and the battered suitcase and hung up each morning. If something sells well its off to the store again and more night time stitching.

"Sometimes people come and show me their new fashions, and I get ideas. I look at fashion mags all the time and have an eye for design. But my clothes are fun garments, not meant to be dinner party-wear, but mind you some do. Anything goes these days - sometimes people just want to make a statement.. I like to think my clothes are a statement. They tell people to loosen up and put a little fun in their life".

Sometimes Donna has company on the beach with Dina, who arrives with her umbrella and a suitcase of clothes, all carried on the bus. Dina, a firey independent with a charitable heart, will amuse you with her wit and independent views. "Are you here to help Donna" I asked her by mistake, "Listen to me", she said, "we here are all independent traders with a license to be where we is, working for our own selves. No one employing Dina, not Donna employing Dina and Dina donna employ no Donna!... Anyway my beach is Hilton. I get a temporary permit for here while Hilton is constructing".

You can see Donna at her Beach Chattel Store, pretty well any day of the week at Coconut Court Hotel. Dina will be there occasionally while the Hilton is constructing!!!

  FOR MORE LIKE THIS SEE:

ANTHONY | DAVID | STREET VENDOR| COCONUT MAN | MARATHON MAN | IRVING BURGIE |
DONNA'S BEACH GARMENTS | FISHERS | TAILOR| CHOIR BOY | SINGING PLUMBER | RUM SHOP (a story) |
SIR GARFIELD SOBERS | SOCIAL WORKER - OLGA | MUSIC | ARCHITECTURE | ARTISTS | RELIGION |
CARNIVAL | NIGHTLIFE | VISITORS MEMORIES | HISTORY | BARBADOS SAGAS | PEOPLE  PHOTOS

© Ian Clayton, AXSES 2004. http://axses.com