Sobers, Walcott homes set for heritage recognition

Minister of Pan-African Affairs and Heritage Trevor Prescod has announced major plans to honour two of the nation’s greatest sporting legends, Sir Gary Sobers and the late Sir Frank Walcott, by preserving their historic family homes.

Speaking at the launch of Heritage Month at the Cricket Legends Museum on Saturday evening, Minister Prescod revealed that the ministry intends to go beyond traditional tributes to protect these vital pieces of Barbadian history.

The heritage initiative will begin in the Bay Land, St Michael, at the childhood home of National Hero Sir Gary Sobers. Prescod said the state must play an active role in preserving the legacy of its national icons while they are still alive.

“We can’t have a national hero like Gary Sobers still very much alive… and the state not contributing to [recognising] the home that he grew up in symbolically as a representation of his greatness,” Prescod declared. “We want to change that… trust me, we’re gonna make sure we do that.”

The preservation plans will also extend to the eastern side of the Empire Cricket Club ground, targeting the home of trade union pioneer and cricket legend Sir Frank Walcott.

Prescod said that the ministry aims to work in tandem with the Barbados National Trust to bring these projects to fruition.

“It is our intention to take this a little further than just putting [up] a plaque,” the minister stated. (RR)