ST BARTHOLEMEW'S SCHOOL recently received a new gate from supporters of the Democratic Labour Party.

The party's hopeful for the area, Senator Dr Denis Lowe, also shadow minister of education, and his team handed over the gate which is painted in the national colours with the broken trident welded into the design.

It was donated by Egbert Maloney, a farmer and constituency member of Christ Church East.

"I am very patriotic and have a long association with the school," he said, adding that he, his seven sisters and two brothers attended the school.

The gate, Maloney said, should keep the children focused on national pride.

Lowe said: "We have been working with the school for two or three years on different projects. Every week we contribute to a craft class. "The previous gate had been rotten for five or six years and it [the new gate] was needed to provide protection against undesirables, reduce risk and enhance the beauty and security for the students."

The team was quick to point out that the school was less than 300 yards from the constituency office of Minister of Education Reginald Farley, but nothing was done regarding the gate problem.

"As representatives of the people, we should not have to ait on Government for everything that has to be done, we must get the community on board. he dedication of this gate speaks to my intentions for schools across Barbados," said Lowe. (UR)