A Canadian heritage expert has recently visited the Island to explore avenues by which residents could learn how to preserve and restore many of Bermuda's historic buildings.

Nelson Rogers, director for Canadian Heritage Trades and Technology at Algonquin College in Perth, Ontario, was invited on the trip by the St.

George's Foundation and Bermuda College to "establish the nature and number of potential restoration projects on the island, and explore how Algonquin College's lecturers might be used to train Bermudians in the necessary skills to work on them''.

Mr. Rogers has developed a series of specialised courses in heritage carpentry, masonry and iron work at Algonquin College.

He has also been heavily involved in the award-winning restoration of the town of Perth, the first restoration project of its type to be conducted by Heritage Canada, Canada's equivalent to the Bermuda National Trust.

Since its restoration, Perth has received many social, cultural and economic advantages, and has become a popular visitor attraction -- of the type that St. George's hopes to be.

Chairman of the St. George's Foundation Louis Mowbury said: "When I heard what Nelson was doing at Algonquin, it struck me that we could benefit from his expertise here in Bermuda. Algonquin College has been heavily involved in the restoration of Perth -- a historic working town with lots of similarities to St. George's and which has military links to the Island.

"The restoration work that has been done there has been sensitive and faithful to the period, but it has also been practical, allowing the town to function appropriately today.'' "We have a lot to learn from the practical processes involved in Perth's restoration,'' Mr. Mowbury added, "and we need to explore ways of training Bermudians in the skills they need to preserve our heritage.'' During his visit, Mr. Rogers met with several local heritage activists, teachers and architects including Bermuda National Trust executive director Amanda Outerbridge, Bermuda College Dean of Adult and Continuing Education Wayne Wilson, Curator of Forts Lance Furbert, director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum Ed Harris and Government Planning Department representative Steve Jackson.

Mr. Furbert said of the visit: "Many of the projects we have outstanding at the forts have not been given the priority they should because there simply aren't skilled personnel on hand.

"I believe that Nelson Rogers' visit has acted as a catalyst for getting things moving.'' Mr. Wilson said: "The College intends to help kick-start what we believe will be a long-term partnership of immense educational value to Bermuda. During the early part of next year the College intends to host a public forum on heritage and heritage restoration related issues to which all the major players in these fields will be invited.'' PARISH ST. GEORGE'S PAR BERMUDA COLLEGE EDC ENVIRONMENT ENV