Barbados Improvements Part 1: Bridgetown

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Submitted by Freedom Crier

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We all have opinions, I do and so do you but in each person’s opinion there can be some truth, some more than others. I am an older person now so my opinion has a little more seasoning than when I was younger. Please read with a believing ear, doubt is always destructive.

I believe the following can be done which will be a help to Barbados and I am sure you have many other ideas or modifications to add to this. Most of these suggestion are low cost or no cost solutions.

Bridgetown Improvements

  • Board Walk:
  1. Create a boardwalk over the Constitution River from the Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge to the mini bus stand stopping at the present cross over bridge. The existing reinforced sides can hold a lightweight wooden structure and some type of centre support may be necessary. This board walk will become the main public thoroughfare for the public transport system, allowing all people who use this system to access the buses and the mini buses in a safe manner without blocking or walking on the roads. You would have with this idea reclaimed an area for the people of Barbados in the heart of Bridgetown without depriving anyone of their property. See benefits below.
  2. The main bus stand’s people entrances will now be from the boardwalk, not from Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge although this one can remain as it would be alongside the new other board walk.
  3. The old market and the bus stand and extra space opposite Starcom Network with the sewage pump station on it should be utilized now for a bigger bus stand.
  4. The old market can have shops of whatever types are deemed necessary. Supermarket, Meat shops, Retail Clothing ETC. Or alternately, as the old market is a shell, tear it down and rework the area as extended Bus parking and boarding, expanding the overly small current bus stand. The area in front of the old Market will be extended parking for buses
  5. Both sides of this long Boardwalk will have stalls for vendors: Local crafts, fruit, confectionaries, ETC, the smaller shops for vendors including small quick service “hand food” stalls. All tourists & all travellers who travel on the buses will have access to these vendors. This will get all the vendors off the streets of Bridgetown or facing the Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge while giving them a superior access to the traveling public with thousands of commuters daily.
  6. Some type of access to the river for cleaning or other reasons may have to be considered but the persons who did the original pile-driving Job can advise on this.

An excerpt from the Constitution of Barbados…

THE CONSTITUTION OF BARBADOS

CHAPTER III

PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF THE INDIVIDUAL

  1. Whereas every person in Barbados is entitled to the Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the individual. rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to each and all of the following, namely(a) life, liberty and security of the person; (6) protection for the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation; (c) the protection of the law; and (d) freedom of conscience, of expression and of assembly and association, the following provisions of this Chapter shall have effect for the purpose of affording protection to those rights and freedoms subject to such limitations of that protection as are contained in those provisions, being limitations designed to ensure that the enjoyment of the said rights and freedoms by any individual does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or the public interest……..

Protection of freedom of conscience.

  1. (1) Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of conscience and for the purpose of this section the said freedom includes freedom of thought and of religion, freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and both in public and in private, to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance…..
  • Free Speech Area:

Declare Independence Square a free speech area (Similar to Hyde Park in England) with the usual restrictions as to preaching sedition, violence, Etc. but allow no prosecution under libel laws. People may preach, have political meetings, say what they like, (including what some may call hate/offensive speech) creating a vent for their frustrations. Although this is guaranteed under the constitution of Barbados, the laws do not allow anyone to have a contrary opinion. No newspaper is critical of Government or any practice. The consequences are grave if they do. The Nation newspaper used to be that voice but the laws have shut them up. To get a different opinion they must quote different persons’ opinion, never the Nation editors or their reporters or their contributors can offer a dissenting view from the prevailing Politically Correct (PC) opinion. Create an immunity similar to parliament for free speech. Allow no loud speaker systems to be used. This will stop the abuse of the free speech area as it will limit the amount of people speaking at the same time in the park, EG: on a Sunday. This will avoid having loud speakers at the four corners blaring at the same time with different speakers. But all can use broadcast systems EG: FM radio with a restriction as to the decibel level from each personal radio similar to what we witness used at the drive-in Cinema. You will be able to park near the Treasury Building and listen or “tune in” to which speaker you want to hear.

 

Creating a hive of activity in the heart of Bridgetown:

To understand why this is necessary, a person leaving the main bus terminal has to walk through Bridgetown quickly to get to the Cheapside bus terminal. They have now by-passed Bridgetown but if the following were implemented Bridgetown will become vibrant again. If Bridgetown becomes vibrant the Taxes actually collected will go up, the properties will have more value and people will take care of their properties & not allow them to become dilapidated as it looks now in our Capital City.

1        Use the car park behind Chefette Broad Street for mini Buses. Continue using the ally next to Chefette leading to that car park for the Taxis from the present Taxi stand in front of Chefette Broad Street. It would be good and preferable to have the area in front of Chefette Broad Street made into a rest area with seating and a gazebo or alternatively bring back the water fountain that was relocated in front of the public library but keep the new seating. This alley way for the taxies would need to be cleaned up and made to look bright and the traffic pattern would have to be reversed in the ally with the corresponding change at the new mini bus stand.

2        Another two rows of mini buses can be next to KFC & Burger King at the top of Baxter’s Road.

3        The building at the back of Chefette, “Beckwith Mall”, now closed should be purchased, knocked down flat and used for Public Toilets, Offices etc. Or with the increase foot traffic the owners of Beckwith Mall may yet find a new use.

4        Allowing free parking on all government controlled parking areas for persons working in Bridgetown, keeping the nearby street parking for shoppers that Visit Bridgetown. Stop removing car spots from the parking pool in the heart of Bridgetown, keep these for the in & out shopper. People working in Bridgetown tell their Bosses that Bridgetown is too congested so let’s move to out of town areas, the bosses listen incorrectly and now we have a situation that Bridgetown is dying and on its last legs. What the bosses should have perceived is that to park in Bridgetown costs a minimum of $8.00 a day, or $40.00 per work week. That is Gas money for all who have cars. Make the parking free and the cry to move out by all including the mid-level managers would be gone. Keep Bridgetown ALIVE. Bridgetown Drainage is good and it does not flood. The Utilities Companies have agreements to ensure service in the event of a calamity and are restored first to the Port, Bico Cold Storage and Bridgetown, and the main feeds are all underground. The infrastructure in Bridgetown is sound why allow it to be discarded? The sewage system works unlike the same on the south coast.

5        Remove the restriction on businesses from using the alleyways, allowing putting of chairs, side walk cafes, Restaurant Drive Thru, Low level music, Bars, Clubs, small shops Etc. These alleyways are cool no sun , Breezy & Clean (washed each night by the SSA) The restriction that is usually cited is that you have to allow the fire tenders to get into the alleyways BUT no fire tender can fit in any alleyway in Bridgetown so that argument is bogus. Do not allow car parking in the alleyways just allow free access, chairs and tables.

