St. George's and its surrounding fortifications may have earned World Heritage Site status but the work in the East End has just begun.

The warning came from Bermuda Maritime Museum director Dr. Edward Harris at the opposite end of the Island after the news that the East End had received the inscription arrived from Australia where the World Heritage Committee was meeting.

And he was backed in his estimation by Curator of Forts and Historical Sites Lance Furbert who was involved in St. George's application to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation with Dr. Harris from the early stages.

"I think this is totally and absolutely marvellous for St. George's and Bermuda as a whole,'' stressed Dr. Harris "There is a caveat however,'' he added.

"Now the hard work really begins in bringing and keeping the town and forts up to scratch. They will have to be properly preserved and conserved and made accessible to the public.

"Major investment has to be called for, institutions have to be put in place or expanded to manage St. George's and the historic fortifications,'' he said.

"A lot of work and money will be needed. It is a feather in the cap for Bermuda but it will also be a major challenge.

"I think we are up to it but we've got to move on it. We cannot rest on our laurels because they can take them away.'' Mr. Furbert agreed that the news was exciting but "the designation was just the beginning of the process'' and the forts and town now had to be managed so they lived up to the designation.

But this was good as the inscription "will focus much needed attention on St.

George's as a fantastic historic site''.

And he revealed that the new Environment Minister Terry Lister was very enthusiastic about the news and that there would be some exciting things in the future which he could not disclose at this time.

Dr. Harris said the inscription would be a boon for the Island's tourism trade.

"Increasingly as the Island goes into heritage and cultural tourism, the World Heritage Site designation will actually be a piece of free advertising for us,'' he said. "In advertising it is an unparalleled accolade which can be used as long as it is maintained.'' And Mr. Furbert noted the rest of the Island would also receive a benefit from the designation.

"People will think of Bermuda as a World Heritage Site, not just simply St.

George's. It will certainly boost cultural tourism. A lot of people will want to come here to see the site which was just designated.'' For the Island's heritage it was a significant event, stressed Dr. Harris.

"This is confirmation by the premiere world body on these matters that this heritage of the town of St. George's and Bermuda forts have international importance. With regards to St. George's, this is not just the oldest continually settled English town,'' continued Dr. Harris. "The reality is that St. George's is the first English town of the British Empire outside the UK and Ireland.'' While Jamestown was founded before St. George's, it was a fort until 1619 when it became a town. St. George's became a town in July of 1612 when the Plough arrived with the first settlers. When asked if the West End, in particular the Maritime Museum and Royal Naval Dockyard, might pursue a similar inscription, Dr. Harris replied: "All fortifications should be included in this but it is my understanding that we could go back in a year or two for supplementaries.

"One of the original proposals included all the fortifications around the Island. We will return to that, particularly in regard to the Dockyard.'' Dr. Ed Harris MUSEUM MUS