Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-07-01, Page 17poingiummommommom Page A16 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 1.4 E' pitste,e Lf ct-« 0�'" _c;iei i' [est-SG[cai iwt-yts; • Uu_,tdoors • Sunrooms • Pools • Garden Areas GRAND BEND 238-2110 Hwy. 83 E. (2 miles from the water plant) 35.000 Sq. Ft. • 50 Sets on Display www.gocasual.ca We also manufacture' UMBRELLAS • COVERS • REPLACEMENT CUSHIONS Jim Ginn, a member of the Bayfield North Watersheds Plan committee, speaks with Kate Monk, of the ABCA. Local landowners to be featured in series on Bayfield North Watersheds Plan The Bayfield North Watersheds Plan committee is hosting an open house at Bayfield Town Hall on Thursday, July 23, 2009 from 5 — 9 p.m. You are welcome to attend presentations beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The July 23 open house will be a chance to introduce the draft watershed plan developed by your community. In advance of the open house for the North Bayfield Watersheds Plan, watch for a series of features like this one that showcase local projects that enhance water quality. Landowner Jim Ginn is one of several members of the local community serving on the Bayfield North Watersheds Plan committee. "It's important to remember that all actions to improve water quality start with the individual," according to Jim. "If people need help developing a property plan, this assistance exists." Once the property plan is developed, Jim says "we can all work on our projects as time and money allow." The best time to act might be right now as funding is currently available from several programs. For more information phone 519-235-2610 or 1- 888-286-2610 and ask to speak to Hope Brock or e-mail hbrockeabca.on.ca Photo by Gerard Creces A brand new school Workers from JMR Electrical of Exeter are busy at work on what will be the new addition to Goderich Public School last week. Students of Robertson Memorial and Victoria Public Schools will congregate under the new name and the new roof next year upon completion of the construction - expected in December 2009. Amberley Mill leaves ledger legacy Daminlimaillifibunt signal -star staff Jobless and homeless, Ruben Wilson wandered into the Amber - ley Feed Mill in the early 1930s looking for work in exchange for room and board. While rural Ontario joined most of the world at the time, clutched in the grips of the Great Depression, mill owner and proprietor Wilfred Bradley took one look at Wilson and said, "No man should work only for room and board." The Amberley Mill wasn't just a job for Bradley. It was his life- blood, one that he built from the ground up, and the deep bond and generosity he shared with it and his employees helped spur the business on. Wilson began work immediately, paid in turn room and board, plus one dollar a week. As times im- proves, so did Wilson's salary. Now, a small piece of the mill and of Huron's past has been en- trusted to the County Museum in a bid to help preserve rural Ontario's rich history. Early this month, Marion Trotter, Bradley's daughter, made the jour- ney from her home north of Kings- ton to the Huron County Museum in Goderich carrying with her the ledger, which outlines the everyday transactions of the Amberley Mill. Tucked away for many years, Trotter cherished the 'Mill Book' account ledger as a reminder of her father's dedication and success during the mill's run as a top area feed producer. Handing them over for preservation, Trottgr shared her Photo contributed Founder and operator Wilfred Bradley holds son George, on the mill grounds. hope for the contribution. "We hope the Mill Books will in some way help students who are studying Ontario rural history," she said. "Especially during the depres- sion era." During -the depression, Wilson wasn't the only one to benefit from Bradley's community spirit and his mill. According the Mill Books, Bradley would trade grinding and feed for apples, pork or potatoes. "Some of the farmers paid him what they could," she said. "They didn't have any money, but my fa- ther would grind their feed for them because the animals needed it, oth- erwise they'd die." The Amberley Feed Mill was operational from 1922 to 1949. It was alleged to be the first mill in Ontario to be run by diesel fuel en- gine. As technology advanced, the mill was slowly left out of the race after regained prosperity brought with it personal electric grinders on farms. After the mill was closed in 1945 and the property sold, Brad- ley struggled to regain his footing. "He had built the mill, the house, and the outbuildings and had spent much of his time caring for the gardens and lawns," Trotter said. "With everything gone [after the mill closed] he had a tough time." Like Bradley often told his two children, Trotter and her older brother George, he made an effort to "roll with the punches," relocat- ing to London where he got a job at a record company during the day, and completed night school in order to obtain a certificate as a stationary engineer. Thirteen years went by in the Forrest City before Bradley moved once again to Toronto, up- graded his certificate and worked steadily until his death in 1963. Bradley's old employee, Ruben Wilson also found his footing af- ter the closure of the Amberley Feed Mill when he purchased his own farm in Huron County. The Mill Books are now located in the archives at the Huron County Mu- seum and are available for viewing on request.