14 August St Georges Fort

 

On my way to the fish market this morning I diverted up a steep flight of steps to St Georges Fort overlooking the harbour entrance.

It was built by the British in the 18^th century. In the 1984 coup the deposed Government were held here, some executed in the square. After that the police force used it as a training barracks, but when hurricane Ivan came through in 2005 the strength of the wind was too great for the old buildings and many of the rooves were blown away. The damage has never been repaired and today the only occupants are a cobbler in one corner room mending police boots and in another room a team of tailors making police uniforms.

Next to the fort is one of the original churches on the island. It too was destroyed by hurricane Ivan. The clock stopped at 2.40, but was that am or pm?