SEED #Bermuda – Social Economic Environmental Sustainability
SEED aspires to see a genuinely inclusive Bermuda, a Bermuda which is affordable for everyone, where everyone has access to quality education and employment and where the island’s current economic crisis, financial hardship and pervasive poverty are but a distant memory. We wish to create vibrant, healthy, well-connected communities across the island, communities of island residents who are engaged socially, economically, culturally and intellectually, and where our people enjoy adequate freedoms to live self-directed lives in pursuit of their highest ambitions.
AFTER AN INTENSE STORM PUMMELED Bermuda in February 2011, the island’s custodian of historic wrecks Philippe Max Rouja went to do a coastal survey and spotted a partially exposed bow of a boat. The bow belonged to the Civil War blockade runner Mary Celestia, which was en route to North Carolina’s Confederate forces when it sank in 1864.
Dr. Philippe Max Rouja, Custodian of Historic Wrecks from the Government of Bermuda, clearing the non-historic layers of sand during the rescue archaeology investigation of the bow of the shipwrecked Mary Celestia, South Shore Bermuda. CHRIS BURVILLE FOR LOOKBERMUDA.COM
The Mary Celestia is far from alone: Bermuda’s treacherous underwater reefs sank many a ship. In fact, over 300 vessels are buried around the island, each with its own history and artifacts. But this isn’t the story of the wreck itself—this is a story about a whiff of lost perfume history hiding within.
After a week of examining the wreck, a team of divers and archaeologists found a number of artifacts, including shoes, wine, and two small bottles of perfume. The items were packed together, leading the team to think they may have been gifts. Save for some mineral deposits that had formed on them, the bottles appeared to be intact. One still contained a small air bubble inside, which otherwise would have been forced out by seawater. Etched on the glass were the names “Piesse and Lubin London.”
Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone. COURTESY LILI BERMUDA
Rouja brought the bottles to Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone, the owner of a local boutique perfume store called Lili Bermuda. Ramsay-Brackstone immediately knew they were a rare find. “In the 1800s, London was a …
In 1615 or 1616, coins were introduced in Bermuda. Although Bermuda was then called the Sommer Islands, for clarity, it is best to refer here to this place as Bermuda, as continual references to “Sommer Islands” would be distracting. Bermuda was then and still is a British colony. It is thus unsurprising that the first coins of Bermuda were denominated in British units: Twopence, Threepence, Sixpence and Twelvepence. These are the same denominations as the coins of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which were issued later in the same century. Twelvepence equaled one shilling and Twelvepence coins are typically termed Shillings.
Coins of all four denominations are undated; there is no indication on these coins of the year during which they were struck. Historical records suggest that they were struck in 1615 and/or 1616. Although it is likely that they were struck in England to be brought to Bermuda, it is plausible that some or all these coins were actually struck in Bermuda.
Eric Newman’s Bermuda Shilling is the best 1615-16 Bermuda coin
Sommer Islands Sixpence, large portholes, PCGS F-12
The Newman Threepence
Sommer Islands Twopence PCGS F-15
In the August 2009 issue of The Colonial Newsletter (NY: ANS), Max Spiegel presents a sound theory that the coins were struck at the Royal Mint in London, the primary mint of the English government. Spiegel emphasizes that … Read the complete article @ coinweek.com
Coin Weekis the largest independent online media source for rare, modern and bullion coin & currency news, video, analysis, and articles…
This petition is signed by those people opposed to the potential change in ”Recreation” zoning of the former Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club and the residential development of the protected golf course property.
The petitioners believe this potential zoning change would violate the Development and Planning Act 1974 and set a precedent that would jeopardize all golf courses and other areas that are currently protected under the Bermuda Plan (2008).
Bermuda has limited green space and a portion of the Bermuda Plan (2008) is zoned Recreation which includes sports fields, school playing fields, playgrounds, golf courses and general recreation areas, such as Bernard Park. These areas have historically been protected from zoning changes in order to maintain land for recreational purposes. If an exception is made to allow real estate development in areas that are currently zoned Recreation it could lead to the possible closure and redevelopment of other Bermuda golf courses and protected recreational areas.
Background
On October 25th, 2016 there was a presentation made to the residents of Riddell’s Bay by a group of investors who were in the process of closing on the purchase of the assets of the former Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club from the Provisional Liquidator. In the meeting the investor group confirmed that they planned to permanently close the golf course operation and change the zoning on approximately 17 acres of property to allow them to subdivide the property into one acre lots for residential development. They plan to create the “Master Plan” for the area and then sell the lots to real estate developers or individuals.
It is our contention that the Development and Planning Act 1974 (“the Act”) should protect the golf course from residential or commercial real estate development. We believe that any efforts to re-zone the property would set a dangerous precedent for all of Bermuda’s property zoned Recreation and impact the island’s limited green space. This would include golf courses, sports fields and recreational parks.
It is understood that there was a plan presented to the Provisional Liquidator from a group of Riddell’s Bay residents and former members to purchase the assets of the former club and maintain the golf course operation. Unfortunately the successful buyer contends that the golf course operation is not viable and that there is greater potential value in selling the real estate. There is always a temptation for real estate developers to buy restricted land and test the Bermuda Plan especially valuable real estate that is located in premium locations. The Provisional liquidator recently sold less than an acre of residential property for $1.5 million dollars. Based on this value the land is far more valuable to a real estate developer than it is as a golf course operation. The zoning rules are in place to protect restricted property from residential or commercial real estate development. It is unfortunate that investors may want to test the rigid Bermuda Plan guidelines.
Bermuda Plan (2008)
“The Bermuda Plan 2008″ (the Plan) has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part III of the Development and Planning Act 1974 (the Act). It is the fifth development plan for the Island and will supersede the Bermuda Plan 1992 and the Development Plan for the Former Military Bases 1996. The Plan covers the entire Island with the exception of the land subject to the provisions of the City of Hamilton Plan 2001 (and any subsequent plan). The main purpose of the Plan is to provide for the land use and development requirements of the Island in a way that makes the most effective use of its resources, protects its natural and built environment, and provides a good quality of life for the Island’s residents. As such, the Plan helps to encourage suitable development on appropriate sites and helps the Development Applications Board make decisions on planning applications”.
“The Bermuda Plan 2008 Zoning Maps designate all areas of the island (except for the lands subject to the provisions of the City of Hamilton Plan 2001) into four zoning types: Development Base Zones, Conservation Base Zones, Conservation Areas and Protection Areas. The Conservation and Protection Areas overlay either a Development Base Zone or a Conservation Base Zone.”
”Chapter 18: Recreation”
“The purpose of the Recreation zone is to conserve land for a variety of recreational activities. The areas designated under the Plan as Recreation include public and private playing fields, sports facilities and golf courses, and they are important components of the overall network of linked open spaces across the Island.”
“Some areas zoned Recreation are also designated under the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986 (as amended) and are further regulated by the provisions of that Act.”
“The Plan gives priority to retaining these lands in their open state and to protecting significant natural features. Development in the Recreation zone shall be restricted to recreational forms of development, forms of development associated with the principal recreational use of the land, and other forms of development which are associated with the open use of the land.”
Objectives
REC (1) To allocate sufficient land throughout the Island for a variety of recreational activities
REC (2) To retain recreational lands in their open state and to protect significant natural features”
It is important for those people interested in preserving the golf course to click on the links below which explain the Bermuda Plan and how it relates to Riddell’s Bay.
10:15 – Joy T Barnum LIVE + OPENING SPEECH & moment of silence for members of the LGBTQI+ community lost along the way
10:30 – Pre-Parade Assembly
11.00 – 12:30 – Bermuda Pride Parade
12:30 – 19:00 – Pride Ceremony @ Victoria Park Band Stand
Live entertainment from: Anomi Amaya Deveroux, Chrissy Dior, Denzel Amos, Eliza Olander, Joy Barnum, Padma Bermuda, Melodies and Mimosas, Mia Williams, Mike Hind, Nkosi, Roderick Ferguson, The Queen of Bermuda Ms Sybil Barrington, Tiffany Paynter, Wine Women & Song and Zebra Kidd.