6        Many years ago people were discouraged from living in Bridgetown. So now you have an exodus each day. If this were to change people will be on the streets later into the night thus reducing the sudden outflow from 4:00pm, and creating extended business opportunities and employment for all. Many buildings in Bridgetown have empty floors. These can be used for living apartments, with minor modifications. Businesses will return when there are better opportunities. A sprinkler system in these converted buildings would mitigate any fire risk.

7        The busiest area in Trinidad is Independence Square Port of Spain simply because the mini buses are in the area. We can see and learn, too long we have let Bureaucrats run things and they think like a Bureaucracy. Everything they do turns out wrong. EG: “Put parking wardens in Bridgetown to take the work off of the police”, so if you come to town twice and each time you get reported by the wardens the message is, shop elsewhere not Bridgetown. You are never coming back. Who needs that! The result Bridgetown is dying. And the walk is far to the car park no shuttle not even 1$ paid trolley rides or 2$ trolley rides from the port to town or the $1 trolley ride from the Cheapside bus stand to the Fairchild bus stand. The executives get free parking in the City Mall car park at the expense of the company so they do not feel it hence no need to change and the town is dying for the lack of vision. Allow duty free importation for these few short haul trolleys max 15 passengers for this purpose even if you give the concession to the taxi men association. The island tour & other destinations Taxies can remain at the port.

8        Get rid of the wardens that walk around to REPORT parking infractions, the few that may remain can advise drivers, no parking, stopping etc. if needed, just no confrontations, just keep traffic flowing and the government owned car parks free from would be robbers.

9        When funds are available talk to Kymar Saffery the head of the homeless shelter organisation as to how to remove the homeless beggars from the streets. He may recommend some type of building in the country, with school meals dropping off some meals during school times of the year. (The schools meals program produces thousands of meals a day, these extra meals will not even register). The impressions given to any tourist is that walking through Bridgetown you are hit on by a beggar every 50 steps at least 6 beggars for every trip on Broad street, imagine the impression the tourist get of Barbados, How effective do you think your advertising dollar is now when they board their boat, what message are they giving to others that want to come to Barbados. In Puerto Rico you do not see a beggar in the tourist area and that is like America. They try to protect that industry, in Barbados we want to keep the tourist in the all-inclusive hotels and allow Bridgetown, Taxis, Tour Companies etc. to die. Some Smart Choice. If anybody objects to moving them from Bridgetown invite the concern public who object to invite them at their home where they will be treated properly as recommend by them. 

10    Traffic Relief:

Put the stop lights on blinking. Red on less trafficked lane and orange on main thoroughfares. Do this to stop lights from Worthing right into Bridgetown. Everyone knows there is no traffic when this happens but the bureaucracy at MTW do not think like that, they love their control. They will give a thousand reasons why not and deny their own eyes.

11    The same way that we have a loading area for passengers to go on a Jolly Roger Cruise use comparable loading areas for all tours and boat parking facilities on the opposite side in the Careenage even if at some time the mouth of the Careenage has to be expanded to create a larger safe harbour for more yachts and pleasure craft in the same manner that a safe harbour was created for the fishing boats by the fish market. Secondly some overall plan can be looked at all along the coast going towards the fish market from the present berth for Jolly Roger with an access road through the government car park on the sea side.

Part 2: will deal with other Barbados improvements.

Part 3 will deal with Barbados Agricultural improvements

The Government of Barbados…

 

“Play your Part in the RESCUE< RECOVERY & REBUILDING exercise…Share Your Ideas for a better Barbados” EMAIL.…

Suggestion, Why not share your ideas in the form of Articles even if it is a separate tab on BU for the Betterment of Barbados so more may have the opportunity to See it and participate where the ideas may be discussed and not just go into an email where you do not know where it goes, who is reading it and the Biases they may hold.

Put your ideas in Public view for scrutiny and comment as this one does on BU.

For example if they receive these emails and should they hold certain views they are more than likely to conclude based on their Biases thy may say “we have received 1,542 emails and we have found Three that are credible. Depending e.g. if they are Socialist/ /Capitalist/Crony Capitalist/Marxist/Communist/Dictator Environmentalist / just to name a few.

Because of their Bias the Population of Barbados would never see 1,542 emails. That does not make Sense, let alone being Transparent.

Make these emails Public or even if you say send it to this particular email have them Published on a Website.

If you do not do that you are fooling the people, by wasting their time and energy!

All additional suggestions are welcome all will be treated with respect and considered to be added in the other installments.

Now let’s get cracking.

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95 thoughts on “Barbados Improvements Part 1: Bridgetown”


  1. More falling to come, Mia not done taxing and vatting you all as yet, Enjoy the ride to Hell, more wood on the fire to come,

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  2. “2 Another two rows of mini buses can be next to KFC & Burger King at the top of Baxter’s Road.”

    FC

    I was trying to visualize this area in Baxter’s Road you referred to, but I realized you’re actually referring to “Milk Market.”

    If you at photos of old Bridgetown, you’ll see that in the area where the fountain was located (opposite Trident House, was a horse & buggy taxi stand.

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  5. The second photo shows the area you are referring to. People are walking from Tudor Street towards Milk Market.

    I think the building on the left was the Continental Hotel….. and is now known as “Hunters Upstairs Bar.”

    Other photos also show there was another hotel next door.

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  6. So where is all this money coming from
    I hear Mia ministers asking for pay increase
    Do not get me wrong i like great ideas but only when they can be backed up by financial support

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  8. Freedom Crier has submitted ideas worthy of consideration to all who do not have a blockage in their circle of Willis and are not betzpaenic

    Betzpaenia is, however, is endemic in Barbados and on BU

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  9. People may preach, have political meetings, say what they like, (including what some may call hate/offensive speech) creating a vent for their frustrations. Although this is guaranteed under the constitution of Barbados, the laws do not allow anyone to have a contrary opinion.

    FC, are you sure of what you are saying? What laws are you referring to?

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  10. Good suggestions if implemented correctly (timely, efficiently, afforably, accessibly, and managed properly). Let the naysayers eat crow.

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  11. Good suggestions if implemented correctly (timely, efficiently, afforably, accessibly, and managed properly). Let the naysayers eat crow.

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  14. @ Freedom Crier

    I would have to ask the BU Archiver Artaxerxes to search for an old article that would have been posted some time back on this subject.

    The item relates to a complimentary element regarding, in part, the extending of the boardwalk

    The more substantive issue of that submission was the fact that Bridgetown is over run by cars and traffic and there is a need to facilitate rapid access and exit from said city.

    Now the reason that I had liked it was because what it proposed was not bells and whistles of pretty overpasses but it went to the source of the problem and focused on the Destination.

    Namely, what the proposer was suggesting that the road system to Bridgetown needed to be augmented to incorporate the Constitution river going back up past the Globe theatre past the back of the Prison THE ONE THAT THEY MYSTERIOUSLY BURNT DOWN TO BUILD THE OTHER ONE THAT COSTS AN UNKNOWN US AMOUNT right to the ABC Highway

    I think the proposer said that it was possible to carry that road tributary all the way up to the roundabout that COW Williams maintains in St Thomas.

    Then he suggested going up river road up to the peoples cathedral and through Pine Gardens to the Pine East West Highway.

    Possibly even as a toll highway for rapid access and egress to and from Bridgetown.

    I think that in another article another proposer spoke of having those meeting places you speak of positioned variously through the Bridgetown Corridor where people could congregate severally and regularly at what he would have called Griot Villages.

    He mentioned a replication of the village meeting points of old where instead of the 8mm films would be shown at covered venues like the place in Speightstown and the Bay Street esplanade and the one up there by Regency Cove, other more modern activities might be engaged in.

    But we can only wait and see what is planned for our country while brainaics like Kerrie Simmonds who cant even swim is suggesting ferries to run from the north coast south coast east coast WHERE THE SEA REAL DANGEROUS and the West Coast.

    Do you think he say that Beacomber thingy that was stranded for 5 hours recently?

    Steupseeee but these are the THOUGHT LEADERS that Mia has surrounded herself with

    And do remember Mia CARES

    https://imgur.com/R991TGW

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  16. On my way to Bridgetown Market this morning my Spouse and I were discussing… Section 11 “The same way that we have a loading area for passengers to go on a Jolly Roger Cruise use comparable loading areas for all tours and boat parking facilities on the opposite side in the Careenage”….

    As I looked over to that area I saw that there already was an established Car Park by the Old Screw Doc that could facilitate a “comparable loading areas for all tours”.

    In December 2009 Keith Mackie was in engineers’ heaven – sitting by the sea in Barbados on a pile of rusty iron, measuring it up as part of his involvement in the possible restoration of the Barbados Screwdock. Maybe Mr. Keith Mackie could revisit his plans and include some local investor to see this Dream become a reality.

    May 2010 27
    Keith Mackie
    Consulting Coastal and Harbour Engineer
    keith@mackie.co.za

    Here he shares some fascinating facts with us…

    https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1d/91/5c/1d915c2bc23e42a0d297235c3f7e6363.jpg

    Barbados Screwdock –
    oldest surviving shiplift in the world

    HISTORY
    Because of its position commanding the windward approaches to the Caribbean, in the 17th century Barbados was the largest port in the western hemisphere.
    By the end of the 19th century there were still some 1 500 vessels a year calling at Bridgetown. The estuarine mouth of the Constitution River, which enters the sea at Bridgetown, became a centre of ship repair and is still known as the “Careenage” – the place where ships were ca-reened, i.e. beached and laid over for scraping, painting and repair. in 1880 a Scottish engineer, John Blackwood, went out to Barbados as a young man to work in this industry and was soon in business on his own account. In November 1887 the Barbados Parliament passed an act to authorise the lease of government land for harbour improvements and the construction of a dry dock. A lease for the site of the screwdock was signed in favour of John Blackwood. The government reserved the right to take over the dock on expiry of the lease at prime cost less a reasonable allowance for deterioration. Work began in 1889 and the lift was formally opened on 10 march 1893 by miss hay, daughter of Sir James hay, then Governor of Barbados.

    Actual construction took far longer than the two years allowed. One of the reasons given was the flooding of the works by exceptionally high tides.

    Because the retaining walls had not yet been completed, portions of the ebankments collapsed into the works.

    While this can only be part of the explanation for the extended delays, it does serve to suggest that the works, at least initially, were coffered and built in the dry.

    Blackwood died in 1904, lost at sea, and his business was taken over by his brother-in-law, Wil-liam Mclaren, who ran it until the formation of the Central Foundry which took over the running of the dock.

    By the 1970s, the dock was still lifting over 10 000 tons of shipping per year. By the start of the fourth quarter of the 20th century, however, the operations of the Central Foundry ….

    Read More @

    http://www.idc-online.com/technical_references/pdfs/civil_engineering/Barbados_Screwdock_oldest_surviving.pdf

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  18. Jeff Cumberbatch July 21, 2018 12:52 PM

    “People may preach, have political meetings, say what they like, (including what some may call hate/offensive speech) creating a vent for their frustrations. Although this is guaranteed under the constitution of Barbados, the laws do not allow anyone to have a contrary opinion.
    FC, are you sure of what you are saying? What laws are you referring to?”

    Are they no Liable and Slander Laws in Barbados Dean Cumberbatch?

    According to Barbadian law, an action for defamation “shall arise where a person publishes any matter, by means of the whole or any part of which, the publisher makes an imputation defamatory of another person, whether by innuendo or otherwise.”
    Death Does Not Affect Defamation Lawsuits In Barbados…What this means that even when the person that is being sued dies the defendant’s estate still has to pay.

    “Section 34 of the Defamation Act allows for a criminal action for libel to be brought against a defendant. The same section also states that prosecution for criminal libel cannot be made against a publisher or, editor unless consent is given by a specified public prosecutor.” That is why places like BU can Survive because if they publish a un truth like how WW&C is cuss ya, you cannot be sued because the website that BU is Published on is Not in Barbados. The content may be geared to the Barbados Market but it is not published in Barbados.

    You must recognise the fact that in every rum shops in Barbados when they are heated discussion of Politics of the day and in every Cocktail Party where Slander and Liable are a common practice all I am seeking to do is exactly what the Article proposes …Create a Free Speech area. The Politicians get to do it in Parliament where they Slander their opponents and when we mortals venture an opinion that includes just innuendo we can be sued and even if we die in the meantime the estate is still liable and you want to think that a Free Speech area is not desirable? That only the members of Parliament have the Privilege of Innuendo/Slander and Defamation.

    The Free Speech Area is to Expose the Shenanigans that go on in the Back Rooms without fear of being Sued.

    You know when Christ was speaking to Nicodemus and he was explaining to him that you need to be born again and Nicodemus did not understand about being born again and Christ asked him, “are you a Master of the Law and do not know this?” I will ask you the same question Dean Cumberbatch.

    Furthermore I would like to offer you a Challenge as the Person to take up this Cause and make it a Reality and you are the Right Person to do it!!

    http://kellywarnerlaw.com/barbados-defamation-laws/

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  19. @Freedom Crier “When funds are available talk to Kymar Saffery the head of the homeless shelter organisation as to how to remove the homeless beggars from the streets. He may recommend some type of building in the country If anybody objects to moving them from Bridgetown invite the concern public who object to invite them at their home where they will be treated properly as recommend by them.”

    Since I live in the country, yes I object. And no I don’t want the beggars in my home either. I am nice, but honestly, not that nice. I’ve NEVER NEVER taken an illegal drug in my life. I’ve NEVER NEVER misused a legal drug. I raised my children well, I supervised them carefully.

    So why should I have other people’s drug taking sons and daughters in at me?

    Let the Bridgetown merchants who make money from our city, and in our city take care of the beggars.

    And besides do you really think that you can make the beggars stay in the ocuntry. The beggars aren’t stupid. They are in town because they perceive correctly that that is where the money is.

