The last working lime kiln on the Island will shut down for good as its operator of more than 60 years admits that he can no longer keep up with the work and money required to run the business.

But Mr. Orville Charles Bascome is determined not to bury the past with him.

He wants to share his knowledge about lime burning with everyone, particularly youngsters, in Bermuda.

Still giving school tours at age 82, Mr. Bascome told The Royal Gazette he and seven other brothers were introduced to the skill of lime burning by their father Mr. Charles Bascome in the 1920s.

The first kiln the Bascomes ran was on the old Packwood Estate in St.

George's. They later built one near the prison farm because they secured an open contract with Government and with the US Base.

And before World War II broke out, Mr. Bascome recalled his family, including his uncles William and George Bascome, delivering lime to Dockyard.

The lime, which is used in the making of Bermuda roofs and for plastering, mainly came from three kilns in the Ferry Reach, St. George's area.

Climbing the steep, rugged path to the last kiln in the area, the unusually energetic octogenarian said: "This is like a dose of medicine. I've been out here so long''.

He recalled how his wife, Edna, would lug lunches up the path to he and his brothers -- Stanley, Roul, Charles Orville Jr., Wesley, Everett, Bernard, Warren, and Alphonso.

Reaching the top, Mr. Bascome pointed out the circular chamber cut out the rock and lined with fire brick -- the last kiln.

It is about eight by 14 feet.

He explained that the other two defunct kilns were built before it in the 1940s and never lined with brick.

Because of this, he said, their walls burned away by turning to lime putty.

The remaining kiln, which last burned in 1991, is connected to the cutting by a tunnel at its base. A trench continues from the tunnel across the base of the kiln and this forms the fire box.

Across the fire box are thick iron grates, which prevent its contents from collapsing into this space.

Mr. Bascome demonstrated how the fire box is stoked through the tunnel.

Casurina wood, coal, and stone are thrown into the kiln to start the fire, he said.

A foot of chopped stone is put on top of this. Then a further layer of fuel and two feet of stone are added.

This is done until the 14-foot kiln is full. A crown of stone is then placed on the kiln.

The fire is set in the fire box and fed until the bottom layer of fuel is alight. This gradually heats the stone and the layers above.

Once the kiln is burnt, which takes about four days, powder-form lime is pulled out, sifted, then bagged on the site.

Mr. Bascome, who still has a few bags of lime on the site, said he would have shut down the kiln in 1989 had it not been for philanthropist Mr. Richard D.

Butterfield who financially helped him revive the business.

"He did not want to see this end,'' Mr. Bascome said.

And neither does Mr. Bascome.

But considering his age and the fact that there were no children or family member to keep the business going, he said it had to come to an end.

There was also little demand for lime over the past two years because of the downturn in the construction industry, Mr. Bascome added.

And lime that is needed is brought in from overseas now because it is cheaper.

"Two or three fellas are talking about taking over this kiln,'' Mr. Bascome said. "But it is a big expense. It's cheaper to bring it in from overseas.

And even if I could keep this kiln going, I'm not that young anymore.'' HOLDING ON TO THE PAST -- Bermuda's oldest lime burner Mr. Orville Bascome climbs out of the last lime kiln on the Island.