Dear Sir,

I wish to bring to the public's attention the absolute mess that has occurred after the Nova Mas concert in the Arboretum on Saturday from 3am to 9am. Vendor trucks were allowed to transport security fences, stages, tents and alcohol without regard for the designated roadways. The grass turf has been destroyed in various locations and will cost tens of thousands to reinstate.

According to the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986, “human use is generally limited to scientific research and educational purposes in order to protect and preserve these special or fragile natural resources, and to provide for the use of the area in its natural state with a minimum of commercial and mechanised activity”.

It does not seem that the Director of Parks, who is “responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the protected area”, was fulfilling their job in this case.

As to the concert, it was allowed to go ahead in a National Park despite prohibited conduct taking place under Section 3 of the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988 of “amplified music which is likely to disturb any member of the public therein or any person dwelling in the vicinity”.

In addition, a liquor licence was issued by the Liquor Licensing Authority in contravention of Section 22 of the Liquor Licence Act 1974 as the concert fell outside the time of 10am on the first day and 2am on the second. According to Section 8 (3) of the same Act, the authority “shall have due regard to the public welfare and to the suitability of the premises in respect of which the application is made”.

The Arboretum is not an appropriate venue, as there are no public restrooms and it is exceedingly dark in the park at night. Regarding the unsociable hours of the concert, one can point to the example of the 18-year-old who sustained head and face injuries along with others who were taken to the hospital after the 2022 concert at the Arboretum.

I am wondering if the concert promoters will pay for the repair of the damage in the Arboretum or will this fall on the taxpayers who will have to pay parks staff to clean and ameliorate the numerous destroyed areas.

Since these Heroes Weekend concerts are sponsored by the Bermuda Government and the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the taxpayers have already contributed to this mess in the Arboretum. I believe the concert promoters should shoulder the burden to return the National Park to its former condition.

ROBERT MASTERS

Devonshire

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