Grand Bank - What a Town! The Back Pages, The Back Streets

June 2007 issue

Community Memories! Here's a chance to see them: visual displays, photos, artifacts, interviews, memorabilia, all this plus a chance to interact with the Grand Bank students who created their own "Community Projects."

The theme for this year’s historica (or heritage) fair is “Where Once They Stood” and Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 created some pretty interesting and unique projects, ranging from province-wide topics, e.g. The Basques Fishermen of Red Bay, to some very local topics, say The Grand Bank Primary School.

To help celebrate community memories this summer during Come Home Year, many students with local projects were asked to keep their projects intact (even if they advanced to the regional fair at Lawn on May 8, 2007) and to show them again for you – come home year returnees, residents, family, visitors. The students want you to visit them, to talk and interact about our home town at the Seamen’s Museum on Monday, August 6, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Why not come and share your memories with approximately 25 displays of nostalgia, including: The Grand Bank Masonic Hall, Private Reuben Osmond, WWI, Edwin Cornish, the Life of a Cooper in Grand Bank, Anderson’s Cove, the Resettlement of Brunette Island (to Grand Bank), Soccer, Dr. John Burke, the Gee Bees, the George Foote Scout Camp (with photos), the Dory, the Widow’s Walk, the Salvation Army School, (the late) Aunt Beccy Rose’s Home and Haunted Places in Grand Bank.

There’s an exhibition entitled “Where Once They Stood, I Stand”, showing structures that once existed and the present day site – and more! Come, the children and I’m expecting a great turnout. Don’t forget – Seamen’s Museum, Monday, August 6, 1-4 p.m.

The Back Streets, the Back Stories

If the date of the naming of any street in Grand Bank can be determined to a month-year, then Elizabeth Avenue (see photo above) came into being in June 1953. Elizabeth (Windsor) II was crowned Queen and officially made Monarch of the Kingdom of Britain (and other realms) on June 2, 1953. Elizabeth Avenue and Coronation Street received their names shortly after.

Many of us remember the school holiday on June 2, 1953, and the parade through town when we shouted, “Hip, Hip, Hurray, the Queen’s crowned today!” In school we received a tin of English toffee and a commemorative coin. I wonder if anyone remembers celebratory fireworks (perhaps the first in Grand Bank) which took place near Elizabeth Avenue at Admiral’s Beach. I stood by a fish store on the corner of College Street Extension and Christian’s Road and watched it. To my amazement the last firework display in the night sky formed an image of the Queen, then the next was of the Queen and Prince Philip and finally, the Union Jack. Does anyone remember this? Did the fireworks, very novel for outport Newfoundland in 1953, also happen in other towns?

Elizabeth Avenue runs from the brook, Riverside West, northward to the low cliffs between Admiral’s cove and Point Bouilli. It intersects Hickman Street, Main Street and College Street, making it one of the longest streets in Grand Bank. On the northern end it cuts across what many generations once called “The Commons”, where many a competitive bonfire blazed on Guy Fawkes Night. It was never much of a football field however, as it was too uneven and strewn with boulders.

In the photo is the remaining bit of the commons, with College Street, right. One of the first commercial buildings on the street was Niagara Loans (the diamond sign center). Today there are several homes left and in the mid-sixties we bowled in the alleys (now Aylwards) stood where the car (center, left) is parked.

- April 2007 issue

This piece of nostalgia recently appeared in an e-mail and I was asked to pass it on, but I claim no ownership. Perhaps the writer can contact the Come Year Committee as the memories would made a great recitation this summer. It’s called

FORTY TRICKLING MEMORIES OF HOME

1. Remember when the whistle siren would blow on the old town hall building to announce it was dinner time.

2. Jimmy Warren delivered your wood and coal by a horse and cart, delivered in a pick-up in the later years. Jimmy Warren, first man on the wharf when the steamers came.

3. Remember up the brook, down long shore, Point Bully, the Cove, Cownap, Cow Bay Trail, Up the Flats.

4. Have you ever gone skating on Country Pond, Egger Ralph's Pond or the rink behind the old John Burke, The Brook? What about the first rink next to Fanny Hayward's that was all fenced and well lit? Ever lose a ball summer time playing near Mrs Haywards?

5. Who remembers the old funeral carriage that was used to carry people to their resting place, a horse drawn-carriage or slide if it was winter time? Yes the driver or horse master still lives in Grand Bank. Do you remember the old Orange Lodge parades lead off by JB on the horse?

6. You remember the following and watched them play soccer: Sam Piercey, George Hickman, George Edward Hickman, Stan Grandy, Gord Grandy, Eli Lee ( Bullet Drive )? There are others who will come to your mind, I'm sure.

7. You were taught in school by Mr. Oakley, Mrs. Forsey, Mr. Noseworthy, Mr. Thomasen, and do you remember Miss Bradley, Mr. Max Matthews?

8. You got a novel by saving stars from chip bags off the Scotties chip bag. Dulac chips were good too.

9. You answered your phone with the words, “I listen to CJOX”, What about when we had party lines, haha. If the phone rang three times, it was for us.

10. You know where Eternity Rock and Sally's rock are, and probably had your picture taken at one or both of them.

11. You ever bought something and wrote it down in the book at Buffett's Upper Store. Anyone remember Tom Evans store, John Riggs store?

12. You ever go sliding and know the location of Sam's Hill -- the real one, not George Clements garden up by the highway and the cemeteries. Or did you come down from Farmers Hill on the bonnet of an old car?

13. You ever went jigging scopies on the Eastern Pier, Pattens Wharf, Buffetts Wharf, or the Fisherman’s Wharf. Lot off hooks and spinners at Cocky's, Steve's and Ray's .....I still got my pocket knife and sun glasses I bought off Ray. I had a cigarette holder but thank God I gave up smoking.

14. You ever shopped in Cocky Brown's, upstairs was a good Christmas selection, Louie Belbins, a lady who knew how things worked. I remember the big rock on top of the little wood and coal stove she would put the rock in a galvanized bucket, fill with water this would warm the water for cleaning the stove, or did you get a ice cream sandwich at Steve Welsh’s. Oops, forgot the fire crackers.

15. You remember the big antique cash register at Forward and Tibbo. That was where families would purchase a coffin, no funeral home then, just a local undertaker. Who was it?

16. You ever rode or jumped clumpers out in the brook, fall in, get wet over the head, only to be told on. 0h, my God what a tongue banging then, but it depended on who told on ya.

17. You remember and attended dances at the old theatre, George Grandy, Dick Foote, Tom Douglas and the Twisters, Will Wells was young and a good hand clapper, and of course he was into soccer too, and his brother Archie.

