Bermuda National Trust members have been invited to join in the festivities at their Annual Open House in St. George's on December 3.

And the public will have the opportunity to enjoy a "packed evening of seasonal entertainment'' in the town on the same night.

Events planned for both King's Square and St. Peter's Church will include performances from the Bermuda Chamber Choir, the East End Primary School Singers, Sinfonia Brass and Organist Karol Sue Reddington with Soprano Janet Budden.

In addition, members of the St. George's Corporation will give history talks about the Town Hall and King's Square- to be followed, of course, by the ducking.

Everyone is invited to come and "take a stroll around the town'' and to visit such "really old'' favourites as Tucker House, the Globe Hotel, Bridge House and the Old Rectory.

A BNT spokeswoman explained that these buildings would be decorated by the Trust's Gardens and Nature Reserves Committee Chair Diana Chudleigh and her team of "top decorators''.

She added: "The St. George's Historical Society and Print Shop will be open for business and the Menuhin Foundation String Quartet and Youth Orchestra are a not-to-be-missed musical feast at the State House.'' "The St. George's Foundation will be in residence Stewart Hall,'' the spokeswoman continued, "and the Trust's Archaeology Committee will be serving cheese and wine and showing off their new archaeology lab at Reeve Court.'' Also open for the evening will be The Bermuda Heritage Museum at Samaritan's Lodge.

The spokeswoman explained: "Those of you (the public) wanting a bit of exercise to prepare for the Shortbread Season will find the walk up to the Unfinished Church well worth it.'' "The current restoration work is now complete and the graceful Gothic ruin will be lit for Christmas showing all its architectural finery,'' she added.

All of this and more will take place on Friday, December 3 between 6.30 and 8.30 p.m.

Parking will be in Tiger Bay. For further details call the BNT on 236-6483.

In addition, members of the St. George's Foundation will be donning period costume and spreading seasonal cheer next week at the National Trust Christmas Walkabout.

Members will be serving gingerbread and spice wine based on traditional 17th century recipes as part of the Foundation's mission to "bring history to life''.

Stewart Hall, on Queen Street, home of the St. George's Foundation, is just one of the properties which will be opening its doors as part of the annual event.

As well as serving wine and gingerbread, the Foundation will be selling copies of its 2000 Calendar, as well as bricks, as part of its fund raising activities to enable improvements and restoration work to the many historic lanes and alleys of St. George's.

Stewart Hall, a property owned by the Bermuda National Trust, is one of the largest of St. George's early 18th century houses, and has been owned or rented during the past three centuries by some of the most prominent and influential families in Bermuda.

A leaflet describing the property's history will be distributed to visitors who will also have the opportunity to view Stewart Hall's attractive gardens, which are being festively illuminated for this occasion.