The annual ceremony for the opening of Parliament became a family occasion for many of the participants yesterday.

Among the crowds of hundreds of visitors and local folk were several family members.

Even the Governor Lord Waddington's family was represented by his son James Waddington and his wife, who are here on holiday.

Also attending the ceremony in support of their loved ones were Mrs. Candace Richardson, the sister of new Shadow Minister for Human Affairs and Information and MP for Hamilton East Ms Renee Webb.

Standing next to her was Mrs. Calworth Furbert who came to see her son the Hon. Mr. Wayne Furbert, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs.

"I am very proud of my son,'' Mrs. Furbert said.

A sunny day welcomed the new Members of Parliament who were all dressed in their Sunday best from morning suits to pretty dresses.

The Regiment Band made the day even brighter as they played their instruments while marching with their usual poise through the Cabinet Building yard.

Crowds, smaller than in previous years, were still full of excitement.

Tradition was broken during the ceremony as male MPs linked arms with their female counterparts.

Also breaking tradition were several PLP MPs who donned morning suits. They included Dr. Ewart Brown, Mr. Stanley Lowe, Mr. Stanley Morton, Mr. Stanley Burrows and Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams.

Some traditions remained however,, although it's not often that Opposition members drag the new speaker to his chair.

Chosen as Speaker of the House over Government nominee Dr. David Dyer, Mr.

Ernest DeCouto followed that tradition and feigned reluctance as he was pulled to the Chair by the Progressive Labour Party's Mr. Stanley Lowe and Mr. Eugene Cox.

There was a momentary tug-of-war as Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness grabbed Mr. DeCouto's arm to prevent him being dragged from the Government benches.

Later outside the House of Assembly, new Opposition MP Rev. Trevor Woolridge was full of enthusiasm, waving to the public as he entered and left the Cabinet Building.

Several school children on class visits were also perched outside the Cabinet Building.

Students from Francis Patton School's primary six class expressed their own ideas of the ceremony. Ten-year-old Racquel Ingeman proudly proclaimed: "The ceremony is for people that were elected this year in the election, to open up the Government.'' Trikeita Outerbridge, 10, said the ceremony showed that "you can be anything you want to be if you try hard''. And nine-year-old Jeannine Smith added that she was there to watch "the UBP feel welcomed''.

Prospect Primary School teacher Mr. Carlton Johnson said he brought his year six students to the ceremony "to learn about what the Parliament is all about.

"I wanted them to see first hand how the Island is governed and administrated and at a later date we hope to invite the Members of Parliament to come and visit our school.'' Several visitors were also interested to see how the opening of Parliament was celebrated.

A group touring from the Windsor, Ontario Art Gallery enjoyed the programme while sitting in the shade.

Chairperson of volunteers of the gallery, Mrs. Georgena Falls said the group wanted to see what was happening.

"We were interested in learning what the opening of Parliament was all about.'' Visitors Ms JoAnn Astolfi of Michigan and Ms Bonnie Bray of Ohio were advised to attend the ceremony by their taxi driver the night before.

Ms Bray said: "We are pleased we took his advice because it's been very impressive.

"I could just swallow it up. It's so interesting.'' GREETINGS! -- New Progressive Labour Party MP the Rev. Trevor Woolridge breaks from the parade to wave to the crowd.

PARTY LEADERS -- Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade lead MPs into the Cabinet Building.

IN HIS FINERY -- Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward in his wig and gown for yesterday's ceremony.

CLOSE INSPECTION -- Governor Lord Waddington inspects members of the Bermuda Regiment on his arrival at the Cabinet Building.