Bermuda?s kite flying tradition is healthier than ever with plenty of people getting busy with tissue paper, wood and glue in readiness to unveil their creations on Good Friday.

Winning the award for best kite at Horseshoe Bay beach yesterday was Matthew Tumbridge whose colourful ten-foot creation narrowly pipped the effort from his brother Joshua.

Matthew said it took him a week to make the kite but he expected it to last just one afternoon when he flies it tomorrow.

?Today was a bit windy,? he said yesterday. ?The problem with a big kite is there is only one chance to fly it. The pressure from the wind will crack the sticks.?

The brothers took up the pastime as a way of remembering their grandfather Leonard.

Matthew said: ?He passed away and we are carrying it on.?

His brother Joshua Tumbridge was also keeping his creation on the ground yesterday after spending three days putting together the complicated design which involved 144 patches.

Their father Lenny was on hand to see the show but was glad he had handed on the hobby and was not still doing it.

?They sat up until 4.30 in the morning putting these things together,? he said. ?Crazy!?

Rachel Barritt was also keeping the tradition alive after finding a frame at the house of her father ? MP John Barritt.

However, she felt she had cheated a little bit by using glue instead of flower and water.

Even so it was no easy feat. ?It took so long.?

Her Canadian friend Kevin Taylor said: ?It?s a lot of fun for us.

?It?s a real piece of Bermuda to do this.

?This is my second year coming, it?s very unique. I can see us coming for a very long time. There really is nothing like it.?

Also featured in the traditional fun day at Horseshoe Beach was a tug of war which saw The United Bermuda Party lose a gruelling contest with members of the community.

The West beat the East in another contest while a female team beat a male team.

? See Page 5 for more photos from Good Friday.