THE WAY I SEE IT

By:Curtis Morton
The way I see it, history is important to guide an individual or even a country.
As a matter of fact, the late, great Marcus Garvey among his many famous quotes, stated: ‘Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’
And so, I can understand the chagrin and the agony of the people of DEMO in Hanley’s road, at the removal of their precious water tank or water dam which has been there for the lifetime of many of them.
That is where persons near and far, came to get water, before people on Nevis were able to enjoy the privilege of pipe borne water in their homes.
Mind you, I also understand the other side of the coin: The tank needed to be removed in order to make space for the ongoing widening and renovation of Hanley’s Road.
Hey, but water tanks have a HISTORY.
I remember when we (my family) used to frequent the one at Fothergills. As boys, we had to head many buckets of water in a day—morning and afternoon. It was not an easy task but it was enjoyable. It gave us some freedom from the rigid rules of the home environment. We got a chance to play cricket with friends or just chat. Of course we still had to get back home within a reasonable time, with the water, but our natural response would be, that the lines were long. Most times they were.
I remember this day, when there was a long line at the tank and folks started to get agitated and there was an argument about who had arrived before who and so on.
Apparently one lady thought it best to push away a bucket belonging to a family member of mine (an older cousin) and he responded by giving her a vicious chop to the head. I think he spent a year in jail for that.
Well I newa!
I remember also hearing of an elderly lady who had travelled miles from her village to collect water at a water tank in another village. On her return home, as she attempted to climb the steps to her house, she stumbled and all of the water fell to the ground………
Well I newa!
I sure would ah bus out bawl!
And so I can empathize with all the wonderful people of Hanley’s Road.
You know how many stories would have been told around that tank? You know how many lifelong friendships were formed around that tank—even resulting in marriages?
You know how many kind deeds would have been performed as villagers helped each other to lift those buckets and various types of containers?
Small wonder, one of the villagers lamented: ‘All arbe history gone down the drain!’
However, one of them managed to get a picture just before it was demolished, which I am sharing with my readers.
At least memories don’t leave like people do.
That’s the way I see it. How do you see it?