gombeys.

Bermudian photographer and National Liberal Party spokesman Mr. Graeme Outerbridge yesterday said he was told this week that a four-year-old proposal for the stamps had been refused.

He said he suggested four designs to the Stamp Advisory Committee, including a close-up of a gombey head dress and mask, and two gombeys in a mock battle dance.

Mr. Outerbridge said the committee initially told him it was not a good idea in 1986, because "although the gombeys have become part of our heritage, their origin is not Bermudian''.

But Mr. Outerbridge said yesterday that "the basis of all Bermudian culture originates abroad -- from the model of the Westminster Parliamentary system to our beloved pigs''.

Between 1986 and last year, Mr. Outerbridge said he ran into all sorts of roadblocks, despite going to Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan about the matter.

In 1991, he told the committee he would provide photographs and sketches, if it was willing to pay for them.

Mr. Outerbridge also noted that he was prepared to rework the basic sketches he had submitted, if the committee would see him to discuss the details, design, and cost of such an issue.

In October last year, he wrote another letter to committee chairman Dr. Jack Arnell, saying he had found a Bermudian illustrator who had done a number of sketches based on the gombeys.

He said the artwork was free, but credit had to be given to the artist for her work.

"In the near future the artwork will be sent directly to the Stamp Advisory Committee,'' he said. "I hope there will be no further delays as so much time has already been spent on this project.'' Both letters were copied to the Premier and Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul.

Believing that the committee was still considering the idea, Mr. Outerbridge said he contacted the committee this week and learned that the idea was dead because the committee did not think it warranted a full series.

Mr. Outerbridge accused the committee of not being sensitive to Bermuda's cultural diversity.

He said its composition -- six whites and one black -- "hardly reflected the cultural tapestry of this country''.

"I'm angry,'' he said yesterday, "and I want this country to know what a bunch of culturally-ignorant derelicts they have on that board. I'm tired of seeing black culture ignored in Bermuda. The gombeys are one of the interesting links to African culture that Bermuda has.

"If they can do a series on dogs and flowers, why can't they do one on gombeys?'' Mr. Outerbridge also said he believed there were many on the Island who would agree with him. "I'm trying to organise a protest,'' he said.

Dr. Arnell referred all questions to the Postmaster General Mr. Clevelyn Crichlow, saying yesterday that his committee was "only an advisory group''.

Mr. Crichlow refused to respond to Mr. Outerbridge's "pet peeves through the Press''.

"I'm aware of what Mr. Outerbridge wants,'' he said. "If he decides to protest, he is free to do so.'' Other than denying that the committee's racial make-up had anything to do with the rejection of the stamp idea, Mr. Crichlow would only say Mr. Outerbridge will be receiving a letter from the committee in reply to his request. But he could not say when the letter will be sent.

Dr. Saul said Finance officials were looking into Mr. Outerbridge's situation with the committee and will report back to him with recommendations.

He said the committee receives stamp ideas from about a dozen Bermudians every year. Some are accepted and some rejected.

But he said it was likely that a gombey stamp, not necessarily Mr.

Outerbridge's, will be included in an upcoming series on Bermuda culture.

PUSHING FOR GOMBEY STAMPS -- Bermudian photographer Mr. Graeme Outerbridge with the gombey sketches he hoped would become stamps.