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Description : The WEGWHIST West Gwillimbury History Project is now completing its book, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury. To help defray the cost of publication, a Patrons' Page has been established. Donors will be recognized in print in this wonderful book, to be published some time this year.

Thousands of people jammed Holland Street last July for the annual Salad Festival parade. Blessed with warm weather and sunny skies, the festival drew record crowds.

This photo appeared with a group of others in The Witness entitled "Bradford's year in photos."

Pretty 18-year-old Annette Grencer was chosen Salad Queen for the Festival. A student at Bradford District High School and the daughter of a marsh farmer, Annette was chosen over five other contestants. This photo appeared with a group of others in The Witness entitled "Bradford's year in photos."

Thomas Wells Opens School

The new Bradford District High School was officially opened by Education Minister Thomas Wells last Tuesday in a ceremony involving dignitaries from the province, the county, and the town of Bradford.

About 400 people braved the cold and blowing snow to attend the event, highlighted by a policy statement from the education minister, a tribute to Bradford resident Tom Gardner, and a key presentation from architects Adamson Associates and contractor C.A. Smith to principal Alex Taylor.

A moment of silence was also observed for Simcoe County Board of Education superintendent of planning Syd Owens who died the previous Sunday of a heart attack.

Trustee Sam Neilly said of Mr. Owens, "He was one of the most important men in the planning and design of this school. His sudden passing leaves us saddened."

Addresses followed by MPP George McCague (Dufferin-Simcoe), West Gwillimbury Reeve John Fennell, Bradford Mayor Roy Gordon, and York-Simcoe MPP Arthur Evans who introduced Mr. Wells.

Principal Alex Taylor gave a brief history of education in the Bradford area, which began in 1852 with the opening of a grammar school in Bond Head.

After the railway was opened to Bradford in 1859, Mr. Taylor said, the growth of Bradford warranted the establishment of a school there, and the grammar school was loaded onto wagons and moved to Bradford.

He joked that it was the first portable in the county.

Another school was built in 1890 which burned two years later, and a new brick school was built in 1893, but it too was destroyed by fire in 1923.

In 1923 Bradford District High School was constructed (now the Fred C. Cook Senior Public School) which served as the high school until last year.

Bradford's 1976 citizen of the year Tom Gardner, a long-time member of the school board before his retirement, was honored by the chairman of the Simcoe County Board of Education, C.W. Brown.

Mr. Brown called Tom Gardner "Mr. Education," and described his life-long efforts on behalf of education in the country.

He then presented Mr. Gardner with a plaque naming the resource centre in the school "The T.H. Gardner Resource Centre."

Mr. Gardner received a standing ovation from the assembly, and called the tribute "the highlight of my life."

Director of Education Jack Ramsay pointed out to Mr. Wells that the pressure would soon be on for the go-ahead to an extension for the new school next year.

He laughed, "We are optimistic that there will be no delay for that since Mr. Wells is present here."

Trustee Sam Neilly told the audience that today was Mr. Ramsay's birthday, and everyone promptly broke into a rendition of Happy Birthday.

The program concluded with a guided tour of the new high school.

Notices about the flooded marshland

"After visiting the scene of the marshland flood here on Monday, attending an organization meeting and promising $100,00 to start the work of clearing and rebuilding, the Premier returned again yesterday, this time accompanied by Ontario Minister of Agriculture Thomas. ..."

Two separate articles on the topic of flood relief funds.
"Holland Marsh Flood Relief Fund
On Sunday a Holland Marsh Flood relief Fund was organized, with "Brad" Walker as chairman.
Money is needed immediately. Many of the flood refugees are homeless. Their homes and everything in them are lost. Their crops, which are their livelihood, are lost.
Send cheques, payable to the Holland Marsh Flood Relief Fund, addressed to the Canadian Bank of Commerce, Bradford. Cash donations will also be accepted at the bank or at the town hall.
Remember - All cheques should be made payable to Holland Marsh Flood Relief Fund."

"Hurricane Relief Fund Makes First Contribution of $150,000
The Hurricane Relief Fund for Ontario has made its first contribution to the Holland Marsh of $150,000/ This is for rehabilitation purposes.
Just as Premier Leslie Frost's pledge of $100,000 is just a start to get the great task on dikes and land on the marsh started, so too is the Relief Fund's $150.000 a start on rehabilitation."

This article lists the members of the Emergency Relief Committee for the Holland Marsh Flood due to Hurricane Hazel.

"Holland Marsh residents and everyone living in this district will always remember "Hurrican [sic] Hazel" and the worst storm in Ontario's history, a storm which inundated the rich Holland Marsh gardens, ruining all crops yet to be harvested, sweeping buildings away in the water currents, and submerging some of the most beautiful homes of the district under feet of dirty water. ..."