A piece of history was poised for destruction this week: Wantley on Princess Street, Hamilton faced demolition. The fate of this fine example of Victorian domestic architecture hung in the balance while the community looked on, horrified.
Yes, it bore the scars of years of neglect, including scorched walls and piles of used needles and empty bottles. Yes, it had no running water or electricity, leaving its transient occupants to find their own ways of waste disposal. But is that a reason to expunge the memory of a family that contributed so much to Bermuda and most notably, to the Black community?
Wantley was built in the 1870s by Samuel David Robinson, one of the most prominent Black businessmen and community leaders of the time. He and his brother Joseph Henry left a rich legacy in the city, especially in the buildings they developed, including The Emporium on Front Street, the Arcade on Burnaby Street and Victoria Terrace on Princess Street. A proponent of higher education, Samuel Robinson was a founder of the Berkeley Educational Society, an organisation dedicated to providing integrated and improved education for Black and White Bermudians. Its first meeting held in the drawing-room at Wantley led to the establishment of Berkeley Institute in 1897 at Samaritans’ Lodge on Court Street.
The matter is ongoing, and the BNT is engaged with efforts to save Wantley – including Maxine Esdaille of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail who alerted us all to the situation and the Berkeley Education Society.
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A family gift for everyone, forever |
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As a tribute to the late Geoffrey and Fay Elliott, the 2022 Bermuda National Trust calendar will exclusively feature images from the Elliott Collection. This extraordinary collection of more than 200 watercolours was donated to the BNT by the couple in 2017.
Geoffrey and Fay Elliott were devoted to Bermuda and keen collectors of Bermudiana. Their passion for history drew them to the work of the Bermuda National Trust, and they became generous supporters. Mrs. Elliott was also an active volunteer as a researcher with the Bermuda Architectural Heritage book series.
After more than 60 years together, they died within a year of each other – Fay in July 2020 and Geoffrey in May 2021.
The Elliotts gave the BNT their collection of watercolours painted by members of the British military based in Bermuda, recording life in the colony in the days before photography. The collection captures many aspects of Bermuda during the years 1816-1857, not only land and seascapes but images of how residents worked and interacted. The artists – including Thomas Driver and Gaspard Le Marchant Tupper – were capturing vital information for military planning and intelligence gathering. In the process, they provided us with a vital part of Bermuda’s historical narrative. The works are kept safely in the Government Archives, where they are protected in a climate-controlled environment. They will belong to Bermuda, forever, thanks to the Elliotts.
We send sincere condolences to their daughter Sonia and son Tim.
The opportunity to showcase some of the Elliott Collection in the popular BNT calendar will enable us to enjoy the art and history every day of the year – while we remember this generous, community-spirited couple who came to live in Bermuda in 1990 and fell in love with our island.
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The Elliott Collection, Ireland Island from above Spanish Point by Michael Seymour, 1845. |
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Hands down, they make my day! |
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Zurich Re
The awesome team from Zurich Re returned to Eve’s Pond on May 14th, bringing the same amazing attitude and so much energy. They were ready and keen to exceed expectations and full of enthusiasm. It didn’t feel like work at all. This team clearly know each other well and quickly fell into formation, creating a human conveyor belt with everyone in their role and over 115 plants going into the ground in a flash. We hadn’t planned to plant that many but they kept asking for more. Our focus at Eve’s Pond has been on increasing native and endemic shrubs and ground cover, but that day the team was also able to plant some larger Palmettos.
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Gilbert Nature
Reserve
On Saturday 22 May a beautiful cross-section of Bermuda came out to make good the Anita Wingate trail at the Gilbert Nature Reserve, originally part of the BNT Springfield property in Somerset. This reserve is an upland hillside habitat consisting entirely of woodland, with many non-native and invasive plant species, as well as a variety of native and endemic flora.
The day began with rain showers, but no one was deterred; wellies on and secateurs in hand we were unstoppable. After planting 12 trees including Bermuda cedar, Southern hackberry, Olivewood and Yellowwood, we removed eight large black bags of rubbish (mostly bottles and plastic). It wasn’t pretty work, but our volunteers showed no concern and got right into the bushes to clear up. It was an inspiring group.
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Conservation Officer Myles Darrell on how
volunteers are key to sustaining our spaces
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Probably the best part of being a Conservation Officer at the Trust is working with so many stellar people in our community. I hear the stories and gain so much insight while we work together to make Bermuda a little better. My job regularly brings me face to face with heart-breaking and infuriating environmental atrocities, and one could at times surrender to despair, losing sight of the beauty around us. Our volunteers take time, bring joy, work hard, give thanks and so much more, all of which keeps me positive and encouraged. The excitement and enthusiasm are contagious. Of course, I’m always drawn in by the instant reward of planting a tree, knowing that with good management practices it will stand strong long after we are gone.
The Trust remains focused on transforming our green spaces from invasive forests to strongholds of native and endemic flora and fauna. We could not do this work without volunteers from all walks of life. As much as I can’t imagine a Bermuda without the Trust, a Trust without volunteers is equally unimagineable. That said, we are also grateful for the many skilled contractors who perform tasks volunteers haven’t been sourced for. They are also an essential part of our Conservation management programme.
Management of Trust nature reserves is a huge task and an essential one for the long-term health of our island. Consistent support is needed for this to be sustainable – and we look forward to continuing work with our volunteers who have demonstrated such commitment. But if we are to outrun the invasion, we need to move faster, and this requires funding for the work too. I am happy to report conversations are underway with a view to the sponsorship of some of our nature reserves. This is essential to success.
