Description : It was a magnificent effort: for 4 years, volunteers with the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association and the community at large worked together as the "WEGWHIST" team, putting together a History of West Gwillimbury. The result was a 2-volume set, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury, containing the stories, records and photographs of the families that settled the Township. MP Peter Van Loan flew in to attend, and praised the book as a "remarkable and strong community project - a gift from older generations to younger generations. I commend you all, and I congratulate you all." The book was published by Friesens Corporation of Altona, Manitoba, thanks to seed money provided by the Municipal council, an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, and contributions from Patrons. George Jackson, who chaired, co-ordinated and drove the process from the beginning thanked a long list of those involved.

Description : In the recently published book, "Governor Simcoe Slept Here: A legacy of West Gwillimbury," there is an error on page 792. Part way down the first paragraph, the text should read: "Beatrice was born September 25, 1910, and died November 17, 1992. Evelyn was born March 14, 1917, and married Bob Stafford on August 17, 1940. They had two children, Jean and Don. Evelyn died April 6, 1991." Apologies to Marion West, who submitted this story, and to the West family for the typing error that occurred when transferring the story to the computer.

Description : The 5th Anniversary of the WEGWHIST (West Gwillimbury History) Project will take place on October 19th, 1:30 p.m. at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library. The meeting will feature a presentation of 2 copies of Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury Township to representatives from each school in BWG, thanks to a generous local patron. The meeting will also feature a display of the development of the book, from the first list of the Table of Contents, through to the final text approved for printing - a once-in-a-lifetime happening. There will be a social time, to chat and reminisce. All are welcome to attend.

Description : The reprint of the magnificent 2-volume local history book, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury is now available. Those who wish to mail out a copy as a Christmas gift should call Bill Marks or George Jackson.

From the Yesterdays section of the Bradford Witness:
"This is a photo of the 1931 class at Bradford High School submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Grennville Halbert. Shown in the top row (left to right) are Allan Gould, Frank Maurino, Murray Faris, Errol Gray, Don WIlson, Lou Neilly, Lorne West, James Darling, Keith Kilkenny, and Laurie Melbourne. Second row (left to right) Mr. Clary, the principal; Miss Cook, teacher; Home Henbest, Addison Black, Emory Belfry, Ivor Rogers, Marion Bell, Muriel Kneeshaw, Helen Clubine, Helen Clark, Ann Watt, and Connie Nolan. Third row (left to right) Zella Gardner, Maude Gardner, Edith Noble, Kathleen Holdane-Wilson, Marion Edney, Barbara Dunn, Evelyn Ward, Eleanor Collings, Mildred Faris, Ruth Cerswell, and Phyllis Mitchell, teacher. Bottom row (Left to right) Donna Archer, Jessie Lowry, Margery Seim, Helen Leeson, Marion Cullingham, and Evelyn Leeson. The Witness welcomes photos of interest."

From the Yesterday section of the Bradford Witness:
"Max Morris of Stayner submitted this week's photo of a class at the old Bradford High School around 1917. The building burned down in 1921. In the back row from the left are Mr. Harrison, principal; the name of the teacher in the middle is not known, the other teacher is the late Mrs. Gardner of Meaford (nee Jessie Curry, sister of Harvey Curry of Bradford). The names of the other students in the next two rows are not known, Mr. Morris writes, except for Hipwell, Sturgeon, Clubine, and Spence. Max Morris himself is on the outside right in the top row. Students in the front row from the left are Kenneth Cummings, Charlie Brown, Bowser, Jim Webb, Mike Saint, Fred McLeod. Second row, Kathleen Collings, Metcalf, Dorothy Bell, unknown, and Constance Nolan. The Witness welcomes photos of interest, especially from the Tecumseth area."

Bradford high school principal Alex Taylor (right) accepts the official government of Ontario plaque from education minister Tom Wells commemorating the opening. Over 400 people were on hand to witness the official opening ceremonies.

Bradford High School Students, 1931, Form 4 and 5.
Jim Worfolk, Marion Cullingham, Kathleen Wilson, Ann M. Watt, Ronald Sutherland, Unknown, Jessie McLowry, Unknown, Ruth Cerswell, Keith Kilkenny, Billie Day, Unknown, Louis Neilly, John Clubine, Evelyn Leeson, Beverley Hartman, Unknown, Arthur Taylor, Errol Gray, Dot Stone, Doland Adair, Allan Gould, Herbie Taylor, Helen Clark, Janet Pringle, Marjorie Wilson, Muriel Forth, Addison Black, Fred Reynolds, Unknown, Jessie Melbourne.

Bradford High School Form 5.