St. George's Mayor Mariea Caisey led a deputation of members of the St. George's Corporation and The St. George's Foundation to Lyme Regis in England to mark the tenth anniversary of the twinning of the two towns — both of which are now World Heritage Sites.

The St. George's delegation was invited by by Phil Street, chairman of Lyme Regis/St. George's Twinning Association to attend the Somers Day Parade at the Cobb Harbour, England, on July 26, 2006.

Mayor Caisey, Town Crier David Frith, Alderman Beau Evans with wife Gayle, and Foundation members J. Henry Hayward, Sharon Jacobs, Louis Mowbray, David Rowntree and several others vastly enjoyed the many cultural events such as a visit to Berne Manor, former home of Sir George Somers.

"It was my first official visit as mayor visiting Lyme Regis, the home of Sir George Somers. We were treated very graciously and given many fascinating tours of a historic origin," Mayor Caisey said.

"Dorset and East Devon's World Heritage Coast was extremely interesting. Awarded World Heritage Status in December 2001, it is England's first natural World Heritage Site. It ranks alongside places like the Galapagos Islands."

The Jurassic Coast is very fascinating scientifically from a geographic perspective. The site includes 95 miles of unspoilt cliffs and beaches from Exmouth in East Devon, through West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland, to end near Old Harry Rocks in Purbeck.

The main reason for its inscription on the World Heritage List is its unique insights into the Earth Sciences. The rocks record 185 million years of the Earth's history. It is like a walk through time. The varied geology provides a spectacular laboratory of coastal change.

"A guide book said it supports rare and important plants and animals. It is a place which can be enjoyed, learned from and looked after for future generations," she said.

Mr. Hayward said The St. George's Foundation held its second bi-annual Honorary Council Meeting in the Lyme Regis Town Hall and gave progress reports on St. George's Heritage Plan "Bringing History to Life".

"The numbers attending Lyme Regis were more than usual in that on the day of the Parade there were some 26 persons from Bermuda in attendance," he said.

"In addition to the Mayor and Town Crier and members of The St. George's Foundation we had the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Roseanda Young, and the Commandant of the Bermuda Police Reserve, Huw Lewis and Mrs. Dale Lewis, as well as other Bermudians living in the UK," said Mr. Hayward.

"It was a wonderful experience to participate in the celebrations honouring Sir George Somers and to hold our Honorary Council Meeting in the Guild Hall where Sir George Somers served as Mayor in 1604," said Sharon Jacobs, executive director of The St. George's Foundation. "We had an opportunity to see our many friends in Lyme Regis and celebrate our mutual history".

The trip certainly impressed Mr. Evans and wife, Gayle. Asked in what ways St. George's and Lyme Regis resembled each other, they responded: "Both towns rely on tourism and have their harbour as their main attraction. Lyme is also part of what they call the Jurassic Coast which, like St. George's, is a World Heritage Site."

"The real connection, of course, is that it is the birth place of Sir George Somers. Their Town Council is the equivalent of our St. George's Corporation, and it is interesting to see Sir George Somers' name on the plaque of mayors of the town in their Guild Hall where Sir George would have presided over their town meetings.

"He was mayor of Lyme Regis in 1605. It shows that he was a successful and accomplished person in his own right before founding Bermuda."

Mr. Evans said Lyme Regis is in the middle of a $50 million ($100 million) waterfront reconstruction project which is being funded by the County of Dorset. This is an excellent example of how public funding can be used for important municipal projects which benefit the whole county as well as the town.

"Lyme also has an excellent resource in the Dorset County World Heritage Team. The team leader and one of his assistants gave us an interesting and very educational presentation on how their team manages the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site."

After the Lyme Regis event the group travelled to London and was hosted at The Guild Hall in London by Sir Peter Gadsden, past Lord Mayor of London, which was much appreciated.

Mayor Caisey said she hoped to expose more young people to St. George's and other World Heritage Sites: "Our unique heritage will become the responsibility of new young leaders in years to come. I am hopeful that Bermuda's young people will become passionate about preserving our historic town."

She said she also had the chance to meet with former Bermuda Governor Thorold Masefield and his wife, who live near Lyme Regis and keep up with Bermuda events, and added she looked forward to a delegation from Lyme Regis coming to Bermuda for next year's Peppercorn Ceremony.