With more than 65 properties across the Island, the Bermuda National Trust is moving on with a new president and plans to preserve more than open spaces.

Architect and owner of Architectural Planning and Research Henry Ming is the newly appointed president of the Trust.

Mr. Ming is taking over from past president Hugh Davidson who left the post after three years in office.

The Trust's main responsibility is the building, open spaces and collections held in trust of Bermuda.

With 28 historic buildings, three museums and more than 230 acres of open space, the Trust is securing the legacy of the Island.

Fifty-four-year-old Mr. Ming grew up in North Hamilton on Ewing Street which in itself has a considerable amount of building of historical value.

On his new appointment Mr. Ming said: "My biggest objective is to simply serve the Trust well.'' Having worked his way up through the various committees and ranks of the Trust during the past 12 years, Mr. Ming's promotion comes only after affiliations with the various members and committees of the Trust.

He explained: "Knowing the committees and the concerns of most of the personalities are important... the trust is about its members.'' And he stressed that the Trust was "committed to the preservation of natural and historical environment''.

Explaining the process of how he was elected, Mr. Ming described that the president is elected from the council through an internal election. The council is comprised of 12 persons including the past president.

From there the election goes through to the membership of the Trust.

Mr. Ming also explained that persons are nominated to the Trust via the Government and other notable organisations such as the Bermuda Historical Society.

And as the new leader of the Trust, Mr. Ming said he believes: "You have to be on top, with a strong line of communication, and stick to what the objectives are.'' The knowledge and experience of the various committees was also important, he noted. The average size of the committee can run from three people to as many as 35.

During his tenure, Mr. Ming said he plans to "expand on existing areas''.

"My role is to look at how the Trust can be seen as serving all sectors of people,'' he said, "getting information out to the general public about what we do.'' Mr. Ming also plans to help the Trust develop a sound research programme.

"Our goal is to have skilled people submit documentation which is factual,'' he said. "If we are recognised as a research body, then people can come to us and we can assist them with their work.'' Mr. Ming recalled that in the past building a house was a community effort.

And it is the community aspect which is particularly intriguing as this can bridge the gap between what Bermuda was in the past and where it is going in the future, he said. "We need to make sure that future generations can see what we have,'' Mr. Ming added.

"That is the importance of our culture, not just preserving open spaces.'' Finding Bermudians who are concerned about heritage and expanding on those concerns of culture are other issues he plans to address.

"We believe this can be done through membership,'' Mr. Ming said.

However, he admitted that finding new members will be the challenge.

Mr. Ming said he believes that this process should and can start with the children.

He pointed out that if the children can be reached at a young age and get excited about the concept of heritage and preservations, than it would translate to their parents.

"Having good programmes for youth is essential,'' Mr. Ming stressed. "This participation will attract adults.'' Henry Ming