week as a world heritage site.

The decision to add the town to UNESCO's list of "wonders of the world'' came about as a result of hard work by residents and friends of the town, beginning with the Premier and including all those who have helped make St. George's a living museum.

On that note, the St. George's Foundation deserves credit for taking on the task of restoring the town's streets and buildings. This is work which the Corporation could not afford to do on its own. The Foundation and friends of the town have made a major contribution.

But no-one should think that the designation alone will result in St. George's suddenly becoming a magnet for visitors or that the efforts to preserve the former capital can stop.

St. George's, whose presentation was described as one of the best ever by UNESCO, does not automatically keep its "inscription''. Only work and continuous restoration will ensure that UNESCO does not take the title away.

The town also needs to take care that the inscription is not seen purely as a marketing tool or as a source of funds.

Mayor Henry Hayward told The Royal Gazette last week: "World Heritage designation will make a huge difference to our efforts to revitalise the town and put it on the map as a destination for cultural tourists from all over the world.'' The inscription should do just that. But that was not the only reason it was granted and it should not be the only reason that the town sought it.

It was granted because St. George's has a cultural importance to Bermuda and to the world as one of the few examples of how people lived in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries on this side of the Atlantic.

The fact that the town is still inhabited today makes it quite different from show-towns like Williamsburg.

St. George's is a place of cultural and historical significance and a base for historical research which will shed light on Bermuda life and life throughout North America during the period.

But that can only be done if the town's leaders are prepared to see the difference between restoration and renovation and between true artefacts and cuteness.

Much of the preliminary work in that regard has already been done; the plans which had to be submitted to UNESCO demonstrated the intent of the town. Now it must put its words into action. That takes more effort and money. The whole community should come together to make it happen.