Long before the term became popular on social media and travel websites, outdoor gatherings in Bermuda often included carefully planned setups, good food, lighting, music and the comforts of home brought outdoors.

Today, businesses like Glamping By The Sea are building on that familiar concept by turning it into a curated offering for both residents and visitors.

Glamping By The Sea told us that glamping in Bermuda is less about camping in the traditional sense and more about creating outdoor settings where people can disconnect from routine and enjoy the island in a different way.

As the weather becomes warmer, glamping also offers another option for date nights, gatherings with friends, and weekend escapes.

“Everything is already prepared, so guests can simply arrive and enjoy the atmosphere,” a spokeswoman said.

The term “glamping” became popular in the UK about 20 years ago, as increasing numbers of holidaymakers wanted to add some glamour to their camping trips, sparking demand for photogenic and natural – yet comfortable – experiences.

Glamping By The Sea goes a step further by offering overnight accommodations, weekend packages, tours, excursions and island adventures for groups of up to 15 people.

Setups are arranged in coastal locations and private garden spaces, creating environments that feel peaceful, private, and personalised.

Guests are not expected to bring or assemble their own equipment. Weatherproof tents, decorative bedding, lighting, bonfire rentals, lawn games, and customised décor all contribute to an upscale outdoor setting designed around ease and atmosphere.

Many packages are all-inclusive and may include transportation, welcome drinks, and guided activities around the island. According to Glamping By The Sea, glamping appeals to people seeking alternatives to a standard hotel stay or a staycation.

“The modern visitor is looking for eco-friendly accommodations that are an escape away from the norm,” the spokeswoman said.

Environmental sustainability also plays a role in the business. Sustainable materials are used where possible, and care is taken to minimise disruption to Bermuda’s coastal and garden spaces during setups and excursions.

Beyond the accommodations themselves, glamping often introduces guests to another side of Bermuda, from hidden coastal areas to seasonal fruits such as loquats, bay grapes and Surinam cherries.

As interest in experience-based tourism continues to grow, glamping is becoming another way for people to enjoy Bermuda while still maintaining the social atmosphere many Bermudians naturally gravitate toward.

In many ways, the island’s version of glamping feels less like a new trend and more like a modern name for something Bermuda has quietly been doing for years.

For those interested in finding out more, visit:
https://www.rentbyowner.com/property/glamping-by-the-sea-sacred-waters-retreat-bermuda/BC-6734214

The post Enjoying Bermuda’s natural beauty… appeared first on RG Magazines.

You just need to know where to go…

Family fun

Sunday brunch

Wear your fancy outfit, but nothing that fits too tightly around the waist. Sunday brunch is a treat: a rare chance to indulge in some of the finest foods Bermuda has to offer, and a time to shine for our super-talented chefs.

Unlimited trips to the buffet table mean you don’t have to choose between salad, soup, sushi, roasted meats, pasta, or good old Bermudian classics. You can have it all … and then go back for dessert.

Where to find it: Pick your favourite hotel or restaurant, or one you’ve never tried before.

RG top tip: Don’t make plans for Sunday dinner – you won’t need to eat again until Monday evening.

Kicking back with friends

Beach day

If it’s good enough for the thousands of visitors that flock to Bermuda every summer, it’s good enough for us, right?

Appreciate the beauty on your doorstep by making Saturday beach day with your amigos. No matter what kind of beach you’re looking for, you can find the perfect one for everyone.

Where to find it: Horseshoe Bay for crowds and camaraderie; Astwood Park for tranquil scenery; Tobacco Bay for water activities; Hog Bay Beach for waves; John Smith’s Bay for BBQ; Snorkel Park Beach Club for parties; Glass Beach for something you won’t find anywhere else.

RG top tip: Nominate the most reliable member of the group to bring the cooler and ice – the staple of your afternoon. Flakier folks can contribute chips and drinks.

Hot dates

Glass-bottom boat trip

We’re rightly proud of our many delicious dining spots and their sumptuous settings – but for a truly spectacular romantic experience, get out on our wondrous waters.

A glass-bottom boat trip gives you and your partner a front-row seat to beauty that people travel thousands of miles to witness, from our coral reefs and turtles to the shipwrecks and their mesmerising tales.

Where to find it: Hamilton options include Bermuda Reef Explorer; Dockyard’s offerings include the Glass Bottom Boat Cruise.

RG top tip: Stories from your ship’s captain will give you something to chat about as you look back on your adventure while sipping cocktails at a waterfront bar.

