Dear Sir,
I write to you with respect to a letter addressed to you by one Mr Willie Allan with respect to certain actions taken by us as Owners of our property at Katouche and which was published in your newspaper of 26th February 2016.
Mr Allan expressed his “dismay” and “disappointment” as to the steps that we as Owners have taken in constructing a cage and securing the same with locks around Cavannaugh cave and also fencing a portion of the open ‘pothole’ around the roof of the cave. The focal point of his ‘dismay’ and ‘disappointment’ seems to be that he feels that he had “a right to roam” over undeveloped land freely and in keeping with British law which he assumed is followed by Anguillian law; that the cages prevents Anguillians and himself from having free access to the natural wonder of the cave; and that it also prevents him from showing the cave off to his visiting friends. He has asked for enlightenment on why this has been done.
As the owners of Katouche Valley (as it is sometimes called) we wish to bring to the attention of Mr Allan in particular and to the public in general that we have had to take the actions of securing our property for two reasons:
Firstly, we have noticed in the past and which has now become absolutely intolerable, the continual destruction of our property. Specifically the Cavannaugh Cave and indeed also at the other cave Katouche cave there are instances of graffiti – sometimes in spray paint that are continually being plastered all over the walls of the cave or where there has been the illegal removal of aspects of the cave. Additionally, there has also been an increasing amount of litter of all sizes occurring throughout the property and which we are constantly having to remove. We are no longer prepared to tolerate that level of abuse to our property and as such we are taking even more assertive and aggressive action to prevent this occurrence.
It is disappointing that in the complaint made by Mr Allan who seems keen to be traversing our property to see the wonder of the cave that his interest never extended to observing its destruction and at no time seeking to protect it by lodging a public complaint like he is now doing to those persons (presumably not himself) who would seek to destroy this facet of our environment. So as Owners our interest is piqued that Mr Allan should be concerned solely about his ‘perceived’ right to roam our property being impeded as opposed to making contact with the Owners (with the same National Trust who would have given him our contact information) to share his concern as to the abuse being leveled on the property.
We also wish to share for the benefit of Mr Allan and the general public that for some time now as Owners we have been working on a development plan for our property which we are now beginning to execute. Central to that development plan are the two caves that are located on our property and as such it becomes even more pivotal that we protect these two gems. Our plan is to develop this Estate as eco-tourism product over the next few years and which pays respect to this natural environment while at the same time sustainably allowing us to put it to viable use.
As part of the product we will continue to make our property available for Anguillians and visitors alike within the context of hiking tours and caving tours conducted by Mr Oliver Hodge whom we had previously allowed over the years to facilitate persons visiting our property. To reserve tour contact: katouche@viewfortanguilla.com or telephone 584-8712 or 584-8713 for further information.
Therefore Mr Allan, you and others can still be facilitated to view the caves and hike on our property at an appropriate fee and only under the circumstances of being guided by Mr Hodge who is the only authorized guide on our property. We trust that members of the general public will respect our ‘No Trespass’ signage which will shortly be erected both on the Rev Carty road and along Katouche Beach. We also trust that the practice of dumping litter of items both big and small will cease with immediate effect.
I trust that Mr Allan will take note of the information.
Yours sincerely,
Rev John A Gumbs
Owners of Katouche
