‘It is unfortunate that Holland America Line is withdrawing the ‘Veendam’ from Bermuda in 2013. Apparently, the New York to Bermuda schedule was not meeting their revenue projections, and they have decided to deploy the ship to another location”, said Minister Burgess. The ‘Veendam’ is scheduled to make 19 calls to Bermuda in 2012.

The ‘Veendam’ entered service in 1996, and is one of the few remaining small cruise ships capable of docking in Hamilton. At recent Town Hall meetings on the Channel Study is was emphasized that there are less than 30 cruise ships currently capable of docking in St. George’s and Hamilton, with 1/3 of them set for retirement in the next few years. The Study also concluded that there will come a time when the older and smaller ships will no longer be able to compete head-to-head with the newer and larger cruise ships being built today. Also emphasized was that none of the new cruise ships being built will be capable of docking in St. George’s and Hamilton, and that infrastructure improvements would be required if the decision is made to dock the larger ships at both ports.

Minister Burgess added: ‘We continue to pursue the availability of small cruise ships for St. George’s and Hamilton, but the reality is those ships that are available are mostly Luxury and Premium cruise brands doing world-wide itineraries or are no longer competitive in the North American market’.

Next year’s sailings on the MS Veendam run from May 1 until October 9. The ship will spend one day in St George and two nights in Hamilton.

Cruise fares begin at $699 per person plus taxes, double occupancy.

The line-up for the 15th annual festival includes Ziggy Marley, Toni Braxton, Angie Stone, and Estelle. It will be held at the Fairmont Southampton from September 30 to October 2.

Tickets go on sale July 26 and are available online at www.bdatix.bm and in Bermuda at the iStore on Reid Street in Hamilton and Fabulous Fashions at the Heron Bay Plaza.

It is believed that more Bermudians per capita than any other country in the world volunteered to serve in the First Word War (1914-1918). They served in all of the great battles of the First World War, including the Battle of the Somme in France, which lasted for six months and claimed nearly a million lives.

After the First World War, the Government of the day promised a War Memorial and the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, laid the foundation stone in the Cabinet Grounds in 1920. A competition was held for the design. The Memorial was never built and pensions and benefits were never given to the returning soldiers.

After the Second World War (1939-45), there was no change in the Government’s attitude towards Bermuda’s returning soldiers, but a war memorial does exist for smaller separate units, like the BVRC Memorial in Victoria Park.

Bermuda’s military units were segregated at the time of the World Wars and the records of many soldiers, particularly black soldiers, have been poorly maintained. Many others do not exist at all. The current campaign aims at righting an historic wrong in the Bermuda community. The aim is to recognize appropriately the First and Second World War service of all of Bermuda’s residents. The new War Memorial will honour the sacrifice of every Bermudian man and woman who served in the Great Wars.

Until the Government amended the War Pensions and Services Act in 2007, Bermudians who served in the defence of Bermuda and nearly all black veterans and their widows received no acknowledgement or benefits.

The Government has extended benefits to veterans and widows to include free hospital treatment, respite and palliative care, a monthly pension and a funeral grant. There were extensive benefits available in the 1919 and 1947 versions of the War Pensions and Services Act, but unlike other Commonwealth countries which had similar Acts, the benefits were never made properly available in Bermuda.

It is to be noted that the Cenotaph, located on the Cabinet Grounds, is not a war memorial. Instead, it is an ‘empty tomb’ that reflects in abstract the ‘Glorious Dead’ who perished in the two World Wars. It is a miniature model of the Cenotaph in London.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering has launched an appeal to the community to ensure all their names are included on the War Memorial and the public is encouraged to contact Ms. Carol Everson at 533-4567 or via email at nosoldierleftbehind@hotmail.com to provide details of any Bermudian war veteran.

“Hospitality rules,” says Peter Shrubb, Commodore of race co-sponsors Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. “We’ll make Bermuda’s guests welcome. We want them to come back in two years . . . or sooner. Thanks to all the local volunteers in Bermuda who work from the finish line to the duty desk and behind the scenes, it all happens with style.”

Racing starts in Newport at 2.00 p.m. on June 18. Spectators can track the racing boats’ course to Bermuda online at www.iboattrack.com. And new for 2010, thanks to the new Gateway Bermuda Finish Line Cam, spectators watching the big screens at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club can watch boats finish 24/7.

All race details are updated on www.BermudaRace.com.

All those in Bermuda during the week is invited to join the fun at RBYC. Some of the most spectacular racing and cruising boats will berth in the club marina. Captains and crews are always willing to spin a sea-yarn or two with inquisitive guests. Winning boats are identified with appropriate signage. Shirts, caps and lots of logo race wear for men and women are available in the regatta store.

The RBYC Anniversary Regatta will be held on Friday, June 25 in the Great Sound and adjacent waters. The second race finishes off the Hamilton Princess in mid-afternoon. Up to 30 yachts from 37 to 90 feet long will be racing in Bermuda that Friday. It is the biggest offshore race in Bermuda all year.

