Grave concern: The gravesite at Tuckers Point Golf Course. Photo by Chris Burville Photo Chris Burville

An equality group is urging people to write to Tucker’s Point Club officials urging them to take extra measures to protect historically significant graves located within the club’s property.

Last week people taking part in the third Government-backed race summit visited Tucker’s Point and claimed the graves of former black residents were not being respected — claiming golf balls were landing on the site.

Now the Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB) group has written to the general manager of the Tucker’s Point Club, which owns the golf course the cemetery is located on.

Lynne Winfield, President of CURB, is also urging its members and supporters to do the same. Last week Tucker’s Point Club executive, Peter Parker, denied suggestions the graveyard was being desecrated and said care was taken to make sure it was treated with sensitivity and respect.

CURB has submitted measures to the company that it claims would “restore honour” to the site — which still invokes racial resentment — some 80 years after Tucker’s Town’s black inhabitants were uprooted.

Identifying and suitably marking the graves that exist outside the walled cemetery, plus some form of covering to prevent balls from landing there, a new entrance gate and public access, are among the suggestions.

The letter states: “The true history of Tucker’s Town has been suppressed for over 80 years. But now, thanks to the work done by the Tucker’s Town Historical Society, the truth of what happened in the 1920s is being shared with a wider audience.

“The emotional significance of the graveyard cannot be underestimated and the manner in which it has been treated, typifies the contempt that has been shown to those early black inhabitants. In the eyes of many Bermudians, the Tucker’s Point Golf Club represents the elite white establishment that so callously dispossessed blacks of their land.

“We find it unconscionable that the Tucker’s Point Club would design a driving range that encompasses the historic graveyard, thereby ensuring that golf balls rain down on the graves on a daily basis.

“As a community, we need to acknowledge the full truth of our history. We can no longer compound the sins of the past by failing to act in the present.”

Keith Dubois, President of the Tucker’s Town Historical Society, who also visited the cemetery, next to the old Marsden Church, accused club officials of contempt.

“When I was down there, I was told by a Tucker’s Point employee not to spend too much time standing in the cemetery because he said I was in the middle of a driving range,” said Mr. Dubois. “I can’t understand why Peter Parker is denying the graves are being used as such. I would like to see him go play golf in one of the military graveyards in the US.

“He should also try going to the national memorial in Washington, DC and play golf over there and see what happens next. Or play golf at the naval graveyard in Dockyard. Can you imagine what would happen if we went to Dockyard and started playing golf in the cemetery? Police would be called in a heartbeat!

“If there’s no moral dilemma on what’s happening at Tucker’s Point, than I don’t know what is.”

Officials at Tucker’s Point Club could not be reached for reaction.

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