Inter-Island Communications News Brief – February 3, 2020

One of the east end tourism properties shut down at the end of last week and is being taken over by the developers of the St. Regis project. This from the operator of the St. George’s Club who shared quote “After more than 25 years of operation, struggling as a ‘timeshare’ with changing legislation, the closure of the St. Georges golf course, increased costs, recession and members defaulting on their contractual commitments, we have had to make the difficult decision to close the hotel effective 31 January 2020. This means that all our staff, some of whom have been with us for many years will be released from employment as of that date. They have all been informed. We will surrender our lease to the Bermuda Government. The news is not all bad as Hotelco Bermuda SGC Ltd., who are part of the group developing the nearby property, to open as a St. Regis Hotel, will take over the St. George’s Club. They will reopen The Club after a period of much needed refurbishment and update. We wish to thank all our very loyal staff for their efforts over the years and our remaining members who have been supportive of The Club.”

The Minister of Tourism and Transport responded to the news saying quote “Government is aware that the St George’s Club is in the process of changing ownership. While detailed plans for The Club are still in development, the Government supports all steps taken to enhance this tourist property. It is unique in Bermuda’s inventory in that it is both a timeshare operation and a hotel. The public and all St. George’s Club former employees can rest assured that the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, as well as the Ministry responsible for Workforce Development, continue our commitment to keeping Bermudians employed in our tourism industry.”

One of Bermuda and the world’s most authentic and important anti-slavery voices is being honored by being connected explicitly with our most significant anti-slavery holidays. Somers Day, the second day of Cup Match, has been renamed as Mary Prince Day.

This was shared by Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports Lovitta Foggo late last week who told the House of Assembly quote “As you will be aware, Cup Match is currently comprised of two consecutive holidays: Emancipation Day as the first day of Cup Match, and Somers Day as the second day of Cup Match. Cup Match is unarguably one of the most important holidays in the Bermudian calendar. National days are an important part of our cultural identity: what we celebrate and how we celebrate speaks directly to who we are as a people. Bermuda’s Emancipation Day, as established by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, commemorates the day that people of African descent in this country were recognized as citizens rather than as property; no longer forcibly working for others, or legally sold as an object, rather than accorded basic rights as a human being, though it is recognised that the struggle still continues. For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that the second day of Cup Match be renamed after our National Hero, Mary Prince, who is recognized on the world stage for the crucial role she played in the abolishment of slavery throughout the British Empire, by telling the painful story of her life. The origins of Cup Match lay squarely in an observance of Emancipation, and by returning Cup Match to the observation of Emancipation and the abolition movement, that it was always meant to be, we show both a respect and understanding for that pivotal moment in our history as Bermudians.”

The Bermuda Sloop Foundation, operators of the Spirit of Bermuda, are no longer having to fight a US lawsuit. This is according to a report from Village Soup Knox which said quote “A lawsuit filed in October by Rockport Marine against a foundation that owns a Bermuda training ship has been dismissed by the Rockport company. The notice of dismissal was filed Saturday, Jan. 25 in U.S. District Court in Portland. That followed a notice of default filed against Bermuda Sloop Foundation Jan. 22. The Bermuda-based organization did not respond to the lawsuit.

Rockport Marine claimed in the lawsuit that it performed work on the sailing vessel — used as a training ship — in early 2019. Rockport Marine said the Foundation failed to pay $44,543 for supplies, services, and repairs to the sailing vessel Spirit of Bermuda,”

A Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson shared quote, “At 1:13 pm on Saturday, a call was received by Central Fire Dispatch reporting a kitchen fire in a 2 story structure at Kilderry Close, Devonshire. The Fire service responded with 4 appliances and a total of 7 firefighters. On arrival firefighters reported seeing thick black smoke coming out of French doors which led into a studio apartment on the lower level of the premises. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the premises to extinguish the fire using a dry chemical powder extinguisher. The tenant of the apartment suffered from smoke inhalation and has been transported to King Edward Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. The cause of the fire is unknown. The fire is presently under investigation.”