If conditions are right for Newport Bermuda, the fastest boats, three 90 to 100 footers in the Open Division, could finish on Sunday afternoon. Alex Thomson’s Speedboat, first to finish in 2008, hopes to repeat but this year in record time. Ken Read on Puma, a Volvo 70, and Bermuda’s Argo Group CEO Mark Watson, sponsor and skipper of the US Merchant Marine Academy’s Dubois 90 Genuine Risk, both hope to snatch line honours and rain on his parade. The Open Division record was set in 2004 by Morning Glory with a time of 48 hours, 28 minutes and 31 seconds.

In the other divisions, competition is just as tight. The focus in the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division will be on Niklas Zennstrom’s JV72 Ran, winner of last year’s Rolex Fastnet Race and class winner in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race. Peter Rebovich in his Cal 40 Sinn Fein are going for a record tying three straight St. David’s Lighthouse Trophy wins.

In the Cruiser Division, Bermuda’s Paul Hubbard has his sights set on a repeat first place finish aboard Bermuda Oyster. The double-handers feature the biennial battle between Rich du Moulin’s Express 37 Lora Ann and Hewitt Gaynor’s J120 Mireille along with 25 other boats sailed by just two sailors.

Evenings include a full programme of entertainment and things to do:

• The Main Event 8 pm to 10.30 pm – Live entertainment, glassblowing at Dockyard Glassworks, shopping at the Clocktower Mall (opening hours extended to 9 pm), children’s activities, Gombey dancers, and more
• After Hours– live music at the Snorkel Park (10 pm to 2 am), and salsa dancing at the Bone Fish Bar & Grill (8.45 pm to midnight)

Visitors coming from Hamilton can take the 7 pm ferry. The last ferry from Dockyard to Hamilton is at 11.30 pm.

Destination Dockyard is hosted by the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and the West End Development Corporation (WEDCO).

The event on Front Street will begin at 6.30 pm with the family movie ‘Home Alone’ and go on until around 3 am.

New Year will be ushered in with the dropping of a giant Bermuda onion and a fireworks display.

Over 8,000 revellers are expected to attend.

The event is being sponsored by the Corporation of Hamilton.

Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Ewart Brown said, “We had hoped the ‘Veendam’ would be able to navigate Town Cut and dock in St. George’s in 2010, however simulations have shown this will not be possible. This situation illustrates the challenge we have in regards to St. George’s.” The Premier went on to say, “Although the ‘Veendam’ will not physically dock in St. George’s in 2010, the tendering arrangement will still provide their guests with a St. George’s experience during their stay in Bermuda. It is often the case that cruise passengers who tender rather than dock stay longer in the destination, including having lunch and participate in activities. This also shows our commitment to keeping a cruise ship presence in St. George’s.”

The Ministry will implement a ferry service on Tuesdays from Murray’s Anchorage. The ‘Veendam’ will continue to Hamilton on Wednesdays as currently scheduled, and will depart Bermuda on Fridays. The ‘Veendam’ is scheduled to make 24 cruises to Bermuda in 2010 and will contribute an estimated $7 million to Bermuda’s economy. The ferrying from Murray’s Anchorage will be weather permitting.

In 2008, a computer simulation of the ‘Veendam’ was conducted and Holland America Line commenced with marketing and selling the twin-port Bermuda cruises. Although Holland America was confident the ‘Veendam’ could safely navigate Town Cut Channel, it was decided to conduct additional simulations of the ship. Two other simulations were conducted in July and November 2009 and it was concluded that it would be unsafe for the ‘Veendam’ to navigate Town Cut in 2010.

The Ministry is discussing specific plans with Holland America Line to ensure their cruise passengers participate in shore excursions and other activities.

Successful candidates running for the office of Alderman were Pamela Ferreira, John Harvey, and Glen Smith. Those elected to the office of Common Councillor were Walter Cross, Marshall Minors, Pamela Quarterly, Dennis Tucker, and Nicholas Swan.

Charles Gosling is the managing director of Gosling’s.

Last month the government announced its intention to abolish the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St George’s and transfer responsibilities to central government.

At a press conference in Bermuda yesterday, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced plans to open the St Regis Bermuda at the corner of Par-la-Ville Road and Church Street, overlooking Par-la-Ville Park.

The 5-star luxury hotel will offer 140 guest rooms and suites, plus 80 serviced residences. Other features include a spa, restaurant and wine bar, library, rooftop conservatory, 4000 square foot ballroom, and outdoor courtyard.

The hotel will be owned by Par-la-Ville Hotel and Residences Ltd, a partnership between Virginia-based Unified Resorts Ltd and New York-based Sagewood Investments LLC. It will be built on land owned by the Corporation of Hamilton.

Completion is scheduled for 2013.