    In the country, there is bare hard work.

    The beggars much prefer free money to hard work.

    I doubt that the tourists are particularly disturbed. Every city in the world has its beggars, i’ve seen beggars in London, New York, Paris, Miami, Toronto, and so on and so forth.

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  21. “Do not get me wrong i like great ideas but only when they can be backed up by financial support”
    Remind us about the social economy and the financial support. One massive debt and very little to SHOW for it.

    @SS

    its called NIMBY, Not In My Back Yard.

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  22. Bridgetown, Barbados 1865…

    SHIPPING & TRADING DESTINATION…

    For 300 years the Careenage reigned Supreme acting as a Centre of Commerce and Mercantile activity for the Island. Its two Bridges span its length to Separate the Outer and Inner Basins…

    HISTORY

    Established in 1628, Bridgetown is situated in the southwestern section of the country and contains more than 110,000 residents. Barbados has the world’s rarest collection of 17th century English iron cannon.

    Although the island was totally abandoned or uninhabited when the British landed there, one of the few traces of indigenous pre-existence on the island was a primitive bridge constructed over the Careenage area’s swamp at the centre of Bridgetown. It was thought that this bridge was created by a people indigenous to the Caribbean known as the Tainos. Upon finding the structure, the British settlers began to call what is now the Bridgetown area Indian Bridge. Scholars widely believe that the Tainos were driven from Barbados to the neighbouring island of Saint Lucia, during an invasion by the Kalinagos, another indigenous people of the region. Eventually after 1654 when a new bridge was constructed over the Careenage by the British, the area became known as The Town of Saint Michael and later as Bridgetown.

    Bridgetown is the only city outside the present United States that George Washington visited. (George Washington House, the house where he stayed, is included within the boundaries of the Garrison Historic Area.) Two of Washington’s ancestors, Jonathon and Gerrard Hawtaine, were early planters on the island. Their grandmother was Mary Washington of Sulgrave, Northamptonshire…

    Early settlement

    English settlement of Bridgetown began on the 5th July, 1628[12] under Charles Wolverstone, who brought with him 64 settlers to these lands formally claimed by James Hay, the Earl of Carlisle. Wolverstone, had been dispatched by a group of London Merchants, headed by Sir Marmaduke Rawdon. The group had been granted a lease[13] to 10,000 acres (40 km2) of land area by the Earl of Carlisle in settlement of debts. Each of the settlers with Wolverstone were granted by him 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land, lying on the northern side of the Careenage waterway for the purpose of general settlement.[12] The southern shore on Needham’s Point, were claimed by Carlisle’s agents that coming October, and in 1631, many acres of land directly facing Carlisle Bay were passed to Henry Hawley, the new Governor. Reports of dishonest behaviour about this Governor led to his arrest and rendition to England in 1639. After investigation by Commission in 1640, it was found that much of Hawley’s land transactions were legitimate and properly showed these lands (including the town site), as being attributed to the Earl of Carlisle. Bridgetown was built upon a street layout resembling early English Medieval or market towns with its narrow serpentine street and alley configuration.

    Boundaries

    The earliest boundaries of Bridgetown are contained by way of an Act passed on 4 April 1660 called, “to prevent the danger which may happen by fire, in or about any of the seaport towns of the Island”.[12] The southern limit was declared to be the River (Careenage), whilst the western limit was declared to be the western boundary of St. Michael’s (now St. Mary’s) Churchyard, and extending in a direct line to the seaside. The town’s other limits consisted of properties of certain citizens’ names in this statute, the location of which cannot now be determined with certainty.[12] The boundaries were not redefined until 1822

    BTW…Barbados has the world’s rarest collection of 17th century English iron cannon.

    Bajan’s were known in for their Seamanship and they were among the first Choice of West Indian People to work on the Panama Canal.

    Notice the Amount of Ships in Carlisle Bay… Barbados was truly a Bustling Centre of Commerce and the Heart of Transshipment for the Region.

    Bridgetown, Barbados 1865

    https://www.terracaribbean.com/SiteAssets/Careenage%201870-1.jpg

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  24. Enuff July 21, 2018 12:01 PM “Freedom Crier Please stick to promoting right wing propaganda and leave urban regeneration alone.”

    Enuff maybe you did not read the introduction where it says “We all have opinions, I do and so do you but in each person’s opinion there can be some truth, some more than others….I believe the following can be done which will be a help to Barbados and I am sure you have many other ideas or modifications to add to this. ”

    Enuff…WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS ?

    Enuff July 21, 2018 8:33 PM “You can’t promote public transportation and free parking in the same breath.”

    What do you mean? Public Transportation is just that, Free Parking means for those that has a Vehicle !!

    “Allowing free parking on all government controlled parking areas for persons working in Bridgetown, keeping the nearby street parking for shoppers that Visit Bridgetown. Stop removing car spots from the parking pool in the heart of Bridgetown, keep these for the in & out shopper.”

    https://www.brainyquote.com/photos_tr/en/h/helenkeller/164579/helenkeller1-2x.jpg

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  25. @NorthernObserver July 21, 2018 7:34 PM “@SS. its called NIMBY, Not In My Back Yard.”

    Indeed.

    In addition there are people in barbados who make money–lots of it–from the legal rum and beer trade, and form the illegal drug trade, and from the prescription dug trade. Let those people deal with the addicts. Why should poor hard working country people reap all of the punishments of the drugs trade, while getting none of the rewards?

    in addition if freedom crier believes that a drug addict, who may also be mentally ill will be satisfied with a clean bed and a plate of school meals food per day, he or she knows nothing about addiction, and understands even less about the co-morbidities of mental illness +drug addiction.

    Dumping alcohol and drug addicts and the mentally ill on the country people and their children is no way to clean up Bridgetown.

    THINK CAREFULLY again.

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    • How will you make those responsible for the scourge of drugs pay? Confiscation of assets when convicted?


  26. Yes indeed, now that the drug dealers from the 70s and 80s are retired and their children and grandchildren took over the drug trade on the island.., these old decrepit former dealers are waxing nostalgic for the wicked old slave days…..all their decades of accumulated ill gotten gains should be seized and their children and grandchildren arrested…they are still poisoning the island through their criminal network connections.

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  27. Simple Simon July 22, 2018 12:25 AM…Dumping alcohol and drug addicts and the mentally ill on the country people and their children is no way to clean up Bridgetown.

    There is already a Rehabilitation Center at Verdon in St.John. There is a Mental Physicality in Black Rock.

    “9… When funds are available talk to Kymar Saffery the head of the homeless shelter organisation as to how to remove the homeless beggars from the streets. He may recommend some type of building in the country, with school meals dropping off some meals during school times of the year.” That is one Idea that may ease the Situation, that does not mean it is set in stone, other ideas are Welcomed!