18. Who cut your hair: Billy Matthews, Levi Bungay, Lyman Crowley, Clyde Strowbridge?

19. George Grandy played for your wedding dance, a good time was had by all. Did Mrs. Reulokke cater for your wedding or did she make a anniversary cake for your church?

20. You ever buy baloney and coke and chips at Harry Grandy's shop by the bridge. Oops, anyone remember having a coke and donut at Ray B'S, the cleanest glass in town spit-shine< haha, who remembers?

21. Were you were ever in a snowball fight between the U.C Academy and the S.A. schools? Anyone remember Mrs. Pardy during the raids? Did they have plexie glass in windows back then? Uncle Jim Warren was the janitor.

22. You bought your vacuum cleaner off Tom Stoodley’s Electrolux.

23. You loaded the Blue Boats and iced draggers worked with a men like Bill George Rogers and Johnny May.

24. You ever poured cement for J&J Carpentry, Bennett's, Tom Matthews (or Elic Stoodley) in the summer. Don't forget the long-time business Grandy's Carpentry and Mr. Sim Grandy. Lot a fellers learned from him not only carpentry but the skills of life. I treasure many memories of Mr. Sim Grandy's mom, a little lady dressed in back. God love her.

25. Ever pee behind the Co-op or used the bathroom under Stoodley’s stage. Ever watch the two Phil's kill an animal in Stoodley’s stage?

26. You remember the following: The Cooper Store, the stop light, Trudeau's visit, when the monument was in front of the library, Handy Andy's, the old soccer field. The barber shop was a haven for a yarn, a rumor and a lie, too. Billy Matthews had a crowd after supper, sitting around till nine and, well, Levi and Lyman had the regulars. I say you are naming some as you read this.

27. You ever won a prize at the fall fair or lost your balloon in the old John Burke Gym. Good ole days, hey. Ever go off on the 24th of May with Fred or Don Tibbo in the box of the truck?

The story is told how Fred Tibbo (taxidriver) took a kid to the old hospital and met a nurse tired and not friendly, Fred asked to see Doctor Burke, and the nurse refused. Fred said, Move aside lady, I could buy this place and put you out of work. haha.

28. You remember the bowling alley, great times there too. Yes, we played pool there and we danced in the later years of the operation.

29. You played pinball or pool or hung out at Ged Buffett's or Russell's (Bring on the brawn and sausages as Russell had a meat market too). Taking about brawn, Uncle Abe Dolimount and Aunt Nellie Penwell could do such a job on brawn. My God, I'm getting hungry and we never got their recipe.

30. You remember when these things were constructed: the resevoir, the new dam, the “Pavillion.” Ever look in the forge, a place owned and operated by Wilson Osbourne?

31. You remember Evans’ Restaurant and May's chicken and Lizzie Breon’s Restaurant and the Take-out on Marine Drive. Opps, what about Jim Brown’s Restaurant with a round plate of chips and a coke for 25 cents. For our age the old Cozy Corner, what times guys and gals. Oh, the memories

32. You remember when they did surgery or you had surgery at the Cottage Hospital and before a dentist was around teeth was pulled there, too.

33. You were born at the cottage hospital or in your own home, Mrs. Kezzie Mullins born lots. Did she born you?

34. You attended the United Church Academy, the Salvation Army School, or the Old John Burke High School, ever spend your recess money in Hec Piercey’s store before going to school?

35. You remember going for a ride on Sunday? If you were lucky, a nice drive to Molliers and got a homemade ice cream at Alex Bennetts. Or you may have just walked to the cemetery on a Sunday afternoon. That was the thing to do back then. What a tongue banging if you trot on a plot. Did you ever do that?

36. You remember soccer games at the old soccer field down the shore. Everyone had soccer fever and temperature ran high.

37. You remember the old CNT building and the CNT office in the Post office Building.

38. You remember or worked on the Grand draggers - Grand Knight, Grand Baron, Fortune Star, Grand Duke, Luckimee.

39. You ever went swimming up by the dam, even though you weren't allowed to. What about the swimming hole the town dug out across from the old town hall? Have they tried to put a road across the brook by Fred Buffetts lately?

40. Anyone remember Mr Ball working in Emberley’s Store in what is now West street store?

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

- February 2007 issue

As many of you may know already, this coming summer (2007) in Grand Bank, a statue will be raised and dedicated to all lost mariners in Newfoundland on August 8.

It will be part of "Come Home Year" scheduled from Sunday August 5 to Sunday August 12. One event is tentatively called "Family Roots Days" which is described from the events calendar as:

“Family Tree Roots” genealogy-interest meeting 9 a.m to 12 noon on Tuesday, August 7 - venue Town hall meeting room. Informal gathering/browse family trees/photos. Contact Kath Eveleigh katheve@sympatico.ca

Note: for those who cannot or who might not make the first date, this event is also happening on Friday morning, August 10 - same time, same place. See you there! and bring your group photos, lists, trees, (branches and roots), names, questions and answers.

Grand Bank - The Back Streets

For sure there were no Allenby families in our past, but Allenby Place is a new street filled with modern bungalows - many built during the era of great employment in the BCS fish plant of the 1960s and 70s.

The picturesque area, a short branch from Greenwood Avenue, lies on the east side of Grand Bank brook, not too far from Edwin Street where my father was born and raised. No family name Allenby in Grand Bank, but name reminds us of a ship, a vestige from the town's sailing past gives its name to this street. The three-masted or tern schooner "General Allenby" was part of the merchant Samuel Harris' fleet. He had fourteen with the name "General", all named for WWI commanders.

Launched in August 1919, at Grand Bank, "General Allenby" (named for Edmund Allenby, a leader of the British Third Army in World War One) measured 109 feet long and 26 feet wide. It was wrecked near Oporto in June 1922.

What a proud part of community history the name bears. If you're a former resident, a visitor, visit this summer during "Home Coming", stroll over that way, take a walk east from the Grand Bank Brook (a licensed salmon river) to enjoy the sights and scenery of Allenby Place.

- December 2006 issue

Funny, but when I went to school in the old Salvation Army school on Citadel Road, from 1950 to 1961, there were no class or group pictures. Sure, the school photographer took individual photos, but no group shots.

Thus, I can't say for certain who was in my class, say in grade two or grade six, and there was quite a number, probably about 30-40.

The other day I found a school group photo taken in 1917 of the Grand Bank Methodist (later United Church) school.What a good looking group, all dressed to the nines and probably one class as there is only one teacher, Amelia HYDE, standing to the right.

