Day Two: Team Bermuda continues where they left off
Team Bermuda adds to their medal haul at the Pickleball Caribbean Championships in Cayman. Gavin Manders took bronze in the open elite men’s singles, while Imani Phillips claimed silver in the women’s singles. In the over 50 Ladies Doubles, Myra Virgil and Marie-Helene Pare claimed bronze in the 3.5 category. And in juniors action, Jaden Jones and Owen Stewart won gold in the U18 doubles.
Turks and Caicos and Anguilla kicked off Group A action this afternoon at the National Sports Centre
The U17 Men’s Concacaf qualifiers kicked off this afternoon at the National Sports Centre. In the first Group A match of the tournament Turks and Caicos beat Anguilla 3 nil. The Gombey Warriors will face Curacao at the National Sports Centre this evening at 8pm.
Facility aims to strengthen food security and expand local farming industry
Farmers are another step closer to reaping the benefits of a much-needed crop storage facility.
Plans were first proposed in 2022 to replace the ageing Agricultural Services Centre on Schools Drive in Devonshire, which the Government has deemed unfit due to an asbestos roof and failing cold storage rooms.
This week, Minister Roban confirmed that Brunel Engineering Consultants Ltd has provided designs for the new build, and the necessary permits have been secured.
The project, aimed at bolstering food security and supporting Bermuda’s farming industry, is now estimated to cost $14.5 million – $1 million more than last year’s estimate owing to inflation. If the Ministry’s funding request is approved in the 2025/26 budget, construction is expected to take two years.
“This is something that the farming community has been advocating for,” said Minister Roban. “I have from the very inception supported its redevelopment, not only because it is necessary, but because it allows the Government to lead by example—showing how a commercial structure can be environmentally sustainable.”
The 15,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, to be built adjacent to the current one, will include cold storage, a hydrocool room, and expanded dry storage for essential farming supplies. It will be powered by renewable energy with a backup generator.
Once constructed, Minister Roban assured that the relevant ministry would ensure ongoing maintenance and uphold the centre as a first-class facility.
“They have been working in some challenging conditions and still have been a complement to the agricultural community,” he said. “I do not doubt that the team in the future will do the same—at an even higher level with even better resources.”
Minister Roban highlighted that only half of Bermuda’s available farmland is currently in use and that the new facility could help expand agricultural activity.
“If there are greater resources available, farmers can confidently expand their operations, employ more people, make more investments, and grow the farming contribution to the economy,” he said.
Underscoring the need for the upgrade, Minister Roban highlighted Bermuda’s vulnerability to food supply shocks and the existing facility’s risk of hurricane-related damage.
He added that improved storage capacity could extend embargo periods, allowing local crops to stay on the market longer and reducing reliance on imports.
“Many crops, if left to natural conditions, will deteriorate because they are perishable,” Roban explained. “This facility will allow us to sustain their life and make them available to the marketplace without having to rely on imports. And then we can keep an embargo lasting longer if we know there’s a sustainable supply on the island – which is what helps our farmers.”
Students navigate the corporate landscape through social media management
Giving back to the island’s youth whilst growing your company’s social media presence—a winning approach to bridging generational gaps in Bermuda’s business sector.
SkillCraft Bermuda is parlaying their Summer Student Internship Programme into its fourth year, showing corporate stakeholders the real-time benefits of paying it forward.
“If you’re someone who wants to empower the next generation to have meaningful lives and be successful in their careers, it’s a really important thing you could do” says Margot Shane, co-founder of SkillCraft.
Co-founder Emilie Faulkner-Meek believes the experience edifies the company and interns, providing practical opportunities for growth. “It’s a social media internship, and we invite 15 local businesses or charities to take on one of our young interns and host them for six weeks. The businesses or charities get some help with their social media, and they get to mentor Bermuda’s next generation as well.”
SkillCraft is currently seeking local businesses to partner with on this year’s iteration of the Programme, with applications being accepted until next Friday, the 14th of February.
To find out more, including how to become an intern host for the Programme, click here.