Emcees – Edward Christopher and Jonathan Christopher; Dizzle the DJ, & DJ Felix.
Please be advised that dogs are not allowed in Victoria Park.
Please do not bring single use plastics to the park.
FREE hydration station – bring a reusable water bottle.
Sept 1 – Sunday 11:00 – 12:30 pm
Sept 1 – Sunday 8 pm
The QUEEN of BERMUDA – Ms SYBIL BARRINGTON is having her DYNAMIC FEMALE INTERNATIONAL IMPERSONATORS at CITY HALL at 8pm.
Tickets $55 GET THEM EARLY B4 THEY SELL OUT!!!! www.bdatix.bm or at SHANNONS BOUTIQUE !!!!!
Bermudian and Pride London Director of Community Engagement, Christopher Joell-Deshields, explains why Pride Parades are still important.
Pride parades (also known as pride marches, pride events, and pride festivals) are outdoor events celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) social and self acceptance, achievements, legal rights and pride. read more @ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_parade
Bermuda couple Winston Godwin and Greg DeRoche say Pride march is step in the right direction | Photo: Rainbow Alliance BDA
Organisers say event will take place on 31 August
The island of Bermuda is to hold its first march to celebrate LGBTI Pride this summer. LGBTI people and same-sex marriage campaigners said the Bermuda Pride event would help to reinforce that gay people are part of island society.
A spokesman for OutBermuda, the main sponsor of the march, said:
‘OutBermuda is proud to support Bermuda Pride 2019. There is an inherent value in a public celebration of our LGBTI community in Bermuda as a reminder that we exist and that we are members of the Bermuda community.
Beacon of hope
‘It is also a beacon of hope to LGBTI youth and others who feel that they are alone.’
The march is to be held on 31 August, according to the island’s main daily newspaper The Royal Gazette.
A march in Bermuda is ‘a huge step in the right direction’, said Winston Godwin-DeRoche. He had previously … read more
Over the past year, from Bermuda and the Bahamas to Ireland and Orkney, hundreds of pairs of unworn shoes have washed up on beaches. But how did they get there, and why are scientists so interested in where they are being found?
The island has a population of a little over 65,000 but with an expanded World Cup in 2026, qualification for the tournament is not out of the question!
Bermuda, with a population of just over 65,000, will be the smallest nation outside of Oceania to ever compete in a senior men’s Confederation championship. That figure is smaller than combined capacities of the three stadiums it will play in during the group stage. Though the country has less than one-fifth the population of Iceland, Bermudan FA resident Mark Wade said he thinks the program can follow in Iceland’s footsteps and use the Gold Cup as a starting point for an eventual berth in the World Cup.
PGA TOUR professionals who don’t qualify for this year’s World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions event in China will have an appealing alternative: a trip to Bermuda.
The Bermuda Championship is a new addition to the 2019-20 PGA TOUR schedule, set for Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, a Robert Trent Jones-designed layout that hosted the PGA Grand Slam for golf’s major champions from 2009 through 2014. This will be the first official annual event on the island, as the Bermuda Tourism Authority signed a five-year agreement through 2023 as the title sponsor … read full article here
… In addition to four days of coverage on Golf Channel, the Bermuda Championship will be broadcast in 226 countries and territories as part of the tour’s international broadcast agreements.
I was a bit perplexed when the assignment first came through. A mountain biking shoot in Bermuda? Based as I am in the Rockies, I didn’t even know there were “mountains” in Bermuda (there’s not, really.) There are plenty of trails and more importantly a community of riders that is wildly enthusiastic about mountain biking, trail riding, and off-pavement adventures. The thought of getting to photograph bikers in an area that had probably never been shot for publication was also very enticing.
So the plan was solidified. My self and the writer, Brigid Mander, would fly to Bermuda and …
