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Description : The WEGWHIST (West Gwillimbury History Project) Christmas Party is planned for Friday, December 10th, 2 p.m. in the Compton Room of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, at 100 Holland Court. WEGWHIST members and anyone who helped with the book are invited to attend. Around 2:30 p.m., a photograph will be taken of the group, to be included in the book.

Description : WEGWHIST, the West Gwillimbury History project, is looking for a Summer Student, currently attending college or university and planning to return to school in the fall, to work on a history of West Gwillimbury. The job involves using Word, scanning and cataloguing photos, some creative writing, and other varied tasks. This is a 12-week contract, full-time, paying position.

Description : The WEGWHIST (West Gwillimbury History Project) team has engaged the services of the Friesen's History Book Division, to help publish and print the History of West Gwillimbury. This Division specializes in helping local history groups, such as WEGWHIST, produce their own local history books. To this end, WEGWHIST will be assisted by Orland French, Friesen's Ontario representative. French was raised in Waverley, just south of Midland - so he is no stranger to Simcoe County. He was a reporter and columnist for the Globe and Mail, and now owns Wallbridge House Publishing, based in Belleville, Ontario. In his career as a writer and publisher, French has produced a number of history books and recently assisted with histories of Bancroft and North Hastings, and Northumberland County. His experience, and the support of Friesen's History Book Division, will provide a guiding hand as the project is completed.

Description : The West Gwillimbury History Project (WEGWHIST) meets Weds., Oct. 1st, in the Compton Room of the Bradford Library, 100 Holland Court, at 2 p.m. There are still some "missing families"... If you want your family history to be included, the Project must receive your information by October 1st! WWI Vetereans...To date, the project has the names of only 2 persons who served in WWI and returned home.

Description : More information is needed for the History of West Gwillimbury! Did your family reside in the Township of West Gwillimbury prior to 1960? A member of WEGWHIST - the West Gwillimbury History project - will be pleased to meet with you for a chat, and to take notes. If you have any old photographs, please dig them out. The Project will copy the photos and return them immediately.

Description : The West Gwillimbury History project (WEGWHIST for short) is gathering information and interest, pursuing the many aspects of Who, What, Where, When and How of the historic Township. The story begins about the time that the Township was surveyed in 1819, 183 years ago. The record-keeping of those days was not too detailed, but it is surprising the records that are available, and the story that they tell. All are welcome to come to the meeting and hear about WEGWHIST. A number of items need to be researched, such as old mills, post offices, meeting halls and fraternal societies. Pen, paper and an inquisitive mind will qualify you as a researcher.

Description : Eleven Bradford firefighters were honoured with a service medallion at April 11 Council Meeting. Presentations were made by Mayor William dePeuter. The award on behalf of her Excellency Governor-General Jean Sauve served to exemplify the important recognition of the contribution that the fire service in Canada continues to make in protecting the lives and property of it's citizens. The medallion symbolizes not only long-time service (minimum criteria 20 years), but the continuous and meritous contributions to the protection of lives and property. The following recepients received this most distinguished award provided through the Chancellory of Canadian Orders and Decorations: Ted Bulpit (46 years service); Gord Church (48 yrs. service); Ron Bannerman (40 yrs. service); Pat Pattenden (25 yrs. service); Fred May (25 yrs. service); Roy Saint (46 yrs. service); James Church (50 yrs. service); Orville Hand (40 yrs. service). In addition to these medallions, the Bradford Fire Department was awarded a plaque for their fine efforts in saving the Village Inn Hotel, Nov. 28, 1987. Presentation was made by Councillor Dennis Roughley on behalf of Councillor Bill Dykie, part owner of the Village Inn. The Bradford Fire Department is 130 years young. Their response time to the 400 Highway is a very respectable 5-7 minutes. This high rate of efficiency is due, in part, to the equipment, Bradford Police, the firemen and Bradford Town Council, who ensure there is money available for good equipment. Gord Church, who recently retired, has been replaced by newly-appointed Captain Ted Mendrek. The Bradford Fire Department has originated the position of LIEUTENANT and has filled it with two well-respected town citizens, Appi Sikkema, and Merle McKnight. Their responsibilities will include practice drills and training, along with taking charge of fires. Continual training serves to keep our firefighters 'tops'. On March 23, 1988, two of our volunteer firefighters received CPR certificates with top honours: Mr. John Burns (96%) and Mr. Russ McLennan (92%). As Mr. McLennan said, The working relationship among the firefighters is like a closely-knit family, unlike the rapport on the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team.

