Structural renovation at Upper Barrakka Gardens

The monument to Lord Gerald Strickland, Count of Catena, at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta may have to be moved temporarily because of structural renovation works going on at the gardens, architect Joe Borg Grech from the Construction and Maintenance Department said yesterday.

The gardens, which provide a stunning view of Grand Harbour, in the rather unkempt surroundings that the gardens often present because of various works, are undergoing extensive revamping by the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee, which forms part of the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure.

Mr Borg Grech said the retaining wall around the Strickland monument was being dismantled, with each piece of the wall being numbered and carted away to prevent pilfering.

The wall will be rebuilt, renewing those parts that have been badly eroded.

The works will ensure that the Lord Strickland monument rests on a secure base.

However, the lifesize bronze sculpture of Lord Strickland will not be renovated.

Lord Strickland was born in Valletta in 1861, and took an active part in politics at an early age. In 1887, he was elected to the Council of Government representing the nobility and landed properties.

He was governor of the Leeward Islands in the West Indies between 1902 and 1904, Tasmania in Australia between 1904 and 1909, Western Australia between 1909 and 1912, and New South Wales between 1912 and 1917.

On his return to Malta, he founded the Anglo-Maltese Party and merged it with the Maltese Constitutional Party.

He was leader of the opposition between 1921 and 1927. After the 1927 elections he was elected prime minister, serving as head of government until 1930.

In 1935, with his daughter Mabel he founded the Times of Malta which has not missed an issue since.

Lord Strickland died in 1940 at his residence in Villa Bologna, Attard, and was buried in the family chapel in Mdina Cathedral.

In his book 'British Colonial Architecture: Malta 1800-1900', Malcolm Borg wrote that the Upper Barrakka Gardens were developed under the direction of Lt Col George Whitmore in 1824 and were transformed into an open gallery dedicated to heroic monuments.

Lt Col Whitmore worked with the Royal Engineers in Malta between 1812 and 1829. He was responsible for the supervision of fortification lines and encroachments.