RESTORATION WORK on the 200-year-old tomb destroyed by a fallen tree in the churchyard of the historic St Mary’s Church is rapidly progressing.
Workmen have completed laying cement blocks for the four walls and the dome-shaped roof now has to be constructed. The work is set to be completed in two weeks.
A mahogany tree, thought to be about the same age as the tomb, came crashing down on January 4.
This led to excavation of the centuries-old burial place of members of the prominent Barclay family and nine lead coffins were uncovered, instead of the two originally thought to have been housed there.
Those coffins are currently being stored at a local funeral home and will be returned to the tomb in a ceremony after the work is completed.
The church held a major fund-raising event for the tomb’s restoration because of St Mary’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison. (GC)