I first landed on Malta in November 1961, 50 years ago. I was at that time the wife of a Royal Navy officer. As with many others I fell in love with Malta and her people. My eldest daughter was born in the then David Bruce military hospital at Mtarfa; she has a Maltese birth certificate as I did not wish to exchange it for a standard British one!
My present husband and I, with our youngest children, came to Malta on a holiday 24 years ago. We purchased timeshare weeks in Qawra. We have, therefore, been returning regularly over the years, and always felt that I had returned home when the plane landed.
That is until this present visit. We arrived on September 20 and the changes are not all for the good. I sent my youngest daughter, who is now 32, a text message: There are no Malta buses they are all Arriva! The answer I got was: No way! It is not Malta without her buses. I am aware that some visitors moaned about the lack of comfort – they should have been here 50 years ago – but there were always plenty of them.
If the government were to really listen to the people and visitors, they would have to admit that not everything in the new regime is wanted and is working. But that would mean admitting they have made a mistake and heaven forbid that a politician would do that!
On Thursday, my husband and I travelled to Valletta. It cost a great deal more and took nearly twice as long as previous years. When we arrived at the bus terminus we were presented with what can only be described as wanton vandalism and destruction: the tearing down of the main gateway into the city, thereby doing what Hilter and maniacs failed to do – destroy Malta’s heritage.
I live in an old city back home in the UK, namely York, and in accordance with other places in the UK and the rest of the world a great deal of time, effort and money is spent preserving it.
Malta may now be a member of the EU but that does not mean it can or should destroy Malta’s history or her unique individuality. Generations yet to come will not thank it for the wanton disregard of her wonderful history.
I weep for the Malta I have known and loved for 50 years and which is being laid waste!