Educate our children

Following my letter in last week’s edition, I have been in correspondence with council leader Douglas Campbell, and suggested that rather than petitions, demonstrations and debates, a long term answer to the statue debate would be in education from an early age..

To this end I wish to propose a short term solution following upon a suggestion from Patrick Lorimer. That is, a Museum of Slavery. A very shaming contribution to slavery was made in Ayrshire and needs to be known.

Rozelle House was a benefactor of this wealth created in the slave trade, and would be a fitting venue for such an enterprise, and without great cost.

The building is there and would initially require the Council’s Curator to bring the venture forward.

This would readily allow school children the educational introduction to the subject with visits prior to a curriculum being developed within the schools.

The museum would be the second such museum in the UK.

It does not need to be huge and the second floor of Rozelle House could probably suffice.

I agree with the suggestion that the ground floor could be developed as a National Museum of Curling, showing the great history of national curling development in Ayrshire. The late Sheriff David Smith of Troon was an established expert in curling and, I understand, had left a host of memorabilia eagerly awaiting a venue for exhibition and learning,this again at no great cost.

I understand that substantial Grants would be available for such a project.

With collective cross-party support in South Ayrshire Council this could

be implemented modestly and well within the Council’s budget restraints.

The existing contents of Rozelle House including the many paintings etc. in store, could then be exhibited at a revamped suitably renamed Ayr Grammar School.

These changes would give Ayr and environs a much needed cultural boost

and would be a major attraction to locals and tourists alike.

This vision which needs all party support could be a very cost effective solution.

We are calling for the Administration and opposition to use this opportunity and get together to constructively reinvigorate the cultural needs of Ayr.

Norman McLean Chairman Fort Seafield & Wallacetown Community Council.