Save the historical bargate from being graffitied with wanted criminals

Closed — 32 supporters

Final supporters

Kirstie

Martin

Tim H.

SANDRA B.

Zena D.

KEITH R.

Matt H.

gerri m.

Rachael H.

Ms N.

+22 more

Started by Anonymous 16 years, 6 months ago

2 Updates

3 Comments

The Bargate is grade listed building in the city centre of Southampton made of flint. It was constructed in Norman times as part of the fortified walled city, the Bargate was the main point of entry and exit to and from the north. Since Southampton is on the south coast, this made the Bargate the main gateway to the city. It is a monumental building and was bombed in the last war and since then has served as toll-gate, prison, guildhall and museum. The Bargate has been a great debate within Southamton city council and they have discussed turning into a cafe and even a night bar according to the Daily Echo on 13th November 2009. According to the Daily Mail on 27th January - Huge images of a city's most wanted criminals are to be beamed on to buildings as part of a groundbreaking crime-busting initiative, it was revealed today.The scheme could also see pictures of missing person appeals projected on to historic monuments overnight in Southampton. The Bargate was bombed and is still standing and we have seen that as monumental representaion for our city? Is this not failing to respect all those that lost there lives in the 2nd World war to save our country? The people who cared? The citizens who feared for their lives? And wished for a better society? Yet now they want to project the faces of those citizens who could not care less about people, or society. Some criminals may even see this as a trophey. Criminals may even disperse to other citys, more may get away and victims may not recieve the justice they desire. Have the Southamptons City Council taken this to far? and have they thought about geographical concequences when criminals scatter to other citys. Whats going to happen? Southamptons crime rates may fall and so other citys will learn from this, and then where are those criminals going to go? Thats right, to other citys like Southamptons. And the police wont know where to look. This is a theory, however the point of this is that no consequences have been considered or respect to our history. Save the Bargate and keep its history...

Historic Preservation Local Landmark Community Beautification

Updates

February 19, 2010

I have been walking past the Bargate every morning and thinking about the dignity this structure deserves. Seeing our history treated like a police billboard feels like such a profound insult to the people who survived the bombings here. I am currently reaching out to local historians who feel as strongly as I do about protecting this legacy.

February 19, 2010

Seeing this groundswell of support proves that our history still matters to the people of Southampton. I am overwhelmed by the passion you all show for protecting our monument from being turned into a backdrop for this project.