Fortunately someone had written on the back the names of the class of 1917: Bernard FOOTE, Robert PENWELL, Bridget BENNETT, May DOWNEY, Maude FORSEY, Lena PARDY, Violet JANES, Marjorie PARDY, Victoria GRANT, Harry WILLIAMS, ? SNOOK, Clayton CROWLEY, Marcell GIRARDIN, Philip KEATING, Ralph CAMP, Thomas OSMOND, Ches HANDRIGAN, Robert ROSE, Charlie SKINNER, Cecil DRAKES, Annie WARREN, Edith PATTEN, Violet BUFFETT, Almeda MATTHEWS, Daisy NICHOLLE, Grace HOLLETT, Christiana HISCOCK, Christie HARRIS and teacher Amelia HYDE.

As evidenced by the surnames, it was fine stock of English surnames straight from Devon, Dorset and so on (with the exception GIRARDIN who may have been a student from St. Pierre). I would dearly like to look at my own class picture today; alas, it can't be!

Finally, in the "Grand Bank - what a Town" January 2005 issue, I asked if anyone knew who John F. Evans was, age 24, and a seaman on the ship "Ruth E" when it was abandoned at sea in 1932. As a correspondent says, he was John Frank Evans of Grand Bank, an older brother of Arthur Evans. John left home at an early age, may have been involved in the rum-running trade in the 1930s, but settled down as a ship repairman in the Halifax shipyards.

October 2006 issue

Genealogy and the "Christian" Connection. Christian's Road in Grand Bank leads from Admiral's Beach to practically nowhere. It ends in a marsh; tapers off to bog. It's a quiet and historic part of town with several fine homes built there today. In our history, no doubt, there were rich cattle or sheep grazing grounds there. There's no surname Christian in town today and hasn't been for a long, long, time. A quick glance at the phone book shows it's rare in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well.

In my youth, many times I walked or biked up Christian's Road. I recall when I was about eight years old going there with Edgar Ralph on horse and cart to Edgar "Eggar's" haygarden. I never gave a thought to the origin or the meaning of the street name. Today, as we get older or have a spell of nostalgia, I think, "Did good people, Christians, live up there? or was there a Mr. Christian." In the story "Mutiny on the Bounty", one of my favourite all-time sea yarns, there's Fletcher Christian. He supposedly died on Pitcairn's Island or did he migrate to Christian's Road in Grand Bank?

Then enlightment when least expected. This summer I travelled to the historic Newfoundland town of Old Perlican, Trinity Bay, where I saw some of the oldest headstones in Newfoundland. Much to my surprise, there's information on a headstone, documenting a William Christian.

On one side of William Christian's marker it says, "James Christian died on April 20, 1873, at age 24 at Grand Bank."

Well, a chance visit to Old Perlican and its records of deaths gave some light to my own mystery to Grand Bank's past - there was a Christian and he may have lived or had a meadow up Christian's Road.

August 2006 issue

Historic Heritage Building to be demolished . About two-three months ago the Grand Bank Fire Department presented a demolition order to the Grand Bank Town Council. It was an order to tear down the Forward and Tibbo building on Water Street. The three storey-structure was deemed weak in the foundation, walls and roof and a potential hazard if someone should illegally enter the vacant building, perhaps with mischief or arson in mind.

This historic building, constructed in 1910, is now an integral part of the town’s built heritage, forming a substantial section of a singular downtown streetscape. It has a boom-town front with a concave bend to conform to the contour of the street - unique and important. The once-general store represents the merchant-bank fisherman salt fish era in southern Newfoundland.

Now it has to be leveled all for the want of a nail or a few sheets of plywood to cover the large plate glass windows in the front or felt-tar on the roof. Perhaps an engineer can show someone how it can be temporarily shored up on the foundation until more substantial funding or more secure stability forms can be put in place.

The void left if this building disappears will not only be a physical one (as a winter wind sweeps across exposed Water Street), but will be a loss to the spinoffs from tourism, which in turn will affect towndown development and Grand Bank’s economic viability. Imagine if you’re visiting this old town next year during “Come Home Year 2007" and that landmark is not longer there. Thoughts? E-mail?

It is sad to know that communities like Trinity, Quidi Vidi/St. John’s, Bonavista in Newfoundland and Lunenburg in Nova Scotia - to name a few - do everything in their power to save and promote such buildings. It seems as if Grand Bank is satisfied to let its historic buildings go to ruin.

A quote from newspaper Southern Gazette of May 24, 2006, says: “We’ve lost too many waterfront buildings to fire and windstorms over the years; now to find another to be torn down through neglect and lack of investment by unconcerned stakeholders... is just not acceptable.”

If one wishes to see what a world famous architect/engineer has to say about this building go to this internet address (and scroll down):

www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/gb/grandbank.html

The town's Come Home Year website at www.grandbank2007.com is now up and running. There’ll be more to say about this site, but for now visit this address: or e-mail grandbank2007@grandbank2007.com

The Back Streets

In my column “Times, Tides and Tales” (see above) there’s a ship story which draws a parallel between Burke’s Lane in Carbonear and Burke Street in Grand Bank. In both towns the Burke surname is rare, but the sea stories and heroism on the ocean lives on. If you’re from Grand Bank or have visited or maybe John Burke High School is your alma mater, then there’s a shot of a crooked sign and a great school. Note: it was foggy 7 a.m. and I tried to straighten the sign, but needed a sledge hammer.

June 2006 issue

The town's Come Home Year (CHY) website, designed by Grand Bank's Harold Burton, will be up and running within a week or so. The entry portal will be CHY's logo - a striking image designed by local teacher Darryl LaFosse.

Darryl, a great artist, incorporated the Mariners' Memorial statue of a lady looking out to sea from her viewpoint, standing on a widow's walk. She overlooks Grand Bank harbour; her background view is of the lighthouse, the harbour and three types of ships associated with the past: a schooner, a dory and a dragger.

The website's address is www.grandbank2007.com; but as of yet a little material is posted up. Some events from Saturday July 28 to Sunday, August 12, 2007, are already in place as part of the town's on-going Summer Festival; others are being planned - two school reunions, the unveiling of the Mariners' Memorial on Wednesday, August 8 and so on.

March 2006 issue

Well, 2007 is the town’s “Come Home Year” and the significant dates of July 28 to August 12, show we have two weeks to celebrate, reminisce, visit, re-acquaint, meet old friends and make new ones. Of course, one of the main events in that period will be the completion, the dedication, or unveiling of a bronze monument or statue commemorating the loss of mariners from all over Newfoundland. But there’s lots more shaping up.

Presently, a committee or working group meets twice a month to plan for this, chaired by the capable George Cooper. They’re currently working on finding addresses, drafting a letter and informing those living in Grand Bank and former residents of the dates and events.

The group still needs more addresses of former home towners, ideas of how to proceed with scheduling events and your input of what you would like to see or participate in during Grand Bank Come Home Year 2007. I know the committee (of which I am a member) is searching for “Things to Do”; that is for you, as a potential visitor, to participate in.

