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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.

Event Date : Thursday, March 10, 1932
Event Type : Death

Description : "One of the oldest residents of the village, Mr. Arthur Mousley, passed away at his late residence last Thursday morning, March 10th. Mr. Mousley was born in Birmingham, England, in 1847. About sixty-four years ago he came to Canada and over sixty years ago became a resident of Bradford. Although he belonged to a very large family he was the only member of it in this country. About fifty-nine years ago the deceased was married to Phoebe Harmon who predeceased him by about five years. Mr. and Mrs. Mousley celebrated their golden wedding about three years before her death. Mr. Mousley was a member of the United Church and of Cypress L.O.L. No. 694. He was a quiet, honest, upright Christian citizen. The deceased is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth (Libby) Davis of Bradford, and two sons, George of Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, and Ralph of Detroit, Michigan. The funeral was held from his late residence on Sunday, March 13th, interment being made in Aurora cemetery. Among those who attended the funeral from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. Robson and son, Barrie, Mr. and Mrs. Gough, Barrie, Mr. and Mrs. Art Harmon and family, Aurora, Mrs. Blair, Newmarket, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Davis, Aurora, Mr. and Mrs. J. Anderson, Aurora, Mr. and Mrs. T. Cross, Beeton, Mr. Wm and Mrs. Hattie Snider, Toronto, and Miss Ethel Davis, Aurora.

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."

Copy of an ad in the Bradford Witness for T. Kilkenny and Sons that appeared in November of 1882.

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.

Bradford high school principal Alex Taylor (right) accepts the official government of Ontario plaque from education minister Tom Wells commemorating the opening. Over 400 people were on hand to witness the official opening ceremonies.

Article about the tornado which ripped through Bradford on August 4th, 1981 - one week later.

Event Date: Tuesday, May 9th, 1933
Event: Death

Memorial and Obituary for Rev. George E. Tindall of the First Methodist Church, Alexandra, Minnesota. Grew up in Bradford, part of the West Gwillimbury Tindall family.