COLLABORATION ∗ EDUCATION ∗ AWARENESS |
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Bermudian stone mason Dean Saunders brought his tools and skills to Fort Albert and remediated the Keep walls in danger of collapsing. SGF is grateful for the support of the Department of Culture, who awarded a Heritage Grant for the project, demonstrating the importance of respecting Bermuda's built cultural heritage and the essential skills needed to preserve historic sites.
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The job of clearing debris, feeding a chipper and spreading the chips in Fort Albert's moat needed consistant guaranteed labour, so SGF Deputy Chairman Stuart Smith contacted the Department of Corrections Work Release Programme. Shannon Tucker and David Hill from the Prison Farm, and Triston Burgess from the Co-Ed Facility, joined SGF Chairman Peter Barrett in the moat of Fort Albert for two weeks in March, working through the piles of branches and leaves, resulting in a clear view of the moat for the first time in decades. The partnership has continued with inmates joining the SGF Weekday Warriors one day a week at Fort William.
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The damage to Bermuda's built heritage by invasive plant species is clear. The tenacious casuarina, or Australian Whispering Pine, was introduced as a windbreak following the Bermuda cedar blight in the 1940's. It has taken hold in every nook and cranny island-wide, including abandoned historic structures. Culling casuarinas is a critical part of the restoration and preservation of UNESCO World Heritage Site fortifications in St. George's. These casuarinas were removed from Fort Albert using abseiling equipment.
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The roof of Fort William has been the focus of SGF in recent months, as volunteers worked their way through a forest of casuarinas and Chinese fan palms. The labour-intensive work produced amazing results with the roof cleared of trees, needles and stumps.
The construction of Fort William, originally known as the Western Redoubt, was completed in 1853 and the fort was designed to protect the harbour and coastline to the south-east of St. George's. However, it was never armed and in the 1880's was converted into a powder magazine by roofing over the ditch and Keep. |
THE WEEKDAY WARRIORS
Our volunteers are amazing! The heavy lifting in the transformation of our UNESCO World Heritage Site fortifications takes place thanks to the dedicated team of Weekday Warriors, led by SGF Deputy Chairman Stuart Smith. We are grateful for their hard work and enthusiasm. Read more in a Royal Gazette article.
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Fort Albert was the muse for Bermuda Plein Air artists on March 17th, when they held an outdoor event at the newly restored fortification. Easels were set up throughout the fort, artwork was on display and SGF Chairman Peter Barrett gave a tour of the fort and Keep.
Part proceeds of artwork sold during the outdoor art event were donated to SGF, along with a collection taken by attendees. Thank you to the Bermuda Art Centre in Dockyard for your support!
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Join SGF Chairman Peter Barrett for an in-depth look at the work of SGF and learn about the history of Fort Albert. The tour takes place on Saturday, April 13th and Saturday, April 27th. Purchase tickets at BDATix.bm. |
The annual Peppercorn Ceremony takes place on King's Square, St George's at 10.30 am, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Don't miss the pomp and circumstance of this State Occasion, hosted by the Corporation of St George, when the Freemasons of Lodge St George pay their annual rent of one peppercorn for the use of the State House. |
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THANK YOU!
Thank you to our donors and members for supporting The St. George's Foundation - your funding support is critical to the progress of the work of SGF and ensures the restoration and maintenance of Bermuda's UNESCO World Heritage Site fortifications will continue. To donate or become a member: Online with a credit card - BDATix.bm. Direct debit - St George's Foundation, HSBC account 010462000001 |
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Our Contact Information
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| The St. George's Foundation Registered Charity no. 454 Supporting Bermuda's UNESCO World Heritage Site Town of St. George and Related Fortifications. Visit SGF.bm. |
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