These would be concurrent events e.g. while a play or soccer game is on, not all would want to see that, nor could the venue hold all at one sitting. Thus, another event perhaps historical, may take place at the same time, for example, an historic walk about of the town, or a kid’s day or a school reunion walk up the nature trail.

This newsletter will probably touch on some aspect or feature of the exciting times in each subsequent issue from now to August 2007. The section “The Back Streets” will be put on hold until Come Home Year concludes. If there’s any item or newsy story of how celebrations are shaping up that you’d like to hear about, let me know.

The Back Streets

There are several streets in Grand Bank named after ships - particularly ships lost with some or all crew. One is located “across the brook” and a side-street leading from Greenwood Avenue.

Strangely the name is mis-spelled as ADMINSTRIX PLACE and should be ADMINISTRATRIX PLACE, called in honour of the wrecked vessel “Administratrix.” Anyone can see its hard to spell and difficult to pronounce for most of us. In fact, the ship, when owned in Grand Bank, was often called “The Trixie” and that was enough to identify the wooden, motor-driven freighter.

Grand Bank’s Chesley Forsey, owner and captain, was returning with his six crew from St. John’s with a load of oil in barrels. In the fog off Cape Race on April 28, 1948, the “Administratrix” was cut down by a Norwegian freighter. Only two survived - George Barnes and Charles Fizzard. Captain Forsey, George Sam Welsh, Arch Rose, Robert Lee and Harvey Keating perished before help could arrive.

Should you visit Grand Bank soon or if you become part of our celebrations during “Come Home Year” visit the southeast section of town near Riverside East. Have a look for a street sign that spells the name of a lost ship incorrectly, but hey! it’s history, it’s our town - steeped in marine history.

January 2006 issue

The Grand Bank Heritage Society is hosting a dinner at the Grand Bank Lions Den on January 28. Guest speaker is author Jim Wellman ("The Broadcast", "Lighthouse People" and "Final Voyages Volume I and II") and one-time host of The Fisheries Broadcast on CBC Radio.

The society has lined up other guests and entertainment - traditional Newfoundland music and storytellers. Looks like a grand night of heritage, plus a fundraiser for the Mariners' Memorial statue and gardens.

The Back Streets

Hickman Street is one of the oldest streets in town, running generally east-west from Church Street for about a half mile to the Grand Bank by-pass highway with its official name Grand View Boulevarde.

The Hickmans, who had migrated from England, were said to have moved to Grand Bank from St. Pierre around 1762-63. Jonathan Hickman's gravestone reads "Born at sea on a passage from England to Halifax, died May 18, 1817. Age 100 years and 5 months." The family quickly acquired land and status to become the business and social leaders in the town. A Prime Minister of Newfoundland, Albert Hickman, is one native son.

Not long ago an older gentleman of Grand Bank, listed for me all sea captains that once lived on Hickman Street and an impressive list it is: Captains Steve Will Forsey, Clarence Williams, John Riggs, Cyril Squires, George Douglas, John Douglas, Joshua Matthews, George White, George Follett, Charlie Follett, Harry Lee, Chum Osmond, John Bullen, Jacob Thornhill, Bill Stewart and John Barnes.

December 2005 issue

It’s great to see the local heritage society putting off a variety concert to raise monies for the proposed Mariner’s Memorial, slated to be erected and unveiled in August 2007. For two hours on Monday, December 5, over 20 acts, song and dance, skits, and just plain fun will regale those quick enough to get a ticket - they’re going fast.

Some local talent: the folk singers Paul and Myra Bennett; May Lou (Baker) Buffett (as Rita McNeil); Marystown’s Con Fitzpatrick; CHCM’s Fred Dodge and Garry Miles; an act by the ACW of Fortune; Levi Curtis; the Lake Academy Choir; Grand Bank’s Salvation Army Band with “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”; United Church Men’s Choir; Donna’s School of Dance; comedienne Judy Parsons; accordionists Byatt Cumben; Allan Tapper with Stan Osmond; Susanne Bungay, Bernice Forsey and Friends; Curt Warren; Robin Riley; Robin Matthews; Judy Cox; folk singer Ewart Vallis; recording artist Chuck Simms; myself; and others.

A bit of traditional Grand Bank grub will be served up after the show and the giveaways and draws! Lots of prizes, ranging from a pack of raisin buns to a back pack and more. It’s all for a good cause as the final preparations are being made to for the first statue/memorial to “Lost Seamen” in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Grand Bank - The Back Streets

Gough Place is one of the shortest roads in the town, running for a few feet off the western end of Hickman Street and once called Short Walk Lane. In the late 1960s, when the streets were paved and some new homes were built in that section, calls went out for the name and GOUGH was selected. Just who submitted that name is not clear now, but perhaps someone out there knows.

However, the heritage conscious namegiver knew much about the tern schooner GENERAL GOUGH, owned by Samuel Harris’ business in Grand Bank in the 1930s. In the late fall of 1935, it left for Oporto with fish and intended to return home with fishery salt. However by March 1936 it was posted “Missing with Crew.” Captain Lionel Hickman and five men would never return home. Gough Street is named in their honor. Perhaps one of the most important businesses near the street was a popular restaurant, the Penny Loaf Rest, owned by Ronald Grandy.

June 2005 issue

During the first week in May 2005, a prominent professor of architecture spent three or four days in Grand Bank. Dr. Robert Mellin, associate professor at McGill, strolled around the town, taking four or five hundred photos of various homes, outbuildings and features found in lanes, alleys and roads away from the main commerical areas.

He presented his findings - as part of a visit by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador of which Dr. Mellin is chairman - at a public meeting.

Dr. Mellin believes the town has many unique architectural features and proposes the whole community could be a "national heritage village" much like Tilting in Newfoundland and Lunenburg in Nova Scotia which are already national sites.

Mellin's (power point presentation )at the Grand Bank Lion's Den is currently online and can be found going to this internet address:

www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/mellin/gb/grandbank.html

The Back Streets

Edwin Street is found on the eastern side of Grand Bank Brook, off Riverside East. It is the sole street in Grand Bank named for a war hero - a young man who didn't return and who paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War II.

John Edwin Cornish, Royal Artillery, saw his final action in the liberation of Italy. Edwin fought the battle of Monte Casino, Italy and, during one skirmish, his field piece was struck by an enemy mortar shell. Edwin Cornish was killed instantly by flying debris.

His friend Rudell Nurse, who is still an active citizen of Grand Bank today, was in the same battle and often relates how he saw his fellow Grand Banker die.

