April 2010

The face of the Dockyard has changed more in the last year than it has changed in the previous fifty years.

In April the Premier, Dr. the Hon. Ewart Brown, JP, MP, accompanied with the Minister of Works and Engineering, the Hon. Derrick Burgess, JP, MP, came to Dockyard to open the newly completed Heritage Wharf. This event was attended by many representatives from the Government, the West End community and the shipping community. This is the only port in Bermuda that can accommodate the mega cruise ships and the event marked a wonderful start to the 2009 cruise ship season.

In June the Minister of Works and Engineering returned to the West End where he and I together opened the new second lane to Cockburn Cut Bridge and the widening of the historic Main Gates of the Royal Naval Dockyard. Traffic now flows easily in and out of Dockyard.

During the summer of 2009 we announced plans for a proposed marina for the South Basin. This sparked much interest in the yachting community although this project is in its early stages and there is much groundwork yet to be done.

As the summer drew to an end we were happy with the increased number of cruise ship visitors and the tourists that came to Dockyard. We have truly become the destination on the Island most visited by tourists.

The highlight of the year was in November with the Royal Visit of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. It was a beautiful day; many seniors from the various senior homes in Somerset were in attendance along with tourist and residents from all over the Island. Her Majesty was greeted at our ferry dock by elementary school students; the Drum Corps of the Sandys Secondary School serenaded her Majesty as she drove past on her way to the Clocktower Mall. At the mall she was greeted by WEDCo’s Chairman, the Hon. Mr. Walter Lister, JP, MP and Mrs. Brenda Lister, who then introduced her to other members of the WEDCo Board and local area Members of Parliament.

Upstairs in the Clocktower Mall, Mrs. Bentley, who is 100 years-old and a resident of the Packwood Home rendered “God Save the Queen” on the piano. This was followed by a re-enactment by Sandys Secondary students of the Dockyard Apprentices journey to the UK in 1950 to complete their training. The “real” apprentices were then introduced to Her Majesty. Dr. David Saul had a display of woodcarvings which the Queen admired as she made her way into the Chartroom where Sandys Middle School demonstrated an “old fashioned Bermuda wedding”.

Outside, Her Majesty unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit before she left to enjoy lunch at the Commissioner’s House on the grounds of the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

December saw WEDCo start its special Christmas Shopping campaign. Each Sunday of the month there was entertainment provided by various artists; free gift-wrapping and a special Kiddie Corner with face painting and a fun castle, where the little ones could be left while their parents or guardians shopped.

With all the accomplishments of this fiscal year we were not done yet; in January 2010 Minister the Hon. Derrick Burgess JP, MP returned to officially open the new Waste Water Reclamation Treatment Plant, located in Sally Port, Dockyard. This facility will assist in servicing our water requirements throughout the year; especially with the mega cruise ships during the summer months.

The year 2009 marked the 200th anniversary of The Royal Naval Dockyard. We are proud of our accomplishments and look forward to continued growth in our fiscal year 2010-2011.

The Hon. Mr. Walter Lister, JP, MP
Chairman