Preserve Bdos’ political past
CRITICAL speeches and other documents from past Prime Ministers have been unceremoniously dumped, leaving a chasm in the political history of Barbados.
This unfortunate reality has been brought to light by Dr. Sir Richard “Johnny” Cheltenham, who on Wednesday night was delivering a biographical lecture on Barbados’ third Prime Minister, Bernard “Bree” St. John, who passed away in 2004.
Sir Richard expressed particular concern about the “cavalier” manner in which vital historical documents are treated in this country.
“It is as though we have no sense of history. On the very evening that Mr. St. John was sworn in as Prime Minister of Barbados, Tom Adams’ papers, in so far as they were in grey cabinets in his office, were carried away and dumped.”
“But Tom was a keen observer of men and their mannerisms and along the way would have written, at minimum, some thumbnail sketches of men he met at home and abroad. The dumping of his papers robbed us, no doubt, of a rich historical treasure,” he stated.
Sir Richard told the large audience at the Christ Church Parish Church Centre that one of the challenges encountered while putting together the presentation on the late “Bree” St. John was the lack of source material.
“Bree did not leave behind a collection of letters, diaries, or private papers. And so we must rely on the public record which is scant and the recall of those who knew him well and who are still with us.”
“One of the last things Bree told me before he left his sick bed to go to hospital where he died was that he would like to see a collection of his speeches put together and published. When I enquired, I was told that they were sent to a warehouse and when the warehouse was contacted , it was discovered that the papers were thrown away.”
According to Sir Richard, “In my view, it must not be left to chance whether the papers and speeches of Prime Ministers are preserved or destroyed. The Permanent Secretary or someone delegated the responsibility on his/ her behalf must have as a part of their job description the preservation of the speeches and papers of all Ministers, including Prime Ministers. And at the end of the Minister’s tour of duty, the papers should be deposited in the public library, one set, and the other with the Archives.”
Sir Richard told the audience, that in some cases there may be letters photographs and diaries and on e may have to rely on families to hand them over or to make duplicates. “But arrangements should be made and these matters should be energetically addressed and pursed by the Public Librarian and Archivist.”
“What we cannot afford is the senseless destruction of the papers of our political leaders as though they are of no significance. They are the raw material of history and ought to be zealously preserved,” he stated. (JH)