    Because of his Mercy we sing Hallelujah. In all his Arms of Mercy are Stretched out Still…Jesus is our Savior and not our Condemner in this world… Sometimes when we hit rock bottom the only thing left is to look up. He knows the heart, is the one to judge the intents of it.

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    • There is a reality that vagrants will always be with us. You cannot force them to stay in the hostels, and this is even if the room/resources is available. The popular Ninja Man is a good example. That said we can do better.


  28. David we will always have beggars among us it is true what is desirable is that there is not a CONCENTRATION of Beggars in Bridgetown.

    The Cruse Ship Market is Valuable and should be protected, to the Duty Free Shopping in Broad Street, Bridgetown Restaurants, the Taxi’s, the Tour Operators and All the Beach Bar Facilities on the South Coast that are quite a few.

    Why is the emphasis on the Beggars? They are many more Ideas presented, do you think they can be implemented and when?

    https://www.brainyquote.com/photos_tr/en/s/shivkhera/572334/shivkhera1.jpg

    Reply ↓

    • It is not for the blogmaster to say what can be implemented. Town planning is a science. Put the ideas out there (email the Town Planning unit) and those better equipped can consider.


  29. David July 22, 2018 7:34 AM

    “It is not for the blogmaster to say what can be implemented. Town planning is a science. Put the ideas out there (email the Town Planning unit) and those better equipped can consider.”

    Town Planning does not implement anything they only give permission, Yeh or Nay and a development plan. But a development plan does not get into the detail that will rejuvenate Bridgetown….

    You say “Put the ideas out there”… I have put the Ideas out there, they are on BU, they need a Public discussion and awareness…Town Planning is a Bureaucratic organization that does not make these decisions .

    David have you lost the Vision of your own Voice?

    https://www.brainyquote.com/photos_tr/en/j/jimrohn/147488/jimrohn1-2x.jpg

    Reply ↓

  31. That is Exactly what is Welcomed from the very inception David…Remember…

    “We all have opinions, I do and so do you but in each person’s opinion there can be some truth, some more than others. I am an older person now so my opinion has a little more seasoning than when I was younger. Please read with a believing ear, doubt is always destructive.”

    Reply ↓

  32. freedom crier
    with all due respect
    why dont you give up—I have long done so
    you are not going to get anywhere here on BU

    BUT YOU HAVE SHARED SOME GOOD IDEAS AND THOUGHTS
    CERTAINLY MORE INSIGHTFUL THAN THE BULLSHIT ABOUT BRASS BOWLS

    Reply ↓

  33. Thank for your concern Sir…however giving up and giving in is not in my nature… Here is a little history that may be of interest…

    Parliament Buildings, Bridgetown, Year: ca 1880

    Located at the top of Broad Street, in the capital city of Bridgetown, Barbados, these historic Parliament Buildings (once known as the Public Buildings) are home to the House of Assembly and Senate. Packing more than 350 years of history, these buildings were built from local limestone and completed in 1874 by a Gothic Architecture.

    These buildings were built as a primary source of adequate accommodation for the Houses of Parliament, to consolidate the major public offices and to safely and securely file any of Barbados’ Public Records.

    The Parliament of Barbados is the third oldest legislature in the Americas (behind The Virginia House of Burgesses, and Bermuda House of Assembly), and is among the oldest in the Commonwealth of Nations.[

    https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cf/91/71/cf9171508628350268e5615a3e089a7b.jpg

    Reply ↓

  34. Here is a little more recent History of Bridgetown…

    The Walls at Big Johns (04-10) in the City of Bridgetown were decorated with 33 Historic Images 3’x 4’ of Barbados mostly of Bridgetown cc. between 1890 -1930. These Images were reproduced from Post Card Images.

    Through computer technology the colour was artistically changed from black and white to Wedge Blue complementing the décor at Big John’s. Needless to say they were quite the Conversation piece, whither parents teaching their children or as a result of admirers of Barbados gone by.

    Although these images were the Largest Collection in the City Bridgetown they were never acknowledged by the ‘KNOWS’ of Barbados, Historians, Parliamentarians or otherwise.

    Sad but True True…

    Reply ↓

  38. RE Not giving up_ it is an indomitable quality of successful people.
    SOME SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ALSO KNOW WHEN IT IS EXPEDIENT NOT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE
    BEATING A DEAD HORSE WILL NEVER BRING IT BACK TO LIFE…..WHETHER YO BEAT IT INDOMITABLY OR NOT!

    Reply ↓

    • Well this is where we differ, working to improve the lot of Barbados and Barbadians is a lifelong endeavour for the BU household. We will never stop flogging the Norse that is Barbados.


  39. Dr. Georgie Porgie this is the second Article I have put on BU with ideas that if implemented can help Barbados to improve dramatically…I am yet to hear anything constructive in regards to this and anyone willing to contribute their ideas…

    Meanwhile I share images of the History City Bridgetown because Barbados is where I come from and I want the best for our Nation…So if they do not have any contribution to offer, hopefully they can learn from the History Shared.

    One would figure that with the age group of those on BU many would have Experiences and Ideas they could Share!!

    Chamberlain Bridge, Bridgetown, Barbados, 1908.

    https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0d/1d/b7/0d1db71c2262a3fe37d0eaf2a83c237b.jpg

    Reply ↓

    • @Freedom Crier

      Did you attend or watch the recording of the session last week of the modernization of the town and planning act? It is online on the GIS website.


  40. FREEDOM CRIER

    I HAVE ENJOYED READING YOUR IDEAS, AS WELL AS THE PHOTOGRAPHS
    I PARTICULARLY LIKE THE DRESS OF THE LADIES

    I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT MANY OF YOUR IDEAS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL & SUNDRY, HOWEVER, MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN ONE’S IDEAS ARE OF LITTLE VALUE TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE OR IN POSITION TO IMPLEMENT THEM BECAUSE 1) SUCH FOLK THINK THAT ONLY THEIR (USUALLY STUPID OR NON EXISTENT IDEAS) ARE VIABLE OR 2) THEY ARE TOO BETZPAENIC TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING OR 3) THEY JUST DONT CARE

    RE I …am yet to hear anything constructive in regards to this and anyone willing to contribute their ideas…
    DONT HOLD YOUR BREATH, BECAUSE YOU WONT

    RE One would figure that with the age group of those on BU many would have Experiences and Ideas they could Share!!

    COLONEL BUGGY USED TO TELL US ABOUT EFFECTIVE THINGS THAT WERE DONE IN THE PAST………BUT HE HAS BEEN MISSING FOR A WHILE…OR HAS PASSED

    Reply ↓

  41. Thank you Dr.GP for your kind and uplifting words…I only what I know and most people don’t know that they don’t know including myself at times . But I love Love sharing and the more valuable part of sharing is knowledge and understanding but what tops it all that those that receive go on to think and learn wisdom themselves …

    Here are some more of our Lovely Ladies and the way they Dressed…Can you guess the Location where the image was taken?

    https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ff/b3/d3/ffb3d31df811fb027be59c2c45abee9a–bridgetown-photo-archive.jpg

    Reply ↓

  43. Freedom Crier July 22, 2018 11:03 AM

    I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHING ON THE STOP AND STARE SECTION OF THE NATIONAL TRUST HIKE BARBADOS WALKS THESE DAYS, BUT WHEN I ATTENDED FROM 94- 97, I LEARNED A LOT FROM THE LATE COLIN HUDSON ABOUT CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES IN THE PAST IN BARBADOS.

