The St. George's Foundation

Replica of “Deliverance”

Newsletter 2016-2017

“Deliverance” is getting restored!

 Work has begun under the careful eye of project Manager David Chew along with Volunteers Michaela Mobley & Keon Kirby to get this special replica shipshape for our visitors & residents alike to continue to enjoy!

A special crew of volunteers from Markel Bermuda was organized by the Centre on Philanthropy in April to dedicate a day to paint, clean, dust & weed all the display area above & below decks so we were ready to host the 1^st Annual St. George’s Marine Expo on 1^st May! A generous donation was received from one of our lead sponsors, Rubis Energy so we can continue our restoration project. We also wish to thank the organizers from the Bermuda Economic Development Corp. & Bermuda Yacht Services for all their hard work along with special sponsors Burrows Lightbourn to make this event a roaring success!

Deliverance New Entrance

If you visit the ship, you will notice a new entrance door located in the starboard hull which is designed to allow those who are physically challenged to have access to below decks where they can view the excellent displays & hear our automatronic character of William Strachey tell the tale of survival of the castaways in 1609 & eventual rescue of the starving settlers in Jamestown!

Our friend and supporter Keith Simmons from the Ministry of Health for Ageing and Disability Services was the first to visit!

The attraction is open to the public with complimentary admission during this time period when work is being done on the restoration and volunteers are available.

Our extraordinary friend Doreen James has begun to publicize her Wild Plants and Herbs of Bermuda Tea Tasting on board the replica! She is hosting these Tea Tastings on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.   So far she has hosted three tea tastings with folks enjoying this unique venue to come & learn about another side of the St. George’s culinary story! She also encourages Children’s Pirate Parties.  Reservations can be made through her website www.wildherbsnplantsofbermuda.com

World Heritage Centre Lecture

We were very fortunate to have hosted an important lecture as part of Heritage Month sponsored by our partners at Community & Cultural Affairs on 12^th May. The invited guest, David Givens, Senior Staff Archeologist of Jamestown Rediscovery came to the island for a week to assist us with further research on our close connections with the 1^st Virginia Colony. His subject was the recently discovery of human bones in a dig at the Jamestown site, where a PBS documentary was made & identified the person as “Jane”. This is the final proof that cannibalism had set in during the “Staving Times” over the winter of 1609/10.  A full house enjoyed this movie with questions & answers hosted by David.
Dr. Clarence Maxwell held a lecture on 4th, August as part of the 2016 Emancipation Celebration, “The Trail of Our People” Jabulani/Jubilee” in partnership with Dept. of Community and Cultural Affairs and the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Bermuda Foundation. The lecture was titled “After Venturilla: The Early Black Presence in Bermuda, 1616/84.

Venturilla was the first person of African descent to land in Bermuda. Over a century late, the first enslaved black and Indian arrived. The unnamed black pearl diver, who arrived in August 1616, 400 years ago this year, began the longest period of black presence in any British American territory. This is the story of the first years of black settlement in Bermuda.

Both of these lectures were featured on CITV for all to see.

On 5^th July saw the greatest legal minds on the island gather in the World Heritage Centre to celebrate the opening of an exhibit featuring 400 years of continuous court services in Bermuda.  It was billed as an “opportunity to reflect on the depths of our legal roots and to learn lessons from the past”.  Chief Justice Ian Kawaley acknowledged the partnership which brought together the Dept. of Communication & Information, Dept. of Archives, Bermuda National Library and St. George’s Foundation, under the watchful eye of retired Puisne Judge Norma Wade Miller.  The Acting Governor, Ginny Ferson spoke of how the exhibit combines two important features of justice – the evolution of justice and the accessibility of justice.  The Mayor of St. George, Quinnell Francis expressed how fitting it was that St. George’s was selected as the venue to celebrate 400 years of unbroken court services.

Upcoming Events

October

Visit from John Dorer of the Lyme Regis Museum in Dorset England, member of the Twinning Association with the Town of St. George’s provides an opportunity to host an event at the World Heritage Centre on Friday, 28^th October while the International Gig Rowers Regatta is in town.  The Gig Rowers Club of Lyme Regis is competing and will be presenting gifts from their UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast from East Devon to Dorset, England.

November

Saturday, 26^th November is the beginning of the Christmas Celebrations in the town with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of the Town Hall in Kings Square.  The Town Hall will feature the Art Exhibit of the collection by Roy Taylor paintings of the beautiful Bermuda coral reefs, plant and fish life put together in joint partnership with the Corporation of St. George, the Bank of Bermuda Foundation and St. George’s Foundation.

December

Friday, 2^nd December is the annual Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walkabout!  A magical excitement and romantic elegance takes over the whole town of St. George with entertainment and refreshments available at various locations as shown on the map provided that day.  Be sure to visit our World Heritage Centre and Second Hand Rose to enjoy some delicious snacks, and take an imaginary journey onboard the “Deliverance” with both attractions open from 6 pm until 9 pm for all to enjoy.

2017

The St. George’s Foundation’s 20^th year begins with the excitement and anticipation of the America’s Cup 35!  The Foundation is poised to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity and will be part of the overall excitement that will permeate the whole island!

Our St. George’s Foundation year begins with the opening of the Pilot “Jemmy” Darrell exhibit in the World Heritage Centre to highlight his outstanding achievements as a skilled sailor and a fighter for the rights as a freed slave. A commemoration service will be held on Saturday, 8^th April in St. Peter’s Church “Their Majesties Chappell”, graveyard.    Following Easter week of 14-16 April sees the arrival of the first of 15 cruise ships to tie up at Penno’s Wharf.  This coincides with the beginning of the International Town Criers Competition on Wednesday, 19^th April which is the date of the Annual Peppercorn Ceremony in the Town Square and concludes on St. George’s Day, Sunday, 23^rd April.  There will be several opportunities to celebrate these special occasions at the World Heritage Centre and on the “Deliverance”.

The Tall Ships arrive in St. George’s harbour on 26^th May to coincide with the start of the America’s Cup qualifying races in the Great Sound.  Our location on Penno’s Wharf with the beautiful World Heritage Centre Waterfront Plaza will become a hub of activity for all to see and enjoy.  Closely following on from 13-16 June sees the harbour come alive with arrival of the Super Yachts Regatta with the world’s largest collection of magnificent sailing vessels that gather to race and show off their beautiful classic designs of yesteryear up to modern day!  The weekend of 24 and 25 June will see a new America’s Cup Champion crowned in Bermuda!

Join now and become part of the 20^th Anniversary celebrations of the St. George’s Foundation.