The newly bricked One Gun Alley was opened yesterday with a host of dignitaries in attendance.

Lillian Smith, the mother of Premier Jennifer Smith, and two other long time St. George's residents, Anita B.R. Smith and Earlington Basden cut the ribbon.

Mr. Basden owns a house on the alley, Mrs. A. Smith lives across from the alley on York Street and Mrs. L. Smith lives on nearby Shinbone Alley.

The improvements to One Gun Alley include the laying of attractive brick paving, the installation of period lighting and putting overhead cables underground. They were made possible thanks to the owners of adjoining properties along with BELCO, BTC and Bermuda CableVision.

St. George's Foundation Chairman David Rowntree said: "We are delighted to see the completion of another street in St. George's. We thank all our donors and corporate partners who are helping us bring history to life."

Mayor of St. George's Henry Hayward said: "It is indeed a pleasure to commemorate the opening of One Gun Alley. This represents our 11th street and restoration project in St. George's as we continue the implementation of our town Heritage Plan. Special thanks to all our contractors and to Jefferson Sousa and his staff at Sousa's Landscape Management Company for a very professional job."

St. George's Town Manager Lance Furbert said: "There was a bit of a delay when the street became an archaeological dig when we found burnt matter. There were a number of artefacts found and they currently being catalogues. We think that it could have been a lime kiln."

The fundraising for the latest phase of Town Heritage Plan improvements was coordinated by the St. George's Foundation, while the Corporation of St. George's oversaw the work.

It is thought that the alley was named after a time during the American Revolution when Governor Bruere placed a gun platform in the alley. This was one of several measures prompted by the unease that followed the Gunpowder Plot in St. George's in 1775.