Chaotic conditions were created by traders operating outside St. Swithin’s Church

Mar 01, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
This is a letter that we, the representatives of the Church of St. Swithin, wrote to the Chairman of the Best/Klein Poudriyen NDC at Poudroyen, West Bank Demerara, regarding the presence of traders at the entrance of our church.
This missive was written following a visit to the NDC office on Thursday, 29 January, 2015.
Dear Sirs,
We were there to express our profound dismay regarding the unpleasant, dangerous and unhealthy conditions created by a group of TRADERS operating on a fulltime basis, at the entrance to the church and on the roadway leading to the junction.
Our visit on this very serious matter lasted approximately three hours, having first made courtesy visits to the Regional Chairman Mr. Julius Faerber and the A.R.E.O. Mr. Hardat.
At the NDC we gave an extensive briefing to the Environmental Officer, Mrs. June Nedd, and her assistant, Ms. Lynnell Graham, on what we consider CHAOTIC conditions created by the TRADERS:
1. They command a position at the road entrance (some 12 feet from the bridge – the tarmac) inhibiting safe entrance or exit through lack of immediate vision of conditions (path – entrance – bridge – gate – road/traffic) by churchgoers on foot or vehicles, leading to a LOG of complaints having to be created in recent months, regarding incidents and various grievances by Parishioners, as well as visitors to the Church.
These include the inability of some drivers to easily and quickly see and gauge the position of the entrance, much less to see the gate to the enter churchyard, thus often creating friction with other road users on that busy and ever increasing traffic roadway. On one occasion recently, the aid of the Police had to be sought for materials for the construction of a tomb to enter the churchyard. It is envisaged that should the CHURCH, LOCAL AUTHORITIES, POLICE or powers-that-be, not take early remedial action, serious injury to persons and damage to vehicles will result. In the meantime, the CHURCH suffers
3. In an effort to ease conditions and maintain a clear path at the entrance, the Church Authority placed two temporary poles on each side as a guide for persons on foot and vehicles to see and enter the gate, but lo and behold, these poles soon became an integral part of the stalls for boxes and produce, thus making it even more difficult, not only for vehicles to enter/exit, but the elderly and infirm, who are often supported by walking sticks/canes.
4. The residue of trading materials, i.e. garbage, is often disposed of into the now shallow drains along the church’s fence and on occasions within the fence, all contrary to the LAWS OF CLEANLINESS, which we teach our young. The area often reeks of the residue of human waste. The drains created in recent years by the Local Authority are now clogged with garbage.
5. The church’s fence and Parish Hall gate are being used to support structures of stalls/stands, and trade vehicles often bridge the drains and brace the fence walls. Various organisations within the Church, example Youth Group, Mothers’ Union Men’s Brotherhood and others, will require free and ready access to and from the PARISH HALL, through the gate now being blocked by Traders.
6. We recall that Minister Benn and his adviser Mr. Walter Willis, visited in 2010 regarding a similar situation and in quick time had all the Traders’ stands and fixtures removed. The drains were cleaned and there was free-running water into the western run-off trench leading toward the High School.
7. It is VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE that our CHURCH RECORDS show that two tombs lay beneath the SACRED GROUND being desecrated by TRADERS. They were interred in the early years 1827 — 1900. The CHURCH is making no claims to this area, but would suggest it be maintained in a pleasing (to the sight) condition with easy pedestrian access and possibly for temporary vehicle parking, as done on the opposite side of the roadway. The Church will do its part in rendering and re-painting the fence as previously done.
Mr. Chairman, we do request early consideration and hopefully some successful action that would end the current impasse of Market Traders surrounding the entrance to the Church Of St Swithin at Vreed-en-hoop.
Representatives of the Church of St. Swithin’s Anglican Church

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Chaotic conditions were created by traders operating outside St. Swithin’s Church

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