Hundreds of documents stored at the former Bedford Methodist School building were destroyed during Wednesday’s downpour as the demolition of the structure continues.
Despite talks by officials from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Ministry of Education to make an effort to save them, documents were discarded and then soaked by rain.
A library assistant at the Walter Rodney Archives, who asked not to be named, told Stabroek News that there was no information on the Bedford Methodist School documented in the archives. Last week, she visited the demolition site and requested of the contractors some of the documents from the building, since she discovered some of the documents to be useful. She explained that the workmen said everything had to be dumped. “It was heart-rending,” she recalled.
Over the years, the building has become unstable for use. After not being used for decades, it was bought by a businessman for commercial development.
The M&CC had squabbled with vendors selling outside the site over the last two months on their relocation for their safety during the demolition. A deal was struck last week for the vendors to temporarily occupy Orange Walk.
As the demolition of the Bedford Building continues in the backdrop, the junction of Bourda and Robb streets remains abuzz with activity. Most vendors have upheld their end of the deal to relocate to the corner of Orange Walk and Robb Street. Others who were intent on remaining outside of the Bedford building were rethinking the move after Wednes-day’s rainfall left puddles at the junction.
