by JULIE WILSON

GENERAL SECRETARY of the Barbados Workers Union (BWU) Sir Roy Trotman, is upset by what he describes as the blatant attempt to take away beach access from three popular beaches in the South and Eastern Barbados.

He cited three areas – Miami beach, Bathsheba and Browne's beach, as three areas which are a source of concern for the union.

Sir Roy told the large gathering of Government officials, union officials and diplomats attending the 65th annual Barbados Workers Union delegates conference at Solidarity House yesterday, that Government should pay special attention to these three areas to ensure that land remains within the "patrimony of the people."

He recalled that during May Day celebrations, the union membership was shocked when hundreds of its members could not gain access to the popular beach and had to park beside the road.

"So we thought about what might happen if in our urge to build largely for a non-Barbadian community we would put some large edifice there, which prevented the thousands of Barbadians who use Browne's beach from being able to have access to that special piece of God's creation, that he has set out there for Barbadians and all of our friends and loved ones we come to share it with.

"We should ensure that it remains ours to share with our friends and not theirs to keep away from us."

Sir Roy also spoke about a rumour which spoke of a private proprietorship which has plans to develop the picturesque Enterprise "Miami" Beach area, shutting out Barbadians from the area.

Although this could not be confirmed, Sir Roy said, it was also being said that the old Christ Church District Hospital was not closed because of the threat of under-water volcano Kick em Jenny.

"The old almshouse wasn't moved because of any Kick em Jenny, but there is private proprietorship that is going to take over and that Miami Beach is going to be lost to the people of Barbados.

"I don't believe it, but it doesn't say that nobody should think about it. Miami must remain the beach of choice of all of those thousands of people. There were many people who went up there with all kinds of problems in the past, but that must remain the people's beach."

He said with all of the civic institutions being built in Oistins, he was making a plea for the civic society of Barbados to keep Oistins scared for all Barbadians.

He said he was "horrified" to learn of stakes being placed in the road preventing sea bathers from accessing the high rock at Bathsheba.

Sir Roy said it was brought to his attention that the stakes were located in the area of the old train tracks - a major heritage spot for hundreds of visitors.

"So think about what happens to us in the Congress of Trade Unions ands Staff Association when we heard that somebody had put stakes in the road to prevent people from going to the "highrock" in Bathsheba - the most beautiful part of Barbados to bathe.

"They must never be so rude as to discontinue the smooth passage along the sea coast from St Philip right through to St Andrew.

"Keep Barbados free, make sure that we are not talking about development and merely speaking words out of our mouths."