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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-09-06, Page 12TI1EWill18 M'ADMFTIMES U.S.S. No. 7, East Wawanosh...Participants in a fair in the 1920s from U.S.S. No. 7 include: back, Lavina Robinson (McBurney), Margaret Robinson (Taylor), Mason Robinson, Teacher Alice Scott (Shackleton), Mildred Mason (Towers), Donna Craig (Armstrong) Mary Brophy (White); front, Roy Robinson, Margaret Brophy (Walters), Alfred and Lloyd Mason. (Photo courtesy of Mary Campbell) School girl's memories By Dorothy (Golley) Thornton Belgrave School Fair celebrates its 75th anniversary in September, 1995, with a host of memories shared by thousands of pupils from East Wawanosh and Morris Town- ship schools. Over the years there have been many changes in the education sys- tem, as well as in farming methods. Girls and boys in both townships have shared in the spirit of friendly competition and contributed to the proud achievement in building the past history of the one of the largest school fairs in Canada. This year, we look back with fond recollections and pride at those years. Today, my thoughts go back to my first school fair in 1923, when I attended Stone School at No:. 7, Morris. My teachers over the years were Nelson Higgins, Mary McMichael, Eleanor Douglas and Helen Mulvey. The pupils from each school were dressed in a theme of color combinations with crepe paper and lots of streamers with a banner at the head of the school, usually carried proudly by Sr. Fourth pupils. For weeks, we practised march- ing around the school yard in straight formation and in an army - like regimentation. It was so impor- tant that we all put down our left and right foot at the same time and all. halted together. What a disaster it was when someone was not lis- tening to commands and ran into the pupils ahead! There were prizes for the best - dressed school, best marching and largest school. Belgrave, being a union and village school was al- ways the largest in number. Finally those competitions were dropped. I have only pleasant memories of every fair and don't remember it ever raining, but it surely must have some years. On the day of the fair, every school had its own place to assem- ble and get dressed. The Stone School's post was Joe Brandon's sunporch. The Brandons had come from No. 7 section in Morris and had a warm place in their hearts for us. Every year, Mrs. Brandon re- called our names and how much we had grown. We always stayed inside until we lined up to march for our dress was always a well -kept secret and we must not let the other schools see us before the parade. The parade marched up the hill to a field where we lined up again to hear speeches by the Fair Board Chairman, the Agricultural repre- sentative, the judges and the school inspector. Then each school took part in an exercise program that had been practised for weeks and judged for prizes. How tiresome and boring it got for us all having to stand there waiting to be dismissed so we could visit our exhibits and see if we got a prize. We also had some .money to spend that dayon candy and ice cream at the two local stores and the streets of Belgrave to explore. In the hall, were the sewing, bak- ing, flowers and school work exhib- its and in the United Church shed, the grain, vegetables and fruit were displayed. Various outdoor lots were used to exhibit the livestock and pets. At my first fair, I showed my. Buster, a black cocker spaniel that I had since my first birthday. With my school chums, I hurried to the fence where he was tied. He had never stopped barking and jumping add trying to get loose for he had never been tied and being in a group of other dogs didn't make him any happier. As he jumped up on me to lick my face, one of my friends who knew no more than I did about what getting a prize meant, shout- ed, "Buster did good, he got sixth prize, the highest." Later in the afternoon, on the United Church steps, a spelling bee was held to determine a winner,• amid the distraction of calves bawl- ing, pigs squealing and the hum of conversation. My grandfather was the one who helped collect and name weeds, leaves and wood samples, as well as patiently helping us deliver the exhibits and collect them again. In 1940, I again participated in the school' fair, but as a teacher at No. 5 Morris. At this time, 'the school fair work was done previous to the summer holidays and there was no competition for marching or dress. The school fair concert was held to accommodate a spelling bee and public speaking at a later date. Pupils in the schools involved in the Belgrave School Fair worked all year to produce excellent note books and prepare good projects and art work. It had a marked effect on the production ofexhibits at the