I was quite stunned today when I saw that a local PR veteran was asking for the demolition of a national park so that he could squeeze 2000-odd additional attendees to entertainment events at the venue.
While I agree with the concerns also of Independent MP, Hamilton Lashley, that the ruins could very well tumble should Barbados experience another earth tremor I can't help but wonder what could be the motivation behind his supporting Al Gilkes in his call for pushing down the ruins at Farley Hill to make more room for party goers.
A few years ago when Reggae on the Hill was launched with Mr. Gilkes and company, it was extremely well attended. This was followed by Soca Picnic on the Hill. I know for a fact that Barbados Gospelfest was the first festival to bless Farley Hill, followed closely by the Jazz Festival, clearly proving that the venue is truly suited to entertainment.
However, if we are going to destroy rather than preserve one of the island's most treasured heritage tourism spots to make room for 2000 more people to congregate and emit billows of marijuana smoke all in the name of entertainment, it would be a sure sign that this nation called Barbados has given license to the yet underground culture that surrounds events such as Reggae on the Hill.
I've already sent out my SOS to the media via a letter to the editor regarding the way our young men are literally growing old swiftly by having a joint and a Guinness for breakfast; sporting black, cracked, bare feet; swearing and toting weapons, while under the delusion of righteous pursuit through their ability to memorize pro-Rastafarian chants to seductive drum patterns.
The fact that promoters continue made such capital gains at the expense of these zombie-like youth who are supposed to be the true heritage of our nation makes my stomach churn but alas I might be the minority.
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4 comments:
I totally agree with you, Mr Gilkes has to be crazy to even have said that out loud. I say find another venue if he wants accommodate another 2000 patrons. Let those ruins come down when they are good and ready,they have been secured to prevent anyone from being injured and it can stay like that until it comes down on it's own. Shame on MP lashley too! This is a historic site my friends don't allow greed to destroy that.
Hi 'Anonymous'
Thanks for your bold endorsement, even though you didn't want to say who you were. I am happy to know that I am not alone on this matter.
A friend was asking me yesterday if they were going to rename Farley Hill 'Dagger Park' and said they should also cut down all of the over 3000 trees for even more square footage!
I rest my case.
i'll add my two cents worth....barbados cannot afford to lose any more of itss historical sites..they are so few and far remaining...what would have been a more impressive intervention was a rally to aid in the restoration of the ruins....i do agree however that government has lagged in not doing anything with the hill for far too long...i say restore!!!!!!
I thought that this article was very well thought out and equally well composed. May it resound in the annals of this historical debate for many years to come.
http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=editorial&NewsID=2565
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