Dear Sir,
I thank the Rev. John Gumbs for his response to my letter about the Katouche Caves, explaining his rationale for closing them to the public and barring access to The Valley trails unless a fee is paid via Mr Oliver Hodge.
I had noticed and deplored the graffiti in Kavanaugh Cave when I first visited over a dozen years ago. I have not noticed it being worse now nor have I seen litter on the trail down The Valley. However, the building of the “cages”, involving drilling into the rock and erecting large black wrought iron grids and gates (not forgetting the barbed wire), have not exactly improved either the environment or appearance of these wonders of nature.
Anguilla has a number of ancient footpaths and trails commonly used by the public in the past, some since Arawak times. It is a pity that citizens will lose the free right to use the one from Old Ta to Katouche Bay when Rev Gumbs installs his “NO TRESPASS” signs. Hurry! Hurry! Walk this lovely trail through the only forest on the island before you have to pay!
Once again, thanks to Rev Gumbs for enlightening me on this matter and explaining some of his plans to the public.
Yours sincerely,
Willie Allan
