has been allowed to have an open bar at its boxing night on Saturday at the Number One shed.

And they say that the decision to allow this is steeped in racism because the people who attend reggae shows are mostly black, but the rugby crowd "is mostly white and expat.'' But Corporation of Hamilton secretary Roger Sherratt moved swiftly to diffuse the anger that is building over this perceived slight.

He said: "I think these two concert promoters are looking at this in isolation from everything else that we do.

"Anyone can use the Number One shed at anytime that it is available to hold an event. That is a clearly outlined policy of the Corporation of Hamilton.'' However he said the Corporation soon found that there was a severe problem when young people at these concerts began to drink alcohol.

They damaged walls and windows both inside and outside the building and soon, Mr. Sherratt said, the Corporation was forced to reassess the policy.

As a consequence, Mr. Sherratt said, a written policy was drawn up three years ago and has been in force ever since.

"We now only allow anyone to have a liquor licence if they can guarantee us that only mature adults will attend the function,'' he explained.

"There are about a dozen organisations that can get a liquor licence to have a function here every year because they have a good, clean, track record and we have no problems when they use it.

"However when it comes to young people, we really want to encourage entertainment and concerts or dances but that means no liquor in any facility we own.

"We are happy to have concerts for young people, but we are not happy to have concerts for young people that include alcohol. That is the policy.'' Nevertheless, the reggae promoters who spoke to The Royal Gazette on condition that their identity be withheld, said that the real issue was racism.

They pointed to a rugby party at the Number One shed a few years ago where some members of the Australian team were drunk and stripped and danced on stage in various states of undress.

Yet that has not stopped another rugby organisation from holding an event with an open bar.

"That is where the racism comes in,'' one promoter said. "Look at who plays rugby. Look at who goes to reggae concerts. It's that simple.

The other added: "Those guys play rugby up at National Sports Club and leave after a full evening at the bar drunk and incapable. But do you think the Police are waiting outside the gate with a breathalyser?'' Racism claim by promoters "Of course not. The Police play rugby and are not going to arrest their mates. However let there be a football game out the Rec (Devonshire Recreation Club) or up on the carpet (National Stadium) and look at them lined up ready to run us in.

"Look at Roger Sherratt (former Police Inspector). I rest my case. They all work together. It's a conspiracy. This nonsense has got to stop. This is what makes us guys get hyped.'' But Mr. Sherratt stared down these allegations when they were put to him.

"I guess if you look at it in isolation, the reggae group (black) and the rugby group (white), one may be able to allege racism, however, a look at the facts makes that allegation quite ridiculous.'' Mr. Sherratt said that the West Indian Association and the Bermuda Public Services Association both have used the Number One Shed with an open bar and would be able to do so in the future because the event was orderly.

He added: "All racial groups, any organisation, can use our facilities if they are available at any time. We encourage people to use our property.

"The Corporation hosts the concert in the park which appeals to a broad section of the community including children. We would never have a liquor licence at our concert.

"We have a very open policy. But when it comes to liquor on the premises this is only permitted if we are convinced that the audience is adult and mature.

Those rugby players who performed in that disgraceful manner some years ago were adult but they were not mature. That is why we banned them.'' GOVERNMENT GVT ENTERTAINMENT ENT RUGBY RUG Racism claim by promoters to arrest their mates. However let there be a football game out the Rec (Devonshire Recreation Club) or up on the carpet (National Stadium) and look at them lined up ready to run us in.

"Look at Roger Sherratt (former Police Inspector). I rest my case. They all work together. It's a conspiracy. This nonsense has got to stop. This is what makes us guys get hyped.'' But Mr. Sherratt stared down these allegations when they were put to him.

"I guess if you look at it in isolation, the reggae group (black) and the rugby group (white), one may be able to allege racism, however, a look at the facts makes that allegation quite ridiculous.'' Mr. Sherratt said that the West Indian Association and the Bermuda Public Services Association both have used the Number One Shed with an open bar and would be able to do so in the future because the event was orderly.

He added: "All racial groups, any organisation, can use our facilities if they are available at any time. We encourage people to use our property.

"The Corporation hosts the concert in the park which appeals to a broad section of the community including children. We would never have a liquor licence at our concert.

"We have a very open policy. But when it comes to liquor on the premises this is only permitted if we are convinced that the audience is adult and mature.

Those rugby players who performed in that disgraceful manner some years ago were adult but they were not mature. That is why we banned them.''