    IT IS ONE THING TO DRIVE ALL THE ROADS OF BARBADOS, BUT IT IS BETTER TO WALK THROUGH THE ROCKS AND RILLS AND GULLIES, AND SEE “THE HEART” OF THE COUNTRY–I.E WHAT EXISTS BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS

    Reply ↓

  47. Artax FC: Is the first image a photograph of Swan Street …Yes Sir.
    …”and second one Marhill Street?”

    I believe the view is looking towards Swan Street from the City Car Park area not sure the name of the Street and Marhill Street would be at the cross section.

    Reply ↓

  49. @ Freedom Crier July 21, 2018 3:48 PM

    Artax you said Continental Hotel but I Understood you to mean Colonial Hotel.

    Are you sure that the “Colonial Hotel” was at the corner of Milk Market or on the thoroughfare of Broad Street?

    Reply ↓

  50. millertheanunnaki July 22, 2018 12:33 PM “Are you sure that the “Colonial Hotel” was at the corner of Milk Market or on the thoroughfare of Broad Street?”

    If you have a Correction please feel free to share happy to be corrected if erred!!

    Reply ↓

  51. Freedom Crier July 21, 2018 9:05 AM
    “That is Correct Artrax
    Beckwith Square, 1904”

    What you should do with great appreciation from us is to tell us what has become of that monument proudly erected on the Beckwith Square photo.

    Looks more like the Montefiore monument a replica of some fountains seen around SW Europe especially in Italy and which is now adorning in a ‘square’ of garbage ‘Coleridge Street’ opposite the old halls of Justice.

    Reply ↓

  52. The name of the hotel was the Colonial Hotel and it was located at the junction of Chapel Street and Milk Market.

    The building adjoining the Colonial (next door) was called the Hotel Lincoln.

    I have a photo that clearly shows the the names of both hotels, but unfortunately I cannot upload it to this site.

    Of further interest, there was a hotel located on Palmetto Square called the Trafalgar Hotel.

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  53. The Montefiore fountain was relocated to Coleridge Street circa 1940.

    “John Montefiore presented this Monument or Drinking Fountain to the thirsty wayfarers of Bridgetown, in memory of his father John Casteollo Montefiore who had been one of the first persons who died from Cholera in 1854.”

    “This Fountain was opened on the 2nd November 1865, and was described as “a little gem of architectural beauty, there being nothing in Barbados to compare it with.”

    Reply ↓

  54. Thanks Artax for the Clarification.

    Montefiore Fountain

    The Montefiore Fountain was originally located in Beckwith Place, Lower Broad Street in the city of Bridgetown, Barbados but was subsequently moved to its present location at Coleridge Street in 1940.

    Ironically, the Montefiore Fountain has no running water attached to it but back in 1865, it was used as a drinking fountain that was donated to the city of Bridgetown by Jewish businessman John Montefiore. His father, John Castello Montefiore, was among the first set of people on the island of Barbados to die from Cholera in 1854.

    John Castello Montefiore was a respected merchant . It’s reported that for forty years, he had been one of the leading merchants in the city and had a wholesale and retail store in Swan Street. He was also the owner of Neils Plantation.

    This fine example of neo-Gothic decorative art made from cast iron, was opened to the public on November 02, 1865, and was described as “a little gem of architectural beauty, there being nothing in Barbados to compare it with”.

    Ideals of Justice, Fortitude, Temperance and Prudence are depicted on each of the fountain’s marble statues.

    The Montefiore Fountain represents one of many exceptional examples of Barbados’ unparalleled heritage. A heritage that has motivated the Government of Barbados to highly recommend Bridgetown and its historic Garrison as a World Heritage Site.

    Given this consideration I would no longer recommend that it goes back to Beckwith square as it now rest quite near to the Jewish Synagogue…That said it would be nice if it could be used as a drinking fountain once again.

    https://www.barbadospocketguide.com/images/stories/attractions/attractions-by-parish/montefiore-fountain_barbados.jpg

    Reply ↓

  57. Wonderful ideas Freedom Crier.

    My Belief System is rooted in Faith but Faith without works is dead.

    We have an Administration in Place now which 70% of the voting population endorsed. This Adminisration is going in the exact OPPOSITE direction to these well thought out and executed ideals.

    PRAY FOR THEM.

    Prayer changes things. We never know what will happen if we all are obedient to God’s Word to “Pray for our leaders, so we may go about our lives peaceably”.

    We don’t know how many people prayed for former administrations which resulted in the strange outcomes that some of those administrations experienced.God is in Control and He will put up leaders and take down leaders.

    He hardened Pharaoh’s heart and He softened Pharaoh’s heart when God’s people cried out to Him for deliverance.

    Be blessed.

    Reply ↓

  58. @ Freedom Crier

    A very interesting piece and great photos.
    These are some facts:
    The traditional corporate elite allowed Bridgetown to become run down by refusing to invest in the city. They already knew that the new city will be at Warrens
    Bridgetown is now almost all owned by another minority group, they should be the ones reinvesting in it. Not government.
    The political managerial class never saw the beauty of surrounding districts such as Baxters Road , Orleans , Emmerton etc. They put the sewage plant down there and then move the people to Clapham. Listen to Gabby’s Emmerton
    If we look at the entire stretch from the junction of Martindales Road and Jemmotts Lane right up to Collymore Rock , we will see why Bridgetown is in trouble.
    The same people that run down the Agriculture industry and then left it to governments to keep it alive , did the same thing to Bridgetown.

    Now a question:
    In order to solve our transportation woes, do you think the idea of moderately sized electric trains transporting citizens from about four or six vantage points throughout the entire island will work ?

    I seriously think that the only way forward for Bridgetown is to free it from cars. Only service vehicles and taxis should be allowed in any area of commercial Bridgetown. If (or is it when) the Hyatt is approved , it would breathe new life into the city. Government should not rule out at least one big modern casino in the city.

    Reply ↓

    • @William

      You know this is the plan of the corporate elite because?

      Travel around the Caribbean and visit the cities and you will observe they all have one thing in common, there is a rot that has set in.

      Have a listen to the Q&A at the end of the BCCI luncheon last week where Lalu Vaswani who has lead responsibility for breathing life into the city had a few things to day.

      The blogmaster has conveyed to this blog that urban regeneration or redevelopment is a science that many countries across the globe have to confront. The blogmaster does not subscribe to any view there is any conspiracy. The UNESCO world heritage designation of Bridgetown and its Garrison cannot be taken away unless we ignore its value. The ball is in our court to build holistic plans for Bridgetown.


