SHEER VANDALISM AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS

“It’s sheer vandalism” declared one of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens yesterday while describing the damage done to the historical showpiece. She said the group was outraged to see the damage done by those invloved in organising the “Frantic Friday” all-inclusive fete following a performance of Carnival Messiah at Queen’s Hall. Damage has been done to the Silk Cotton Lawn, so it appears, without the necessary permission of  security or anyone else in the Gardens.

To the astonishment of the security guards, on Wednesday afternoon tents were erected on the Silk Cotton Lawn. When, on Thursday morning, the security people protested, the tents were taken down. At 9 o’clock that same evening they went up again, and came down again at 9.40 Friday morning. At about the same time, heavy equipment was driven on the Silk Cotton Lawn, damaging the fence and roots of trees in the area. The matter has been drawn to the attention of Pennelope Beckles, Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment.