Dear Editor,

Heritage tourism should be a priority in Eastern St Thomas. The heritage there is unusually rich. This constituency has produced two of the seven national heroes – Paul Bogle and William Gordon. Also, Bustamante had a property there. Gordon was a member of the House of Assembly for the then St Thomas in the eastern parish, where Bogle was an activist – today’s Eastern St Thomas, a bit of the West; and extended into Manchioneal, Portland. The square of Morant Bay, where they were executed, is a potential museum site – their tombs, the old courthouse, and the old fort are among the built heritage there.

On the border of Eastern St Thomas, in the then St Thomas in the East parish is the Belvedere Estate. Thomas Freeman, the first speaker of the House of Assembly was the original owner. His tomb underscores Belvedere’s rich heritage stock. Luke Stokes, then governor of Nevis, arrived in Eastern St Thomas in 1656 and settled in Stokes Field. His grandson went on to Stokes Hall where he built the Great House – now a preserved heritage site. The Amity Hall and Golden Grove Great Houses are located nearby – all three offer potential for heritage tourism. The second oldest botanical garden of the West Indies is in Bath in this constituency. Bath is known for its world-class mineral spring – Bath Fountain. This entire town is itself a heritage site.

On the border of Eastern St Thomas, in the then St Thomas in the East parish is the Belvedere Estate. Thomas Freeman, the first speaker of the House of Assembly was the original owner. His tomb underscores Belvedere’s rich heritage stock. Luke Stokes, then governor of Nevis, arrived in Eastern St Thomas in 1656 and settled in Stokes Field. His grandson went on to Stokes Hall where he built the Great House – now a preserved heritage site. The Amity Hall and Golden Grove Great Houses are located nearby – all three offer potential for heritage tourism. The second oldest botanical garden of the West Indies is in Bath in this constituency. Bath is known for its world-class mineral spring – Bath Fountain. This entire town is itself a heritage site.

Pera was cited in the 1950s by Nethersole (then finance minister) and Norman Manley (premier), as ideal for tourism. Superb beaches are among the rich natural heritage. Old windmills and other colonial relics are present, but Fort Lindsay is the highlight of the built heritage. Nearby is the old seaport town of Bowden – once a shipping port for banana and sugar. Bowden has one of the world’s best natural harbours – a potential tourist pier. LG Newland, then MP, started the construction of Pera highway in 1970, but this ceased in 1972. Since then, very little has been heard of plans for tourism in Pera. Those Spanish hotel developers who were taken to Holland Bay in 2006 would have surely been more impressed with Pera. Why Holland Bay when Pera is known to be more suited? A methodical framework for heritage tourism in this constituency should be presented by each prospective candidate in the coming election. It offers unlimited economic potential while preserving and showcasing the constituency’s rich heritage.

Bradshaw Singh

West Midlands, England