Bridgetown a World Cultural Site

All Barbadians should take great pride in the announcement that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated Bridgetown and its Garrison as a cultural heritage site. Our thanks should be extended to many who have contributed to the effort that achieved this recognition of our capital city and its garrison complex as one of the thousand world heritage sites. Those that worked long hours at home and abroad must take deep satisfaction in a job well done.

In particular, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs must be singled out for the professional and diligent support in this effort over the past decade and more. Kudos must also go to Ms. Mia Mottley, who as Minister of Culture guided the process for many years and to Ms. Alessandra Cummings whose expertise and lobbying skills were invaluable.

But the greatest satisfaction for the recognition of Bridgetown and its Garrison must be that of Dame Billie Miller whose vision and untiring work as the representative of the City and as a Minister of Government for many years has resulted in a renewed and invigorated Bridgetown. Dame Billie was at the forefront in supporting both public and private initiatives to improve the city’s infrastructure and preserve its historic buildings. Her energy, vision and hands on approach ensured that plans on parchment were translated into bricks and mortar. It was not easy sailing and there were setbacks along the way but her perseverance was legendary.

We now have the potential to do much more, further transforming and rehabilitating Bridgetown and its Garrison while marketing the area as a special attraction for visitors. This calls for the development of knowledge based material and the development of historical information and specialty items that would interest Bajans and visitors alike.

A unified approach to promoting the many attractions of the Garrison that would harmonize and integrate the many various entities that operate there. The Barbados Museum, George Washington House, the Military Cemetery, The Main Guard and clock tower and the great iron gun collection.

We have the potential and now it is time to turn it into kinetic energy. The combined efforts of the business community, NGO’s, and Government need to be marshaled to develop programmes that will realize the full economic potential while strengthening the social fabric of the city. There are signs that this is being done in an ad hoc way but there is a sense that the several strands of activity need to be pulled together, coordinated, sustained and woven into a meaningful tapestry for the benefit of all.

Now is not the time to sit on our laurels and say “o what a wonderful thing it is that we have done”. It is time to get cracking and capitalize on the great work that has resulted in achieving global recognition of the value of our heritage. Let us all now capitalize on it by coming together and supporting the development, use and enjoyment of a remarkable World Cultural Site on our own door step.

phillip.goddard@braggadax.com