The Department Tourism is pleased to announce the appointment of the St. George’s Foundation effective April 1, 2010 as the vendor to provide visitor information services in the Town of St. George’s.
Director of Tourism Mr. William Griffith said, “Having the St. George’s Foundation manage the visitor information services in St. George’s guarantees that our visitors have a first class information experience.”
To serve the visitor better and have the VIC’s run more efficiently, there will be two Visitor Information Centre locations in St. George’s. The primary location will be The World Heritage Centre, and an additional satellite location at the Deliverance replica on Ordnance Island. Both locations will be open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily.
In addition to changes in the VIC operations, there will also be additional activities planned for visitors. After extensive research in North America through a series of Focus Groups, market research indicated that visitors in general are looking for more Historical and Cultural activities to see and do while on a vacation. To satisfy this need of the traveller the Department of Tourism in partnership with the Corporation of St. George’s, the St. George’s Foundation and the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce will be providing additional cultural activities in St. George’s.
Beginning April 1, history will come to life with a series of walking tours that travel the path of the Blockade Runners, explore the quaint streets of the historic town and showcases Bermuda’s artists trail and unique architectural history.
Starting April 12, visitors can see the historical ducking every day except Friday and Sunday. This entertaining, light-hearted re-enactment will be followed by lively Bermudian entertainment that will keep the energy and excitement up in King’s Square. April 27, visitors can explore the hidden treasures of St. George’s while experiencing great local entertainment and an assortment of local products at the St. George’s Market Nights.
NBC Sports will be on Island later this month to film their brand new TV show Global Golf Adventure at the Port Royal Golf Course.
Director of Tourism Mr. William Griffith said, “We are delighted that NBC has chosen Bermuda and our newly renovated Port Royal Golf Course to film this new program. I am sure that we will see an increase in the number of golf vacations to Bermuda after the show airs.”
Global Golf Adventure is a ground breaking, first of its kind golf and travel show for US Network television. The show is a 30 minute fast paced golf and travel show hosted by NBC Sports’ Mark Rolfing. Each show highlights a unique destination and its adventures for active golf travellers, including an interview with a celebrity guest. The celebrity guest for the Bermuda segment is 2009 Open Championship winner Stewart Cink.
“I am happy to create a show that is long overdue for network television. I am especially excited to showcase Bermuda. This will be my first visit but I’ve heard so many great things about the island from the participants in the Grand Slam.” said Rolfing.
NBC Sports will film in Bermuda March 27th – 30th, 2010 and the show will air on NBC on May 8, 2010 at 2:30pm (AST).
The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee has announced that the pre-start race headquarters for the 47th Newport Bermuda Race will be the Sailing Center at the New York Yacht Club’s Newport clubhouse, Harbour Court. Crews may use the clubhouse and its facilities before the race’s start on June 18, 2010.
The announcement was made by Bjorn Johnson, chairman of the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee. “After an intensive selection process we chose the New York Yacht Club’s Sailing Center as the best possible site for our Newport headquarters. The club’s generous offer is only the most recent event in a long, healthy relationship between the NYYC and the Newport Bermuda Race. For years the race has been started by the club’s race committee, and many NYYC members (including me) have raced to Bermuda.”
Since opening in 2008, the Sailing Center has served as headquarters for numerous regattas, including the NYYC Invitational Cup in September 2009.
NYYC Commodore David K. Elwell Jr. congratulated the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the race’s organizers, on their ocean racing classic. “Having raced in ten Bermuda Races myself, I understand how important the race is to sailors and also how valuable a good central operations center can be.” He called the partnership between the race and the NYYC “a natural.” “This is exactly the job we had in mind for the Sailing Center when we built it as a facility for all the things that sailors, race officials, and the press have to do before they head out on the water for the start.”
Built in memory of former NYYC Commodore Robert G. Stone Jr., a veteran of 24 Bermuda Races, the Sailing Center has extensive office and meeting space, as well as press facilities, showers, and ready access to parking.
The Bermuda Department of Tourism is delighted to announce that Bermuda has won first place for Wreck Diving and third place for both Snorkeling and Diving for Beginners in Scuba Diving magazine’s 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards.
Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr. the Hon. Ewart Brown said, “We consider it an honour for Bermuda to be recognized by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine. This is also reminder to all Bermudians that we must respect and preserve our beautiful reefs and wrecks for all to enjoy.”