Many people will remember that Louise Belbin had a small confectionary store on the corner of Edwin Street and Riverside East. My own father was born and grew up on that street; in fact he built his first house there in 1928. It still stands today.

April 2005 issue

Judging the local heritage fairs can be quite a rewarding experience: you get to know the young historians in the local high school, you keep in touch with trends in education and best of all, the heritage or "historica" fairs give all interested quite a bit of history, heritage and culture. Just a fantastic way to be enriched and inspired by history as presented by our young people!

This year's fair in our town's high school was no exception. There were about 60-70 exhibits centered around the theme "Fish and Ships" and the range of topics on our marine history was great. The Grade Eight and Nine classes delved into the effects of the ocean around Newfoundland on shipping, trade, commerce, customs, folklore and coupled with this students often interviewed sailors or their wives or children, adding greatly to our knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador marine history.

For example, at least five ships which disappeared with crew from Grand Bank were featured - Blue Mist, Blue Wave, Mabel Dorothy, Partanna and Jean and Mary.

I'm certainly looking forward to viewing the projects and displays at Lake Academy in nearby Fortune on April 14. If any readers are near a school and know the date of the town or regional historica fair, it'll be a learning experience to say the least.

The Back Streets

Elizabeth Avenue is probably one of the longest streets in Grand Bank, running from "the brook" on the southernmost end and extends northerly to the cliffs or water at the Fortune Bay end. At one time the road ended when it reached College Street and "the Commons". Later the road was extended past the commons to join at right angles with Blackburn Road. It was named around 1953 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Some readers may recall other memories of the ascension of the Queen to the throne - the school holiday when we all paraded around town (perhaps on Elizabeth Avenue too) singing "Hip, Hip, Hooray. The Queen's Crowned today!" We were all given a tin of English toffee and a commemorative coin. I know I had both coin and tin for years and then they slipped away sometime, ah.

As well the most memorable event, for me at least, were the fireworks that night near Christian's Road and Admiral's Beach - not far from Elizabeth Avenue. In the last two fireworks that lit up the night sky you could see the image of the faces of the Queen and Prince Philip and then the British Flag, formed from the colors and lights of the fireworks.

January 2005 issue

I’ve been doing some work with ships from other Atlantic provinces. Last month I came across the loss of the Nova Scotian schooner Ruth E. It foundered in February 1932 and all crew were rescued by a freighter and taken to Charleston, South Carolina.

Listed as one of the nine crew was John F. EVANS, age 24, of Grand Bank. I’m wondering if he was a seaman from here, the old home town, and just who John F. Evans was.

Through the grapevine come word that the “old dock”, the Bait Storage Shed, on the waterfront is to be transformed into a town building or public/community facility. It’s no longer used as a cold storage and the town has been given or has purchased the building at relative little cost.

Most of us remember the concrete building - in good shape today, although it was constructed in the 1940s? and used for about 50 years. The late Newton Blagdon as one of the first to work there, as I recall.

Apparently, for there’s little public announcement of this transformation yet, it is to be renovated and rejuvenated for special town functions, summer festivals, breakfasts, a meeting place, who knows.

Many also recall that once upon a time the water inside the pier but in front of “the dock” was the locale for the first town dump. Yes, unthinkable today, but town garbage was hauled and dumped overboard right there by the former Bait Storage Depot “The Dock”, practically in the middle of town.

Nevertheless it’s great to hear some monies are going into it, rather than see the once-thriving facility becoming an eyesore or being torn down. Yet, there are many sites, older buildings, fish drying beaches, the unique lighthouse and others, that are receiving less attention. For example, Forward and Tibbo’s store - storage shed, sail loft, salt shed - is falling down. It’ll soon tumble unless its shored up and a bit of felt and tar are put on the roof. Once it falls it’ll never go back up, so what about a few dollars and a bit of attention there?

The Back Streets

Blackburn Road in Grand Bank is called after a stipendiary magistrate who lived here for 31 years. Josiah Blackburn is listed in the 1864 Hutchinson’s Directory for Grand Bank and his headstone in Frazer Park, Grand Bank reads: died on January 12, 1868, age 69. There's no record that I know of saying where was he born.

Luckily for posterity, he was an amateur artist as well. He painted with water colors, two views of Grand Bank - one from the top of the cape, another from the top of Lewis (Louse) Hill - and these show a picture of Grand Bank from about 150 years ago.

Blackburn Road runs from south end of Water Street, near the Thorndyke Hotel, north to the “commons” where it joins Elizabeth Avenue.

August 2004 issue

The Dory Races and the FPU in Grand Bank

Last year, the organizers of the "Dory Race" section of Grand Bank's Summer Festival must have been delighted to see a team from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, compete. The rowers, who won their Senior men's competition, came to Grand Bank as a holiday and to take part in the contest. They came unsolicited; i.e. had heard of the races through the grapevine and just "appeared" and took part.

It certainly gave the Summer Festival "Dory Race" some credible promotion and exposure to rowers who compete internationally - all over NS and often in the Gloucester dory races.

I notice this year our winners (who incidentally had quite a bit of offer in the sport of dory racing) didn't return. Perhaps first prize, the payback cash, wasn't sufficient to offset the travel to Grand Bank.

But I wonder what efforts were put into contacting them to welcome them back and to ask for a return match? Perhaps they could have sent a junior or women's team. Did the Dory Race organizers locally consider applying for government financial help (as part of a sports/cultural exchange) to offset travel costs? Pity. The boys of Lunenburg could show us a thing or two about dory rowing; but more important could certainly help Grand Bank put off a top-class event. Right now it remains less so.

On a historical note: I located a newspaper article that named the top officers of the FPU branch in Grand Bank. Lordy! The FPU (Fishermen's Protective Union as founded by unionist and fishermen's rights advocate, William Coaker of Newfoundland's north east coast) was not much liked in Grand Bank.

You see, around 1900-20 Samuel Harris and Sons, Footes, Buffetts, Piercey, Tibbo and other fish merchants had their own ideas about fixing the price on salt fish to be sent overseas. And they certainly didn't want their beach women, bank fishermen and fish store workers unionized.

I read in the Mail and Advocate, Coaker's Unionist newspaper, the headlines" UNION SPIRIT GROWING AT GRAND BANK, dated January 6, 1916.

An unsigned letter (understandable as the town merchants could have prevented a union man from ever handling a fish again in Grand Bank) said:

"Dear Sir: You will be glad to hear our Union is getting along at Grand Bank. Brother John W. Matthews has built us a hall over his work shop. Last week we had our first tea and entertainment. Invitations were sent to Rev. Lench (Methodist, later United Church) and Adjutant Harding, a Salvation Army Officer, and both gentlemen consented to address the after meeting."