  59. MR SKINNER

    RE They already knew that the new city will be at Warrens

    INTERESTING THAT YOU SHOULD SAY THAT
    I FIRST HEARD THAT IDEA ABOUT 1982

    Reply ↓

  61. Let me add that I find some of the ideas very appealing.
    I like number 5, but I feel the cleaning should be done by property owners.
    Great ideas.

    Reply ↓

  62. @ David

    I have seen what Manning did to Port of Spain and transformed it into a very modern city. It is amazing that we keep making excuses for the private sector but always ready to castigate the public sector. I want to put it to you that none of the black people in those excellent photos was working for $5 per week !! Why must the hard earned taxes of their great great grand children be used to rebuild it ?
    They allowed all the buildings along the wharf side to deteriorate-they did not care because they had different plans that are now manifesting themselves all over the country and until we start calling a spade a spade , we gine be the same place 25 years from now.I never said anything about conspiracy. I simply said they knew that Warrens will be the new city and it is.
    Ask yourself this simple question: How come they had a vision for a marina and golf courses at Westmoreland but aint put one penny in Bridgetown ?

    Reply ↓

    • @William

      Port of Spain is transformed? Led by Manning as prime minister of the public sector? Which buildings along the wharf were allowed to go to ruin?


  63. Mr. Skinner your idea that the Hyatt would breathe new life into the city is a good one and I agree with you the whole of Carlisle Bay should be developed if only Commie Sing Song went to Cuba or Venezuela to live. With the building of the Hyatt that would encourage more Investors to do Developments along Bay Street and would become beautiful again, every building on Bay Street is dilapidated.

    As you stated and rightfully so, “Government should not rule out at least one big modern casino in the city.” They are Barbadians living in Trinidad who run and manage the best Casinos I have seen ever. If a Casino was ever to be built in Barbados these Sons of the Soil should be invited because they do it right!

    Mr. Skinner I have suggested Low Cost or No Cost things and the only costly thing that was proposed was the covering of the Constitution River from the Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge to the Pedestrian Bridge opposite Starcom Network. All the other suggestions are either Low cost or No Cost. That means that there should be NO OBJECTION to doing them and you would see the immediate improvement in Bridgetown…Not Withstanding the Warrens Development.

    Barbados has always had three Towns with the addition of a fish fry and some beach enhancements for the fishermen at Oistens, Oistens is Thriving.

    The Ideas need not be expensive they just need to be practical and Innovative. Barbados has an extensive network of roads connecting Bridgetown to every part of the Island. When you travel the Island you see houses on both sides of the road sometimes only one house deep. Access to transport is as easy as stepping out of your front door.

    Why would we want to reinvent what is already there?

    The Nightmare alone of Compulsory acquisition of lands for this new thing to run is enough to make anyone’s heart stop beating. And every time you want to catch this train you would have to walk a distance from you home to find where the train is running. You will also have to have two lines or many lay byes to be able to have trains running in both directions and in the best of worlds trains running on the same line in opposite direction is a recipe for disaster.

    I am not a fan of Bureaucracy. The Solutions proposed are very easy to be done and just require Government permission. Nor am I a Fan of Government Intervention. The Infrastructure to cover the Constitution River and to rehabilitate the Fairchild Street Bus Stand is something that the Government can do should do and that is in their prevue to do.

    The role of any Government is to facilitate Trade, Commerce and Transportation.

    The Bureaucratic mind set leads us sometimes in the wrong direction making Bridgetown car free is a guarantee that Bridgetown would fail. This was done in Puerto Rico and all the Pedestrianized areas have no Business, I would not recommend that for Barbados.

    It is with good suggestion from you and others in the public forum for discussion will propel Barbados forward. Thank you for contribution for that effort.

    https://www.brainyquote.com/photos_tr/en/u/unknown/159550/unknown1-2x.jpg

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  64. re @William

    q You know this is the plan of the corporate elite because?

    a. heard it from a good friend who was a draftsman in one of the big architecture firms at the time………long long before any building activity in that area

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  65. We are not asking anybody to put up money we just want Government permission and for them to get out of the way. Town areas are the most regulated areas in a Country. What we have proposed is easy doable and all you have to do is try it and see if it works.

    Sometimes the simple answer is the right answer, we did not ask you to build a road what is proposed takes away no body’s property and turning stop lights to red and orange is no big thing.

    Mr. Skinner I said that your idea that the Hyatt would breathe new life into the city is a good one and we want to see more of this type of development along the whole Bay Street Corridor anyt form of beautification and development would be better than what they have now. Then you say “Ask yourself this simple question: How come they had a vision for a marina and golf courses at Westmoreland but aint put one penny in Bridgetown ?” They may have needed a marina and a Golf course and was looking around and could not see where to put it in Bridgetown and when one of these investors who vision to build the same build the Hyatt that you applauded to be a good idea the powers that be sic Commie sing Song on him.

    The same finger that you are pointing at those who wanted to develop a project that would really infuse life into Bridgetown you now accuse that they “aint put one penny in Bridgetown”. What caused these conflicting views in your mind set, maybe it is the colour glasses you are wearing that is distorting your view.

    https://www.brainyquote.com/photos_tr/en/b/brucelee/386184/brucelee1.jpg

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  66. Yet another interesting Image that tells a story…
    Horse and Buggy, ladies dressed in white and one lady dressed in black may have been in mourning.

    Donkey carts lined up waiting to receive goods from Vessels.

    Cab Drivers under the Tree note the attire of the one driving the Buggy at the forefront, lossie that must have been hot fa days!

    Trafalgar Square, Bridgetown, Barbados, 1898

    https://news.artnet.com/app/news-upload/2014/06/108549-0033-h.jpg

    Reply ↓

  67. @ Freedom Crier
    My comment about investment in the Marina and Westmireland was in response to David not anything that you posited.

    Reply ↓

  68. David

    Call it the wharf or the Pier Head. All those lovely warehouses and so on were allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. Even the BST former headquarters was becoming an eyesore. I know and you should that the warehouse restaurant was a building that was rescued although that is now in need of a facelift. The reason there is this push now to revitalise Bridgetown is the fact that it was neglected for donkey years.
    Look David I ain’t saying that Port of Spain is Manhattan but I know that a lot of work including the building of hotels was done under Manning’s watch.
    The same way that the Hyatt will be built under Mottley’s watch. You need to resist being the devils advocate and be a bit more serious . We just have a way of not planning anything . Check and see how we remodel the airport three times and refused to include jet bridges.

    Reply ↓

  70. the laws do not allow anyone to have a contrary opinion.
    FC, are you sure of what you are saying? What laws are you referring to?”

    Are they no Liable and Slander Laws in Barbados Dean Cumberbatch?

