Community spirit recently triumphed over vandalism when businesses rallied to replace damaged signs at Welchman Hall Gully.
The nature attraction was targeted by vandals who destroyed interpretation signs while the St Thomas facility was closed for the pandemic.
After the attack was reported in Barbados TODAY last August, Colour XL Printing company offered to replace the signs free of charge.
“It was so disheartening to see the damage,” said Debra Branker, director of Welchman Hall Gully.
“It’s been really tough maintaining a tourist attraction here in Barbados with no visitors and no income when we still have overheads to meet. To see vandalism at any time is terrible, but when we were suffering already, well, it was heart-breaking,” she said.
But Branker was given a lift when Colour XL
of Cane Garden, St Thomas, contacted her.
Ryan Rover, the director of Colour XL, replaced the two large interpretive signs which had been destroyed and produced about 10 signs numbering the plants and trees along the forest walk.
“I’m really grateful for the help. It restores your faith in human nature,” said Branker, who has privately leased the Gully from the Barbados National Trust for the last 14 years.
Although the past 15 months have been the toughest yet, Branker has been pleased by the increase in the number of locals who have visited the gully.
Welchman Hall Gully is now open every day from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. (PR)