You can hear more from Margot Shane and Emilie Faulkner Meek via interview, below.
Facility-upgrades covered by funds allocated following the Mid-Year Budget Review
Update via Government Press Release: Attorney General and Minister of Justice Kim Wilkerson Visits Westgate Correctional Facility, Reinforces Commitment to Improvements
“This visit has been eye-opening,” said Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Sen. The Hon. Kim Wilkerson, JP.
The Minister recently conducted her maiden tour of Westgate Correctional Facility, accompanied by her Senate colleague Arianna Hodgson , as well as Acting Assistant Commissioner of Corrections Gladwin Simons, Acting Assistant Commissioner Darynda Caisey Brown, Chief Officer Dwight Richards, Acting Chief Officer Michael Christopher, and Department of Corrections (DOC) Facilities Manager Van Dyke Bean.
This visit follows the transfer of DOC oversight to the Ministry of Justice last year and was aimed at gaining firsthand insight into the facility’s conditions, staff concerns, and ongoing improvement initiatives.
A key highlight of the visit was the Minister’s review of progress following the Government’s Mid-Year Budget Review, which allocated $400,000 in additional funding to strengthen DOC’s rehabilitation and facility programmes.
These funds have supported initiatives such as increased staffing for inmate programmes, upgraded IT resources for educational opportunities, and vocational training expansion—including enhanced culinary arts.
Minister Wilkerson toured various units during her visit, engaged with inmates, and spoke directly with correctional officers.
She noted that while urgent facility repairs remain a priority, meaningful progress is being made in key areas.
The Minister added: “There is a long list of challenges to address, but we are pressing ahead with what we can do now—such as the kitchen upgrade and new equipment that I was pleased to see in operation today.
“Watching the inmates actively engaged in baking and culinary training was a particularly rewarding moment.”
She also commended the inmates for their renovation work within the facility, particularly the painting she observed in one of the blocks. “I was very impressed by the quality of the work done by the inmates.
“Their efforts in refurbishing parts of the facility, including painting, demonstrate the valuable skills they possess. This is exactly the kind of initiative we need to build on—ensuring that inmates can contribute meaningfully to the upkeep of the facility while being compensated for their work.”
Minister Wilkerson emphasised her belief that work done within the prison should be recognised and rewarded, helping inmates build their resumes for future employment and boosting their confidence in developing practical skills.
“If we can empower inmates with skills that will serve them well after their release, we are taking an important step toward successful reintegration. Their contributions should not go unnoticed, and I support ensuring that these opportunities help them transition into the workforce.”
The Minister also observed the fully equipped IT lab, which is helping inmates build essential digital skills.
Another highlight of the tour was the art room, where inmates are developing their talents and expressing themselves through creativity.
However, she emphasised the need for volunteers to support the facility’s carpentry workshop, calling on community members with relevant skills to contribute.
Addressing past concerns raised by corrections officers about working conditions and staffing shortages, Minister Wilkerson reaffirmed her commitment to improving the DOC environment and ensuring officers receive the support they need.
“Our corrections staff do an invaluable job in a demanding environment. We are listening to their concerns and working to make necessary improvements. While we recognise the challenges, the Government remains committed to providing resources where they are most needed.”
This visit marks the beginning of a series of engagements by the Minister with DOC personnel and stakeholders to assess progress and identify further areas for enhancement.
Update via Bermuda Government press release
Successful start for Team Bermuda as the inaugural Pickleball Caribbean Championships get underway
2 gold and 2 silver for Team Bermuda on day one of the inaugural Pickleball Caribbean Championships in the Cayman Islands. In juniors action Jaden Jones took gold in the under 18 singles while Owen Stewart claimed silver in the under 14 singles. Later Bermuda’s top 2 teams faced off in the finals of the mixed doubles with Team Captain Gavin Manders and Sasha Fisher edging out teammates Benjamin Jones and Imani Phillips in the 3rd set decider to take gold.
Opposition tears into governing party
The Opposition released the following statement:
For the third consecutive election, the PLP has chosen to release its platform late in the evening—an apparent attempt to avoid scrutiny and limit public discussion before media deadlines.