The letter describes the talk by the clergy and plans for union growth in Grand Bank. The local president in 1916 was Benjamin Pardy of Grand Bank.

Coaker's union movement lasted a couple of decades in Newfoundland, and even less in independent Grand Bank. Perhaps some Grand Bank historian out there may know where Matthew's meeting hall was located and who else joined the local branch.

THE BACK STREETS

The name Hyde Street, located in the southeast section of Grand Bank, probably has its origins with Captain George Hyde who had a garden in that area, long before any homes appeared there. His plot of land was often referred to as "Hyde's Garden" and the name is still with us today in Hyde Street. For a more information of Captain Hyde, see this month's column in "Times, Tides and Tales."

June 2004 issue

Old Time Soccer and A Modern Memorial Project

You've heard the phrase (I can't vouch that it's unique to Newfoundland and Labrador), "Search for one thing; find another!" Well, I was looking for marine history circa 1929 when I came upon a Grand Bank piece of history.

In the August edition of "Bay Roberts Guardian" the heading said FOOTBALL MATCH IN GRAND BANK. Needless to say I read on: The provincial body of the Orange Lodge paid a visit to the town that summer and as part of the goodwill gestures, formed up a football (or soccer today) against the local eleven. The Grand Bank team consisted of: Robert Stoodley, Alex Stoodley, Sam Stoodley, Clarence Foote, Howard Patten, Gus Patten (Captain), Jim Penwell, Phil Forsey, John Penwell, Chesley Dunford and Gerald "Ged" Patten.

For the Grand Lodge team were Kelloway, Antle, W. Crummey, R. Crummey, Gabriel, Butler, Crowell, Jolliffe, Abbott, V. March, Rendell. Unfortunately the sports article did not specify the opposition players' first names nor their place of residence.

It did say that George Foote refereed and but for W. Crummey in goal, the score of 5-0 for the home team would have been much higher. A bit of patroitism there, methinks. The sports item did conclude with the tongue-in-check comment that on the next day, July 25, members of the visiting team were "seen to somewhat under the weather, but refused offers of walking canes or crutches, preferring to use liniments on bruised or injured arms and legs with stiffened muscles."

On another piece of local news, in May the local heritage group, the Grand Bank Heritage Society, met with the public regarding plans to erect a Mariner's Memorial in the town. It's a three year project and when completed, will have a bronze statue of a woman standing in the grounds of the Harris House, a heritage structure on Water Street. Presently the group is fund raising and contacting former residents, especially those who have had relatives or friends "lost at sea."

That project has full support of the people. It's another source of pride for them and for me. I grew up and presently live in this historic and beautiful southern town and I'm lloking forward to the day the Seaman's Memorial Monument is unveiled.

April 2004 issue

Certainly a bouquet has to handed to the United Church of Grand Bank who, on Sunday evening February 29, held a Seamen's Memorial Service .

The church bulletin was dedicated to Captain John Ralph and the crew of schooner Mabel Dorothy , lost at sea with entire crew of seven on November 4, 1955.

It was certainly great to hear some of the older songs and hymns of the sea (many performed by the male choir): "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning", "Will Your Anchor Hold", "Eternal Father, Strong to Save", and "Throw Out the Life Line." As well, long-time singer and entertainer Ewart Vallis did a fine solo on ""Jesus Savoir, Pilot Me."

It's the intention of the United Church to make this an annual ecumenical event. Displayed around the church were old photos of schooners, models and half models.

This was a positive experience, a step forward for retaining and perserving the marine history of a Newfoundland town so closely connected with the ocean. It seems as if churches and individuals are now rightfully taking up the slack for preservation where the local heritage group is slowly earning a failing grade.

February 2004 issue

In January of this year I visited two men who were shipwrecked in 1962 on the Nova Scotian vessel “East Star.” The brothers, Mike and Denis, live in Burin now, but originally came from a small place in St. Joseph’s, Placentia Bay. St. Joseph’s has since been abandoned and the people re-settled under the Resettlement Program of the 1960s.

But an amazing thing happened as we talked about “East Star.” In course of conversation about ships and wrecks, both brothers could and did sing and relate many folk tales, poems, recitations, songs, they had learned as young boys in St. Joseph’s. They performed, sang, recited three or four for me and of course sang the songs a cappella, or without musical accompaniment.

What was eye-opening, well, fascinating, to me was that they sang in unison “The Loss of the Tubal Cain.” Now the schooner “Tubal Cain” was wrecked in 1907, almost 100 years ago, from my home town of Grand Bank. It was on a voyage from Halifax and was lost with crew - seven men who left sixteen orphans. No trace of the vessel was ever found.

The song must have been composed just after the tragedy, but these men had heard it and learned it from the many song fests, kitchen sing alongs, or get-togethers where women and men recited or sang popular “Come-All-Ye’s.” (As in “Come all ye, good people, I’ll sing you a song/About the poor people, How they get along...”) Songs and recitations were passed down through the generations.

I would venture to say there’s no one in my home town of Grand Bank, where the ship belonged, that would know the words and tune “or air” for this “The Loss of the Tubal Cain.” Furthermore there are probably few, if any, in all of Newfoundland that would know the song - close to 100 years old.

I have to go back to see the brothers and ask if they would mind me recording their singing the song. I feel it must be preserved. The story in prose has been written up (see “Lost at Sea, A Compilation), but have towns like Grand Bank done enough to seek out and preserve such gems of history and heritage? More of that in the next edition of “Grand Bank, What a Town?”

December 2003 issue

A Strange Piece of Local History:

In The Book of Newfoundland, Volume IV, page 84, there is a brief statement (in an article written by Andrew Horwood) of a curious disappearance of a Newfoundland ship: It says, “When the chance offered the General Horne left for the short trip between Seldom and Change Island; a trip often made in a trap skiff.” The vessel never completed this short journey; its crew disappeared from the ken of mankind. It was the Grand Bank tern schooner General Horne.

In the fall of 1920, the tern schooner General Horne completed the approximate 2500 mile ocean voyage from Europe to Newfoundland. It was a smooth voyage from Cadiz, Spain, and deeply laden with fishery salt, the schooner put into Catalina. From there it sailed to Seldom-Come-By to await a favorable wind to push it through the Stag Harbour Run and to Change Island. It did reach Seldom, according to the people there, and then departed for Samuel Harris's branch business at Change Island, Newfoundland, where it could have discharged the salt. In its heyday, Harris had several branch stores located in Lamaline, Garnish, Coomb’s Cove, Marystown and Change Island.

As Horwood states, it wasn’t far - about 20 kilometers - and one made by hundreds of times by fishermen in small boats like a trap skiff. The Horne, at 107 foot long, was completely seaworthy and had made many voyages from Europe to Newfoundland and back. It was owned in Grand Bank on Newfoundland’s south coast and had journeyed from there to Notre Dame Bay often to load or discharge fish or salt.

