this year.

Festival organisers are negotiating with a circus troupe from Britain in a bid to bring some added fun and colour to the fair.

Flatts Development Committee chairman W.A. (Toppy) Cowen is urging hotels or other organisations on the Island to consider hiring the circus as well to bring down the cost of flying in the performers from Wales.

He is also appealing to local businesses to sponsor the festival in Smith's Parish because the more money the committee attracts, the more performers it can bring out.

Mr. Cowen said the circus would not involve animals, but would have jugglers, clowns, stilt-walkers, fire-eaters and possibly a trapeze act.

Mr. Cowen said the troupe, which he discovered through the Internet, gave workshops and would be able to teach circus skills to Bermudians.

"We've been in contact with the circus and we're not quite sure what the final thing will be, but there should be fun things for children and families alike,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

"I've seen things like this in other villages and you don't want to have the same thing year after year; you have to get new innovations to ensure people attend.

"They have workshops and Bermuda is always crying out for more entertainment in some areas. With these workshops, they could teach Bermudians and it would be great to have Bermudians perform at, say, Harbour Nights.

"This would kill two birds with one stone. We wanted to make sure that while we're bringing in people from outside, that they can also help locals.

"If your article generates enough interest, we can maybe co-opt with others to keep them longer. Maybe a hotel or other organisation would want them to perform in other parts of the Island and that would keep the costs down.

"We'll work with the airlines or hotels over accommodation for them, anything that cuts down the costs.'' Meanwhile, work began yesterday to repair the public dock in the village, which was damaged by strong currents from Harrington Sound.

Works and Engineering issued a contract to bolster the docks with rocks to fill in the caves underneath the structure which have been undermined by the currents. Other engineering improvements agreed by Government, including an upgrade of the Aquarium bridge, a new sidewalk next to the Aquarium, and installation of antique lighting, are due to begin later this year.