Contains articles, clippings, and photographs of Bradford West Gwillimbury businesses

Contains news clippings and articles on various sports of Bradford West Gwillimbury

Bill Marks playing hockey in his back yard in front of the Bradford Cabinet Works with an old blacksmith shop on the left.

From 'Governor Simcoe Slept here': "Hockey Stick Factory - Yet another industry that once thrived in the Bradford Carriage Works building. Hockey sticks for the NHL as well as axe handles came off the production line between the years 1935 to 1937."
People in the photograph, recalled by Ernie Peters: top three on the left are Al McKeown, Syd Gapp, Harry Sabodian; front row centre is Miss Margaret (Peg) Davey, the company's secretary; Ernie Peters is front row, second from right.

Event Date : Monday, October 06, 1975
Event Type : Death

Description : Norman (Dodger) Collings, whose life spanned the fields of sports, farming and community involvement, died at the age of 65 Monday after a short illness in Chedoke Hospital, Hamilton. Mr. Collings was born in Bradford and educated at the local public and high school. After finishing high school, he began a professional hockey career. During that career, he played with a number of American minor league teams as well as the old New York Americans and Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. He also played on a West Toronto Memorial Cup championship team. Mr. Collings was renowned locally for his athletic ability and, as well as being an accomplished hockey player, he was active in lacrosse, curling and golf. Before joining the management of Hardee Farms and Federal Diversiplex in the mid-sixties, Mr. Collings worked as a market gardener on land he owned in the Holland Marsh. In 1965 he joined Hardee Farms and in 1970 was appointed vice-president and general manager of the Bradford plant's operations. Always enthusiastic, Mr. Collings also involved himself deeply in the community. He was a member and past president of the Bradford Lions Club and an Elder in the United Church. He served as the town's volunteer fire chief, succeeding his father who had held the post before him. For a number of years, Mr. Collings was a member of the Bradford Village Council and was a former member and chairman of the Bradford and District Community Centre Board. His works in the community brought Mr. Collings the respect and esteem of the community at large. While active in his community, Mr. Collings was an unassuming man. He was known to most people by the nickname Dodger, which he picked up during his sports career. Mr. Collings is survived by his wife for more than 40 years, Jean; his son, Tom, now a county engineer in Stratford; his daughter Mary Jane Buyers, now living in Melbourne, Australia, and seven grandsons. Mr. Collings is resting in the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home in Bradford. Funeral services will be held at the Bradford United Church Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Photograph of hockey stick ashtrays from the Hockey Stick Factory in Bradford. A puck sits in the centre of the sticks. These were owned by Bruce Davey and Marg Davey, former workers of the Factory.

"The Djurgarden Mini-Midgets of Stockholm, Sweden arrived in Canada on Boxing Day to begin a five-game tour against Ontario midget hockey teams from Barrie, Cobourg, Oshawa, Bay Ridges, and Newmarket. For the 20 young hockey players and 14 adults who accompanied them, this was their first visit to Canada and an exciting opportunity to combine good, competitive hockey with lots of sightseeing. It was soon apparent, however, that the players were neither novices at hockey nor travelling. Despite the fact that the Swedish players were only 15 years of age (Canadian midgets are usually 15 or 16), the Swedes emerged from the five games with three wins, a loss, and a tie. The Swedes defeated Cobourg 6-4, Bay Ridges 5-1, and Newmarket 5-3. They battled Oshawa to a 4-4 tie and were upset by Barrie 7-3. Although they had never come to Canada before, the team has toured Germany, Finland, and Norway. Their experience showed."

"Darryl Sittler, Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, joins March of Dimes poster girl, Elaine Knox, in planning the 25th annual fundraising tactics. Darryl is Provincial Honorary Chairman for this year's March of Dimes Campaign."

"The first thing most people associate with Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians is New Year's Eve, the traditional event for Guy Lombardo and his world-famous band welcoming in another year at some famous New York hotel. This year Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians will be far removed from both New York and New Year's Eve when they play in the Bradford
Community Centre Friday, May 27. Mr. Lombardo, a native Canadian with a 13-member band including a crooner, will play all the old favorites for about 1,000 persons at the community centre. Guy Lombardo and his band will come to town by private bus just before the performance, and be bused out immediately after. He will not be spending any time in the immediate area. With less than 200 tickets left, Mr. Travis said that it was unlikely that they would last too much longer, even considering the fact there are four months to go until the performance. Tickets may be purchased from any Rotary member."

"Ward & Patch, coached by Ross Elliott and managed by Lou Cogo, won the Bantam championship with a 4-1 victory over Robinson's Gulf. Members of the team are Peter Prins, Danny Corners, Brett Thompson, Robert Delcourt, Ross Elliott, Wes Whitford, David McCasey, Greg Davis, John DeCosta, Rick Scragg and Greg Lane."