A historic fort in St George’s may soon reopen to the public after a restoration project.

The St George’s Foundation restored the Martello Tower and the nearby gunpowder magazine property at Ferry Point Park in St George’s.

The foundation had asked for volunteers to join to help remove casuarina trees that threatened the historic structures, designed as platforms for artillery.

A spokesman said: “The opening up of the Martello Tower for public viewing and tours is a priority.

“As collaboration is key to its mission, the St George’s Foundation contacted Francine Trott, curator for the Department of Parks, and it was quickly realised that the Department was also very interested in providing support for this project as it is a priority item in its budget.”

The spokesman added workers from the Department of Parks and the St George’s Foundation volunteers cleared out casuarinas from inside the tower’s moat, the surrounding ramparts and also removed several trees that endanger the gunpowder magazine.

Work will also be done inside the fort and on the ramparts to ready the tower to reopen to the public.

Quinell Francis, the chairman of the SGF education working group, said: “These are exciting times as we work to ensure our fortifications are safe and welcoming for all to visit and learn of our great history.

“SGF aims to ensure we provide our locals and visitors of all age’s enjoyable experiences around our Unesco World Heritage Site.”

Cheryl Hayward-Chew, the chairman of the SGF board, said the organisation was “excited to take this first step in a programme that is clearly aligned with our new mission of collaboration, education and awareness”.

She said: “We look forward to supporting Bermuda’s Unesco World Heritage through tangible initiatives such as this.”

The Martello Tower, built from 1823-1828, is the island’s only egg-shaped fort and has walls up to 11 feet thick.

The St George’s Foundation said the tower will be the first of several planned restoration projects, with work on the nearby Ferry Island and Burnt Point Forts to follow.

• For more information, or to volunteer to assist, contact Peter Frith, the SGF general manager, at manager@sgf.bm or on 536-1637