My attempts since 1971, when I purchased the first property [of two declared to be of architectural or historical interest] and found a plaque affixed, to find out from the authorities that be, including the Barbados National Trust, as to whether the plaque carried any restrictions or for that matter tax concessions for upkeep have all been met with negative responses.
PROMINENT?BUSINESSMAN?SIR?DAVID SEALE’S?LAMENT is most disturbing, and demands serious national thought.
It cannot be to the good of anyone – among the powers that be or the citizenry – that we can have strong voices railing against the indifference, casualness and tardiness towards the icons of our heritage, when at the same time clarity on the rules and unambiguous guidance are not forthcoming.
While it may be argued that ownership of most of these heritage places are by moneyed people, this of itself is not a sufficient cause for dismissal of the notion of Government concessions or the like for the upkeep of said properties.
Not when sush maintenance in the major is to satisfy a national World Heritage Site commendation – which could be withdrawn.
Naturally, there are buildings of architectural and historical interest well outside the environs of the Historic Garrison And Greater Bridgetown; and so, as Sir David as suggested, there needs to be that overall special list of sites and owners drawn up and made public. It must name those properties of interest and their owners beyond the neighbourhood that Barbados National Trust general manager William Gollop has alluded to.
That the Trust is planning to meet with such owners “so they understand what is involved” is the right move.
Sir David and others who have been left without answer all these years might come to know what exactly is their lot and what is the price they must pay for the good of the nation.
We do not put a case, for what Mr Gollop sacastically referred to as “any gateway to financial rewards”, but we believe it is only reasonable for owners of buildings of architectural and historical significance to know exactly how far they can go with changes; what must be kept in its pristine original state; and what assistance they could be entitled to – which they should be – if they must abide by special “restrictions”.
Mr Gollop’s Barbados National Trust plaques must be more than honorific.
They must carry the power and prestige to facilitate the environment and Governmental impetus that the Trust itself seeks to preserve.
We would obviate the misdemeanours like the ruthless tinkering with the Nicholls Building’s classic 350-year-old curvilinear Dutch gable. And everybody would be happy.
