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• 'Crazy idea' to demolish heritage

Farley Hill House : 3/16/2009
I was shocked to hear about Gilkes/Lashley proposing to demolish Farley House. I live in England and visit Barbados several times a year. The amount of visitors who travel to the island don't just go for the entertainment. This throw away attitude is typical of the last government and is why other holiday destinations which offer true history and culture are becomming more popular.

An Island without History : 3/14/2009
If we keep knocking down Barbados we will soon be left with nothing. If he has outgrown the area find another location. I am a Barbadian who has been living in the States for almost 40 years. I remember visiting Farley Hill as a child, it's a vital part of our heritage. Please find another location for your concerts. Preserve our heritage and leave a lengacy for our children and for generations to come.

CRAZY! : 3/13/2009
That's all I can say, "CRAZY!" Restore it. If it falls on its own, there is nothing that can be done about that. But, to deliberately set out the very thing that MAKES Farley Hill what it is, is ludicrous. Just try to imagine walking through Farley Hill without the beauty of those ruins to look at. I say restore it, make it safe again and make the money hungry promotors look elsewhere for a venue.

Lousy idea Gilkes/Lashley : 3/13/2009
"Barbados will have a permanent venue for international shows." This is what Mr. Lashley is quoted as saying. So Mr Lashley, what happened to Kensington Oval? Or is that all of a sudden not a good enough venue for international shows? In addition to all the millions the Government spent (and continues to spend) on Kensington, the Government must now spend more money to tear down an historical national attraction and build in its place something no doubt unsightly and costly (e.g. the Hilton). Give me a break!! A great deal of the appeal of a show at Farley Hill is the framing of the stage against the ruins of the house. Increasing the amount of space to accommodate another 2000 people would make any show too big and impersonal. Take the big impersonal shows with 10,000 people to Kensington - that's what it was built to accommodate! Leave our beautiful old buildings alone - we have precious few of them left! DM

Shame on you Al Gilkes! : 3/13/2009
Is he out of his mind? Seriously, have we come so far away from who we are that he actually thinks proposing this idea is even sensible? This is a part of our heritage! I am a Bajan who doesn't live in Barbados and nothing gives me more pleasure than coming home to MY COUNTRY and seeing such beauty and history. Al Gilkes needs to get his eyes out of people's wallets and focus them on what's really important. Shame on you Al Gilkes!!!!! Shame on anyone else who supports such a ridiculous proposal!!!!!!!!!

In disbelief : 3/13/2009
If Gilkes' promotions have outgrown Farley Hill, maybe he needs to explore other venues...like the East Coast! No consideration for restoration, it ole' so get rid of it!! Totally absurd!

Gilkes too FASt : 3/13/2009
Al Gilkes should be ashamed of himself for such a crazy suggestion. If the leaning tower of Pisa can survive, then the ruins can surely be restored and preserved for another 100 years.

Farley Hill : 3/13/2009
Farley Hill was my playground as a child growing up in Cleland Tenantry. We ran up and down the staircases and played Hide & Seek. One Saturday afternoon I stood close enough to feel the heat and cried as that beautiful house burned. Now this fool wants to pull it down. Do the Greeks pull down their ruins? I lost my village when everyone was forced to leave. Must I lose this too?

It can be preserved! : 3/13/2009
Before the minor tremor in 2007, NCC had plans to retrofit and preserve the ruins. They still have in hand an engineer's report with viable options. Several historic buildings of similar construction have been successfully restored/preserved in countries all over the world. In fact some companies specialize in just restoration and preservation of historic structures. I believe that with a bit of research our local engineers can successfully restore the ruins using well established techniques. Gilkes is being too FASt and I trust common sense will prevail.

Farley Hill : 3/13/2009
Can you imagine touring countries like Great Britain and Europe and seeing nothing but a mirror reflection of North American cities? I beg of you, please try to preserve what is left of your island's history and architecture before it is too late! A concerned Canadian

Devastating! : 3/13/2009
This building is history - it's also the setting for Islands in the Sun with Harry Belafonte, Dorthy Dandridge and James Mason. It's 1957 and the landscape is ripe with activity as a morality play unfolds on a beautiful tropical island. It's 2009 and that withering structure still plays the heart. I've touched those stones on many occasions and warmed my hands and closed my eyes and imagined the many lives that passed through. Perhaps Mr. Reggae and Mr. Jazz should lower the volume to their concerts and preserve the foundation and take steps to raise dollars to reinforce and rejuvinate this precious building and surrounding land that gives os much in return..

Fah Real... Farley Hill : 3/13/2009
I live up North...this a landmark! It would be unfortunate as this is a place we were taken while in Primary School. I have fond memories of Farley Hill and it would be a great loss if it is torn down! This is a part of the North and history they are trying to destroy. I wonder where this is all coming from... if they never started placing those events up there this wouldn't be an issue. Why don't they move the whole venue somewhere where u can fit more people. Money Hungry... that what I say! I'm sure there are other buildings that need tearing down but this affects them directly... so sad!

My beloved Farley Hill : 3/13/2009
I urge every citizen of Barbados to fight against the destruction of this historical great house. I come to cover the jazz festival every year for 14 of the 16 years since it's inception. I have photographed each year's deterioration and actually cried when I saw what happened after the earthquake. Why is no one promoting restoration of this beautiful structure? Please, protect your heritage and fight for restoration, not demolition for dollars!

Our Heritage : 3/13/2009
It will be hard to see more of our heritage been destroyed, seeing it recently the structure is unstable.But I will feel better if it falls on its own or of a natural cause.

Ridiculous : 3/13/2009
This is unreal to me. Let's demolish history to make money. How about preserving what is still standing?

Hoa! : 3/13/2009
Is it that far gone that it cannot be retro-fitted? We are not really concious of how much we are losing, to make money. Let there be a balance and work together for a better solution. Dissapointed

Agree : 3/13/2009
For the first time in my life, I agree 100% with Professor Fraser - TOTALLY CRAZY! Please find somewhere else to entertain your masses, Mr. Gilkes. Are you capable of seeing anything else besides the next dollar?

: 3/13/2009
What an outrageous suggestion. Squeezing more people in to make more money trumps ambiance and atmosphere. So sad.

Preservation : 3/13/2009
Why are we so fast to destroy our heritage,last year the slave hut was destroyed now we are going to do the same with Farley hill just to accommodate 2000 more people so Gilkes could make a few more dollars. This is crazy stuff. Barbados is already a concrete jungle, no natural environment for the people to enjoy. The same fate is happening now to Graeme Hall, when will you people understand the value of natural green space and conservation?

It's all about the money : 3/13/2009
Massive crowds, fat pockets. I'm really surprised that Al would suggest tearing down the structure. It serves as a landmark. If another earthquake happens, and it falls, then nothing can be done except remove the ruins. In the meantime leave it alone.