Mingle when you’re single

Explore something new

There are so many stories to hear about our amazing island – and so many new friends to make while you do it.

Walking tours, cycling tours and adventure trips on the water or land add up to a great day out, whether you’re part of a group or on your own. And they’re a great way to find like-minded people who share your inquisitive nature.

Where to find it: Long Story Short in St George’s; Bermuda Watersports in Sandys; Crystal Caves; take your pick from the reams of activities on offer at Island Tour Centre in Dockyard.

RG top tip: Don’t be that person who hides at the back of the group. Make the most of your tour guide: ask questions to find out what makes this place so special.

2026 Weekend Events

July 30 to August 2: Cup Match weekend

August 30: Sandcastle Competition at Horseshoe Bay

October 8-11: Taste of Bermuda food festival, Hamilton

October 11: Round the Sound charity swim, Harrington Sound

November 15: Cambridge Beaches Triathlon

December 4: Bermuda National Trust Christmas Walkabout, St George’s

December 12: Christmas Boat Parade, Hamilton Harbour

• Dates correct at time of going to press. Check The Royal Gazette for updates and new events.

The post Weekends in Bermuda appeared first on RG Magazines.

Few people understand that energy better than local DJ and entertainer Rusty G, who is thrilled by the prospects of this year’s line-up of events.

“This summer honestly feels like one of the biggest in recent memory,” he said. “There are tons of amazing events going on and I’m particularly excited about the concerts happening around Cup Match.”

Among the headline events are performances by dancehall artist Mavado and Trinidadian soca favourites Kes the Band, both set to perform during the lead-up to and around our favourite national holiday.

“Mavado on July 25 and Kes on July 29, plus Cup Match staples like Wete Fete and Bacchanal Run, means the week is going to be action packed,” Rusty G said.

Kes the Band are no strangers to Bermuda audiences, having previously performed on the island during the 2017 America’s Cup celebrations. At the time, lead singer Kees Dieffenthaller described Bermuda as a “beautiful place” and praised the island’s crowd energy.

For Rusty G, local audiences bring a unique atmosphere that performers genuinely look forward to experiencing.

“Bermuda really comes alive in the summer,” he said. “There’s a different energy in the people that I can’t really explain.”

That atmosphere becomes especially noticeable around Cup Match, when the island’s social scene shifts into high gear. From large concerts to beach events and late-night parties, live entertainment becomes a major part of the holiday experience.

For entertainers, reading that energy and responding to it is part of the job. Rusty G believes strong performances and consistency are what help artists and DJs stand out in Bermuda’s competitive entertainment scene.

“There’s a lot of ways that entertainers build their brands,” he said in a previous interview with The Royal Gazette. “I always just try to make sure that I give really strong, energetic stage performances.”

Preparation, he added, is equally important — especially when performing for crowds with high expectations.

“You’ve got to do your homework before you go,” he said. “Ask other DJs and artists and the promoters what kind of vibes are people expecting. And then do your homework and just pay attention and make sure that you’re on point when you get there.”

Social media has also played a growing role in helping local entertainers expand beyond Bermuda. According to Rusty G, it has helped introduce his work to international audiences and led to opportunities overseas.

“Clips of my performances in Bermuda ended up growing my social media and people in other places saw them and decided to book me. So, it’s all that put together, and just being consistent I guess.”

Still, Bermuda remains one of his favourite places to perform, particularly during the summer season when music and celebration become part of everyday island life.

With thousands expected to attend concerts and events over the Cup Match period, Rusty G believes this summer could be one to remember.

Mavado will perform in Bermuda on Saturday, July 25. For tickets, visit gpass.bm. Cup Match Ignite featuring Kes the Band takes place on Wednesday, July 29, the day before Cup Match. Tickets are available at Ptix.bm. Both concerts will take place at the National Stadium.

The post Summer sounds appeared first on RG Magazines.

More than just a cricket game, it is a celebration of heritage, resilience and community – a time when families come together to honour the past while creating new memories.

For Kenten Trott and his family, Cup Match is not simply an event on the calendar: it is a deeply rooted tradition that blends history, family bonding and the rhythms of island life.

Mr Trott, a police inspector and longtime Cup Match participant behind the scenes, describes his connection to the holiday with both pride and reflection.

He grew up in St David’s, and acknowledges the unique, sibling-rivalry-style phenomenon that compels many St David’s Islanders to support – and even play for – Somerset during Cup Match.

But he supports St George’s.

