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Jaunty jack-of-all-trades Ardie gets MBE but at age 79 says he has no intention of retiring

LAST week, Bermudian jack-of-all-trades Alpheaus Black ? Ardie for short ? was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's New Year Honours.

Mr. Black, 79, is the proprietor of Black's Blacksmith Shop on King Street, but has contributed to his Pembroke community and Bermuda at large as a vocal member of numerous councils and boards, a trustee of the Whitney Institute, an advocate for education, a blacksmith, a barber, a paper deliveryman, a brass band member, a saxophonist, a star cricketer, a football player and a ballroom dancer.

Mid-Ocean News reporter CLARE O'CONNOR and photographer MEREDITH ANDREWS sat with Mr. Black to discuss his recent award and the trajectory of his life, from apprentice to mentor.

Q: You grew up here in Pembroke. What was your childhood like in Depression-era Bermuda?

A: I was born in Pembroke and have always lived here. I was born into a family with two parents and nine children, including myself. We were people in need. I would call us poor people, although others say that I have never been poor.

I didn't have the things others had. Growing up was a little different for me because my parents couldn't afford to buy the things I thought I should have. In those days, work was hard to come by. I was selling papers at the time for the Record Office. During the war, I worked for , selling Extras that would give the latest information on the goings-on overseas. I would deliver the papers early in the mornings or after school.

Q: What is your educational background? Were you able to attend school despite family hardships?

A: I went to Central School, which is now called the Victor Scott School. While attending the Central School, my father sent me to the Dockyard for an apprenticeship scheme they had going then, but the first time, I failed it!

My dad took me out of school when I was about 16 and he put me to the blacksmith's trade. This didn't stop me from learning, though. I had taken a course in barbering at the age of 14 and at 15 I had started night school.

I was taught by the late Dr. Kenneth Robinson, although I was going to Central School by day. I studied with him until I was 18. This was just to further my education and bring me up in line. My dad couldn't afford to send me to school.

When I started as an apprentice blacksmith at 16, I was still taking these classes. I was busy day and night growing up. That's what you have to do if you want to achieve anything. I always wanted to do something different. Mr. Robinson didn't think I should leave night school, but I knew I'd always be in education, so I went and took up a musical instrument. I went out to be taught the saxophone.

Q: Was your father or grandfather a blacksmith? Who taught you the trade?

A: The blacksmith business is not in my family. I was taught the trade by Mr. Fred Knight and two other gentlemen, the head mechanics in the shop at the time, a Mr. Gihon and a Mr. Van-lowe. One was a foreigner and one a Bermudian.

I worked as an apprentice and did whatever was to be done with the mechanics I worked with then. I became the head man at the shop after, say, six years. After I had been made head mechanic, Mr. Knight left me for six months out of the year to go to England. I ran the shop.

Q: The shop is now called Black's. When did you buy the business?

A: Mr. Knight eventually told me he was sick and was thinking of selling the business. He had some friends who would buy the business if I would stay and manage it. I asked: "Where do I stand in this? Where are the opportunities for me?" I took the business over. I bought it, and went on from that point. Two years later I bought the property here. I put this building up about eight years ago. When I bought the shop it was just a small building, about half the size of this. I bought the property to secure my business. I did this before my kids were born.

I taught my oldest son the trade here. My second son went out to do carpentry at Bermuda College and Village Craft. My youngest boy went through Bermuda College and is an electronic technician, but he also did Business Administration and languages. He speaks Spanish and French. I didn't teach my daughter here. She's a nurse.

It depends what they want to do. There's no point sending them away just for the sake of it, or because you have the money. The Government has a roster you can go through and if you see what you'd like to do, you can be educated here.

My daughter studied at Montclair Hospital in Montclair, New Jersey. I think the school system is all right, but I find it very different from the way it was when I was young, especially at the primary level. I found a higher form of teaching than there is now.

Q: Have you ever had political aspirations?

A: I was never into any great politics, but in the previous Government, I was on a board. In this Government, I'm on the Pembroke Parish Council. I'm also a trustee at the Whitney Institute. I had two children going to school there.

Rather than get into politics, I'd have people over to the shop after closing. We'd sit around and talk. The fellows would knock off work and come and talk politics, sports, and everything in between, but that was after working hours.

I'll pass my opinion on things, but I've never had the desire to get involved politically. To sit around and discuss or debate what the politicians have done ? I do that pretty well!

Q: What is your opinion on the question of Independence for Bermuda?

A: I don't really have views. I've never given it a thought. The country's got a long way to go before Independence. I personally am independent because I've worked all my life once my teaching was done. I did the same for my children. I built a house. I've always felt I was in an independent position. Bermuda's not ready for Independence yet, and I believe the people trying to push for it realise that.

Bermuda has changed dramatically, especially the youth. They've changed for the worse ? it's all negative, definitely not positive. I do feel the reason behind it is a lack of teaching. I don't think there's much bringing up and teaching at home.

The parental side is lean and poor. I got on a talk show at one point and made mention of the reason children are the way they are. This Government ? or any Government ? needs to make parents responsible and hold them accountable.

An MP came on and said he felt differently. Why shouldn't parents be held accountable? Our greatest problem is the behaviour of the young men. Many people are scared to leave their houses at night.

Q: What do you do when you're not at the shop or pursuing one of your other civic or educational ventures? Do you have a hobby?

A: I go dancing every Saturday night. Before I had this knee problem, oh Lord! I'll never give it up. I go to the hotels, never any of the clubs. There's too much danger there. If you want to find me out on a Saturday night, you might find me at the Reefs or the Southampton Princess.

I do more or less ballroom dancing, and sometimes the jitterbug. I didn't teach myself to dance, but I played in a lot of brass bands. You've got the music and the tempo and it all just falls into place. You've got the time and the rhythm and you just pick it up and go with it.

Q: When did you find out you'd been named in the Queen's New Year Honours?

A: The Governor called me about five or six weeks prior to New Year's Day to tell me. I was in the bath tub and my wife brought me the portable phone. I thought: 'What the hell is this now?!' The Governor had received a fax from the Queen asking if I'd receive the award.

I said by all means I would receive it! It's good, and I'm thankful. People say I've earned it. Whatever they thought, I went along with! There was only one letter of recommendation sent to the Queen on my behalf, by a friend of mine who wrote to nominate me.

He felt that as a citizen, with what I've done in this country, I've deserved it. I started working to achieve what I wanted to achieve. I've done well for myself. I'm still working ? I had a knee replacement so I shouldn't be working, but I haven't given retirement a thought.

I don't believe in it. Retirement for what? There's money to be made, and I'm a lover of money! I've tried to live a very good life. I've never even had a parking ticket. Tonight I might just go out and be caught!