The survey was conducted in 2009 with over 5,000 Scuba Diving readers from all over the globe submitted their rankings.
Bermuda has over 400 historic wrecks, with some dating back to the 15th century. Popular sites include:
• The Constellation – 4-masted wooden schooner built in 1918. She sank in 1943 while en route from New York to Venezuela with a cargo that included cement, whisky, and drug ampoules. She was the inspiration for the Goliath in Peter Benchley’s novel The Deep.
• L’Herminie – French 3-masted wooden warship that sank in 1838 while sailing from France to Cuba.
• Hermes – US Navy freighter built in WWII and scuttled by the government in 1985 for use as a dive site.
Two of the best places for snorkelling in Bermuda are Church Bay in Southampton Parish and Tobacco Bay in St George’s Parish.
Government has transferred the Casemate Barracks and its adjacent buildings and fortifications to the Bermuda Maritime Museum (BMM). The transfer creates a new National Museum of Bermuda on 15 acres of land at Royal Naval Dockyard.
Speaking of the creation of the new museum, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said: “With a 99-year lease granted to the Museum by the West End Development Corporation, this is another example of how public / private partnerships can benefit Bermuda. Cabinet considers our 400th anniversary year an appropriate time to establish the National Museum of Bermuda.”
Mr. Robert Steinhoff, Chairman of the BMM said, “I am extremely proud of the creation of the new museum and I look forward to continuing our leadership in the preservation of our national treasures and serving Bermudians and visitors, alike.”
Dr. Edward Harris, Executive Director of the BMM, said, “The physical expansion of the Maritime Museum underscores its stature as a national institution. The Museum was established in the 10-acre Keep in 1974 and has successfully restored the great Commissioner’s House and other historic buildings of the Keep since then. I am delighted that Cabinet has acknowledged the evolution of the Maritime Museum into a National Museum.”
In addition to restoring Casemates and its associated buildings and forts, the Museum will expand its range of exhibits, and the nature of its research, publications and other programmes in order to help make Bermuda’s history and heritage accessible to the public.
In recognition of its national status, the Museum will admit local residents free of charge in December and January every year. Children will be admitted free of charge all year-round.
Disabled access ramps will be set up at Clearwater Beach in St George’s Parish, Somerset Long Bay in Sandys Parish, and a third, yet to be named beach.
The announcement was made last week by Derrick Burgess, Minister of Works and Engineering.
He said, ‘Our wheelchair users will now be able to reach the beach without the difficulty normally associated with moving through heavy sand.’
Government House today released further details of the November 24-26 2009 Royal Visit to Bermuda by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Queen will make official visits to the historic town of St George as well as the Royal Naval Dockyard. A Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton will see some lucky residents who submitted their names as part of a lottery, join a host of dignitaries at the historical service. Her Majesty will also attend an official dinner given by the Premier and Government of Bermuda.
The route of the Royal motorcade as it travels around the Island has been designed so that members of the public, school children and various youth groups will be able to meet or catch a glimpse of the Royal Party.
Government House said today that Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Miliband when their flight arrives in Bermuda on the afternoon of Tuesday 24 November, 2009. Her Majesty will be met by the Governor and Lady Gozney and the Governor will then present the Premier and Mrs Henton Brown to the Queen.
The Royal motorcade will leave the airport and arrive in St George at 3.20 pm. Her Majesty will be met by the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment, Lt. Col. Gonsalves and Mrs. Gonsalves. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will receive a Royal Salute from a Guard of Honour of the Bermuda Regiment. The Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and local Members of Parliament and their spouses will head the list of dignitaries on hand to meet Her Majesty and His Royal Highness.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will proceed to the Town Hall where they will be introduced to the Mayor of St. George’s Mariea Caisey; St George’s Alderman, Kenneth Bascome; Vicar of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Rev David Raths; Town Crier, David Frith and Chairman of the St George’s Foundation, Kenneth Snaith.
Girl Guides and Brownie troupes, school children from east end schools and seniors together with some of those who re-enacted the Sea Venture landing in 1609, will join members of the public that are expected to gather along the sidewalks from King’s Square to Ordnance Island to see the Royal couple.
In the event of inclement weather, the Royal Party will visit the World Heritage Centre, via King’s Square, and will meet the various dignitaries inside the Centre. Opportunities to meet school children and other groups will be available as can be accommodated. The Royal motorcade will then travel to Government House, departing St George via Water Street. The Queen will hold a reception for invited guests at Government House.