Having a similar story myself, I endorse his choice.

For Mr Trott’s family, however, the real heart of Cup Match lies beyond the cricket field. Their tradition centres around camping at Turtle Bay, a ritual they have built and refined over the years. Preparations begin long before the holiday, with permits secured early to ensure their place. Then, at precisely midnight on the Wednesday before Cup Match, the family arrives – flashlights in hand – to set up camp.

“It’s pitch black, but we’re out there setting up tents, getting everything ready,” Mr Trott said. “That’s part of the excitement.”

The campsite becomes a temporary village. Multiple tents house immediate and extended family members while cooking areas, tables and coolers transform the beach into a home away from home. Though some modern conveniences have crept in – thanks to a cousin’s generator – Mr Trott prefers to keep things simple, embracing a more traditional, unplugged experience.

“I’m old school,” he asserted. “I don’t need all the extras. It’s about being out there, enjoying nature.”

From Wednesday through Sunday, the family lives by the rhythm of the holiday. Days are spent swimming, relaxing and listening to the cricket on the radio. Meals are shared, stories are told, and children roam freely between the tents and the shoreline.

Even unpredictable weather can’t dampen their spirits. Mr Trott remembers one year when heavy rain lashed the island, yet the family stayed put, covering their tents with tarpaulin and riding out the storm together.

“It’s all part of it,” he declared. “You just make it work!”

Balancing his professional responsibilities with family traditions adds another layer to Mr Trott’s Cup Match experience. As part of the policing team responsible for the event in St George’s, he often works shifts during the holiday. Even so, he finds a way to return to the campsite, ensuring he remains connected to both his duty and his family.

At its core, Mr Trott believes Cup Match is about far more than sport. It is a living reminder of Bermuda’s history – particularly the legacy of emancipation and the resilience of those who came before.

“People don’t always realise the significance,” he explained. “Our forefathers took a stand; took time off work and created something meaningful. That says a lot about who we are.”

The quiet moments at the campsite, away from all the distractions and pressures of modern life, offer Mr Trott time to reflect on that history, and to pass its meaning on to his children. Though they are drawn to technology more than any generation before, the experience of camping helps ground them in tradition.

“It’s family bonding,” he said with a warm grin. “It’s teaching them what Cup Match really means.”

In that space between AI encroachment and historical heartbeats, Cup Match continues to thrive – carried forward by families like the Trotts, who ensure its spirit lives on year after year.

The post Freedom and adventure in paradise appeared first on RG Magazines.

In a rare personal interview, with RG, Mr Burt shared his heartfelt thoughts about his loved ones, childhood, pressure, public service and the private self behind the office.

There are moments in an interview when the mask falls away. For David Burt, it came when he was asked about his family.

The Premier paused, wiped away a tear and, for a few seconds, the familiar public figure receded.

Not the man at the press conference. Not the politician accustomed to scrutiny, criticism and command. Just a husband to Kristin and father to Nia and Edward, speaking about the people who have carried the cost of public life alongside him.

“They did not cope well,” he said of the demands placed on his family. “They still don’t cope well.”

That is why Mr Burt has no regrets that he will step back from the Premiership, the front bench.

“I want to be there for them,” he said.

He remembered his very young son watching the official car pull away. “GP1 would drive and he would stand in the window and cry,” the Premier said.

It is a small domestic image, but it says more than any grand statement about sacrifice. The machinery of government moving forward. A child at the window wanting his father to stay.

For almost a decade as Premier, Mr Burt has been probably the most visible person in Bermuda.

At the age of 38, he became the island’s youngest Premier, led through the Covid-19 pandemic and lived with the scrutiny, anger, personal criticism and relentless intimacy of politics on a small island.

Mr Burt, now 47, who also took on the crucial role as the Minister of Finance for most of his Premiership, is careful to make one thing clear: he does not see himself as leaving politics.

He intends to continue as a Member of Parliament and says constituency work is something he has missed. What he is leaving is the front bench, the daily demand of executive office, and the constant pull away from home.

“I just want to make sure I have time to enjoy my family,” he said, “and especially to enjoy my children before they turn into full-fledged teenagers that don’t want to be seen with their parents anymore.”

He smiled at that. He is already, he admitted, beginning to get “a little taste” of it.

The anti-sport youngster

As a child, long before the title and the decisions, David Burt describes himself as “an unabashed nerd”.

He says it without embarrassment. In fact, it may be one of the things he is most relaxed about.