“We know the PLP playbook,” said OBA candidate Robert King for constituency 10, Smith’s North. “But after seven years of failed leadership and broken promises, the real question is simple: Why should Bermudians believe anything in this latest platform?”
Over the last two elections, the PLP has pledged fish processing plants, vertical farms, casinos, balanced budgets, education reform, a dispute resolution centre, crypto jobs, universal healthcare, and action on gangs and violence—none of which have materialized.
“Tonight’s platform launch was nothing more than another list of empty promises,” said King. “They’ve had seven years to solve Bermuda’s problems, yet many have only worsened. Every voter should ask themselves: Am I better off now than I was seven years ago? If the answer is no, David Burt has got to go.”
OBA Deputy Leader Ben Smith reinforced the party’s stance, stating, “David Burt has a history of making promises he never intends to keep, just to win votes. As a result, nearly three-quarters of Bermudians are considering leaving for better opportunities elsewhere. It’s time for real change.”
After four years of rebuilding, the OBA has the leadership, the team, and the platform to turn Bermuda around.
“Today marks a turning point in this campaign,” said OBA leader Jarion Richardson. “We’re not going to dwell on the government’s failures or another list of promises that they intend to break—Bermudians already know how bad things have gotten. Instead, we are focused on a positive vision for the future. We have the people, the plan, and the commitment to make Bermuda the best place in the world to live, work, learn, play, and raise a family. And if given the opportunity, we will wake up every day with that mission in mind.”
Commitments include pausing new marine protected areas, decriminalising abortion, expanding affordable housing, and introducing absentee voting
All eyes were on Alaska Hall this evening as the Progressive Labour Party unveiled its 2025 Election Platform.
Premier and leader of the PLP David Burt and senior members of the party were in attendance tonight. And one of the pledges to be made by the PLP was of particular interest to fishermen.
If re-elected on February 18th, the PLP will pause the implementation of new marine protected areas.
They will hold off on what proved to be one of the most controversial aspects of the BOPP initiative – until an agreement is reached with local fishermen on better enforcement and fairer data collection rules, to support any new marine protected areas.
They will also aim to redirect funds collected from the sugar tax towards the agricultural and fishing sectors.
Just yesterday, Bermuda Broadcasting interviewed representatives from the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda about who will earn their vote in the upcoming election.
Feeling their voices have been ignored by officials, they called for a “government that listens” and includes them in ground-level decision-making on the future use of Bermuda’s waters.
These are some of the ranges of pledges announced in a 30-plus page document presented to the public and directed at all aspects of government policy, from domestic violence protections, legal reform, legislative changes for BELCO, affordable housing schemes, further duty relief on the import of essential items and electoral reform.
Premier Burt said: “The PLP is committed to introducing absentee voting for eligible overseas students registered in their course of study, ensuring their voices are heard in Bermuda’s democratic process.”
A number of pledges were made affecting social reforms for women and early stages of child development.
The PLP said it was committed to “removing pregnancy termination from the criminal code and the requirement for Committee approval” .. effectively, decriminalising abortions taking place in Bermuda.
Regarding immigration reform, the PLP said it would continue with their plan to implement and education authority to change how education is funded, governed and led whilst also transitioning away from the use of overseas consultants and focus on utilising local talent.
Education reform will continue as planned, by phasing out middle schools – returning the island’s public school system to a 2-tier framework.
To help educators involved in the five-year transitional period, the PLP pledges to “provide additional resources to support professionals in education as they navigate education reform, including enhanced support for professional development.”
The PLP platform also contained several economic measures meant to offer relief to the “sandwich generation” – those of working age, raising children while also tasked with financially supporting elderly members of their families.
Echoing Premier Burt’s announcement made last week, they said they are committed to the construction of “at least one new” senior daycare facility to reduce the financial burden on families during the work week.
An increase to the minimum wage and the development of a living wage was also mentioned in the party’s election platform – building on the implementation of the island’s first minimum wage introduced last June.
