Newsletter

General Meeting

The next meeting day is Thursday, 23 October, 6 PM in the Towne Hall. During the next meeting, we will provide updates on ongoing projects, as well as introduce new programs and initiatives that may be undertaken. The standard agenda is as follows:

1. Welcome
2. Observances/Celebrations
3. Town Manager / Secretary Report 
4. Committee Reports and Recommendations 
5. Government Board Member's Reports 
6. Other Board Member Reports 
7. Public Q&A Period

From the Town Manager’s Desk

Dear Town Members,

We are happy to keep you informed about the work our team has undertaken to support and enhance the town.  To stay updated, you are invited to attend the monthly General Council Meetings held on the fourth Thursday of every month. Our report is presented to the Council during these meetings, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback during the public session.

CSG Commercial Rentals
- Contact the office for available spaces.
 

CSG Projects

Somers Garden Wall
In progress

Paving Soon: Wastewater Repairs Complete on York and Bridge Streets
We have completed the emergency repairs of two sewer line breaks in our underground wastewater network located on York Street and Bridge Street. This work, which required street trenching, resulted from the transitioning from the existing sewer system to the new system to ensure high-quality service for all our future customers on the network.

Mural: Coming Soon  
We are excited by the news coverage on the ongoing work as we continue our public art program in the Town. Reports indicated a September finish, however, days of inclement weather delayed the project. We understand the community is anxious.  A mural is currently being installed at our Penno's Wharf Terminal location, and a planter wall is being constructed to beautify the area with foliage. Once it is ready, we will communicate along with our town partners on the date of the official unveiling.

 
Special Message From The Town Manager 

Reminder: hurricane season ends November 1. Storm readiness offers comfort, and a key factor in prolonging power outages is vegetation. BELCO has found that it's not just high winds, but also debris and branches falling on live wires that cause faults and breaks. You can help by walking your neighborhood now to spot and report potential issues to BELCO. Proactive reporting helps them prepare, which will help you later when you need power most.

BIG HOLIDAY FUN ALERT! Santa's helpers are getting ready for the holiday with a full schedule of town activities. The Corporation of St. George's and our town partners welcome you to visit during the holidays to participate in activities and the merriment of the season. If you would like to be a vendor during our events or assist with sponsorship, please contact our office today. We would be happy to guide you through our offerings and opportunities.

Rock-a-app Baby

Take a step outside, a literal step, to get to know your neighbors. 

Summer has ended, and fall is upon us. As the seasons change, the way we communicate is changing every day, too. There's an app for the bus, an app for the taxi, an app for the TV, an app for the newspaper, an app to report potholes, and an app for groceries before you even walk in the store.

This change has brought convenience, but that convenience comes at a high price. First, you need power from BELCO. Second, you've got to have the latest device, or the app won't load right. You are also required to have an internet connection. These are all costs added to the basic cost of living. Town life was not about convenience. It was about meeting needs and some wants, but make no mistake, that was a whole different time.

We are extremely fortunate that we have not yet paved our piece of paradise and put up a parking lot to drive the economy. Apps are nice, but don't forget to walk to the grocery store and stand in line, getting to know your neighbors. You can even attend any of the town’s free signature events to let your hair down, be entertained, and share in the excitement of the moment, making lasting memories whether you are single, new to town, or have lived here for decades and now have grandkids.

An app-based life can pull us into a false sense of "me-ness," where we expect a personal parking spot outside the front door of the grocery store—a fantasy of bubbles and lullabies. Towns work best as communities that communicate with one another.

Congratulations Wesley Tucker

Wesley Tucker recently represented Bermuda in the Comet Class International Regatta held at the Shrewsbury Sailboat & Yacht Club in Oceanport, NJ. Wesley served as crew to skipper Maxwell Curtis.

"The regatta was a seven-race series that at times caused my skipper, Maxwell Curtis, and me to tackle very shifty conditions with mostly light winds," says Wesley.

Three Bermudian teams participated in the regatta. The team of Maxwell and Wesley placed fourth overall out of a 21-boat fleet. The team also raced in a regatta on Sunday afternoon and finished third out of a total of five boats.

Wesley thanks the East End Mini Yacht Club for their sponsorship and support, which allowed himself and skipper Maxwell to participate in the international events.

News article: https://bernews.com/2025/08/bermudians-compete-comet-championships/

Department of Culture Grants

We celebrate the work of St. Peter’s Church, the St. George’s Historical Society, and the Bermuda National Trust, and their success in being recognized by the Department of Culture as part of their Heritage Grant Recipient program.

UNESCO Grants also support these organizations. It is important to recognize that substantial work and effort are required to keep these venues operational and presentable for the thousands of people who visit these locations. Funding, whether through grants or personal donations, helps ensure the town has places that are part of an authentic heritage experience, not just in Bermuda but within the global UNESCO World Heritage Site network.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1188772313287984&set=a.579072560924632

Scoop The Poop

Dogs seek owners help in poop clean up. 

Dogs are adorable, but their poop is not. In our Town, maintaining a pristine appearance is crucial, and people remember cleanliness. Regrettably, we must address instances of carelessness.

While we love strolling with our canine companions, we do not enjoy having our staff clean up after them or guests being subjected to the smoosh of the odour-carrying clumps that leave a dreadful impression. We kindly request all dog owners to keep their pets on their leash and to be responsible and pick up after their pets when walking along Water Street, Ordnance Island, and King’s Square.

We had to implement a ban on dogs in our gardens, and we hope to avoid extending that ban to other public walking areas in the town.

