Bermuda have been honoured.

The 13 artisans were presented with scrolls by Community Affairs Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons.

The ceremony took place at City Hall on Sunday -- a week earlier some of the Island's top artists were honoured at the same place.

However, the Minister decided that while artists are much-heralded for their work, blacksmiths, seamstresses and farriers tend to go unnoticed.

The scrolls read that they had been awarded for the continuous "application of the fine craftsmanship to the enrichment of Bermuda's cultural heritage''.

The Minister said: "Their names are synonymous with their crafts and I think it is appropriate that we pay tribute to their work.

"We have not tried to get everyone, we are just paying tribute to the crafts of the Island in general.

"But these people are household names in their trade, having worked between 40 and 67 years in the Islands. They have not really had the recognition they deserve while artists have received praise. They are part of the mosaic that makes Bermuda what it is.'' Great-grandmother Mrs. Cynthia Nearon has been a seamstress since the age of 14, around 67 years ago. She continues to make children and adult dresses, bridal gowns and hats at the age of 81.

Mrs. Nearon said she was delighted to receive the honour. "I was like a little child because I was so excited. They telephoned me and when I realised what had been said I began rushing about the house telling everyone what had happened.'' Other people to receive scrolls were carpenter Mr. Gilbert Camara, blacksmith Mr. Artie Black, horticulturist Mr. George Ogden, cabinet maker Mr. Jeremy Johnson, upholsterer Mr. Charles Webb, farrier Mr. Norman Terceira, cedar craftsman Mr. David Nisbett, floral arranger Ms Lilian Minors, tiler Mr. Emmy Dillas, electrician Mr. Sydney Jones and cook Ms Dolly Pitcher.

The nine long serving artists honoured earlier by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Information were jazz musician Mr. Ghandi Burgess, art history teacher Mrs. Maurine Cooper, actress Mrs. Constance Dey, sculptor Mr. Desmond Fountain, ballet teacher Mrs. Patricia Gray, artist Mrs. Georgine Hill, dance teacher Mrs. Louise Jackson, dance and music teacher Mrs. Marjorie Petitt and pianist Mr. Cecil Smith.

HONOURED ARTISANS -- Minister of Community Affairs the Hon. Leonard Gibbons (top) with some of Bermuda's skilled workers who were honoured at City Hall.