Hop-scotch, train rides, home-style cooking and half-days on Thursdays — Islanders are being asked to embrace our family and community traditions during this year's Heritage Month.

Announcing the theme of 'Life in Old Bermuda', Government yesterday outlined plans for the annual May celebrations, and urged everyone in the community to take part in this year's Bermuda Day Parade, which will feature floats on the theme.

Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler, said 'Life in Old Bermuda' would mix nostalgia for the past with lessons for the future.

He said: "When you think of life in old Bermuda you think of the good that we can celebrate and the bad that we must forget and learn from, and never repeat. This is our heritage and our legacy, and Life in Old Bermuda allows us to celebrate our rich culture of traditions and memories.

"Life in old Bermuda was captured in numerous books and calendars, which will be a great resource for our schools, community organisations and churches.

"I am therefore delighted to announce that this year's Heritage Month theme is Life in Old Bermuda, as it causes each of us to reflect on Bermuda's past.

That conjures up an era that consisted of many family and community traditions that no longer exist: half-days on Thursdays for a wedding reception at Alexandrina Hall; transportation on trains, horse and carriage, Velo Solex and Cyrus cycles; life on farms; traditional home-style cooking, such as bread and butter pudding and potted meat sandwiches; hop-scotch and marbles; bazaars; and fairs with a maypole and cotton candy, etc.

"It is our hope that the public will take the opportunity this year to build floats to celebrate Heritage Month and participate in the Bermuda Day Parade, showing aspects of our traditions and culture of life in old Bermuda, and make the occasion a truly festive one.

"I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the community to come out and participate in the Bermuda Day celebrations. We welcome participation from all segments of the community."

Mr. Butler said: "There is a concern the parade is only for blacks and sailing is only for whites. The community is too small to be fragmented like this. Surely after 400 years of being on this rock together we can work a lot closer?"

He said that if anyone without a group wanted to volunteer for the parade, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs would place them in a group. Anyone interested should telephone 292 9447.

The Minister added the celebrations would embrace all ethnic backgrounds.

"This year as we approach our 400th anniversary, we have to look at all of our history," he said.

This year's national public holiday takes place on May 26. Government will promote the Island's history and heritage through a series of talks in schools and the community leading up to the event, as well as concerts and film presentations.

North Hamilton is also to feature as an attraction during Heritage Month, with train tours running through the neighbourhood. Mr. Butler said: "Heritage Month will also feature the Historical North Hamilton Tour, which will render the story of North Hamilton as an important story which needs to be told.

"Places or points of historical importance which depict the life of the North Hamilton neighbourhood will be pointed out, and connected stories will be told.

"The Bermuda Train Company will be contracted to aid in the transportation of participants, and this tour will allow us recognition of important historical landmarks which helped to form the lives and characters of the people who lived in this area."

The Minister added: "We hope this month of celebration will serve to educate and build appreciation for the values, traditions and discipline that kept our forefathers focused and strong."