Description : On the north side of the 7th Line, about 1 km. west of Bond Head, there is a metre-high cairn in the fence line, that marks the location of the home and church built by the Rev. Featherstone Osler in the late 1830s. The frame church, that would become Trinity Anglican Church in Bond Head, was initially planned a lecture base for divinity students, church school, and centre for baptisms and marriages. It was during this time, that four sons were born to the Oslers - Feathersone, Britton, Edmund and William. The two elder sons became lawyers of note, Edmund a banker, and William, a doctor who was knighted for his service to his fellow man, and whose work changed the nature of medical practice and diagnosis. A number of medical facilities in Ontario have been named in honour of Sir William Osler, and at Trinity Anglican Church today, a memorial window and brass plaque are of great interest to the members of the medical profession who come from all over the world to visit the birthplace of this leader of their chosen profession. The Osler timber-frame country church, with its stucco coating, was moved in September of 1885 from the 7th Line to the top of the hill, at the northwest corner of Bond Head. It was rollered down the rural road in sections, reassembled, then given a veneer of brick and a new steeple. New oak pews were installed, and the interior was trimmed in oak. Much of the original interior and exterior still survive, including items used by Rev. Osler himself. On December 20th, 1885, Rev. Osler travelled from his Dundas charge to officially open the renovated church in its new location. Recently, Dr. Watters, a local resident and retired surgeon, speaking to the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, stated, "The old Osler church built and preached in by the Reverend Featherstone Osler, home to his astonishing family, is a piece of Canadian history of interest around the world. We must find some way to preserve the Osler church as part of that character, and as a reminder of the kind of people who began it."

Description : Bats in the tower, a bottle of wine tucked in behind the dated cornerstone, mould and dry rot in the rafters... that's what the Priestly Demolition crews found, as they demolished the old St. John's Presbyterian Church on John St. West in Bradford last weekend. The church came down more quickly than expected. When crews removed the windows in the east wall, it bowed outwards, creating safety concerns. And when part of the roof was removed, to lessen the possibility of unexpected collapse, a portion of the brickwork on the east wall fell. Structural safety was one of the key concerns that led the Presbyterian Church to sell the 112 year old building. Bulging walls, rotting rafters - estimates suggested that over $500,000 in repairs were needed, simply to preserve the structure. The cost did not include expansion, or the provision of handicapped access or washrooms. The Presbyterian Church instead has built a new St. John's Presbyterian, on Middletown Sideroad - a "House of God" that is completely handicapped accessible, large enough to accommodate the congregation, with a gymnasium and room for community outreach, filled with light and air, and free of hazardous mould. It is a vibrant expression of the Presbyterian Church in Bradford West Gwillimbury. The John St. property was sold to the neighbouring Trinity Anglican Church. Although the land will be used as a parking lot in the short term, the Anglican Church is fundraising to someday raise a new "House of God" on the site.

Description : Amsterdam, Botchtown, Middleton, The Hollows... are names included in the history of Bradford and West Gwillimbury, "Governor Simcoe Slept Here." The book also contains the story of how Bradford grew from a single hostelry in 1820 - Milloy's Tavern - to a town of 1,000 inhabitants by 1858, and how it came to be the market town, when the overland supply route to Kempenfeldt met the route followed by new settlers in West Gwillimbury, on their way to Holland Landing. Governor Simcoe Slept Here is available at the Holiday price of $55 for the 2-volume set, at the Bradford Public Library, Simcoe County Museum, Condy Books et cetera in Bradford.