Photos: Bermuda National Trust Annual Awards

June 21, 2024 | 0 Comments

The Bermuda National Trust Annual Awards were presented, recognising individuals, organisations, groups and schools that have worked to protect and promote Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage.

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda National Trust’s annual heritage awards were presented on 20 June. The awards, sponsored by Butterfield & Vallis, recognise individuals, organisations, groups and schools that have worked to protect and promote Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage, or whose work has enhanced Bermuda heritage awareness or understanding. The ceremony took place at BNT’s Verdmont Museum and the trophies and certificates were presented by Trust President Alana Anderson and Junior Minister for Culture Kim Swan.

“The Bermudiana Award for Natural Heritage Impact went to the Bermuda Zoological Society for their Micro Forest project. Natural Heritage Award certificates were also presented to Patrick Cooper and Steven DeSilva of the Corporation of Hamilton for the creation of Donleigh Park tree farm, and Christ Church, Warwick for adopting environmentally friendly landscape methods in the church grounds.

“The Cultural Heritage Impact Award, the top honour in the cultural heritage section, went to the Department of Culture for their long-running Cultural Apprenticeship Programme that pairs tradition-bearers with young people interested in learning practical skills and knowledge of aspects of Bermuda’s cultural heritage.

“Cultural Heritage Award certificates were presented to Manuel Lopes, for restoring old Bermuda carriages; the Friends of St Peter’s Church for the restoration of the church clock and training two Bermudians to maintain it; Cecille Snaith-Simmons for researching and writing many articles on a broad range of cultural heritage topics; Holy Trinity Church for the thoughtful celebration of its 400th anniversary, involving many cultural and community partners.

“There were two awards for restorations or renovations of historic buildings. Guy and Annabel Cooper, Geoff Parker [architect] and F. Lewis Maintenance were commended for the sensitive renovation of Grade 2 listed ‘Southcote’ in Paget. Butterfield Bank was recognised for the thoughtful renovation of the historic Front Street banking centre to its 1923 design, for the building’s 100th anniversary.

“The Young Heritage Leadership Award, presented to a young person in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Bermuda’s cultural heritage, went to Alexander [Xander] Cook for commitment to Bermuda archaeology. Xander, 26, who is working towards a doctorate in archaeology, has worked on a number of local archaeology projects, including with Dr Michael Jarvis on the Smith’s Island dig for several summers.

“Diana Chudleigh was awarded the DeForest Trimingham Awareness Award for her ‘History of a House’ book series on four important Bermuda National Trust’s buildings – Waterville, Verdmont, Tucker House and Globe Museum. The Globe book was published early in 2024, completing the series, which tells the stories of the properties and the people who lived and worked in them.

“In the Service to the Trust category, the Trust’s highest honour – the Palmetto Award – was presented to Mariette Savoie for exceptional service to the Trust since 2009 as a member of the Council, Finance Committee and Governance Committee, and as chair of the Fundraising Dinner Committee for three very successful years.

“John Cox received the President’s Award for decades of support for BNT in many ways, including volunteering at Verdmont, holding ghost story-telling events, opening his historic home and gardens for tour groups and for hosting the 2023 gala dinner for over 300 people at his property Orange Valley House.

“Four people were awarded Honorary Life Membership for their exceptional service to the Trust:

“Alana Anderson received Honorary Life Membership for 20 years of exemplary voluntary service, 16 of them on the Trust’s Council, including serving as President from 2017 to 2024.

“Beryl Bartlett was recognised for her dedicated volunteering for over 25 years, particularly for the annual Bake Sale and more recently volunteering as a receptionist at Waterville.

“Tiffany Banner was recognised for her dedicated volunteering for Trust Museums, the Trustworthy gift shop and fundraising dinners.

“Linda O’Shea was recognised for over a decade of voluntary service on the Museums & Collections Committee and exceptional support for the annual Auction.