Calling his tenure as a parliamentarian "possibly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,'' veteran politician C.V. (Jim) Woolridge yesterday stunned MPs with the announcement of his resignation -- effective immediately -- from the House of Assembly.

Mr. Woolridge's announcement on the first day of the new session came immediately after Ministerial statements and prompted a 30 second standing ovation from all of his parliamentary colleagues.

Later, the man who has represented Smith's South since 1968, told The Royal Gazette the time had simply come to make room for new blood.

"Why not now? One has to go some time,'' said Mr. Woolridge.

"One has to make room for those who might have ambition to offer themselves for service. They have to have the opportunity to establish an identity of their own and go out and have the privilege of working for the good of the country.'' Mr. Woolridge's career as a politician and a sporting personality was recognised by many members of the House as nothing short of remarkable.

He first entered Parliament in 1968, serving as the UBP party whip and deputy chairman of the Tourist Board. His first ministerial appointment came in 1971 when he was appointed Minister of Labour and Immigration by the late Sir Edward Richards.

He resigned the Cabinet position on Valentine's Day of 1977 only to be appointed Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister by late summer of that year by then Premier David Gibbons.

When his party lost the general election in 1998, he was Works and Engineering Minister.

Mr. Woolridge's relationship with his party has been stormy at times. He was a staunch anti-independence proponent within the UBP and contested the leadership position in 1995 when Sir John Swan resigned after losing his bid to take Bermuda to Independence. It was a contest he was to lose to David Saul.

Professionally, Mr. Woolridge qualified as a dental technician but made his mark as a sportsman and sports broadcaster. He served for 23 years as ZBM radio and television's director of sales.

Mr. Woolridge, 74, represented the last of the so-called Class of '68 in the ranks of the Opposition United Bermuda Party.

Furthur coverage from the House of Assembly -- Page 4 Woolridge retires After making his announcement in Parliament, the MP, who has held several Cabinet posts and served eight premiers in his 33 year career, then approached the Speaker and presented to the House a copy of his memoirs `The House That Jack Built'. He was immediately congratulated by Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott, Finance Minister Eugene Cox and Premier Jennifer Smith.

House speaker Stanley Lowe then called a five minute recess at the request of the Premier so that others could congratulate Mr. Woolridge directly.

"We did not anticipate that we would have a swan song this morning but we did,'' said Mr. Lowe.

The representative for Smith's South thanked all his constituents as well as his colleagues in Parliament, including members of the ruling party.

"Anyone who sits here who does not view it as a privilege should not be sitting here,'' he told the House.

While signing copies of his book for strings of admirers in the Bermuda Bookstore yesterday afternoon, he told The Royal Gazette that the decision to leave parliament was made with difficulty.

"When you serve the people as long as I have, you have to be certain the contributions you made will be continued and the country will continue to provide the security to folks which they have come to look for,'' he said.

He informed his UBP colleagues of his decision to leave in writing and "they were not unhappy,'' he said, but, "it's always a surprise when someone leaves''.

Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon paid tribute in the House to Mr. Woolridge's "strong personality'' saying he is an "extremely principled individual... he sticks to his beliefs''. "I believe it is appropriate to ask all 40 members, now 39, to join us in congratulating Mr. Woolridge for a job well done,'' she said.

PLP backbencher Reverend Larry Lowe was the first of several MPs to associate himself with those remarks, while PLP backbencher Derrick Burgess referred to him as "the most successful tourism minister thus far'' much to the delight of members of the Opposition.

And UBP MP Michael Dunkley suggested that the Premier recommend Mr. Woolridge for a knighthood.

"Whatever one may think of Jim, he's certainly one of Bermuda's well known politicians -- the Voice of Summer brings a melodious tone to these proceedings,'' said the Premier.

Filling his shoes after 33 years in Smith's South will be a challenge for any aspiring politician. On his part, however, Mr. Woolridge did not want to speculate on who might be up to the task.

"I've no further claim on it,'' he said.

C.V. (Jim) Woolridge