Dear Editor,
At a consultative meeting held at the Leonora Government School with Dr Ashni Singh on the food crisis, because the doctor belonged to the cabinet, I seized the opportunity to air my concern about the status of the Leonora Park cricket ground.
I must admit I spent the best part of my life as an active member of the Leonora Cricket Club. I had the distinction of representing Leonora Cricket Club in numerous cricket matches.
In the attempt to get across my message, the Region Three Chairman, Mr Faeber, came across very strongly that the welfare of the Leonora Park is in the hands of Guysuco. For my part Guysuco showed a very negligent attitude towards the park. I can speak authoritatively on this matter.
However my reply was that Guysuco should do nothing to jeopardize the people’s usage of the park as this was won through the Moyne Commission.
I have found to my dismay that rumours abound in the air that the park has been sold to some private individuals. Emanating from Canada as well, this rumour is afloat.
To verify my stance I have discovered in Clem Seecharan’s book about Sir Jock Campbell, Sweetening bitter sugar, an interesting passage on pages 419-20: “In 1946, in exhorting administrative managers of sugar estates to support Scargall’s work, Jock Campbell had focused less on the mechanics, the construction of cricket pavilions and youth centres; rather he went straight to the human dimension, defining it primarily in terms of attitudinal change on the estates – change of thought amongst the people and arousing of interest in welfare matters amongst members of the estate [administrative] staff. Campbell ‘s initial interest in social welfare, like his belief in reform generally, had its origins in his seminal experience of plantation life in the mid-1930s. The Moyne Commission had advocated it and the Colonial Development and Welfare grants, since 1940 were demonstrating what was possible.”
Of course, we can deduce more from the said book. However, it must be said that what was bequeathed to the people was won through sweat, blood and tears, especially by the people of Leonora.
I wonder what right the present directors of Guysuco have to do away with the park when their predecessors in office thought so much about attitudinal change in the sugar industry. Maybe the Directors of Guysuco, the Minister of Sport and Culture and subversionists in Leonora too should have their say.
I am eager to see the Leonora Park cricket ground alive again. Its history is interesting.
Yours faithfully,
Vaidram Persaud
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Guysuco for any comments they may wish to make.
