As my contemporaries would say, the Beacon’s editorial and Chrystall Kanyuck’s article — “Restoring VI ruins” — in the Oct. 11 issue “took the words clean out of my mouth!” However, as this piece was already written, I submit it in support of the protection and preservation of historical buildings and sites.
I lived for several years in Colchester, the United Kingdom’s oldest town. It served as the first capital of Roman Britain but existed as a Celtic settlement before the Roman conquest. There is archaeological evidence of settlement 3,000 years ago, and this together with its claim to be the oldest recorded town in Britain are not taken for granted by its inhabitants and authorities.
In the 1954 book The Buildings of England, Nikolaus Pevsner wrote, “What is so impressive of Colchester, more than in any other town in England, is the continuity of its architectural interest. It began before the time of the Romans and lasted through to the present.” The blending of the present day buildings of the town with those of an ancient era is special. The 1968 Shell Guide to the area says this combination gives “the extraordinary visual pleasure and the immense sense of historic continuity into the present, that is peculiar to the very lively character of the place.”
Now when my husband and I visit, we like to stay in old “period houses,” which offer bed and breakfast, squeaky floorboards and ceilings with original exposed beams, some so crooked that they must have been erected without a spirit level! Those houses have no elevators, sometimes no easy taxi access, and nothing that would change their character and charm. Having to struggle with the luggage up steep stairs is compensated with a traditional English breakfast (minus the black pudding), which sets one up for the rest of the day! The charm of such accommodation attracts a special clientele and ensures that rooms are usually all booked up!
In Colchester, nothing is spared to ensure that the preservation of the historic character of the town is maintained. There is a Register of Listed Buildings from 1,000 A.D. to 2050. Yes, to 2050! There are laws and regulations governing “listed buildings,” and it is a criminal offence to carry out unauthorised work to a listed building without consent. Penalties for breaking the law are stiff. The county council provides advice on altering, extending or demolishing a listed building. It is necessary to obtain consent from the local planning authority, whose decisions are informed by specialist advice provided by its own conservation officers or by a historic building and conservation team. Listing does not mean that change is impossible, but all changes must be justified, and are assessed on their impact on the character, significance and historic fabric of the listed building.
In the case of applications relating to the oldest graded buildings, the local planning authority has to seek the advice of English Heritage, which is the UK government’s statutory adviser on all aspects of the historic environment and its heritage assets.
All owners of listed buildings (whether the council, developers, landowners or private individuals) must contact their local planning authority prior to carrying out works to a listed building, in order to identify what will require listed building consent, and also to take preliminary advice on what may be on the best way to enhance, preserve and protect historic buildings and their surroundings.
Here in the Virgin Islands, our few historic buildings and sites are disappearing rapidly. They are being bulldozed overnight. Buildings and sites which were spared the ravages of giant hurricanes like Hugo and Marilyn have been taken down at the whim of uncaring residents. We should do everything to help people understand and appreciate the value of historical artefacts in society, instead of just allowing wanton disregard for our history to continue.
The compilation of a Register of Listed Buildings was started as early as the 1970s. The director of the National Parks Trust and his team have done tremendous continuing work on compiling a register and in 2007 produced a comprehensive draft. The case for Main Street to be designated as an historical district has also been made with supporting information, intended for Cabinet’s sanction. A bit of editing and fine-tuning may be needed, but the bulk of the work has already been done.
Governments come and go, proclaiming commitment to the preservation of VI history and the historic environs, but there is successive failure to adopt progressive measures necessary to help ensure the protection of historic buildings and sites. On the other hand, it is amazing how quickly legislation (including amendments) on some subjects is formulated and rushed through the House, while the same degree of concern for others, like historical buildings and sites, also of vital importance, seems to be lacking. Our historical buildings and sites are good for our patrimony and for our tourist-based economy. We should put appropriate legislation in place as an added measure to protect and preserve them.
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