years of service to the National Trust.

The Palmetto, the Trust's major award, was presented to the Appleby, Spurling and Kempe lawyer on Wednesday night by the Governor, Lord Waddington.

"Legal advice and expertise is something the Trust is in constant need of,'' and Mr. Dunch "has made a tremendous contribution in this area,'' outgoing president Mrs. Patsy Phillips said at the Trust's 23rd annual general meeting at Pembroke Sunday School.

The Trust's award for the school which made the most significant contribution to the Island -- the Michael Darling Shield -- went to Sandys Secondary School.

Students at the school made 60 bluebird nest boxes. With the help of Mr.

Stephen DeSilva of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks, they then erected the boxes on National Trust and Parks land.

"We understand that the school plans to continue and expand this programme by building more boxes, regular inspection of sites, and help in controlling the Asian sparrow population,'' Mrs. Phillips said.

The award was accepted by Sandys deputy principal Mrs. Sheila White, woodcraft teacher Mr. Richard Klesniks, and student Eugene Kelly.

Also receiving awards on Wednesday were: the Ministry of Works and Engineering, for renovation of the exterior of Government House; Mr. Cyril Whitter, for restoring the old farmhouse at Happy Dale Road; BDC Ltd. and Mr. Ward Young, for renovation of the former Phoenix Building at Reid and Queen streets; The Progressive Labour Party and architect Mr. Charles Daniels, for renovations at Alaska Hall; Mr. Alan Burland, for renovations to Somerwood in Sandys; Mr. Victor Mello, for maintaining Fanny Fox's Cottage in St. George's for about the last 30 years; The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks for landscaping East Broadway and landscaping and clearing the moat at Fort Scaur; The Ministry of the Environment, for acquiring rapidly-diminishing open space to enhance the national parks system; The BF&M Insurance Group, for its 1992 Environmental Awareness Campaign; Mr. Alex Outerbridge and the Bermuda Paint Company, for locally producing the first 100 percent non-toxic and odour-free wall paint; Belco, for its well-tended grounds on Serpentine Road; The Paraquet Restaurant, for its beautifully-maintained and colourful gardens; The Harmony Club and longtime head gardener Mr. August Amaral, for its magnificent gardens; Mrs. Wendy McLeod, for her long hours in helping the National Trust convert to a new computer system; Mrs. Carole Bailey and Mrs. Louise Jackson, for chairing the Carnival in Rio Ball committee; Mr. Warren Brown, Jr., for donating 1,000 cedar trees to the Trust; Mrs. Adrianna Goodfellow, for organising the Trust's annual plant sale for about 14 years; and Mrs. Lee Davidson, who is leaving the council after seven years of service.