By Charles Mcclean
On February 1st, the St. Peter leg of the “We Gathering” began with a bang – the Heritage Breakfast Walk! 🚶♂️💥 With about 30 enthusiastic participants, we set out bright and early at 5:30 AM, ready to uncover the hidden gems of Barbados’ past.
Starting from the Esplanade, we made our way north through Sand Street and Heywoods, then took a scenic backtrack to the iconic Coleridge and Parry School (CP), where we made our first stop at the historic Dover Fort. 🏰
Our knowledgeable guide, Mr. Irwin Scantlebury, brought history to life with captivating stories and facts we never knew! Did you know that Barbados fought for independence as early as February 18th, 1651? 🇧🇧 Or that Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England, couldn’t land on the island because the west coast was heavily fortified? In fact, the Governor of Barbados surrendered to the British fleet in 1652! And that same year, the Charter of Barbados was signed in Oistins, later known as the Treaty of Barbados, officially ending the war between England and Barbados. 🇬🇧
We continued the journey to the St. Joseph Hospital, where we learned more about its fascinating history and eventual decline. 🏥 Afterward, we trekked down Station Hill and took a detour to a trail leading to Speightstown, where we stopped at the base of a gully that stretches from Sailor Gully to Bowen Alley, diving into more stories about the area’s rich history. 🌍
The walk ended in Speightstown, where we were treated to a delicious heritage breakfast, reflecting on the incredible journey and everything we learned along the way. 🥐🍽️
If you ever get the chance to join a trail walk in Speightstown or anywhere in St. Peter, don’t miss it! It’s a fantastic way to explore Barbados’ history, have fun, and meet amazing people. ✨