“I grew up as an unabashed nerd because I have no physical attributes,” he joked. It is still funny to him, he said, to see his daughter running and setting long jump records for her age, and his son winning football tournaments.

He said he had loved computers since getting his first one. “I was about as anti-sport as you could get because I’ve always been in love with computers, and that was always my thing.”

His upbringing was ordinary in one sense, but formative in another. He was the first in his family to go to college. His mother was a beautician, his father was a mason, but both were entrepreneurs.

“I never saw my parents work for anyone else,” he said. From them, he learnt hard work and independence. He saw them struggle, persevere and push to give him better opportunities.

That shaped his own view of work. It also shaped his appetite for enterprise.

He spoke about early business ideas, later starting his IT company, and launching Hitch. Technology was not a slogan for him. It was where he felt most himself.

“I’m not a nature person. I’m not really an animal person. I’m more of a tech person, a computer person,” he said. “I fell in love with computers at a very young age.”

Climbing to the top

At Florida Air Academy, where he went to military boarding school, he earned his pilot’s licence a week after his 17th birthday, meaning he could fly a plane before he could drive a car.

While other students were playing sport or going to the mall, he was on the school’s computer programming team, going to competitions at a local community college.

He also attended George Washington University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and information and a Master of Science in information systems technology.

No one in his family had been in politics before. After coming back to Bermuda in 2003, he became involved with the Progressive Labour Party, later becoming its chair.

In 2009 he stepped away, wanting to do other things, and when former PLP Premier Paula Cox asked him to return, it took time to say yes, he said.

Then in 2010 onwards, he was back on the front line. Senator, MP, shadow minister, Opposition leader, Premier. By his own calculation, most of his adult life has been committed to service.

“I love my job,” he said. “I love the challenge of my job. I love going to work.”

That is why he will miss the work: setting public policy, debating it, thinking about the future, trying to move an agenda through the limits of government.

He has also missed having more contact with his constituents — what he will not miss is the loss of ordinary space. Public life, he said, has made him more reserved.

Personal impact

He finds himself not fully being himself in public. Sometimes he wants to enjoy time with friends without someone trying to discuss politics. Sometimes he is out with his children and needs to ask people to let him simply be with them.

“It’s not just the scrutiny of the role. It’s that sometimes you just want to enjoy yourself with your friends and not have to worry about a person at the bar who wants to cause a scene or wants to discuss politics when you’re just trying to relax and enjoy your evening.”

Asked about regrets, he pointed to the quarantine hotel policy during the pandemic.

It was done, he said, for the right reasons, but the Government later reversed the policy. The division it caused became deeply personal.

He also remembers the sound of ambulances from the Premier’s official residence during Covid.

At night, he said, he could hear them going to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Sometimes, worried by the frequency, he would call the hospital to ask whether everything was all right.

“It was very difficult,” he said. “It was very stressful.”

As Covid closed the island, there were 20-hour days, press conferences, e-mails, documents, decisions, and then the attempt to still be “a husband and a father and a son”.

The job aged him, he said. He can almost date photographs by the beard: before the pandemic, no beard; after the pandemic, beard. He joked about the grey, the hairline and the visible signs of office.

As well as being Premier, he is the leader of the Progressive Labour Party which comes with its own set of meetings: central committee meeting, party executive meeting on top of Cabinet and caucus meetings, Parliament and constituency clinics: all in a week.

But he is not leaving with bitterness. Nor is he trying to pretend the work did not matter.

Putting family first

If he could speak to the David Burt who became Premier in 2017, his advice would be simple. “Push harder on your agenda.”

He added: “I don’t think there’ll be anyone who says that I haven’t pushed hard, but you can always push harder.”

It’s not because he regrets everything, but because politics gives leaders narrow windows to act.

When he speaks about what comes next, the emphasis changes.

Kristin, he said, has had to carry the burden of his career. He wants to support hers.

His parents are getting older. His children are growing up. He wants to be present before the window closes.

Perhaps that is the real story of this transition. Not a man disappearing from public life, but one trying to recover more of his private life before it passes him by.

Asked about the “Premiership mask”, Mr Burt did not offer an easy theatrical answer.

The role does not come off neatly at the door. There are always messages, calls, briefings, decisions, pressures.

“I struggle to stop being Premier when I’m at home,” he said.

But when the public mask slipped, the person underneath was not hard to see.

He was the computer-loving boy who became a pilot before he could drive. The son of two entrepreneurs. The “unabashed nerd” who found his way into public service.