    Yes, FC, there is the law of Defamation, but it does not prevent one from expressing a contrary opinion. It comes into play only when you cease discussing ideas and start to attack the reputation of an individually imputing some defamatory conduct to him or her. In other words, when you play the man or woman and not the ball!

    Note too, that a “cause of action” would not include persecution for criminal defamation, contrary to what your posted excerpt suggests.

    Reply ↓

  72. TheOGazerts July 22, 2018 7:06 PM

    “Let me add that I find some of the ideas very appealing.
    I like number 5, but I feel the cleaning should be done by property owners.
    Great ideas.”

    TheOGazerts…Thank you for your openness to receive new ideas…That is a very good quality as that is the mechanism by which we learn and grow in our understanding, unlike when we are closed minded nothing filters through by way of Enlightenment.

    Having worked in the City of Bridgetown and having mused on these thoughts for many years these ideas I believe are doable and workable.

    The Business owners in Bridgetown do clean their Premises… In # 5 that you liked, “5 Remove the restriction on businesses from using the alleyways, allowing putting of chairs, side walk cafes, Restaurant Drive Thru, Low level music, Bars, Clubs, small shops Etc. These alleyways are cool no sun , Breezy & Clean (washed each night by the SSA) ” Although the SSA washed down our ally at night we still washed down our area in the morning as the alleys are convenient bathrooms for some. But I think that if they were opened as suggested that would decrease.

    https://www.brainyquote.com/photos_tr/en/j/johannwolfgangvongoethe/133629/johannwolfgangvongoethe1-2x.jpg

    Reply ↓

  74. Found this Interesting Video you may understand what it means to be an Entrepreneur…The Vision Never Ceases and Possibilities are Endless!!

    Reply ↓

  76. David thank you for the videos sent ….David July 22, 2018 12:19 PM

    … Viewing …I liked the PM Sense of Urgency to Accomplish the new plans for Town Planning A.S.A.P and not have the same old Dragged out System that caused the ripple effect of the lost of revenue and endless delays of would have been possible only if!…

    Would like to attend the next session, is it this Wednesday coming, where and at what time.?

    Thanks again David

    Reply ↓

  77. “What do you mean? Public Transportation is just that, Free Parking means for those that has a Vehicle !!”

    So people who own cars are not part of the public?

    “The reason there is this push now to revitalise Bridgetown is the fact that it was neglected for donkey years.”

    There was a push to renew Bridgetown since the 1990s under Owen; hence the construction of London Bourne, the Boardwalk, repair of the swing bridge, greening of the lower green bus stand, Pierhead redevelopment initiative, constitution river dredging and the greening of independence square. This was long before the Hyatt, the only hotel built in Port of Spain under Manning, opened in 2009.

    “How come they had a vision for a marina and golf courses at Westmoreland but aint put one penny in Bridgetown ?”

    Because they recognised the shift in economic and social activity coupled with the burgeoning heights, terraces and gardens, car ownership and the opportunities opened up by the ABC highway. Cities “die” due to a number of factors, their rejuvenation must be built on what makes them unique now and into the future, not yesterday.

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  80. Barbados Museum & Historical Society.
    Introduction of Piped Water to Bridgetown

    On March 29, 1861, piped water was introduced into the city of Bridgetown. To signal this momentous event, the tap located on the pedestal of Nelson’s Statue was the first to be opened to allow the fresh water to flow. A joint stock company trading as “The Bridgetown Waterworks Company” was formed in 1857 with a guaranteed government subsidy of £5,000 a year to supply the city with half a million gallons of pure water daily.

    Water was supplied from springs at Newcastle, St. John via pipes laid in December of 1860 in the principal streets of the City. The introduction of this supply was intended for fires only; but at the beginning of May, the Waterworks Company published the rates at which it was prepared to supply water to private premises within the City limits, and by October 1861 the Waterworks Company had laid down 490 hydrants and 105 standpipes throughout Bridgetown. This was possibly as a response to the 1854 cholera epidemic and the recurring Bridgetown fires of the 19th century.

    A few months after the introduction of piped water to the City, an editorial in the “The Barbadian” newspaper suggested that a fountain “with some pretensions of elegance” should be erected in a central spot for use by the public. On November 10, 1862 a subscription was opened under the auspices of the Governor to raise between £150 and £200 for its erection. On March 1, 1865 a committee was established and Thomas C. Marshall, Superintendent of Public Works, volunteered to supervise the erection of the fountain. The Waterworks Company agreed to supply the 2,000 gallons of water an hour required to operate the fountain from 8:00 a.m. until dusk. On April 26, an Act was passed to appropriate a portion on land in Trafalgar Square to site the fountain which arrived in Barbados on the ship “Sylph.” Henry Emptage, the sole tenderer, was awarded the contract to erect the fountain which was estimated to cost £300.

    To support the 1 ¾ ton fountain, a foundation was constructed comprising a circular block of masonry, supported by 44 hard wood piles which were driven 10 feet into the ground. A basin, 40 feet in diameter and three feet above ground level, was placed at the base of the fountain to receive the water. The basin was designed by the Superintendent of Public Works and made from local limestone.

    On July 17, 1865, the fountain was formally inaugurated by the acting Governor Major Robert M. Mundy. The occasion, which attracted a large crowd, was marked by an artillery salute, the ringing of the bells of St. Michael’s Cathedral and a guard of honour.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=684082908457155&set=a.594263764105737.1073741830.100005663558154&type=3

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  81. Swan Street, Brigdetown, Barbados

    Back in 1845, an enormous fire ravaged Mr. Lobo’s property at No. 20 Swan Street. Numerous houses and acres of Lower Bridgetown were burnt, which subsequently became aptly known as Burnt District.

    Two theories exists with regards to the genesis of the name Swan Street. One theory suggests an inn by the name of ‘The Swan’ while the other theory points to the street being named after Captain Swann, a surveyor.

    “I ask a Bajan student about Swan Street, also known as “Jew Street” because of the historical settlement of Jewish merchants there. Puzzled, she suggests that perhaps I have the wrong street? Perhaps I mean Tudor Street? She associates Swan Street with Syrians, Chinese, but not Jews. Her response brings to mind a line from St. Lucian poet Derek Walcott’s Nobel speech about “that Sephardic Jewish synagogue that was once on Something Street.”

    https://www.icp.org/icpmedia/B/l/a/c/Blackburne_Barbados275_2013_81_26_463402_displaysize.jpg

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  82. Looks like a Sunday either early morning or late afternoon…

    What Direction would you say this Image of Swan Street was Looking Towards, East or West?

    I feel it is looking east and the buildings on the left is where Sewing World is Presently and the ally on the right takes you to the T Junction by the Street that is the Back of Cave Shepherd?

    What year would you think this image Portrays?

    Swan Street, Bridgetown, Barbados

    https://www.icp.org/icpmedia/B/l/a/c/Blackburne_Barbados282_2013_81_33_448206_displaysize.jpg

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