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Past Meets Present at Craft Market
By Llewellyn Emery
 In the 19th century, skilled barrel makers in the cooperage were amongst the busiest of workers at Royal Naval Dockyard. Today that workshop houses the Bermuda Craft Market, where island artisans continue to practise their skills.
At one time Dockyard provided vital support services for British vessels plying the Atlantic. Ships could berth in Bermuda's West End for maintenance and repairs as crewmembers enjoyed recreational leave and chandlers restocked supplies.
Just north of Clocktower is the old victualling yard, where food and drink were dispensed. In those days, most perishable goods were preserved in salt and packed in wooden barrels. Liquids were kept in kegs. Thus barrels and other containers were in high demand. A wise ship's master would waste little time seeking out the cooperage, a barrel-making workshop, at the northernmost end of the yard.
Today it is the site of the Bermuda Craft Market. Old handmade barrels still feature in the décor, providing a link to Bermuda's past. Local artisans strengthen that link by keeping alive a variety of bygone skills.
The Bermuda Craft Market offers the largest collection of local handmade products. Visitors may observe and interact with Bermudian artisans as they work. A wood turner gives weekly demonstrations of his art, making bowls, candlesticks and trinket boxes on his lathe. A jeweller creates elegant adornments from wire and semiprecious stones. In another corner, a doll maker deftly fashions dolls and ornaments out of banana leaves. Elsewhere, someone paints floral patterns on china or sea glass, while someone else knits wool hats and shawls.
During the cruise-ship season, the Craft Market offers a two-hour session of free tastings. On Monday and Thursday from April to October, Bermuda-made rum, beer and other products are served in the cooperage atrium, and during the market's winter programme (November to March) visitors may participate in some of the craft activities and keep what they make.
The Bermuda Craft Market is a thriving co-operative with a management committee to oversee its day-to-day operations and a variety of talented Bermudians who are passionate about their crafts. Recently, the Craft Market was granted charity status because it endeavours to preserve old crafts and foster new teaching skills.
The cooperage may no longer produce barrels — but the Bermuda Craft Market carries on its proud tradition of workmanship.
Visit Royal Naval Dockyard at www.thewestend.bm.
Enjoy Bermuda's historic sites and attractions by booking your visit online now.
Interested in learning more about Bermuda history? Please see our History section.
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