For four days in December, 1953 the world's spotlight fell on tiny Bermuda as three world leaders met here for what became known as `The Big Three Summit'. They were British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, US President Dwight Eisenhower, and Premier Joseph Laniel of France.

While older generations of Bermudians fondly remember the events of those dynamic days, it is safe to say that the younger generations know little or nothing either of the event, those world leaders, or the vital roles they played in shaping the course of history, and it is that which the International Churchill Societies (ICS) and the Churchill Centre of Washington, DC plan to change next winter when they hold their own `Bermuda Summit' conference to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the original event.

The 2003 gathering will take place at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel from November 6 to 9, and will include academic sessions on the conference themes, `Summitry' and `The Special Relationship', as well as a visit to and luncheon at the Mid Ocean Club, where Churchill, Eisenhower and Laniel held their meetings, and a black tie presentation dinner with VIP guests.

The conference will open and close with events hosted by governors of the Churchill Centre. At the first, the 2003 edition of Churchill's `The River War', with a foreword written by his author daughter and the Centre's patron, Dame Mary Soames, will be launched.

The commemorative anniversary `Bermuda Summit' is being hosted by the XL Foundation, and representatives of the Churchill Center and the ICS recently visited the Island in connection with advance preparations.

In addition to seeking corporate sponsors, they are appealing for public assistance in gathering memorabilia associated with the 1953 Summit.

Anyone who can assist should either write to Mr. David Boler at `The Grove', Grove Road, Penshurst, Kent TN11 8DU, England, or fax him at: 01144-1892-870240; telephone 01144-1892-871289; or e-mail davidboleronline.com

"We would like to hear from people who were involved in either the 1953 conference or Churchill's visit to Bermuda in 1942 to come forward with their recollections, and if they have any memorabilia we would very much like to see that," he said. "For example, I am trying to get hold of a copy of the menu for the Speaker's Dinner which was held during the 1953 summit at the Mid Ocean Club. If this is appropriate, we could use the same menu for one of the dinners."

Mr. Boler, who is a governor of the Churchill Centre in the US; a past president of the International Churchill Society in the UK; and cochair of the 2003 conference, also said organisers would like "anyone who is interested" to attend the conference.

As part of their shared mission to educate current and future generations on the works, examples and explanation of the leading statesman of the twentieth century, the Churchill Centre and ICS also hope to share that knowledge with Bermuda's high school students. As part of each annual International Churchill Conference, the inclusion of school and college students in its discussions and events is an integral part of its teaching programmes.

The Churchill Centre is a non-profit organisation which encourages study of the life and thoughts of Winston Churchill. It also fosters research about his speeches, writings and deeds; advances knowledge of his example as a statesman; and, through programmes of teaching and publishing, imparts that information to people around the world. Its website, one of the preeminent internet history sites, is www.winstonchurchill.org

The Centre was organised in 1995 by the International Churchill Societies (ICS), which were founded in 1968 with the aim of educating future generations on the works and example of the great man. The Centre and Societies jointly sponsor, among other things, the quarterly `Finest Hour', special publications, symposia, adult and student conferences, educational tours and a website. Joint members of both the Centre and the ICS include descendants of Churchill, and eminent figures such as Baroness Thatcher, the Hon. Caspar Wineberger, Gen. Colin Powell, official biographer Sir Martin Gilbert, and the Duke of Marlborough. In addition to being patron of the ICS, 80-year-old Dame Mary Soames is also patron of the International Churchill Societies of Canada and the United Kingdom, and she will be attending the Bermuda event. Despite his death in 1965, Churchill remains a towering legend, and indeed Time magazine named him `Man of the Century'. Not only was he an extraordinary orator and author, whose command of the English language was superlative, but also he was a fearless Prime Minister who successfully led the British nation through the dark days of the Second World War, not knowing at the outset whether they would the victors or the vanquished, but fiercely determined to rout the scourge of Naziism.

In fact, it was during this war that Churchill coined the phrase, "a meeting at the summit" to define a personal and plenary session of leaders of the "Big Three" allied governments. After the war ended he continued to call for "summit conferences", and placed great emphasis on Britain's relationship with the United States - a practice successive governments of both countries have continued to perpetuate.

In 1953 the Cold War was increasing in intensity, Eisenhower became President of the US, Stalin died and new, unknown Communist leaders took over. An uneasy truce divided Korea from China on one side and the UN forces on the other, and in Germany the armies of Britain, the US and France faced overwhelmingly powerful Soviet armies across the divided land. Tensions in Berlin were high, and in the Middle East Israel was surrounded by aggressive Arab nations bent on its destruction, while the Egyptians were trying to force the British contingent from the Suez Canal zone.

Against this sombre background, Churchill persuaded Eisenhower to meet "at the summit" in Bermuda in 1953. The December visit had been twice postponed due to Churchill's ill health, and when finally it did take place, at the Americans' request the French were also invited to attend. It was Churchill's hope that this summit would be a prelude to another "Big Three" meeting with the new masters in the Kremlin.

Few who witnessed the unfolding of events here in 1953 will forget the arrival of the great British Prime Minister, who was met at the airport by an honour guard of Royal Welch Fuseliers and their mascot, an immaculately groomed white goat, and who spent a total of ten days in all on the Island.

If, despite the weighty issues the three leaders discussed, including the threat of nuclear war, history recorded this first post-war conference as more of a model than an accomplishment, it did pay dividends. It is also interesting to note that, at the time, Eisenhower was recorded as saying there was "no distinction between conventional and atomic weapons. All weapons in due course become conventional weapons".

If, to some, the veneration of Churchill and his accomplishments in the 21st century seems curiously outdated, members of the Churchill Center and the ICS fervently disagree, for they are not about worshipping the man, but the ideals he stood for.

"Members remember Churchill's faith in the principles of freedom and liberty, and we are inspired by the way he wrested democracy from extinction. We admire his character, convictions and courage, and delight in his humour and optimism. Our aim is that future generations never forget his contributions to the political philosophy, culture and literature of the great democracies, (as well as) his contributions to statesmanship."