Cricket museum

Marylebone Cricket Club, owners of the famous Lord's cricket ground in England, has pledged its support for the setting up of a cricket museum at Holders Hill in St. James.

Acting vice-president of marketing of the Barbados Tourism Authority, Calvin Hope, said that after the idea of such a museum had been broached as a community tourism project, the opportunity arose during the second Test match between England and the West Indies at Lord's to talk to people there.

'Desmond Haynes and I went to The Management at the Marylebone Cricket Club's cricket museum at Lord's and spoke to the curator about the idea.

'We later received correspondence from Lord's saying they would support us in the venture,' Hope said.

The acting vice-president said the proximity to the tourism belt, the number of great cricketers the area produced and the influx of English cricket lovers to the area for holiday, all presented the opportunity to build a tourism business venture from the great sporting heritage of the area - which would include districts like Haynesville and Hoyte's Village.

With community leaders and groups having regular meetings with tourism development officers, Hope said the response from residents was positive.

Along with the museum, he said, night cricket, souvenir shops and a Walk Of Fame could also established.

A feasibility study for the entire project was the next thing on the agenda; and while the launch of the project was a way off, Hope said the future looked promising.

Work is now being done to have lights erected around the sporting facilities throughout the district.