 Bulletin 

UNESCO World Teachers' Day
Sunday, October 5th

Halloween
Friday, October 31st

Lighting of the Town 
Saturday, November 29th | 6 pm - 10 pm | King's Square
 
BNT Christmas Walkabout
Friday, 5 December 5th | 6 pm – 9 pm | Town of St. George

Santa Comes To Town
Saturday, December 13th | 6 pm - 10 pm | King’s Square

NYE Celebration
Wednesday, December 31st | 7 pm - 1 am | King’s Square

UNESCO World Teachers' Day: Little Memories

Little people who become big people remember those special moments when a teacher made a difference in their day. Yes, learning is why they're there, but people helping people transforms lives. These are little memories that can make you smile or reflect. A teacher can be any member of your community, offering guidance to assist you in reaching your goal—a sergeant in the regiment, a chief knitter for that tricky stitch, or even that grandchild who is your tech specialist. We all have something to learn, and our school teachers give us the foundation for accepting knowledge and guidance. Treasure our teachers; they are the foundation for all we know today.

UNESCO Teacher's Day Purpose: This day celebrates teachers around the globe and commemorates the anniversary of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers, as well as standards for their initial preparation, continuing education, and employment.

Learn more: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/teachers

Did you know …

You can host an event in St. George’s at one of the amazing locations: Penno’s Wharf, Somers Garden, King's Square and Towne Hall. Each of these venues are beautiful and idyllic to host a company function, wedding (singular), birthday or special occasion. For more information please contact the office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 297-1532.

UNESCO | SPOTLIGHT

Situated remotely in St. George's Harbour, directly opposite of King's Square, Ordnance Island is a remarkable location with a clear history of both war and peace. Not many places in Bermuda have had such a monumental and transformative strategic role.

In War: Ordnance Island is a compact, 1.75-acre, man-made landmass, created by connecting Frazer's and Gallows islands. It earned its name not by birthright, but through function: it became the site of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps depot in the 19th century. The island supplied munitions to forts and batteries throughout the colony. At that time, the most dangerous elements were stored not in the town proper, but nearby, on the island connected to the mainland. After an accidental explosion on nearby Hen Island in 1812 shattered windows across St. George's, Ordnance Island was chosen as a safer location for the storage of munitions.

To deepen its role in war efforts, Ordnance Island was developed as a submarine facility by the United States beginning in June 1941. The location was chosen for its site availability, existing facilities, and proximity to the sea lanes serving the islands. As part of the program, a number of existing buildings were rehabilitated to provide housing and messing facilities for submarine crews while ashore. Additional work included improvements to the water and sewer systems, repairs to waterfront structures, and the installation of offshore moorings. If you recall from the September 2025 newsletter, Gates Fort was featured and identified as a battery to deter access to the town. The USA's choice of the Town of St. George for a submarine facility reinforces Bermuda’s strategic role in global defense

.

During the American lease of the island, the town saw the rehabilitation of existing buildings to provide housing and messing facilities for submarine crews. They also improved water and sewer systems, repaired waterfront structures, and installed offshore moorings. The concrete bridge—built by the US Navy to replace the original wooden span—now offers modern vehicular access to the town.

Today, in Peace: Ordnance Island serves as a super yacht marina in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. George's, welcoming transient yachts from around the globe. The island houses several prominent attractions, including the Major Donald H. Burns Memorial Park, the statue of Admiral Sir George Somers, Bermuda's founder, and the summer Ducking Stool Re-enactment. It is also a marina for resident boats, services super yachts in St. George’s Harbour, and for those who don't know, the corporate offices of the Corporation of St. George’s are located on the ground floor of the majestic Storekeeper’s House. Ordnance Island is home to HMS Customs and the Bermuda Pilots providing a valuable services for our maritime visitors serving cruise ships and other vessels entering local waters.

This small island embodies the complex maritime heritage of St. George's, seamlessly blending its military past with its present role as a gateway to one of the New World's oldest continuously inhabited English settlements, now recognized for its outstanding universal value to humanity as part of the global network of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Ordnance Island
Address: Ordnance Island, St. George's Island, Bermuda
Coordinates: 32.3802° N, 64.6766° W
Hours: Daily
Camera: Watch
Admission: Free

High Tide Tattoo

We had the pleasure of speaking with Chelsea Paynter, owner of High Tide Tattoo, who shared her journey as a local entrepreneur, her deep passion for the art of tattooing, and the inspiration behind her unique studio in the Town of St. George.

“I’ve always been an artist,” Chelsea explained. “I’ve been drawn to creativity since I was 18. I started as a novice at Smoking Joe’s Tattoo Parlour, where I was mentored by Joseph “Joe ” Mathias for 10 years. When I felt confident in my skills and knew I was ready, I decided to branch out and start my own business.”

For Chelsea, opening High Tide Tattoo was about more than creating beautiful tattoos—it was about enriching the community. “The business brings even more creativity to an already creative town,” she said. “It gives us Bermudians a platform to showcase our art and tattooing talent. Since my family and I are from St. George’s, it was important to us to open the business right here—giving back to the community we love and helping grow the artistic scene in our own backyard.”

Since opening in September 2023, High Tide Tattoo has already made its mark. The studio has taken part in the Bermuda National Trust Walkabout for the past two years and looks forward to joining more community events in the future.

When asked what she loves most about operating in the Town of St. George, Chelsea highlighted the town’s character: “The historic charm and traditional feel are unmatched. The beautiful views and rich history create a unique atmosphere that makes being here truly special.”

You can find High Tide Tattoo on Water Street in the Town of St. George, directly across from Davidson’s Store and next to the Tucker House Museum.

Call: 441-518-9897
Social: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/105850992613623/high-tide-studio-bermuda

Get To Know Your Town Crier

Official Town Crier: Arthur "Gussie" Godwin.

Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf16F34vUzU

Out & About