The husband who knows what his wife carried. The father who still remembers his child crying at the window.

And now, after years of being available to almost everyone, he is ready to be more available to the people who know him best.

On transitioning from public life, he said: “I would say that it is going to be a huge adaptation, but I would say that people underestimate my ability to do nothing well. Trust me. I will look forward, hopefully, to that point in time.”

David Burt off duty

A lighter look at the Premier’s favourite places, rituals and cultural touchstones.

Favourite ordinary Bermudian ritual

Swizzle. Mr Burt joked that “everyone knows the answer”. His own swizzle story began at a Department of Immigration end-of-year gathering, when he tasted his father’s version and decided he could improve it.

Favourite Bermudian traditions

Public holidays, especially May 24 and Cup Match. He enjoys being around people, saying hello, catching up and moving between camps.

Somerset or St George’s?

Do you really have to ask? Somerset. People assume he is from Somerset, but the reason is simple: both his parents were St George’s supporters.

Favourite place in Bermuda

His first answer was his bed, because he does not get enough of it. More seriously, he named Paradise Lakes and Turtle Bay. He loves the calm of Turtle Bay, although he’s not a big beach person because he hates sand.

Music

An “unabashed soca fan”, but he only got the bug after moving back to Bermuda.

Books

Mostly audiobooks now, especially on technology and artificial intelligence. He does not have much time for fiction.

Favourite film

True Lies. This answer has not changed in years because he does not watch many films.

Television

Star Trek: The Next Generation. A huge Star Trek fan, in keeping with what he describes as his “nerd thing”.

English football team

West Ham United. The first song sung to both his children was I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles, and both wore West Ham kits in hospital after they were born.

Bermuda football team

Devonshire Recreation Club. He was involved before having children and would like to give back to football administration in future.

The post The Premier, the father … and the time he wants back appeared first on RG Magazines.

As dancers moved across the field carrying flags from across the Americas, the sight of Bermuda’s flag woven into the choreography sparked an immediate reaction across the island. Phones lit up. Families shouted from living rooms. Group chats exploded. Social media quickly filled with videos, screenshots, and emotional reactions from Bermudians who could hardly believe they were seeing their country represented on one of the world’s largest entertainment stages.

But behind that moment was a far more personal story.

Few people realised that the dancer carrying the Bermuda flag, Julianna Holland, had chosen it because of a Bermudian friend she met while studying dance in Los Angeles.

That friend was Naysaa Tucker (pronounced Na-Say-Ah).

For Naysaa, dance started long before Los Angeles studios and choreography sessions. Her journey began with what she laughingly describes as “incorrect ballet attire” and an unexpected trip to town orchestrated by her mother. Her sister, Tine Tucker, said Naysaa was originally placed in dance to help her “become less shy” and to encourage her to express herself more freely.

“My introduction to dance was through incorrect ballet attire and a random drive to town,” Naysaa recalled.

“My mom was definitely the instigator in dropping me off at the studio, no words necessary.”

Family support quietly shaped what came next. Eventually, that support carried her from Bermuda to Los Angeles, where she now dances and choreographs under instructors immersed in the professional dance industry.

Naysaa, 21, met Julianna in October 2024 after Julianna transferred from another Los Angeles campus. Their friendship grew through rehearsals, long studio days, and weekly evening classes, where students often struggled to find energy after exhausting days.

Over time, Bermuda became a regular part of their conversations. Naysaa spoke openly about the island, its culture, its people, and everyday life back home. Julianna was consistently curious, not in the distant way outsiders can sometimes approach Bermuda, but with the genuine interest of someone wanting to understand a friend more deeply.

“In a way, I figured I intrigued her with information on the lively island that she didn’t know existed in the Atlantic,” Naysaa said.

What she never imagined was that those conversations would eventually lead Julianna to select the Bermuda flag for one of the most watched performances in the world.

When the Super Bowl aired months later, Naysaa learned that Julianna had intentionally chosen to carry the Bermuda flag during the choreography.

“The extent to which led to her choice of flag was a sincere surprise,” she said.

For many Bermudians, the halftime show carried meaning beyond entertainment. Through music, choreography, and the visual representation of flags from across Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond, the performance communicated cultural pride, unity and belonging. At a time when international headlines and political discourse often feel dominated by division and hostility, the performance presented something different. It celebrated connection across borders, languages, and identities.

“I believe the wider message of this experience is just overall cultural pride and a manifesto of unity,” Naysaa reflected.