In addition to expanding the availability of more affordable housing on island, the PLP has made a pledge to introduce a rent-to-own scheme and a housing lottery for residents to take advantage of the Bermudiana Beach Resort making units open for locals.
Immigration reform pointed to a change to laws that would guarantee British Overseas Territory Citizen’s who were naturalised would not automatically be granted unlimited access to purchase land in Bermuda.
Looking at crime prevention, the PLP said it was committed to introducing speed cameras through the established island-wide CCTV system to improve road safety.
In the transport sector, the PLP government – if elected, would introduce a “scheme to increase the legal vehicle tint threshold through an annual fee at TCD” that “promotes safety…and generates additional government revenue.”
Opposition says the late PLP platform release limits public discussion before media deadlines
OBA Leader Jarion Richardson, Deputy Leader Ben Smith, and Smith’s North candidate Robert King
OBA Press Statement below:
“For the third consecutive election, the PLP has chosen to release its platform late in the evening—an apparent attempt to avoid scrutiny and limit public discussion before media deadlines.
“We know the PLP playbook,” said OBA candidate Robert King for constituency 10, Smith’s North. “But after seven years of failed leadership and broken promises, the real question is simple: Why should Bermudians believe anything in this latest platform?”
Over the last two elections, the PLP has pledged fish processing plants, vertical farms, casinos, balanced budgets, education reform, a dispute resolution centre, crypto jobs, universal healthcare, and action on gangs and violence—none of which have materialized.
“Tonight’s platform launch was nothing more than another list of empty promises,” said King. “They’ve had seven years to solve Bermuda’s problems, yet many have only worsened. Every voter should ask themselves: Am I better off now than I was seven years ago? If the answer is no, David Burt has got to go.”
OBA Deputy Leader Ben Smith reinforced the party’s stance, stating, “David Burt has a history of making promises he never intends to keep, just to win votes. As a result, nearly three-quarters of Bermudians are considering leaving for better opportunities elsewhere. It’s time for real change.”
After four years of rebuilding, the OBA has the leadership, the team, and the platform to turn Bermuda around.
“Today marks a turning point in this campaign,” said OBA leader Jarion Richardson. “We’re not going to dwell on the government’s failures or another list of promises that they intend to break—Bermudians already know how bad things have gotten. Instead, we are focused on a positive vision for the future. We have the people, the plan, and the commitment to make Bermuda the best place in the world to live, work, learn, play, and raise a family. And if given the opportunity, we will wake up every day with that mission in mind.””
Kameron Fox has officially withdrawn his nomination for Constituency 3
Kameron Fox has officially withdrawn his nomination for Constituency 3, St David’s.
This means the seat will now be contested between the incumbent – PLP’s Lovitta Foggo, the OBA’s Maurice Foley, and the FDM’s Shakera Richardson.
That brings the overall election candidates down to 109, with 26 independents.
The Bermuda National Gallery hosting photographs by Seth De Roulet
From the grasslands of Tanzania to some of the biggest waves in the world, photographer Seth De Roulet has captured some of Mother Earth’s most stunning scenes—and his work is currently making an appearance in Bermuda.
I sat down with Bermuda National Gallery Executive Director Jennifer Phillips to find out about their new exhibit, ‘Bending Light – Photographs by Seth De Roulet’.
She says that the Bermuda-resident incorporated the island into his work.
“Seth is an American, but he grew up spending summers in Bermuda. His ties to the island go back many, many years. During the pandemic, he and his wife moved to Bermuda.”
Seth was initially a big-wave photographer, shooting for major surfing and sports magazines.
It was during this time that he got involved with black and white, 35mm photography.
“When he was doing his work, he would take his camera along with him and eventually develop this portfolio.”
You can catch Bending Light at the Bermuda National Gallery from tomorrow, the 7th of February, 2025.
The exhibit is open from Tuesday to Friday 10am-4pm, and Saturdays from 10am-2pm.
Admission to the Gallery is free, courtesy of a generous donation from The Christian Humann Foundation.
You can find more information on ‘Bending Light’, here.
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