Officials at Pedro St James are applauding Cayman National for coming onboard as the first of 10 'Heritage Defenders'. The bank donated $5,000 to Pedro St James in the district of Bodden Town recently. 

The assistance received from the Heritage Defenders will fund the expansion of the national heritage site's cultural mission and improved access for visitors with limited mobility. 

The Tourist Attraction Board, which oversees Pedro St James and other Cayman attractions, said Cayman National is spearheading the establishment of a permanent catboat exhibit and the paving of the main gravel walkway leading from the site's courtyard entry to the Great House, locally known as 'Pedro Castle'. 

"On behalf of the Tourism Attraction Board, I am pleased to welcome Cayman National as the first of the 'Heritage Defenders' who are making it possible for us to enhance our mission of cultural preservation and communication," said Gilbert Connolly, CEO of the Tourism Attraction Board. 
"Cayman National has taken the lead in being a defender of the culture and heritage of the Cayman Islands." 

Cayman National's President, Ormond Williams, said: "Cayman National is a critical part of the socio-economic fabric of the Cayman Islands and as such we are keen to play our role in promoting and protecting the indigenous culture of our country through this project."

Mr Williams added: 

"This project is important not only to give visitors another tourist attraction, but also to provide a historical frame of reference for Caymanians and residents which can be used to influence our society today and in the future." 

With the advice and assistance of renowned architects Burns Conolly and John Doak, in concert with the Cayman Catboat Club, the Heritage Defender project includes the refurbishment of a traditional Cayman catboat and building a boatshed to house it. 

Within the shed, there will be information detailing the importance of these vessels in this country's fishing and seafaring history. A mounted plaque will provide a permanent roster recognizing the 10 'Heritage Defender' companies, the Tourism Attraction Board (TAB) said. 

The second prong of the project involves paving the gravel walk to the Great House. Mr Doak, the TAB said, initially raised concerns regarding the historic accuracy of the first design suggestions. 

Mr Doak has a long working relationship with Pedro St James and the Catboat Club. 

"I fully support the Cayman Islands Tourism Attraction Board with their innovative plans to realise the boatshed and walkway," Mr Doak said. 

The formal announcement of the new additions will highlight an Old-Time Cayman Garden Party at Pedro St James on Sunday, 27 July. Admission is free to the public on this special day, with a live auction, demonstrations of rope-making, gig spinning, kite flying, and thatch work adding to the cultural highlights. 

Live background music will be played by the North Side Kitchen Band. The Garden Party is part of the ongoing celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the restoration of Pedro St James by the people of Cayman. 

Additional sponsorship for the Garden Party is being provided by Cayman National, CUC, Foster's Food Fair-IGA, AI Rentals, and Countryside Shopping Village by Heritage Holdings Ltd, with promotional assistance from the Caymanian Compass. 

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