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Labours of love
Thank you to all our weekend warriors, Duke of Edinburgh young people, students and companies – BeSolar, Lancashire Re, Zurich Re, Renaissance Re, Deloitte & so many more!
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On Tuesday, 9 June 2021, we celebrated World Oceans Day! BNT properties include beaches, islands, and wetlands such as Spittal Pond. Waterville, BNT headquarters, is host to one of the most spectacular mangrove ecosystems in Bermuda. In the intertidal areas, Red Mangroves are thriving and growing an intertwined mass of aerial roots and branches. Underwater they provide an important habitat for marine species such as algae, polychaete worms and crabs, while above water they offer vital nesting space for Green Herons and flowers for insect pollinators. Importantly, they function as a nursery for many reef fish and it’s a pleasure to watch the juvenile barracudas, snappers and other reef fish swimming around the mangrove roots.
The two species of mangroves growing in Bermuda are protected species, but globally ecosystems formed by mangroves are under serious threat due to the development of shorelines, deforestation in areas adjacent to mangroves, logging for firewood and animal fodder and sea-level rise. This is particularly disturbing because mangrove ecosystems are recognised as one of the richest carbon storage systems in the world and help in the regulation of greenhouse gases.
The next time you visit Waterville Park spend some time at the shoreline and see what animals you can spot among the roots and branches.
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Students want to hear from you! |
Zahria Furbert, a Bermuda College student, created a survey to gauge the awareness and behaviour of our community with respect to single-use plastics. Following an initial release in April, it has been decided to extend the survey period to gather further data. The survey takes 3 minutes and we would appreciate your participation.
Please share with friends and family as we’d like to reach as much of our community as possible. The data will aid Beyond Plastics Bermuda in the creation of a public awareness campaign aimed at reducing Bermuda's use of single-use plastics.
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Ocean View formerly East Camp |
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This post is part of a series of architectural articles by the Bermuda National Trust to highlight some of Bermuda's endangered historic buildings.
by Linda Abend and Margie Lloyd
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Tucked away off South Road in Warwick is an old farmhouse, one of the many properties that once belonged to Captain John Lightbourn. He lived at Fruitlands on Middle Road but maintained a residence and second family on Turks Island. In 1871 John’s son, Robert Lightbourn, by order of the Bermuda Defence Act 1865, sold the southern four acres of land bounding on the Atlantic Ocean to Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for War. In 1891 Robert’s heirs sold the farmhouse and remaining eight and one-half acres to planters Samuel and John Frederick Ingham and in 1897 the brothers sold to the Secretary of State for War.
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Volunteer Day at Scaur Lodge
26 June 2021
9:00 am - 12:00 noon
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Join BNT Conservation Officer Myles Darrell on Saturday, 26 June from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon for a volunteer day at Scaur Lodge. This beautiful property is protected by Nature Reserve, Woodland Reserve and Agricultural Reserve zonings.
Our goal is to provide care for the juvenile trees planted last year, ensuring they have the best opportunity to grow and mature. We will also plant more trees and shrubs to increase diversity and sustainability by strengthening native and endemic flora within the reserve. Some invasive species removal will be required to enable planting.
BNT will have the tools required; please bring:
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Water
- Sturdy footwear
- Gloves
- Lots of energy and a positive attitude!
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June Museum Opening Hours
Stop by St. George's this week and visit the volunteer's Globe Museum & Trustworthy Gift shop.
Open from 11:00am - 2:00 pm
on the following days:
- Wednesday, 16 June
- Thursday, 27 June
- Wednesday, 23 June
- Thursday, 24 June
Hours may change, visit our website for more information.
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New arrivals at Waterville Gift Shop! |
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Have you visited the Waterville Gift Shop recently?! We have one-of-a-kind various gifts that are perfect for everyone, from BNT apparel and books to beautiful locally made products.
We are particularly excited about our newest arrivals of hand-painted items highlighting the Bermuda National Trust Logo, including cork stoppers, ornaments, magnets and beautiful mugs featuring Verdmont Museum.
Stop by Waterville this week – Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
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Adam Harbutt at Sherwin Nature Reserve |
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This month, we turn the spotlight on Adam Harbutt, a committed volunteer well-known in the community for giving back. Over the past year, Adam has made time between work, family, his passion for cycling and gardening to volunteer with us at Sherwin Nature Reserve. And because of his dedication to clear up and make the reserve a safer place, it looks incredible! Empty bottles have been cleared out and recycled by the bag load, and various invasive plants have been removed, such as juvenile Chinese Fan Palms and Mexican Pepper.
"While I enjoy gardening in my yard, doing work where anyone can enjoy the space seems a better use of my time. There is a lot more work to be done."
He explains that the experience has introduced him to new people and broadened his awareness of varieties of endemic plants that he had no idea existed. Before his volunteer work, he had never even been to Sherwin Nature Reserve and didn’t even know it was a Trust property. So why volunteer?
"Volunteering builds on itself. By keeping the reserves in a good state, people enjoy and use them more, take more interest, litter less, and the Trust has more time to focus on maintenance and other important work."
The time spent at Sherwin Nature Reserve gave him a different perspective on our Open Spaces. He had the chance to notice things he has never observed before and how invasive species truly can take over space. Thank you, Adam – for sharing your interest in engaging in community projects and for being part of the change we all would like to see for Bermuda.
How can you help? Just like Adam said, there still is a lot of work that to be done! Join us for one of our volunteer days, or if you are looking for a way to volunteer on your own time in your way, reach out to Palmetto@bnt.bm and let’s see if we can make something happen.
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