He is 60, but has about him the air of a schoolboy daredevil.

And so when he recalls being caught having a "quick nip'' at his posh English public school, you are not surprised.

Give him a challenge, say "I dare you'', and Kit Astwood is champing at the bit.

"I have always found most satisfying those things that carry the greatest risk,'' confides the man who has just stepped down from the driving seat at the West End Development Corporation.

There is certainly a satisfied look on his face as he reflects on his time at the helm.

When he set out to breathe new life into the West End more than 10 years ago, he knew he faced a daunting challenge.

With the Royal Navy pulling out in 1951, the Dockyard area had become a virtual wasteland, stripped of job prospects.

How could well-heeled businessmen be wooed into setting up shop there? As he took on the challenge, Oxbridge graduate Mr. Astwood risked antagonising those who always find a million reasons why something can't be done.

The knockers were in plentiful supply, with many Government and Opposition MPs uniting against him.

"Yes, there was an enormous amount of criticism, and from some very high-powered people.

"They were against Government land being handed over to a corporation,'' he recalls.

"They asked `why make it possible to sell public land to private enterprise?'.'' But, again, the son of a military man, and the enterprising former journalist on Hong Kong's South China Morning Post was more than up to the task.

A natural patience and toughness was honed by Charterhouse -- an example of one of England's most feared institutions, the public school.

It was where the teacher ticked him off for having a sneak tipple after a hectic day of sport! "Charterhouse taught me self sufficiency. I learned never to listen to critics who told me `You will never do it'.

"That's why at 60 years old I don't have a grey hair on my head. I only pick out constructive criticism and go along with that.'' He added: "I am always prepared to wait for what I want -- like a grouper on a rock who strikes when the fish swim by.'' Now, little more than two weeks after stepping down as Wedco's chairman, the sports-loving Mr. Astwood, seemingly proud of his shock of thick, black hair, can afford to cock a snook at his critics.

Not that a man of such pedigree would do anything which could be deemed rude.

Nevertheless he is immensely proud of the dramatic transformation of the West End over the last eight years.

He views it as a bustling shopping, business, and entertainment Mecca, which has created hundreds of jobs.

It was a place which could proudly be shown off recently to mega-rich entrepreneur Robert Stigwood, who had his eyes on the land.

"I had a vision and turned it into reality. I didn't want a rinky dinky Disney world.

"I wanted something which could be integrated into Bermuda, which had an atmosphere of peace and calm.

"A place where Bermudians could go across Watford Bridge and say `hey, this is different!'.'' He added: "The private enterprise has been absolutely magnificent.'' Mr. Astwood's dreams of making a difference to the Island began in earnest in 1955.

He saw Bermuda's future lying with tourism and international business.

And, in the best traditions of a go-getter, he threw himself into an array of business ventures.

He is now well known as the man in charge of Astwood Cycles Ltd.

With other leading lights who helped shape Bermuda's course, he also founded the United Bermuda Party and the Constitution.

The Constitution paved the way for the UBP's landslide 1968 election triumph.

"I then thought the time was right to think about reviving Bermuda's West End,'' the former Sandys North UBP MP says.

"The area was a dump. It was really a wasteland used for light industry.

People were operating in virtual squalor.'' The Royal Navy had taken 3,000 jobs when it pulled out.

Mr. Astwood reaped the rewards of his lobbying for Wedco when MPs came round to the idea in the House of Assembly in the early '80s.

Wedco was formed to manage and develop Watford Island, Boaz Island, Ireland Island North and Ireland Island South.

In the summer of 1985, Mr. Astwood took over from Mr. Geoffrey Kitson as Wedco's chairman.

Filling his position as deputy chairman was Mr. Ted White.

"It was immediately clear we were taking on a huge project, and we needed a management team and structure.

"It was obvious we had to have a new office in Dockyard, to show we were really interested in the area.

"We needed to drive through the area, so we could pick up every detail, and become imbued with the surroundings. We were down there every day.'' Key people in Wedco's development included Mr. Proctor Martin, Mr. Bob Barker, Mr. Robert Tucker, and Mr. George Smith, who not so long ago took on the job of general manager.

Mr. Astwood is keen to applaud their efforts.

One of the first tasks was a massive clear-up operation, demolishing derelict buildings.

"I remember when we dismantled huge cranes which were 60 to 100 feet in the air.

"They were the types used for lifting engines out of ships, and were becoming rusty.'' It was then a case of redeveloping the area, and bringing in customers.

Top businessmen from Chambers of Commerce in Hamilton and St. George's regularly came down to have a look.

"We also wanted the maximum input of ideas from Somerset. We wanted the community to go along with what we were doing.'' One idea, immediately acted on, was getting rid of the 100 trucks a day which thundered through Mangrove Bay.

"Flexibility, and the ability to react quickly when necessary to seize an opportunity from the private sector interest, this remains vital to the success of Wedco,'' says Mr. Astwood.

"Our philosophy of developing our properties at a slightly slower pace than the economic growth of Bermuda itself, ensures that the businesses we attract to the area have the best of all opportunities to succeed.'' The thinking has paid off -- spectacularly.

Watford Island has a sailboard club and Faith Tabernacle; Boaz Island boasts 90 homes, and a ferry dock; Ireland Island South features a nursery school; and Ireland Island North includes a cruise ship terminal and impressive marina.

Mr. Astwood proudly adds to the list.

"Within the Royal Naval Dockyard itself, the area continues to flourish with the completion of the Cable and Wireless warehouse, and the expansion of the Clocktower Specialty Retail Centre, and the Waterside Inn is now open.'' Some of the achievements were once deemed impossible.

"We were told the marina, for instance, was out of the question. But I never had any doubt it would work.

"I never doubted we could succeed in the West End. I am like a man who jumps off a cliff without a parachute.

"Somehow I know I will land safely!'' PHOTO DREAMWEAVER -- Mr. Kit Astwood who has realised his dream of transforming the West End.