As Bermudians, we often pride ourselves on being friendly and acting as natural ambassadors for our country when we travel or live overseas for work or school.

Naysaa’s experience is a reminder that sharing stories about Bermuda, our culture and the lives we live here can leave a lasting impression in ways we may never fully realise. And sometimes those small, genuine connections can carry a piece of Bermuda further than we ever imagined.

The post From Bermuda to the Super Bowl appeared first on RG Magazines.

From a distance, many of the island’s beaches appear closer to white. The pink becomes more noticeable under certain conditions, particularly where the sand is damp or the light is softer. Even then, it is not uniform across the beach.

For visitors, it is often something that needs to be pointed out; for residents, it is easy to overlook.

Still, the colour is something we brag about. Many of us do it without knowing how it came to be.

The pink is the result of the breakdown of foraminifera, microscopic forms of marine life with red or pink shells that live on the underside of coral reefs. When they die, the shells are broken down by wave action and carried ashore, where they mix with Bermuda’s naturally white sand, which is formed largely from crushed coral and calcium carbonate.

Over time, that material accumulates. The result is not a solid colour, but a variation in tone. Some areas appear pinker than others, depending on how much of the red shell material is present and how it has been distributed along the shoreline.

The effect can change from day to day. Stronger surf can bring more of the pink fragments to the surface, making the colour easier to see, while calmer conditions may leave the sand looking lighter. Heavy wave action and foot traffic can also make the colour less noticeable.

The pinkest sand is generally found along Bermuda’s south shore, where offshore reefs supply the material that forms the beaches. Horseshoe Bay is the most widely recognised example, but the same effect can be seen at Warwick Long Bay, Jobson’s Cove and Elbow Beach, all of which face the open ocean, allowing a steady movement of sand and shell material.

Even within those areas, the colour is not consistent. Some stretches show more of a pink tint than others, and the difference is often more noticeable closer to the water’s edge, where the sand is wet and more compact.

Perspective also plays a role. The colour tends to appear more clearly when viewed up close, particularly in the grains themselves rather than across a wide expanse of sand. Looking at the sand in your hand often reveals the contrast more clearly than looking across the beach.

In many cases, the pink appears as a faint tint rather than a strong colour. Photographs often suggest a brighter shade than what is seen in person. Lighting, editing and the angle of the image can all exaggerate the effect, creating an impression that does not always match what is found on the ground.

The colour that is there is the result of natural processes, shaped over time by the interaction between marine life, coral reefs and the movement of the ocean.

The post Why Bermuda’s sand looks pink appeared first on RG Magazines.

International Business is often described as the bedrock upon which Bermuda’s economy is built. The Association of Bermuda International Companies also believes IB impacts the community in other important ways.

Wayne Smith, executive director of Abic, said: “The multiplier effect says it all. Each new job creates 1.33 additional new jobs in Bermuda. We work to make Bermuda a domicile where international companies come and choose to stay, because they will have qualified talent, a community that welcomes their presence here, a business environment that is internationally competitive and evolves with changing times.”

But why would an expatriate worker want to live, work and play in Bermuda?

“It’s a great opportunity to work in a thriving business environment,” Mr Smith said.

“We are in international business, but we are really in the lifestyle business. Bermuda provides an excellent quality of life.”

From corporate sponsorship of important community events, to volunteering for local charities, IB helps the community in a myriad of ways.

“There are lots of community initiatives in which international companies and their staff participate,” Mr Smith said.

“Some employees volunteer for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. They also provide mentorship for scholarship awardees in the Abic education awards initiative. Last year, Abic gave out $800,000 in scholarships to almost 30 students so they can get into university. We do it every year and

over the last nearly 50 years we have given out about $20 million in scholarships to 830 people. You cannot overstate the value of that.”

Environmental stewardship is another important way that IB impacts the local community.

“We have an initiative with Keep Bermuda Beautiful where Abic member companies and their employees clean up sections of the Railway Trail,” Mr Smith said.

“In addition to KBB, other local sustainability projects in which IB is greatly involved includes the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Project.

“The Bermuda Government is working with the private sector and the Waitt Institute, and of course, the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. They, in conjunction with BOPP, are working earnestly to preserve our magnificent oceans. International companies also invest heavily in the Bermuda Zoological Society Aquarium Museum and Zoo.”

Some 70 per cent of the Zoological Society’s annual support comes from international companies

and their staff.

If you’re a guest worker about to experience Bermuda Day for the first time, top tips include having a good night’s sleep and a full breakfast.

