Charmless building

February 17, 2010

Dear Sir,

Recently I travelled to Bermuda with my 12-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter to celebrate my 50th birthday. While Jamie and Grace had never visited before, they knew much of our family association there: My grandparents made Bermuda their home at the end of the Second World War, my parents met and married there, my eldest sister was born in Bermuda, and so on. And I myself have had the privilege of spending many happy days there, virtually from infancy.

Suffice it to say that I hold many wonderful memories of your beautiful and friendly island. This of course risks seeing the many changes that have happened since through the prism of nostalgia, which can be unforgiving. In that spirit I would only urge you to welcome change, but to accommodate that change within the framework of your heritage, history and culture. For example, many of the new developments we saw – especially on Front Street and environs – may have taken the place of some fine old landmarks but have been nicely incorporated into their immediate environs, in a way that is respectful of Bermuda's distinctive and enchanting architecture.

One particular exception caught our eye, however: that massive office complex now nearing completion at the far end of Front Street. With its charmless granite and steel façade (never mind sheer bulk) this thing wouldn't look out of place in midtown Manhattan, and to these eyes is wildly insensitive to its surroundings. I daresay there has been a bit of a fuss about this complex, and would imagine it's too late to better adapt its presence to the streetscape. My best hope, therefore, is that local authorities take the appropriate cue here, and bring renewed vigilance to planning and approvals for new commercial developments that would otherwise defy – and defile – the architectural traditions that have made Bermuda the Jewel of the Atlantic.

PETER VARLEY

Toronto

Advertise more in Canada

February 8, 2010

Dear Sir,

My wife and I discovered beautiful Bermuda sixteen years ago at the time of our retirement. Every February since then we see the same Canadians enjoying what your country offers. Why isn't Bermuda advertising extended winter visits to your sprint-like paradise? We see no advertising of Bermuda in our Canadian media. Your guesthouses, apartments and hotels -if they offered a refrigerator and microwave — would be filled with appreciative Canadians like us throughout your winter months. Then once you get us here please extend the number of wonderful tour guides you have so that all parts of your paradise including the railway trail could be explored safely. Also offer self-guided walking suggestions and for goodness sake lower your golfing fees so that the average tourist can afford to play.

Not all Canadians want long stays where it is too hot. Look how we fill the accommodations through the winter in Portugal because of their successful advertising. Bermuda, you have so much more to offer Canadians. Your such a short flight away. We receive such a warm welcome every year we return. You include Canadian channels in your TV programming and we truly enjoy your 1450 Gold Radio. You look after us well and as long as the good Lord keeps us healthy we'll be returning each winter to your friendly isle. Why not spread the word to our fellow Canadians!

CAROLYN & RON TUMBER

Clairfont Guest Apartments

Warwick