activities today and tomorrow, including the first ever Christmas Festival, hosted by the St. George's Foundation.

The Foundation will bring Christmas cheer to the town with their annual Christmas Walk this evening from 6.30 to 8.30. The walk is organised by the Bermuda National Trust and promises to be a bit sweeter this year, with St.

George celebrating its designation as a UN World Heritage Site.

In a change from the previously advertised programme, this year the Foundation will be located in the Carriage House Museum on Water Street. It will be the first time in many months that the Carriage House Museum, with its unique collection of historic carriages, has been open to the public.

Following the enthusiastic reception of the period recipes produced for last year's visitors, Foundation members will be serving its popular gingerbread and spiced wine based on traditional 17th century fayre.

In addition to serving seasonal treats, Foundation members will also be selling copies of their 2001 fundraising calendar featuring paintings of St.

George's, and will exhibit information about its current fund raising and restoration projects.

Deputy Chairman of the Foundation, David Rowntree, said: "One of our goals is to bring the history of St. George's to life and help people gain a greater appreciation of the rich history the town offers.

"Evenings such as this, and the activities involved in the first-ever St.

Geroge's Christmas Festival, are important to showcase the many ways in which St. George's is a unique place to visit, fun for all the family, and a great place to shop or enjoy a meal, especially at Christmas-time with the lights and decorations all around the town.

"We are extremely grateful to the Wilkinson Trust for allowing us to use the Carriage House Museum for the evening.'' Since its inauguration in 1997, the St. George's Foundation has been raising funds through private-public partnerships, working in conjunction with Government, the utility companies and the Corporation of St. George's to achieve the objectives set out in the St. George's Heritage Plan: "Bringing History to Life''.

Collectively, these organisations have been responsible for a number of restoration projects in St. George's, including: Featherbed Alley, Barber's Alley, Custom House Square, Pound Alley, Taylor's Alley, Pilot Darrell's Square, the Creation of Smith's Garden on Barber's Alley and Water Street.

Work will begin on Blacksmith's Hill shortly.

One of the highlights of the first-ever St. George's Christmas Festival tomorrow will be the Christmas Crafts and Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Louise Anfossi, Executive Director of the St. George's Foundation, the organisation which has been coordinating the Festival in conjunction with other local organisations and businesses, said: "We've got a terrific day of activities for all the family - loads of gift ideas for Christmas shopping, special events and attractions, in-store retain promotions and our weekly prize draw with purchases or lunch over $20 in participating stores.

"Plus, St. George's has free parking, lots of fabulous restaurants and this year's Christmas lights will make the town more magical than ever.'' St. George's kicks off Christmas season The St. George's Christmas Festival is a real community event with activities involving schools, churches, the Bermuda National trust, St. George's Chamber of Commerce, St. George's Historical Society and a host of other local organisations.

Most retailers, restaurants and businesses in the town are participating in the Festival, which will include daily shopping specials and promotions.

shoppers can also take advantage of entering a weekly prize draw to win $250 travel vouchers, with all entries also eligible for the grand draw for $1,000 of travel vouchers.

Christmas Festival Calendar of Events Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Horse and Buggy shuttle between Penno's Wharf (Tiger Bay) parking, King Square and Marginal Wharf (Belco) parking. A fee will be charged.

Home-grown alternatives Art Fair at Penno's Wharf Cruise Ship terminal.

Locally made crafted gifts, complimentary gift wrapping service for HGA customers and entertainment by Shine Hayward. Participants include Sharon Wilson, Jonathan Northcott, Charmaine and Jerry Friday, Lynn Morell, Gail and Manuel Palacio, Burton Jones, Mary Tatem and Christine Wellman.

Floral Christmas Decorations on display at Tucker House and the Globe Hotel Museums. Free admission Memorial Christmas Tree Decorating in aid of Agape House in the Town Hall Children's Activities in the Bank of Bermuda parking lot on Water Street (under cover). Will include face painting and crafts.

Bake sale by the Stella Maris Church at St. Peter's Church Hall.

St. George's Community Education and Development stall in the Bank of Bermuda parking lot on Water Street for sign-ups for the winter term and the sale of gift certificates for courses.

10.30 Walking tour starting from King Square 11.00 Art Demonstration by Diana Amos at the Amos Art Studio 11.00 Official opening of the home grown alternatives art fair by Mayor of St.

George's, Henry Hayward 11.00 to 3.00 Bermudian Heritage Museum special free admission 11.00 to 4 p.m. Floral Christmas Decorations on display at the St. George's Historical Society Museum. Special free admission 11.45 Mayor's Greeting in King Square and announcement of first St. George's Festival prize draw winner.

12.00 Ducking Ordnance Island 12.00 to 2.15 Photos with Santa in King Square (a fee will be charged)