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"The home-coming for the Bradford Centennial Reunion has brought sons and daughters from the length and breadth of the continent, and even guests from Bradford, England.
Bradford churches were filled to capacity on Sunday, when old boys and girls added to the regular congregations, and friendships were renewed following these services." ...

C.G.I.T. Girls in Stroud 1928. Isobel Coutts (nee Watson) in the middle wearing glasses. Isobel married Norrie Coutts.

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.

"Honorable Earl Rowe, former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, was guest speaker at the Fisher's Corners Womens Institute Meeting January 20. A great supporter of women's institutes, Mr. Rowe spoke to the women and their husbands for about 45 minutes on current issues like the Quebec problem and reminsced about politicking in the area in horse and buggy das. He expressed the need for multi-lingualism in Canada, rather than just bilingualism, explaining that Canada was a land of many nationalities and not just French and English. Well qualified to discuss national affairs, Mr. Rowe said he had personally known and worked with eight of Canada's prime ministers, including Pierre Trudeau. Described as a very warm and down-to-earth person by the women, Mr. Rowe is currently in retirement at his farm near Newton Robinson. He told the group he spends much of his time exercising his horses and reading."

A picture of the Ebenezer United Church Women's Group.

A white porcelain ashtray with 4 grooves to place cigarettes/cigars, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Simcoe Mason Lodge. Writing on front, in black: "A.F. & A.M. No. 79/1857 Eightieth Anniversary 1937/Simcoe Lodge/April 6th, 1937"

"Does Gilford need its own community hall? That's the question West Gwillimbury council members will have to ask themselves when they meet in the community on Cook's Bay in mid-April, after receiving a request for funding from the trustees of Gilford Hall.
The century-old hall has been owned by five trustees, who have passed the responsibility on to their descendants through the years. Now, they find the costs of maintaining the hall are more than what is earned from events held there.
Lou Cronan, one of the trustees, and chairman of the hall, said in a telephone interview that the overhead of running the hall including taxes, insurance, heat and caretaking are too high.
He was reluctant to say how much of a grant the trustees would need to maintain the hall each year, but said at least several thousand dollars is needed.
"The community has changed," Mr. Cronan said. "There used to be a lot of dances (to raise money)...there's not as much happening as in the past."
A letter requesting support was received by council at its March 17 meeting, and was referred to the finance committee, with instructions that a report be ready for the April 21 council meeting, to be held at the Gilford Hall.
The township has given grants to the hall in the past, and the Gilford Lions Club has made contributions. The Lions Club, Women's Institute and Horticultural Society use the hall regularly, contributing revenue, Mr. Cronan said.
Councillor Ron Simpson told council he had checked the assessment role to see if any adjustment could be made to the hall's taxes. He said at one time taxes had not been paid on the hall for 12 years, because it was assumed the township owned the land and building.
Mr. Simpson said the township could decide to support the hall, or take over ownership.
Mr. Cronan said there had been no discussion about turning the hall over to the municipality, but, "something like that will have to be done."
He said the hall is generally in good shape, with some minor repairs needed, and a fire wall to be installed around the furnace.
Each year West Gwillimbury gives a grant, of $1000 last year, toward the cost of operating the Bond Head Community Hall. The hall is owned by the township of Tecumseth, because it is on the west side of Highway 27.

A minute book from 1907-1909 for the Gilford chapter of the International Organisation of Good Templars (I.O.G.T. No. 459). The book was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Sam Neilly of Gilford.

A minute book from 1907-1909 for the Gilford chapter of the International Organisation of Good Templars (I.O.G.T. No. 459). The book was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Sam Neilly of Gilford.

This edition of the Bradford Witness celebrated the Centennial Year of the town. Histories of the surrounding communities were added to the edition in honour of this event, and were contributions from the Women's Institutes. This article is a brief history of Bond Head, west of Bradford on Highway 88.