Overcast and humid conditions did not stop members of the pan fraternity from gathering to sing, dance, worship and give thanks for the last year, which they said had been memorable and momentous for the steelpan.

Pan Trinbago's yearly thanksgiving service – the last event for Steelpan Month – took place in the carpark of its headquarters on Dundonald Street, Melville Lane on August 25.

It saw powerful religious musical interludes from Stephanie Joseph and uplifting steelpan performances from Pangelics Steel Orchestra.

Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore said the organisation was in the best position it had ever been in.

"When we got elected, there was confusion and financial struggle and we didn't want to carry it (the burden).

"The PM (Prime Minister) asked me 'Why take up your good Tobago self and put it in Pan Trinbago?'"

Ramsey-Moore explained the first day she sat in her chair, an eviction notice came.

"The previous executive owed over $370,000. It was court order  after court order after court order."

Ramsey-Moore said advice from her daughter helped form a new focus and vision for Pan Trinbago, bringing the organisation to where it is.

At the Steelpan is More Beautiful 2024 (orchestra finals) held at the Jean Pierre Complex, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, on August 24, Dr Rowley announced that Pan Trinbago's new headquarters would be built at the old post office site by the Waterfront.

"Pan Trinbago has agreed to a design of the building and very soon the architects will have an idea of what that building will look like. I guarantee you that you will be very proud. It will look somewhere like a pan!"

Ramsey-Moore described Pan Trinbago's fight for a new headquarters.

"Over 20 years of suffering in the wilderness.

"I don't know why we could not accomplish the mission down the road (Trincity), but I suspect the ancestors did not want to go back in a cane field."

She was happy for the support of the government and corporate TT being on board with Pan Trinbago's plans.

She thanked those who had helped in the past, including Israel Khan, SC, who gave Pan Trinbago a building rent-free for roughly two years and everyone else who helped.

Ramsey-Moore also spoke on the financial health of the organisation, saying, "Pan Trinbago had clean audits for the first time in 30 years."

[caption id="attachment_1104778" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Junior members of the Laventille Serenaders Steel Orchestra, play at Pan Trinbago's annual thanksgiving service at its Dundonald Street, Port of Spain headquarters on August 25. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

On August 21, Ramsey-Moore told Newsday pan was having an "awesome moment."

On that same day, during the formal opening parade of Pan and Powder, Port of Spain mayor Chinua Alleyne announced the steelpan would feature on the city's emblem.

On August 18, the PM announced the pan would replace Christopher Columbus's ships on the national coat of arms.

"I feel we are gaining new heights every day as we focus on this God-