Weeks passed and concerned relatives anxiously awaited news and reports from the tern schooner, but the Horne never sailed into any port. Captain Berkley Rogers, Grand Bank; William Brooks, Randall Mayo, both of Fortune; Otto Ledrew, Change Island, and two other seamen were aboard.

On December 17, 1920, this anxiety (short notice saying a vessel is overdue) report appeared in The Evening Telegram:

The Deputy Minister of Customs has received the following message from the Sub-Collector at Grand Bank: “Schooner General Horne, owned by S. Harris, Ltd, left Catalina on November 20th for Change Island and has not since been reported. Fears for the safety of the vessel are entertained as per report to me from owners.”

Local stories from the Change Island area say that after leaving Catalina, the schooner did stop at Seldom-Come-By. Yet, except for the captain’s name, no crew list for General Horne was ever presented in local papers, and it is only by word of mouth that some of the other sailors are known. Otto LeDrew was married to Emma Belle Pomeroy. It is noted in the Methodist parish records of Herring Neck, Otto was “Drowned at Sea” on November 20, 1920. His memorial church service was performed by Rev. Wilfred James Woolfrey. Captain Rogers was married and left a wife and three children, the youngest, two years old. As of this writing two other seamen remain unknown.

October 2003 issue

Not long ago Grand Bank Harbour Authority was awarded a substantial contract to deepen the harbour entrance to allow the large clam-reaper “Atlantic Concord” access to the fish plant. I'm all for progress and the economic development of the town and harbour, but this improvement requires blasting and dredging the harbour entrance next to the Grand Bank lighthouse. The lighthouse is now celebrating its eightieth anniversary - and if ever there was a unique light, the Grand Bank light is one.

As you may know, it has the words GRAND BANK inscribed vertically in the concrete. That's unusual.

Last year I had those in the know about beacons and lights search for me to find out if there was another in Newfoundland or Nova Scotia with the name of the town similarly inscribed. Turns out, not only was there none like it in eastern Canada, but nothing similar could be found on the Great Lakes or on the BC coast.

What foresight by our ancestors to have the town name - GRAND BANK - inserted vertically on the lighthouse! It’s so legible, brightly painted nowadays, and has been photographed thousands of times for calendars, wedding photos, promotion, etc. Problem is, will the blasting and dredging near our heritage symbol affect the bedrock or injure the lighthouse in any way? It’s only for a crack to appear or a slight tilt or other structural damage to happen, and some authority in Ottawa will pronounce, “Oh well, it was time for the outmoded light to be replaced i.e.taken down, anyway.”

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. One can only hope safeguards and regulations have been built in to prevent damage to a unique heritage structure. Let’s hope our heritage symbol and unique light lasts at least another eighty years! I’ve asked the local government to have the lighthouse designated a municipal site, but it’s not happened yet...

June 2003 issue

I'm saddened to see that the former school "Partanna Academy" has lost its name. Once an elementary school (with a peak student population one year of over 400 children), it closed four or five years ago.

It is now the town hall, the municipal center to be more accurate, and nary the sign says the word "Partanna." The school was named Partanna Academy about 1974 and officially dedicated to the lost ship in 1988. The Grand Bank Heritage Society, wishing quite rightly to preserve the name and commemorate the lost seamen, had a ceremony to dedicate the school to the descendants of the 25 seamen who perished on the vessel.

The word "Partanna" was chosen in 1974 because the name of the schooner represented our history and heritage and it represented one ship out of two dozen or more that were lost with crew from Grand Bank.

Alas the lobby of the municipal center today has pictures and models of the dragger and trawler. While these too were important in the history of the town, the many schooners which sailed from Grand Bank and the scores of men lost from them are becoming a fading memory.

I don't agree with it, do you? Perhaps we can ask for justification or explanation for such a rash move to rid the word "Partanna" from the school.

April 2003 issue

Grand Bank seamen found employment on the sea all over the Maritimes. I was searching for information on the fire on the Nova Scotian schooner Catherine M. The crew was given and two seamen from my home town were shipmates on the vessel.

In mid-October 1931 a fire broke out five miles north northeast of the Sambro lightship off Halifax on the Halifax-owned auxiliary fishing schooner Catherine M. It had sailed Sunday night on a fishing trip. The next morning, it was about to make its first set for fish near the lightship when the engineer discovered a fire.

A small air compressor engine backfired, followed by a muffled explosion, and within moments the engine room was in flames. The crew put up a 20 minute fight, but the flames forced them off the schooner and out into their dories.

Engineer Vincent Emberley, the son of the captain, and Ignatius Oakey were the only crewmen in the after cabin; the others were forward in the forecastle. Because the fire was almost directly below the cabin, Emberley and Oakey both received burns; Emberley about the arms and Oakley’s injuries were on his body and head.

Lightship crew sent word of Catherine M’s plight to C. H. Hosterman, agent for the Department of Marine and he contacted the Halifax Towboat Company. The tug Samson went out. The towboat poured a steady stream of water on the schooner from its firehose and that, assisted by Catherine M’s crew put out the flames. The Duncan’s Cove lifeboat crew, commanded by Coxswain A.F. Holland, also went to the scene to help.

About noon the fire was under control and Catherine M was taken in tow for Halifax. There was four feet of water in the hold; the schooner was listing down by the head and it was completely gutted aft of the mainmast. Many in the crowd gathered at Mitchell and McNeil’s wharf to view the schooner wondered how the vessel remained afloat in that condition.

Captain Joseph W. Emberley of Dartmouth, his son Vincent, the captain’s brother Jim Emberley, Clayton George of Queensport, Sam Clarke of Halifax and Oakey of Dartmouth, who had bunks in the cabin, lost all belongings. Others in the crew were Angus McMasters, Dartmouth and Newfoundlanders Charles Royle and James Weymouth, Grand Bank; Hugh Fudge and W. Kendell, Ramea; James Bungay, Port aux Basques; Henry Parsons, Burgeo; cook Jack Butler and Robert Keeping, both of Flat Island, Placentia Bay.

Meanwhile sailors continued to go down to the sea and even though their ship was disabled for awhile, men like Charles Royle and James Weymouth found work on the sea.

February 2003 issue

First, a brief sea story - too short to become a full-fledged tale of the sea unless we know the details of survival and how the men finally reached home. In June 1894, four men - George Trimm, William Rogers, John Burke and Tom Gosling - strayed away from their mother ship and had a tougher time getting re-united with their schooner.

