In 1960/61, while serving in the Royal Navy I was accommodated in HMS Phoenicia (Fort Manoel) and throughout the next eight years made frequent visits to Malta in passing RN ships. I grew to love Malta and its people. As a result I have returned to Malta on many occasions, the last being earlier this month.

While many buildings still stand that reveal the presence of the British Armed Services over many years, surely none represents the previous presence of the Royal Navy more than the ships mast within Fort St Angelo? It should also be recalled that many fine Maltese served lengthy careers in the Royal Navy too.

Although many other ships masts stood on Malta in earlier years (Upper Barrakka Gardens from which RN and visiting warships took their timing for colours and sunset, Ħal Far, Fort Manoel and possibly others), this is the only ships mast that remains standing in Malta today.

Its condition now appears deplorable. Lacking halyards and much of its white paintwork along with corrosive rust, it looks ready to topple.

Do the present incumbents of Fort St Angelo, the Order of the Knights of St John, care – I’m not aware?

Please, can someone in authority do something to preserve this priceless relic and return it to its former glory, as it stands in such a prominent position in Grand Harbour, particularly to represent those proud Maltese who served in the Royal Navy, along with many other Royal Navy servicemen who were based on or visited the Island over many years?