'Fort Marley'
published: Friday | January 27, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE BOB MARLEY Mausoleum in Jamaica's town of Nine Miles is now a commercial venture: A theme park within a compound that is walled around like a high security jail. The enclosure wall and gate on the main street are out of scale and character with the town and send a 'dangerous' message.

Is Nine Miles such a dangerous place? Wouldn't it be nice if visitors could, after the mausoleum tour, walk around the town in safety, visit the places that the great man frequented, purchase food, refreshments, souvenirs and even stay overnight to meet the people and enjoy the beautiful countryside? This could be an 'urban regeneration' resulting in greater wealth for the benefit of all. Is it possible that the proprietors and townsfolk could get together and think this through in terms of planning for the common benefit and make Nine Miles the destination instead of just 'Fort Marley'?

I am, etc.,

KEITH FIELDER

keithfielder_746@hotmail.com

London, England

Via Go-Jamaica