TIM GURNEY

Acting Governor

Governor Masefield left some weeks ago and, with Sir John Vereker not due to arrive until next year, I have what may be a unique opportunity to wish lots of people a Happy Christmas. It is a genuine pleasure to be here on such a special day on such a special Island.

It is hard to believe that another year has gone by already. It only seems a few weeks ago that my family and I were looking forward to the warm summery days that we so enjoy here. The chance to be out on the water, snorkelling and swimming.

It has been quite a year for all of us. Many things to look back on with a smile - a warm memory; perhaps things that we would rather forget too. September 11 was such a day when so many people, including from our own Island, were caught up in the horrendous events.

But, in some ways, it brought out the best in many: courage, bravery, and determination.

I witnessed the Island's response at first hand. It was superb: The emergency services; Police, Regiment, airport, hotels, taxis, the telephone companies giving out free phone cards - everyone pulled together to help those affected. Thank you so much; to the Police, the Regiment, the airport and the hotel and taxi industries. You were magnificent! If I have missed anyone - my apologies. So many people did so much that day. But so many people were hurt by those events. I hope they find peace and comfort.

There are many people on the Island who look after us 24 hours a day, seven days a week - 24/7; The hospital with its doctors and nurses, the Fire Services, bus drivers, ferry crews, the Media, Customs, Immigration, BELCO crews;

The Works and Engineering, the telephone companies, Harbour Radio, Weather Service - the people who don't get home until well after 5:00 p.m.

Many are working now - the Salvation Army and those caring for the homeless - while we are tucking into turkey and cassava pie. Spare a moment to thank them - and wish them a Merry Christmas.

The are warm memories too: So many to look back on.

The 100th Cup Match - what a classic! Janeiro Tucker with his record-breaking score: good one Janeiro. The Premier's hometown, one of my favourite towns in the world, and Denise's favourite Xmas shopping centre - St. George's, rightly being recognised by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. Congratulations to those who worked so hard on this - and to Mayors past and present: Lost Perinchief and now Henry Hayward. You can be proud of a truly beautiful place.

In the churches, the first Bermudian Bishop in the AME church presided over the Annual Conference in Bermuda and Bishop Vernon Lambe was consecrated a Bishop.

The Rugby Classic - that superb autumn event - a nip in the air, the smell of autumn and the sound of a rugby ball being booted, and, or the first time, at the National Sports Centre. What a great spectacle that always is. Congratulations to all on making the move to a tremendous new facility so successful.

Happy smiling faces at The Peppercorn Ceremony in St. George's; the Bermuda Day Parade; the Queen's Birthday Parade. We are truly blessed living on this Island.

And I cannot miss this chance to mention one of my favourite warm memories: Shaun Goater scoring lots of goals for Manchester City. If anyone from Shaun's family is listening, could they please pass on my hearty thanks to him; Shaun, make sure that goals from the Goat are not just a memory from 2001. Merry Xmas Shaun. Go easy on the Cassava Pie please.

2002 to come: New challenges, new adventures, new smiles, a new Governor, maybe new tears too. September 11 showed me that there is little that this Island cannot handle, little we have to fear, little that this Island cannot handle, little we have to fear, little that we cannot achieve - if we all work together - all work for one another.

Thank you for giving me and my family the chance to live on this beautiful Island for a while, and for being so welcoming to my wife, Denise, and our children, Kate and Tom who are the envy of their school friends in Somerset, England. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful and successful 2002.