What a sad state one of the most beautiful forts - St Angelo - has found itself in. Heritage Malta took possession of this fort a couple of years ago.

This led to the belief that restoration work would be undertaken. Something is amiss if it has deteriorated to an extent that access is prohibited.

One wonders what lies ahead if the whole thing is just going to collapse into a heap of ancient stones. To be fair, I do not think that Heritage Malta has the funds to tackle such an enormous project, and judging by the time it took to restore the War Museum restoration of St Angelo could take to the next millennium!

The government must step in. Maybe now is the time to go, cap in hand, to the countries whose nationals were founder member of the Knights of St John and ask for immediate assistance, both financial and in kind.

The Order could generate the funds with a view of becoming the sole custodian of this jewel, and then maybe some of it could be open to paying visitors. We just cannot carry on letting our forefathers down by ignoring strategic monuments.