The four were part of the fishing crew of the 56-ton Vidette, one of the first banking schooners of Grand Bank. Vidette was built in 1867 and owned by J.B. (John Benjamin) Patten. It is known from a fishery report of 1898 he was captain of Vidette, so it is likely J.B. himself was skipper in 1894, four years previously when this incident took place.

Two dories, with two men each, were engaged in the trawl fishery about twenty miles from shore off Ingonish, Cape Breton. This in itself is interesting as we usually think the preferred fishing grounds in June would be Newfoundland’s western shore or one of the offshore Grand Banks. At any rate they returning from the trawls off Nova Scotia when fog set in and the two dories became separated from Vidette.

They searched for awhile and then decided the best bet would be to row for land. When they arrived in Ingonish there was nothing there, no news, no Vidette and probably no help. When the fog lifted and the weather cleared, they rowed out again in search of Captain Patten and their schooner. Again, with no sign of their schooner, they rowed back to Ingonish - a round trip of forty miles.

They proceeded by train to Sydney, a popular port of call for Newfoundland schooners, where they appealed to Collector of Customs for help. As bank fishermen they would have had little cash or finances on them to book a passage to Newfoundland. Unfortunately the story ends there, but we can only assume they reached Grand Bank and Vidette eventually.

While the names Burke and Gosling (usually associated with Burin) are not common Grand Bank names, Trim and Rogers certainly are. William Rogers is probably the same man who was lost at sea on the schooner Tubal Cain in 1907. His son was the late Garfield Rogers and his grandson, Clarence Rogers, lives in Grand Bank today.

What’s your favorite year? I suppose if I had to put a significant or bell-weather year on Grand Bank it would be 1987. It became the town’s first Come Home Year and the events of 1987 helped form the town’s basis for heritage and certain cultural events. The first historical drama was held that summer in front of the Thorndyke B & B. The Heritage Walk, a historical and cultural stroll through downtown Grand Bank, was put in place as was the Marine Hike and the Nature Trail. All with the goal of preserving natural history, town history and heritage.

As well, the Fraser Park was designated by the town as a “rest” park - rest or picnic park as compared to a municipal camping park or sports park. The small historic section of land was beautified and picnic benches were set up.

More importantly, there is a monument there; the only monument in the town dedicated to a lost ship - the Tubal Cain as mentioned in the sea tale above. The town approved, helped pay for and erect a sign that described to visitors and residents the significance of “Fraser Park.” The beautiful hand-painted sign also explained the loss of the schooner Tubal Cain and thus it became another and much-needed memorial to lost ships. To my mind, it was very historic and important in the cause of preserving local history. Many people who were involved can remember the dedication ceremony, the speeches, the words of cultural commitment from that day in May 1987

Lo and behold, the wind blew down the sign about six or seven years ago and no one - the town, or one if many arms, heritage, tourism, has seen fit to put it back up. It’ll take a re-painting and some time to dig in the posts for the “Fraser Park” landmark, but when will it be done? As I understand it, the old sign can be found in a back room in the old council hall. Let’s get it out, re-do the sign, re-think our history and re-evaluate our role in preserving what we have.

December 2002 issue

I have been hearing through the grapevine of an event, a celebration, about to take place in Grand Bank. It seems as if the powers-that-be, in 2003, are going to commemorate the community’s anniversary as an incorporated body, a council, in other words.

The deed was done and papers were signed on December 28th, 1943, when Newfoundland's Commission of Government (Division of Public Health and Welfare), supported by a petition from Magistrate Herman Quinton and several Grand Bank businessmen, approved a request to incorporate Grand Bank thus giving the town council legal status.

Now the real fireworks and celebrations happened in July of the next year, 1944! That’s when the townspeople, the workers, the beach women, the fishermen, got wind of municipal laws. And what a sniff they got - regulations on animals, increased taxation, taxes on property, homes, livestock and because so many people got around on two wheels, a tax on bicycles. Even the messenger boy’s bike would have a little licence plate (bought at the council hall) when he delivered the “delinquent tax” notice to your door.

Well, the people weren’t going to take taxation without a fight. And there was no move from the powers-that-be to educate them, or to bring in the council progressively or to help the masses understand the benefits. No, it was taxes, taxes and more taxes.

Soon certain landowners, businessmen and truckers/taxi drivers planned their opposition. Tension, public outcry, refusal to pay up, opposition to the newly-slapped on laws and civil disobedience reached a head in July 1944. The law, the Newfoundland Rangers, were booed and jeered when they tried to bring delinquent taxpayers into court. Two prominent businessmen were arrested and carted off to the Burin jail. Druggist Howard Patten, a self-appointed ringleader, planned a little more action and would top it off with an inflammatory speech on the Grand Bank Bridge.

As tempers reached fever pitch, all workers went on a two-day strike. The bulk of Grand Bank’s labor force was employed on the fish-drying beaches and all work there stopped. Thousands of quintals of drying fish were left to rot, spoil in the rain or to be carried off by rodents, two-legged or four-legged.

Before Patten reached that level of fury, the local Rangers stationed in Grand Bank asked for reinforcements. Between forty and fifty St. John’s constabulary were shipped into the little town of Grand Bank. They came, in full uniform - choke collars, great cape, black shirts, breeks, high brown boots - and assembled on the Bridge which had become the focal landmark of frustration. Patten never made it to give the speech. He was hauled into the temporary courthouse in the Temperance Hall.

On the evening of July 20, the fifty police (including several Rangers from around the Burin Peninsula) waded in on the Bridge, took back the public streets and quelled a riot. One defiant woman was arrested; more for show than for a criminal act. Thereafter for a few nights, the police walked in twos to keep curfew and gradually peace was restored.

Well, in view of historical accuracy, perhaps today’s council will have a quiet re-enactment of signing the official documents, perhaps in the bowels of the new council hall. As for the people, the true surveyors and movers of council matters, they should have their own celebrations on the bridge. Perhaps someone will act out Inspector Case, jump on the bridge railing and read out the Riot Act. The crowds will run, the police will give chase and there will be fun and merriment and fireworks on the bridge, once again.

I guess the question remains, Why is the present council planning to observe incorporation on the sixtieth anniversary? Was there a celebration in 1993 or 1994, the fiftieth year after the knock-down-drag-em-out affair? No. And will the councilors allow the true participants of local matters - yes, the people - to amass on the bridge and boo and hiss? I think not.

I’ll keep you posted on the celebrations or lack thereof, but for now, that’s it as I see it from Grand Bank - What? a town.

The first issue: October 2002

- Readers, I apologize. I deleted this issue before I made plans to archive or preserve all back issues.

Topic: The heritage designation of Stoodley’s Stage versus the recognition or designation of a fish-drying beach where so many women worked long hours curing fish.

If any reader has a copy, in print or saved on disc, I would be more than grateful for it.