fair as well as the standard of excel- lence in school performance. Mr. Kinkead, our inspector of North Huron for many years, al- ways said he saw superior class- room work when he visited the schools which were part of a school fair. Belgrave and community are to be congratulated on their work and enthusiasm which has maintained the Belgrave School Fair over so many years. Best wishes for many more. Endures Continued from page eight partment of Education providing money for seeds and prizes. In fact, the Huron County Board of Educa- tion continues to help fund the fair, granting $900 this year. Other fund- ing comes from Local municipali- ties, businesses and individuals. The year 1949 was an important one for the fair. That was the year that the community centre in Bel - grave was completed and the fair moved into that facility, where it remains to this day. As well, 1949 saw the record number of fair en- tries: 2,818. In 1950, the 30th year of the fair, entries were brought to the fair the evening before instead of that morning, with the exception of live- stock and fowl. Pupils complete the school work entries before school is out in the summer so that entries may be judged during July and Au- gust. Ada (Dow) Taylor of Belgrave, a participant in the fair and later a teacher, said there was much to do to prepare for the fair when school resumed in September. As a teach- er, she only had one week to drill the children in their marching and make a' banner for the school sec - To mark the 40th anniversary of the fair in 1960, homage was paid to three long-time supporters when John F. McCallum, C. R. Coultes and Stewart Procter were named honorary fair board directors for their many years of service. Centennial year, 1967, saw great changes. That was the year that all school sections centralized and thus a new name for the fair: the Bel - grave, Blyth and Brussels School Fair. The 50th anniversary . was marked in 1970, the 60th in I98C and the 70th in 1990, five years ago. Each year, the number of par- ticipants from that first fair in 192C dwindles, but any who are able tc do so will take part in this year's parade. As mentioned, this year the school fair will be held on Friday Sept. 15, one of only a few times the fair date has varied from the usual second Wednesday in Sep- tember. As in years past, the stirring sounds of a pipe band will lead the parade of school children and dig- nitaries down the hill from the In- stitute Hall to the fairgrounds. A number of dignitaries will, speak and then, as in other years, the pu- pils will rush onto the arena floor to see what prizes they may have won. There'will be the usual sporting events and livestock judging. A special addition this year is a beef barbecue put on the by Belgrave• Kinsmen and later in the evening, a family dance. There's lots to do this year at the only school -centred fair remaining in Ontario. We wish the fair many more years of continued success and commend the people of Belgrave and area for their commit- ment to the fair and the Children of he community. Cr ngratulations ... "Christmas & Country" (Flowers & 2 Levels of Giftware) • Christmas Accessories • Unique Country Crafts • Wicker & Rattan Furniture • Arrangements for all Occasions Wire Service & Delivery Blyth 523-4820 311efIoia Congratulations on your 75th School Fair... Township of East Wawanosh 357-2880 Triple F Equestrian Supply Weekdays 1 - 5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. One mile west of Belgrave on County Road 20 357-4673 Congratulations on your 75th School Fair... West Wawanosh Mutual Insurance John Nixon Insurance 887-9417 Congratulations from.. Maitland Manor Nursery & Landscaping "Professional Landscape Design and Installation." 519-335-3240 R.R.#1 Bluevale, Ontario Congratulations from.. Howson & Howson Ltd. Custom Delivery & Application of Fertilizers & Chemicals "Feeds, Seeds, Fertilizers, Chemicals" Wingham 357-2700 A griculturaUElevator 523-9624 1-800-663-3653 Congratulations from.. C.A. Farm Management lA Inc. Congratulations from.. Division of Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited "Where you can trade with confidence." Walton 527-1540 or 887-9261 1-800-786-1476 The Currie Girls...Sandra, Karen and Heather showed their calves at the school fair in the mid-1960s. ffiU¢ c1ingbum Abbe( ezZillteti 5 Diagonal Rd Box 310 Wingham NOG 2H0 Phone 357-2320 Fax 357-2900 Decorated bicycles...now are part of the pa- rade of school children at the Belgrave School Fair. Congratulations fro BeLqRave Va!zieTy 357-1254 FREE ESTIMATES Constriiet onr Woodworking - Cabinets 107 Westmoreland St. W. Refinishing Blyth General Contractor 523-9695 Paul Cook Electric Home, Farm & Commercial Wiring Wireless Home Security Systems Belgrave 3571537 of 524-3690 i 1