all on offer for the lucky winners of a children's craft competition being sponsored by the Dockyard Marketing Group.

Sound good so far? Organisers of Dockyard Tales, a fun-filled family event on November 27 based on the theme of Robert Louis Stevenson's book, Treasure Island , certainly think so. Which is why they are mystified that, despite their best efforts, thus far response to the competition has been mixed.

"I personally delivered a beautifully illustrated copy of Treasure Island to all of Bermuda's schools a week after they opened in September, and I was warmly received,'' former art teacher and Dockyard Tales craft co-ordinator, Mrs. Sally Gibbons, explained.

"In addition to the book, which could be retained in the school libraries for reference, I also provided a list of other reference material, including where to get videos, and explained the contest challenge. I wanted to give the teachers as much reference material as possible so they would be able to present it to the students without having to do a lot of work themselves.'' Certainly, the challenge for students is simple enough. All anyone aged eight to 18 has to do to enter the competition is make a hangable Christmas tree ornament inspired by the Stevenson book. It should be no bigger than six inches in any dimension, and can be crafted from any material.

To help entrants with their project, the By Hand craft shop at Heron Bay is offering a ten percent discount on items purchased from them.

Despite the limited response thus far, organisers remain optimistic that, by removing the November 1 deadline for entry forms, students will take up the challenge.

In addition to an overall winner, first, second and third-prize winners will be determined in the following categories: eight to ten years, 11 to 14 years, and 15 to 18 years. The teacher of the student who creates the overall winning entry will receive a $100 dinner-for-two voucher for the Frog & Onion pub in Dockyard.

Entries can either be delivered to the Craft Market at Dockyard between 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily until Tuesday, November 23. Alternatively, telephone Mrs. Gibbons at 293-1278 and she will collect them from the schools. Winners will be informed on November 25 and prizes will be presented on November 27 at 6 p.m. in the Victualling Yard.

Dockyard Tales is also running a second competition for children aged four and up, this time fancy dress. Again, the costumes should be in keeping with the Treasure Island theme, and judging will commence in front of the Clocktower building at 4.30 p.m. on November 27, during the big Dockyard Tales family day. Prizes will be awarded at 6 p.m. in the Victualling Yard.

Entry forms for the children's fancy dress competition are available at The Craft Market in Dockyard, the Bermuda Youth Library on Church Street, and the Visitors' Service Bureau on Front Street. The deadline for entries is November 15. Completed forms should be mailed to: The Dockyard Marketing Group, P.O.

Box MA215, Sandys MA BX. For further information telephone 234-3208 or 234-2809.

How it's done: Spice Valley Middle School students show off hand crafted Christmas tree ornaments based on Robert Louis Stevenson's book, Treasure Island. Dockyard Tales is sponsoring an ornaments competition for students with great prizes as part of its themed family day on November 27. Shown from left are: Dean Pitt; Mrs. Sally Gibbons, Dockyard Tales craft co-ordinator, Andrea Warren and Stephanie Outerbridge. Kneeling is Mrs. Kitten Ellison, chairman of the Dockyard Tales committee.