Sandals veteran keeping the grounds clean

CONTRIBUTED - Harold Frame is the most senior employee at Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa.

IN 1998, when Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International, went to Coconut Cove (now Sandals Negril), he was denied access to his property by Harold Frame.

"Di boss seh mi nuh fi let nobody pon di property," he recalls were the exact words he told Stewart. However, after being convinced that the visitor was indeed the boss of the property, he opened the gate and escorted him in. Since that time, the relationship between the two has blossomed into a very friendly and healthy one.

Because of Frame's love for agriculture and landscaping, he was later transferred to the Grounds Department at the resort. Today, at 78 years old, Harold Frame is the most senior employee at Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa and has promised to work there until his last breath.

"It is the best place I have ever worked and I am not looking forward to quitting any time soon," he warns. "Every time di boss come down here, him sey mi must not overwork miself. Mi mus' eat drink and be merry."

DEDICATED WORKER

Harold Frame does not allow age to interfere with his daily eight-hour routine. In fact, he plants trees, waters the lawns, trims flowers, sweeps the walkway and feeds the resort's birds, Jazz and Pizzaz. Francois Luccehsi, manager, speaks highly of him.

"I am very impressed with his performance. He works with so much accuracy and efficiency," said Luccehsi. "He never says no to any task and is always willing to take on new
challenges."

His colleagues had equally good things to say about him.

Quotes such as "He is a great worker," "he is like a father," "very skilful and knows his job," "he is a team player" are some of the sentiments echoed about him. Despite performing so well at his job, he finds time to dedicate to farming produces of vegetables, and he rears cows and goats. The 78-year-old has no plans to quit farming either.

"From me a 12 me a farm, so it is very hard for me to stop," Frame said cheerfully.

But how does he manage to do so much at this age? "Mi wife," he said, laughing.

His wife keeps him young and fresh and gives him the inspiration to work hard. The union has produced five children, two boys and three girls.