yesterday for being beyond the reach of Bermuda's "have-nots'' and youth.

The only people who could afford the pricey $125-a-plate dinner put on by an association of parents and educators were upper-middle-class folk, angry autograph collector Mr. Leon Edmead charged.

Those who stood most to benefit by the television star's parenting advice and words of inspiration -- the working class, single parents and troubled teens -- would be unable to afford the February 12 banquet, he said.

"It's a disgrace, especially due to the fact the same thing happened when (US motivational speaker) Les Brown was here last summer,'' Mr. Edmead said.

School principal Mr. Melvyn Bassett responded by saying anyone upset over the price would "feel better'' today after a news conference on the star's visit.

Mr. Bassett heads the Bermuda National Educational Conference Committee which is flying in Cosby together with the Bermuda Union of Teachers.

He did not want to discuss any other plans concerning Cosby until the planned news conference.

He would only say the banquet was a fund raiser to pay for the celebrity's visit.

And another event featuring Cosby, possibly one of the planned workshops, was a possibility.

The aim of the conference and workshops was to encourage parents to become more involved in their kids' education and to tackle problems facing the youth.

Cosby who holds a Ph.D in education, has published a number of books on parenting and has undertaken a great deal of work with parents, especially fathers.

It was felt Cosby's appearance would give the conference greater impact, Mr.

Bassett has said.

But Mr. Edmead said: "It seems a certain segment of the so-called black society in Bermuda has been left out -- the have-nots whom the teachers are most trying to get through to.

"The teachers keep saying they have problems with the children and children in Bermuda have been called all types of names by those in authority and those who like to judge.

"Hearing Bill Cosby speak would be an inspiration to them.'' Mr. Edmead said the conference committee could have cut costs by holding the banquet somewhere other than the Southampton Princess.

"It could've been held at one of our many outstanding church auditoriums where a delicious Bermuda meal could have been made for everyone,'' he said.

"Bill Cosby is a man for all people. He has spoken at churches and college campuses all over the US and there was no dinner.'' Mr. Edmead added he had heard many others complaining this week about the price of the tickets.

Last July, some youth and Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade spoke out against the cost of the Les Brown banquet at the Hamilton Princess, which was put on by Mind Body and Soul Productions.

And Youth Minister the Hon. Pam Gordon began a bid to bring him back at Government's expense so people could hear his speeches free.

"He was really preaching to the converted,'' she said at the time. "(I want him) to reach the people really in need.'' Mr. Edward Hashim complained the dinner was for "the rich and already powerful''. It should have been held at a community sports club, he said.

And Mr. Wade said he would have liked to see Brown's message made available to a wider audience.

"Mr. Brown's positive and powerful message would have been better if it could have reached our youth, especially our young black males,'' he said.

Some 200 people attended the $195 a plate banquet. Brown, who organisers said cost more than $60,000 to bring in, conducted a workshop the next day.