Work Begins on Paul Bogle Square for Labour Day Concert

The St. Thomas Parish Council has started clean-up work at the Paul Bogle Square in Morant Bay, in preparation for the National Labour Day Concert, scheduled to take place in the square on Wednesday, May 23, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Over the week-end, workmen employed by the Council began clearing burnt debris from the Morant Bay Courthouse, which was destroyed by fire on February 20. The courthouse, an important part of St. Thomas’ history, being the scene of the Morant Bay rebellion in 1865, was the venue for the St. Thomas Parish Council meetings and the Circuit Court in St. Thomas.
Secretary/Manager of the Parish Council, Clinton Gordon told JIS News that the clean-up was part of the parish Labour Day activities, which would include cemeteries and historical sites, such as the ancestral burial ground behind the Courthouse.
Residents in the parish are expected to work at the site on Labour Day (May 23), being observed under the theme: ‘Honouring our ancestors . strengthening communities’.
Mr. Gordon said that the clean-up of the square was to allow for the free movement of persons and vehicles on the historical site during the concert. He said that although burnt materials were cleared after the fire, there were still some burnt objects left on the ground.
He said it was also important that the surroundings be made as safe as possible for patrons attending the concert, and appealed to persons not to go beyond the brick walls of the structure.
“We’re asking persons not to enter the building itself, since we have no confirmation yet on the safety of the physical structure,” he said, adding that the structure would be inspected to ensure its safety.
Activities in the parish are being co-ordinated by a Parish Labour Day Committee, co-chaired by the Custos of St. Thomas, Hon. Marcia Bennett and the Mayor of Morant Bay, Councillor Joan Spencer.