“The first thing a guest worker should do when they come to work in Bermuda is to learn about Bermuda’s history and why it is the way it is,” Mr Smith said.

“Once a person understands Bermuda’s cultural heritage, I would encourage them to get a good night’s rest, get up early and take in the Bermuda Day Half Marathon.”

Many countries have sporting events where people line up on the side of the road to cheer on the competitors.

But Mr Smith noted the Bermudian iteration of this is unique.

“It is special because you have food stations and families camped out along the race and parade routes, cheering for runners, cyclists and parade participants,” he said.

“It’s a unique experience unlike anything you would find anywhere else in the world.”

He added: “Also, have a good breakfast because Bermudians love to entertain and the local cocktails are abundant. I encourage all visitors and guest workers to take it all in, all of it.

“Take in the parade, the floats, the music and the food, and have yourself an amazing Bermuda day.

“Bermudians really are some of the most friendly, hospitable people in the world.”

The post Giving Back appeared first on RG Magazines.

PHC Majorettes and Drum Corps was founded in 2002 by director Tawana Lee and her mother, Bettyann Nolan, after the closure of Warwick United Majorettes, who had been in existence since 1970.

Their aim was precise. Keep the majorette and drum corps tradition active, and build a programme rooted in community, connected to Pembroke Hamilton Club, and shaped by family leadership and hard work.

The organisation took shape during a period when many Bermudian families were looking for stability and positive options for youth. There were broader social concerns, including anxiety about crime, limited policing resources, and uncertainty in the education system. PHCMDC was built as more than a parade group. Fundraising was part of the foundation, so cost would not be the reason a young person sat out. Priorities were access, discipline and a place to develop talent outside the usual pathways.

The early years were organised and demanding. Tawana and her mother set the structure and built a well-supported leadership model. Rehearsals became the weekly anchor, with additional practices on Saturdays as major events approached.

Growth and success

PHCMDC’s first Bermuda Day Parade in May 2003 brought an unexpected surge. Membership grew to about 180 in the first year, and sections were set up to support different ages and skill levels, including Precious Pom Poms, Junior Cutie Majorettes, Senior Diva Majorettes, Fabulous Flags, and the Dynamic Drum Corps.

Like many Black community organisations building programmes with limited resources, PHCMDC had to solve practical problems as it grew. The demolition of the club hall and bar made it harder to coordinate rehearsals. Temporary spaces were utilised, including Spice Valley Middle School and the Bermuda Industrial Union Hall. The Drum Corps faced limitations due to noise and storage needs, which led to creative arrangements at Tawana’s home and full-group outdoor practices.

By 2005, the group’s standards were being recognised. PHCMDC won Best Uniform in the Dance Groups category at the Bermuda Day Parade, remembered for its pink and lime green costumes. PHCMDC also became the first Bermudian majorette and drum corps to perform aboard the Carnival Cruise Line Fascination. The group travelled to Orlando for Disney World’s musical parade and workshops and performed at venues including Wet ‘n Wild and Universal Studios.

Travel was never just a trip. It became part of the training. PHCMDC marched in the Washington, DC Independence Day Parade, completing the route in intense heat without breaks, an experience leaders continue to reference when teaching endurance, focus and commitment.

At home, PHCMDC has remained a steady presence in Bermudian cultural life. The group has performed at the Annual Gombey Festival, the Bermuda Agriculture Exhibition and the Bermuda Day, Labour Day and Christmas parades. They have brought performances to senior residences, churches, school fairs, sports events and community celebrations.

Each term, preparation becomes visible in the Cedar Hill neighbourhood through practice marches, which effectively provides a mini parade for elders and residents who may not be able to attend the real thing. The relationship with the community stays grounded in real contact.

Over time, PHCMDC has adjusted to changes in what draws young people, without abandoning its core identity. Traditional majorettes and the drum corps remain central, while additional sections have created more entry points, including Ribbon Dancers, Hoop Twirlers, flag dancers and pom pom groups. The approach is practical. Build confidence, develop performance habits and allow members to find where they fit while staying connected to the broader team.

Sustaining the programme has also depended on relationships and community support. PHCMDC has maintained a relationship with Enstar Bermuda, with support tied to equipment needs and leadership development, and has worked with drum teacher Nick Wadson, offering music theory and practical drum lessons.

Tawana Lee’s leadership is central to the culture. She describes her role as wider than directing routines. It includes mentoring, solving problems, building confidence and setting expectations that young people can carry beyond performance.

