In a continuing series on the new MPs who were elected on October 5, The Royal Gazette today turns the spotlight on United Bermuda Party member for St.

George's South Mr. Richard Spurling.

Action man Mr. Richard Spurling is expecting his busy life to be a little more restricted when he enters the House of Assembly on Friday.

Triathlete, skier and keen community volunteer, Mr. Spurling replaced the Hon.

Sidney Stallard as Mrs. Grace Bell's partner in St. George's South in the General Election.

And Mr. Spurling aims to make sure that St. George's is a regular topic on the agenda in the House.

He said: "One of the reasons I am moving into politics is my strong interest in the town of St. George's. We have not taken advantage of the quality existing in St. George's and the history of the town.'' Mr. Spurling is keen on the idea of improving tourism in St. George's and St.

David's, especially around the Lighthouse and the Battery, but he realises the people of both areas must not be swamped by visitors.

He said: "Unlike Williamsburg, St. George's is a piece of living history, a living town.'' He admits another reason for him becoming an MP is his family tradition of politics with his father, grandfather and, he believes, his great-grandfather all being involved in Government.

Son of Sir Dudley and Lady Spurling, Mr. Spurling was born in St. George's on May 4, 1946.

He received his education at St. George's Grammar School before moving on to Ridley College in Canada and the College of William & Mary in Virginia. He obtained an honours B.A. degree in law at Trinity College, Oxford, England, and was call to the English Bar in 1976 and the Bermuda Bar the following year.

He has worked at Appleby, Spurling & Kempe since 1976, and had the difficult job as head of the corporate department during the recession. He has been head of marketing since March.

Mr. Spurling is particularly proud of his community work. He said: "I have always been involved in the community. I find it rewarding although not financially.

"I feel I owe it to Bermuda. I feel a responsibility to give my expertise to the community.'' That community service has included being a member of the Vestry of St.

Peter's Church, the Race Relations Council, the Rent Control Advisory Council and the St. George's Preservation Authority.

Mr. Spurling has been a trustee at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research since April 1982. In 1992 he was appointed co-chairman of the station's endowment campaign committee.

He was also chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board from September 1990 to September 1991.

During more than a decade on the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, including a two year term as president, he was obliged to retain an apolitical stance.

However in 1990 he became chairman of St. George's North branch of the United Bermuda Party and was elected as a candidate a year ago.

Mr. Spurling said: "My community work has generally been things that interest me.'' He is also a director of the Bank of Butterfield, BF&M and the Bermuda Electric Light Company.

But he realises his time in Parliament will now limit the community work and his hobbies.

At 47, Mr. Spurling is a keen triathlete having competed in two of the last three Bermuda events. He could only compete in two of the disciplines. He said: "It takes four to five months to train for something like that, so it is difficult when you are canvassing. Both are very tiring.'' But he is also a keen skier and has recently been involved in helicopter skiing in British Columbia. He said: "I certainly do not mind risk.'' A family man, Mr. Spurling was married to Miss Jane Youngblood, daughter of a US Naval Captain, in 1969. They have three children Lucinda, 17, and Anna Laura, 15, who are both away at school, and 10-year-old Giles.

Now Government and Opposition MPs will be waiting to see if the action man can liven up the debate in the House of Assembly for the next four years.

ACTION MAN -- Mr. Richard Spurling MP