On Wednesday, November 25 2009, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh will present Duke of Edinburgh Awards to Bermuda’s Gold winners and a few others at Government House. The Royal party will then travel to the Anglican Cathedral for a 10.30 am service celebrating Bermuda’s 400th Anniversary. The service will be attended by leaders of Christian denominations and other faiths. The arrival of the Royal Party and the church service will be covered by live television on ZBM and on CITV – the Government television station. In addition, monitors will be erected outside the church for the viewing convenience of the general public gathered outside the Cathedral.
Following the church service, the Royal party will head to Albouy’s Point at approximately 11.20 am where they will board a ferry to Dockyard. On their 11.40 am arrival in Dockyard, they will be met by Minister of Energy and Telecommunications, the Hon. Michael Scott, JP, MP; seniors, children from west end schools and members of the public. Here, the Royal Party will separate briefly, with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and Foreign Secretary David Miliband paying a visit to the sloop, the Spirit of Bermuda and Her Majesty being met by the Hon. Walter Lister, JP, for a tour of the Clocktower building.
At the Spirit of Bermuda, Captain Simon Colley will be with about thirteen 16-year-old girls from Bermuda Institute who will be sailing that week as sail trainees. Mr. Walter Lister who serves as Chair of the West End Development Corporation will introduce members of his board; area MPs the Hon. Terry Lister, JP, MP, and Hon. Dennis Lister, JP, MP as well as the Deputy Chairman of St. John Ambulance.
Inside the Clocktower building, Her Majesty will watch Sandy’s Middle School children perform a short selection on Dockyard history before meeting some of the apprentices who were training when the Royal Navy facility closed in 1950/51 and who finished their training in Portsmouth. She will also see costumes depicting a traditional Bermuda wedding and a cedar carving demonstration will be conducted by Dr David Saul. Before departing the Clocktower building at 12.25 pm, Her Majesty will unveil a plaque by Mr Lister.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will then be driven to the Maritime Museum for lunch with Dr. Edward Harris and invited guests. An Honour Guard by the Bermuda Sea Cadets will greet their arrival. At the conclusion of the Maritime Museum visit, Her Majesty will inaugurate the mural of Bermuda’s history by local artist Mr Graham Foster. The Royal Party will proceed back to Government House via car.
Also on Wednesday November 25 2009, Foreign Secretary David Miliband will meet Dr Tony Knapp when he visits the Bermuda Institute of Oceanic Sciences.
On Wednesday evening, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will attend a formal dinner at Tucker’s Point, hosted by the Premier and Mrs Henton Brown.
In keeping with tradition that saw Her Majesty plant trees on Government House grounds during Bermuda visits in 1953, 1975 and 1994, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will plant two Royal Palm trees at Government House grounds before they depart Bermuda, 11.30 am Thursday November 26 2009.
Next week Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr Ewart Brown will lead a delegation from Bermuda to Tanzania for the 5th International African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference.
Premier Brown said, “For the first time this pivotal conference will be held in Africa, going back to its roots. Half of the conference will take place in Dar Es Saalam and the other half in Zanzibar. We are calling it ‘An African Homecoming’.”
Since its inception the goal of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail has been to educate the world on the cultural heritage of the African Diaspora.
The 2009 ADHT Conference will also include, for the first time, an ADHT Youth Summit. There are two students from Bermuda chosen to participate in the Youth Summit, Tori Smith from the Berkeley Institute and Asha Caisey from Somersfield Academy. Both students are looking forward to this once in a lifetime experience.
ADHT Executive Director Michelle Burrows said, “I am truly excited to be a part of this conference as we go back to our roots in Africa and include our young people on this journey. The African Diaspora connects us all, and I look forward to strengthening that connection.”
For more information about the 2009 ADHT conference visit www.adht.net.
Ben Ainslie got the gold he’s been chasing all week. In the Argo Group Gold Cup final today, the three time Olympic gold medal winner (plus one silver), Ben Ainslie (GBR) took the finals 3-1. He has finally etched his name on the coveted King Edward VII Gold Cup along with a host of match race sailing legends. Ainslie and Team Origin also take home the first place prize purse of $50,000. Ainslie sailed for Team Origin with his crew of Matt Cornwell, Iain Percy, and Christian Kamp.
