the way public input is sought.

And Bermudians are responding positively., Usually, consultants make a presentation in a church hall or school gymnasium, and then one person after another steps to the microphone from the audience to spout off. Sometimes the speakers are the same people, regardless of the subject matter.

But the planning consortium made up of EDAW of London and Barker & Linberg of Bermuda is doing things differently. After briefly describing the land there is to work with and the constraints that exist, they divide the audience into small working groups and ask them to talk and report back.

"They get into it in a very positive way, rather than just bashing the process or bashing the Government,'' said Mr. Bruce Barker of Barker & Linberg. "It makes people part of the process.'' Last night, more than 100 people braved the rain to attend Number One Shed in Hamilton and talk about the Bases. About 150 had turned out on Monday night at Southampton Glebe School. Another strong turnout is expected tonight, when the planners move to St. David's Primary School on the edge of the US Naval Air Station which closes in September.

In addition to the 1,170-acre Naval Air Station (of which nearly 850 acres is needed for the Airport), Government is trying to decide what to do with the 280-acre US Naval Annex in Southamton, the nearby 25-acre Tudor Hill complex, and the 17-acre Daniel's Head complex in Sandys that was formerly home to the Canadian Forces.

A wide range of ideas were heard in Hamilton last night -- from flea markets to sports complexes, from concert halls to retirement villages, and from crematoriums to fish farming. Ideas were similarly varied on Monday night in Southampton.

"There was a very clear sense that people are very interested in the future uses,'' said Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons, who heads a Base utilisation committee drawn from the community. "It's not just an issue of what's in their backyard, it's a sense of opportunity at the prospect of getting this property back.'' He sensed strong emphasis on access to public space, recreation, and activities for young people. "There haven't been any decisions taken yet,'' Dr. Gibbons said.

As 15 groups reported their findings at last night's meeting in Hamilton, there were some common themes. Many wanted the container ships out of Hamilton, suggesting they could be moved to Marginal Wharf at St. David's, or to the Naval Annex, or to both.

Several mentioned casinos, though that word brought scattered boos.

Many also wanted an alternative business centre to Hamilton, perhaps catering to some Government offices and international businesses.

Recreational and tourism uses were most frequently heard for the West End Bases, with a sailing centre and/or a golf course a popular concept for the Annex. Light industry, a free trade zone, or educational and medical facilities were frequently mentioned for St. David's.

EDAW managing director Mr. Bob Pell encouraged the crowd to let their imaginations roam. Having been involved in more than 30 Base closures in North America and Europe, "it's very rare that the solutions to the problems of Base closures are found within the boundaries of the site,'' he said.

"It's more likely you'll want to move things to the Base to create opportunities in Hamilton or change the way other businesses do things outside the Base,'' Mr. Pell said. "All the answers aren't necessarily behind those barbed wire fences.'' On Monday night in Southampton, Mr. Keith Tucker, Sr. said Daniel's Head should be kept for open space. It could then "serve the Somerset community which consists of schools, pre-schools, two elementary schools one secondary school and numerous churches and Sunday schools,'' he said.