Kindley Field Road after being told they were illegally selling on parkland.

Mrs. Gail Simpson said she and her partner, Mrs. Sandra Jennings, had operated from the same spot, just before the Swing Bridge, for more than three years.

"I'm 39 years old. I was born in St. George's and I've lived here all my life,'' said Mrs. Simpson. "I didn't know it was a park. There are no signs up.'' She said they had regularly sold flowers to passers-by on three occasions each year -- Valentine's Day, Easter and Mother's Day.

"We just feel that after three years, why are they suddenly making a big stink? "We never had any problems until last Valentine's Day when a park ranger came and asked us if we had permission to be there. We told him we had our peddler's licence but he told us we required special permission as we were on a public park.'' Mrs. Simpson said she and her partner contacted Mr. Bill Cook, assistant director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks, who told them he would have to put the matter before the Board.

She said she was informed that unless a vendor was selling something "homegrown,'' such as Bermuda ground flowers, it was illegal for them to operate from the property and they would have to move elsewhere.

"I asked about the canteens that sell snowballs when there are powerboat races but they told me they have special permission and pay a fee. I said I was willing to pay but they said I would have to go across the street.'' "People have come to depend on us,'' she added. "I even suggested making a concession stand there. People were selling snowballs there all last summer.

We're not trying to cause problems, we just feel people should know if it is a park.'' Mrs. Simpson said she and Mrs. Jennings had lost some business and many customers had wondered why they had moved across the street.

"On Saturday there was a lady out there selling cosmetics and Easter baskets and clothes and nobody said anything to her until I called the park ranger,'' she said.

Mr. Cook explained that the park extends from the roundabout before the Civil Air Terminal to the Naval Air Station's Number One Gate.

He said a sign had been ordered and would soon be placed on the grounds indicating that it was a park.

"Where the confusion lies is that a lot of vendors have a peddling licence but they don't realise it does not include parks. The Parks Act prohibits the selling of articles on the premises unless you have a permit.'' He added that parks are now patrolled more frequently and the ladies' presence was noticed because of it.

"I really don't think (peddling) is the Bermudian way,'' he said. "Some stay in one place but others wander and it's not very attractive.'' He said in areas like Spanish Point, some food stalls were allowed because although there was not enough traffic for a lunch cart there was enough of a crowd to warrant the vendors.