“We had two good races at the beginning today,” Ainslie commented. ” There were big splits out there and the crew were helping and we got it right in those two races. In the third race we didn’t slow down enough to avoid a confrontation with Adam. We have found out some of our tactical weaknesses and the Team and I have some areas to work on.”
When asked how winning the King Edward VII Gold Cup compared to winning Olympic gold, Ainlie quipped, “Bermuda has a lot better atmosphere and I know more people here.”
When he was down 0-2 and carrying a penalty Adam Minoprio made it a match and pulled a classic match racing manoeuvre to gybe on the approach to the finish, get a luffing overlap on Ainslie and push him away from the pin end of the finish line. Minoprio was barely able to turn away from Ainslie and clear his stern and wipe out the penalty on his tack and make it back to the line first for the win. But Ainslie was on his game today and that one win wasn’t enough.
Adam Minoprio (NZL), ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing skipper, and his team of Tom Powrie, David Swete and Nick Blackman took second place. Minoprio is the top skipper in the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) rankings and was second in the World Match Racing Tour going into the Argo Group Gold Cup. He is back on top of the Tour rankings now and headed for the ISAF Match Racing World Championship at the Monsoon Cup with $20,000 in his pocket for coming second.
Ian Williams (GBR and Eric Monnin (SUI) matched up earlier in the Petit Finals. For winning two races out of two, Williams took third place in quick order and his $10,000 prize while Monnin stands in fourth and has a cheque for $7,000.
Williams expressed the thanks from all the skippers and crews for the special hospitality extended to all of the sailors by the people of Bermuda. He especially thanked the team’s hosts who take them into their homes as guests. “Staying in homes as guests, Williams said, “is just one of the things that makes the Argo Group Gold Cup a unique event on the Tour.”
In yesterday’s consolation matches to decide the 5th through 8th places, Bermudian Blythe Walker and his Max Re team lost their first match to Mathieu Richard (FRA) representing the French Match Racing Team. Last year’s King Edward VII Gold Cup winner Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team won their first match against Torvar Mirsky.
The second matches of the consolations saw Berntsson defeat Richard for fifth place, so Richard took sixth place. Blythe Walker had a win against Mirsky for seventh place pushing Mirsky into eighth.
Fifth place takes home $ 5,500. Sixth place gets $ 4,000. Seventh place earns $2,500 Eighth place $ 1,000
Final Results
Ben Ainslie 3 v. Adam Minoprio 1
Petit Final
Ian Williams 2 v. Eric Monnin 0
Semifinal Results
Ben Ainslie 3 v. Ian Williams 1
Adam Minoprio 3 v. Eric Monnin 0
QF1 Eric Monnin 3 – Blythe Walker 1
QF2 Ben Ainslie 3 – Torvar Mirsky 2
QF3 Ian Williams 3 – Johnie Berntsson 1
QF4 Adam Minoprio 3 – Mathieu Richard 2
Results from Day 4
Group 4- Repechage
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 5-0
Blythe Walker (BER) 3-2
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 2-3
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Alandia Sailing Team 2-3
Dave Perry (USA) 1-4
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing Team 1-4
Results from Day 3
GROUP 1
Eric Monnin (SUI) Search.ch 6-1
Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar sponsored by Argo Group 6-1
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 4-3
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 4-3
Reuben Corbett (NZL) 3-4
Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing 2-5
Ian Evans (USA) 1-6
Robbie Allam (GBR) 1-6
GROUP 2
Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin 7-0
Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing 4-3
Dave Perry (USA) 4-3
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Alandia Sailing Team 4-3
Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K Challenge 4-3
Rasmus Viltoft (DEN) 3-4
Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team 2-5
Paula Lewin Crews (BDA) 8-0
GROUP 3
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 6-1
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6-1
Blythe Walker (BDA) 4-3
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing Team 4-3
Mattias Rahm (SWE) Stena Bulk Sailing Team 3-4
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 3-4
Charlie Enright (USA) 1-6
Donald Wilson (USA) 1-6
Tour Standings
(After 8 of 9 events)
1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 100 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 88 Points
3. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar 75 Points
4. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team Racing 74 Points
5. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR 71 Points
6. Ben Ainslie, (GBR) Team Origin 65 Points
7. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 48 Points
8. Sebastien Col, (FRA) French Match Racing Team 41 Points.
