A decision to applaud

January 28 was a red letter day for the Senglea Historic Society and the parish church. Small Business Minister Jason Azzopardi attended a short ceremony to hand over part of the storage within the bastions of Fort St Michael and an area just below the clock tower to the two organisations. These were made available for a minimal rent on a long-term lease.

The Senglea Historical Society has, since inception, been trying to find suitable premises from which to conduct its business. Now, with a lot of tender loving care, the location can become its headquarters. The area will also, in the long term, house a permanent exhibition, archives and library, which, together, would give a very good insight into our beloved city.

I honestly feel that this recognition from the central government shows a turnaround: at long last realising that Senglea does exist and has a wealth of history to complement the Maltese islands. Once the project is completed the location would be made available to Maltese and foreign visitors alike.

Further information on the Senglea Historical Society, whose healthy membership is increasing regularly, can be obtained from its Facebook page.

The Church has also gained somewhere permanent where all the feast props and decorations can be stored and lovingly looked after. It now also has the opportunity to stage regular displays pertaining to the long and interesting history of the parish.