I knew yes. I got a letter from the VIP people saying that I'd been nominated by a couple of tourists but I didn't know that I would be a recipient. We have a boat on display in (the ground level of the Front Street store). The couple were on their vacation, and were looking for something interesting about Bermuda. They happened to wander into the shop because it was a rainy day.

They asked me about the boat and I took some time with them. I told them all about it; the history of the boat, about Bermuda and her culture and they were quite fascinated. Little did I know that they would write back and say anything about it. (All they said to me was) 'Thanks, nice to have met you,' before they walked off.

Q: Had you heard about the awards before?

A: I'd heard about them some time ago but never paid any attention to them. I heard there had been other nominees but it was just something I saw in the newspaper.

I work in the Men's Department. I've worked on Front Street - between H.A. & E. Smith's Ltd. and Trimingham's - for now 49 years. This is my seventh year with Trimingham's.

I've always been a retailer and never been bored of it. I started in Smith's 32 years ago as a porter but they said I was too smart (for that) and they put me in the shoe department. I stayed there for many, many years and then decided it was time to move. But one of (Smith's past employees) who had since moved to Trimingham's, learned that I'd left and suggested I come because they might have a job for me here. The interesting thing about it when I started working here the Men's Department only had one person working in it. At lunchtime, when I came, the big bosses - Eldon Trimingham or one of his sons - used to be in the Men's Department taking up the slack because (there) was only one employee.

(Eldon) was still active then. He used to sell a lot of blazers. I used to try and emulate him (in his sales technique) but wasn't as good. He had so many more years of experience. So they took me out of (the blazer section) and put me in the back. Today, I'm back with the blazers; I do everything.

Whatever a customer wants I try to get it. I have some young people working here and I try to tell them the same thing. It's quite important. I've seen some young people run out of the store crying (because of customers' behaviour) and told them they could leave and return the next day.

(But I stress) it's the first impression they give to a customer that's most important. If you do wrong the first time, the person won't like you. You have to be courteous, smiling and ready to go out of your way to help anyone.

I learned my lesson a long time ago while working for Smith's. An older, English gentleman came in wearing sneakers, a dirty pair of shorts and a dirty shirt and nobody wanted to help him. He was one of the richest men in the world. I heard about that and always made sure I never put myself in a situation like that, where I look at a person and (misjudge them). You can get in a lot of trouble that way.

In 1977, I believe it was my second year working here, I won the Employee of the Year Award. I received a round-trip ticket to (the destination of my choice) and $1,000. My wife and I went to Canada.

My wife's name is Hattie-Ann Gilbert. She was Bermuda's premier bowler but she's retired now. We will have been married 18 years this year. My stepdaughter, Melissa, bowls, but I couldn't bowl with my wife. She was the number one bowler in Bermuda for a number of years. She (represented Bermuda) in Iran, the Philippines, America; she went down to some of the (Caribbean) islands, to Canada.

She'd quit (bowling) professionally by the time I met her but she still goes down to Warwick Lanes and she's still called upon when the pros come here. They want to know where she is and what she's doing and so, in that sense of the word, she's still involved and will always be Bermuda's number one bowler.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I'm a bookworm. I like to read. I enjoy negro culture, world events, history - mainly non-fiction. I don't read love stories and all that kind of stuff. I just love to chit chat with customers, to tell them stories, make them feel happy. I ask where they're from, how they're enjoying their stay, what they find so interesting about Bermuda, what brought them here. I do that every day never thinking (that I might win an award because of it). I don't keep up with all the laws in Bermuda but it's not too hard to pull it all together. I remember all that I was taught in school and all that I learned from the history books. I tell them about fitted dinghies and races around the Harbour and the (Royal Bermuda) Yacht Club, and things like that. How (the dinghies) were made from the old cedar trees. Sometimes they ask me some very strange questions, sometimes I feel like I'm just there to instruct them on where is the best place to eat . . . but generally they're interested in our Government, our standard of living and things like that. Definitely. My parents, Clarence and Ruby Gilbert, raised us well. Also, I come from a very strict political, Progressive Labour Party neighbourhood in Somerset - Sound View Road, Bob's Valley. (Growing up) you had to learn everything. You were pushed and you had to be bright and smart. I didn't have a great education. I only went as far as primary school. I didn't go to high school but like I said, I always liked books.

My thing was to read as much as I could. Even today, I have four bookstands at home (filled with books). I have a younger brother, Danny, in the hotel industry who was nominated (for the VIP Awards a couple years ago). He works at Elbow Beach Hotel and he's been around there 40-something years. (Hospitality) just runs in our family.

My wife and I go to different places. A couple of years ago we went to Florida and my wife went shopping. I was standing in the shop and a customer came to me and asked if I could help them. I had to say sorry, I don't work here. But I think the retail business has just rubbed off on me a little bit. It just comes naturally to me I think. No. It's always been with me. Most people in Somerset just call me Wel, Wel Gilbert.

I live in my homestead. I've lived there all my life - where my parents lived and my grandfather lived. I've never thought about moving. I have a great history in Somerset. I'm just a young guy. I've got a couple of years before retirement, let me put it like that. I don't knock it too hard. I'm a Christian boy, so liquor, cigarettes, that kind of stuff, that's not me.

If I win the overall prize, I will definitely celebrate. So far I've won a weekend for two at Stonington Beach Hotel. And I went to dinner with Tourism Minister Ren?e Webb, (Progressive Labour Party Public Relations Officer Glenn) Blakeney, and the VIP representatives and the other recipients.

I feel elated. I was really taken up with the award. (Trimingham's) is hoping I go on to become the ultimate winner. As far as I understand, they've had nominees before, but they've never had anybody win. So I have to strive for the goal. I'm just thankful, praising the Lord and giving Him thanks for all the blessings He's given me.