The Gibraltar Heritage Trust has announced the start of a series of debate events to the held at their premises, the Main Guard in John Mackintosh Square.

The debates are aimed at focusing discussion on a number of issues and topics that affect Gibraltar’s heritage environment, its management, preservation and improvement. The Trust hopes to attract the attendance of a cross section of the community, from individuals that have an interest in the subject, or those who work in the multi-disciplinary areas that enter the wider arena that is the ‘heritage debate’ – architects, developers, engineers, planners etc.

The first session will take place on Tuesday 1st March at 18:30hrs at the Main Guard and will be on the subject of ‘Can a sensitive balance between preservation of our Heritage and the drive for urban development be achieved?’ There won’t be a key address, but rather a number of questions and points will be put up for discussion. The session will be moderated by the Trust Chairman.

The Trust says that the ‘heritage’ subject can be “a hugely divisive issue” but it is also “immensely powerful in bringing communities and nations together”.

A statement from the Trust concluded: “There is often no proven formula or right or wrong answer.  We hope to stimulate new thinking on the benefits of our heritage to us all and transmit new ideas to ensure that the new perspectives generated are understood and taken into account when formulating policy and practice in relation to heritage and the major challenges facing its protection and survival.”

Dates for forthcoming debates are: 3rd May, 20th September and 29th November.

The sessions will be open to the public and free of charge.