That impact shows up in the stories of members who have moved into wider opportunities. Divine Turner began as a Precious Pom Pom girl, carried that foundation into cheerleading and performance in the United States, and is now a professional dancer for the Atlanta Hawks. Aden Peets joined the Drum Corps young, earned the PHC Scholarship, pursued music production, and now teaches music in Bermuda while working with the Department of Culture.

PHCMDC has also invested in continuity through its Future Leaders Programme, where mentees spend a year learning under an established leader.

Familiar challenges

Funding has not been consistent, visibility has often been tied too narrowly to Bermuda Day, and membership declined as dance groups expanded and traditional majorette culture became less common. PHCMDC responded with outreach and education, including school presentations and Heritage Month engagements, introducing young people to a tradition many had never seen up close. A 2022 collaboration and fundraising campaign with Cassine provided timely support and helped strengthen the organisation’s ability to keep operating.

Some moments capture what PHCMDC represents. Tawana highlights performances at White Hill Field before the club’s demolition and at the Shelly Bay Extravaganza in 2010, when the group surprised audiences by having majorettes transition into drummers and present an original drum composition. In June 2025, she returned to Shelly Bay Field and performed on drums alongside her three sons. For many in the crowd, it was more than a performance. It was a statement about family, tradition and the way Black community organisations pass culture forward through participation.

As PHCMDC looks toward its 25th anniversary in 2027, Tawana’s vision includes building a full instrumental band. She is inviting woodwind players, percussionists, singers, and anyone committed to music and tradition to be part of that milestone. She also wants to keep strengthening the Future Leaders Programme.

PHCMDC’s story sits within a larger Bermudian legacy. Black community organisations have long carried culture, created structure for young people, and built spaces where talent can be trained and protected. PHC Majorettes and Drum Corps is part of that legacy because it has kept showing up, term after term, building discipline, building confidence and maintaining a tradition visible in public life.

• Bermuda is proud of all our Majorette groups. If you would like your group to feature in RG Mags, email [email protected]

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The colour of my new clothes that were bought specifically for going to the parade. The colour of the tents that lined the side of the avenue (not to mention all the camping spots). The colour of the water on that first “real” day of the swimming season. The colour of the majorette or dance troop outfits at the parade (as an aside I still LOVE the sparkly outfits even now). The colour of all the flowers and fronds used to make the parade floats. The brightly coloured Gombey outfits, as well as the myriad of colours of the paper bills thrown to them to thank them for their dancing and drumming. The sweet hue of either church drink (a sickeningly sweet fruit punch and ginger beer mix for kiddums) or swizzle (for the non-kid drinkers) that is served no matter whose tent you strolled into. Even the food was brightly coloured – the purple beet salad, the white or pale yellow of potato salad, the reddish brown of BBQ chicken. I would go on in this vein a bit more but now I’m hungry.

So. Many. Colours.

This specific day, more than any other holiday, truly encapsulates Bermuda – as an island nation, as a country with a rich and varied heritage, as a people that valued, and still value, diversity. In a word, our colours.

I didn’t think then of everything that went into making Bermuda Day so beautiful, so fun. I didn’t have to. As a parent, though, the logistics of this single day, the working of the machine… well, let’s just say, I really appreciate the work my parents put into making the magical quality of this day seem so seamless for us.

Ever try to go grocery shopping the day before a holiday, and this holiday in particular? I tell you, it is a supreme exercise in patience. As we all know, Bermudians tend to lose their shopping minds before any holiday, any storm, any weekend… how about we just say, any “event”. Try to find cute outfits for your kids the week up to Bermuda, I dare you. You better know somebody. Try to find milk 48 hours before? Yup, there’s only going to be the light green kind left. There will not be a camping lantern, or batteries for that matter, to be found outside of that table near the front of Gorham’s. I’m not a huge fan of shopping at the best of times, never mind then when it involves more than a half-hour’s wait to get to the cash register. At best! And that’s just for the stuff you need to then start to make the food… which takes forever and a day. At the very least, forever and several days.

There’s a lot that goes into preparing for this holiday as an adult. As an adult that wants to make sure Bermuda Day will be as colourful and fun for your kids, the same way it was when you were a kid.

Every minute of frustration? When your youngest walks out of her bedroom wearing a hotchpotch outfit of a sparkly purple shirt, plaid shorts, with a cheeky smile and is totally ready to shine her own colours – totally worth it.

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