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Tec-We-Gwil Hall, home of the Women's Institute of Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Townships, and the Centennial Lodge.

Tec-We-Gwil Hall, home of the Women's Institute of Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Townships, and the Centennial Lodge.

"Plans for Bradford's 150th Anniversary are well underway.
The deadline for groups and organizations to register their special Sesquicentennial events for inclusion in the Official calendar is April 1st, and the launch of over a year of celebration takes place May 27th at 3 p.m., with greetings from the Province, a declaration by the Mayor, Birthday cake, raising of the Sesquicentennial Flag, and a tongue-in-cheek skit bu the BDHS Drama Club, re-enacting the incorporation of the Town.
And organizers are already looking for participants for a Sesquicentennial parade, to take place on the afternoon of August 19th, following the same route as the Santa Claus Parade. The theme: 'Bradford Through the Ages.'
Anyone with antique farm equipment, classic or antique cars; representatives of Minor League sports, and hockey alumni of Bradford's historic teams (The Blues, Vasey Jrs., etc); choirs and bands - in fact, any community group, business or organization is invited to participate in this historic event.
The Town is looking for nominations for Parade Marshal. Residents nominate anyone - a local celebrity, sports volunteer, Minister, educator, or former Mayor - for the honorary position. There will also be a contest for Junior Marshal, details to be announced.
Parade application forms are now in the works, and should be available shortly. For more information, to get involved as a Sesquicentennial volunteer or committee member, or to register an official event, contact Joe Lotto at the Recreation Dept."

"Plans for Bradford's 150th Anniversary are well underway. On Tuesday night, in a meeting of Bradford West Gwillimbury Council, Manager of Recreation Nick Warman announced the winner of the Sesquicentennial Logo Contest. Local resident Chris Muncey was presented with a certificate of congratulations, a $100 Gift Certificate for recreation programs, and a copy of the logo..."

Wood statue commissioned by the Bond Head and District Horticultural Society in 2010, carving done by V. Donnelly.

"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.

"On September 14th, Simcoe South District Women's Institute celebrated its 100th Anniversary, at an Open House and Tea held in Cookstown.
The district received its charter on May 5th, 1902, in Thornton. At one time, the District had 11 branches, including Beeton, Gilford and Bradford, Now, there are only 6 remaining - Bond Head, Churchill, Cookstown, Fishers Corners, Tec-We-Gwill (Newton Robinson) and Tottenham.
At the Anniversary Open House, there was a focus on past achievements, which have included the establishment of a library in Alliston, installation of traffic lights in Bond Head, and work on health and safety issues - but there was also a focus on the future, and the continuing relevance of W.I.
Member of Parliament Aileen Carroll noted that Women's Institutes were founded in the early years of this century, "to work against the isolation (in rural Ontario), to countermand that isolation by bringing together the women... to build cohesion in the community."
Carroll pointed out that the areas of interest of Women's Institute - education and culture, citizenship, international affairs, industry - coincide with the interests of parliamentary committees, and urged W.I. members to stay involved, and to provide their views and input, to "seize the day, continue with these very important initiatives." "

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

Article features news on the fundraiser by the Bradford Lions Club for the York County Hospital, news on the recent break-ins and theft around town, and debate on the true name of the Holland River (vs. Schomberg River in the southwest)