Opposition Leader Kim Swan

The United Bermuda Party has called on Government to celebrate the newly-established National Heroes Day in June rather than in October because a summer holiday is more convenient for the public.

National Heroes day is being phased in this year at the eventual expense of the Queen's Birthday public holiday and will be held in honour of Dame Lois Browne Evans.

The Queen's Birthday Parade will take place on Saturday, June 14 with a day off on Monday, June 16 while the first National Heroes Day will be on Monday, October 13, which is also the first day of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at the Mid Ocean Club.

However, in 2009 the Queen's birthday Saturday parade will continue but there will be no public holiday associated with it while the National Heroes Day will fall on October 12.

Government backed down from a plan to turn Bermuda Day (May 24) into National Heroes Day in the face of strong opposition earlier this year.

Last week the Chamber of Commerce attacked Government for scheduling an extra day's holiday this year which will cost business while the choice of October also came under attack as retailers did more business nearer Christmas.

Opposition Leader Kim Swan said National Heroes Day will be held in October while the Queen's Birthday celebrations will be shifted from the second Monday in June to the preceding Saturday, thus ending an annual Monday holiday that featured the Queen's Birthday Parade and the well-established Comet Races in St. George's and the Dinghy Races in Somerset.

In a letter to Culture and Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler, Mr. Swan wrote: "We concur with the decision to hold the Queen's Birthday celebration on the Saturday because it is consistent with the practice in Great Britain.

"But we believe further consideration should be given to retaining the second Monday in June as a public holiday for a couple of reasons.

"First, we believe the traditional Monday celebrations in which Bermudians from all walks of life gather on the water, whether in St. George's or Somerset, should continue.

"These are important events in the cultural and economic life of the two communities. Ending the Monday holiday does neither community any favours.

"Second, a June holiday is a good time for family get-togethers because many students are home from their schools abroad.

"Our recommendation, therefore, is to shift National Heroes Day from its October date to the second Monday in June.

"The Queen's Birthday Parade can take place on the Saturday, the Comet and Dinghy races can continue as they always have on the Monday, and Bermudians, whether on the water or at ceremonies in town, can celebrate National Heroes Day."

Culture and Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler declined to comment when contacted by The Royal Gazette.

Meanwhile an online petition calling for the retention of a public holiday on the Queen's Birthday has attracted nearly 3,000 signatures.

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