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"The Bradford West Gwillimbury Heritage Committee, established by the previous Council, came to Committee of the Whole on January 16th, to present a proposal for a municipal register of culturally and historically important properties..."

"Dubbed the world's greatest carrot festival, the premier downtown Bradford event returned to the streets for a 16th time Saturday. Carrot Fest will close Holland Street in downtown for the day to make way for a myriad of activities, while more fun will also be had in other parts of the downtown and the municipality, such as a midway all weekend long at the Bradford & District Memorial Community Centre, 125 Simcoe Rd." ...

Description : For the past few months, I have had the absolute pleasure of taking a trip down memory lane, by reading "Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury." I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to those who generously volunteered their time to compile and publish this historical account of the Township of West Gwillimbury. The historical data give the readers a good view of how the Township got its origin. Just as an individual family or farm can't stand alone, neither can a Township, without the intermingling of the small hamlets. It is so interesting to read how places like Pine Hill and Ham's Corners derived their names, just to mention a few. Many of those with whom I have spoken referred to the book as "only about the Township," making it of no interest to Bradford residents. I disagree. Bradford figures prominently in the book, for it was the source of industry and market for many of the rural farms in the surrounding community. Bradford was also the hot spot for social gatherings. Trips from the hamlets into Bradford on Saturday evenings were a weekly highlight for many families.

Description : It was the realization of a 4-year dream... Back in 2001, George Jackson, founder and chair of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, broached the idea of a comprehensive history of the Twp. of West Gwillimbury. The book would focus on the founders and settlers of the Township, the farming families, the businesses, and the flavour and character of life in a rural Township. Jackson quickly drew together a team of enthusiastic volunteers, many of them members of the Local History group, but also others, eager to participate and explore their own genealogy and heritage. In all, 115 volunteers spanning 5 generations took part in the "WEGWHIST" Project. They collected family histories and stories, tracked down archival records, collated photographs that spanned the decades, and worked with staff at Friessens Publishing in Altoona, Manitoba, to put together "Governor Simcoe Slept Here - The Legacy of West Gwillimbury Township." The original idea was to print 750 copies of a 500 page book. The book is now 825 pages, in 2 volumes - with scores of photographs, and a CD that contains a 100-plus page index with over 10,000 entries, and 140 color plates of the Twp. One thousand copies have been printed; 750 were pre-sold, before the launch. The book was formally launched on December 15 at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Bradford. Over 100 people turned out to watch as the volunteers were thanked, and a presentation copy, piped into the room, was presented to the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury by Jackson and Association Secretary, Barbara Verney. Deputy Mayor Dennis Roughley accepted the copy on behalf of the municipality.

"The annual Carrot Fest had something for everyone, including a flash mob choreographed by Shelby Thoms."

"The annual Carrot Fest in Bradford is a longtime summer tradition. Clockwise from above: Strolling accordion player Klaus Wehrenberg entertains; Sofia Gomez, 3, enjoys a day out; Gwilly, the mascot poses with a fan for a 'selfie'; the crowds enjoy the vendors on Holland Street; Hilary Whittaker (left) and Jane Pound, owners of the Bradford School of Dance, have some fun. To see more photographs from the event, go to thetopic.ca."

"Celebrate our farming heritage at Carrot Fest.

It looks like warm weather will shine down on the 17th annual BWG Carrot Fest in Bradford West Gwillimbury, set to occupy the town's downtown core for a weekend of fun." ...

Photograph of Lieut-Gov. David Onley and his wife, Ruth Ann Onley, on the corner of John St. East and Barrie St. for the unveiling of the Elizabeth Gwillim Simcoe statue.

"Despite the wet weather, Captain Carrot entertained Carrot Fest visitors, such as the Ferragine family." ...

The WEGWHIST team has bowed to public demand, and will reprint Governor Simcoe Slept Here, the Legacy of West Gwillimbury. The reprint of the 2-volume set should be available mid-August, 2006. Some factual errors in the first edition will be printed in an addendum to be included with the reprint, and available to all who have already purchased a book. Pre-publication sale of the reprint is underway. The pre-publication price will be $5, the post-publication price $75.