Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-06-18, Page 3NEWS AND FEATURES THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 18, 1988 — A3 Seaforth residents are proud of their Scottish heritage ' About half of the population in Seaforth is of Scottish ancestry or . is interested in Scotland. Charlie Campbell and his wife Peg belong to this important heritage. Two weeks ago, they returned from a trip to Scotland that started on May 26. Mr. Campbell is very interested in his Scottish background and has always had a fondness to go to Scotland. Mrs. Campbell is Scottish as well and the two of them wanted to go back to where their ancestors had lived. Mr. Campbell, the owner of Campbell's Crown Hardware store in Seaforth, said they spent some of their time in Scotland with a cousin of his, Sir Colin Campbell, who is the head of the Campbells of Aberuchill in Scotland. Mr. Campbell is the head of the Campbells of Aberuchill in Canada. Sir Campbell and his wife Lady Mary reside in a castle which was built around the beginning of the 14th century. "It was quite a feeling to reside in a castle," said Mr. Campbell. "It's not just the grandeur but the size and expanse. You're dealing with 18 to 20 -foot ceilings and there are four floors to the castie itself." The castle, called Kilbryde, is the ancestral home of the Campbell clan. It is outside the town of Dunblane in Perthshire which is north of Glasgow and west of Edinburgh, about five miles from the town of Stirling. Kilbryde castle was originally the seat of the Earls of Monteith. Sir Campbell is the eighth Baronet of the Campbells of Aberuchill. Sir Campbell was born in India. When his father inherited the castle about 40 years ago, the family moved there. Sir Campbell has two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell flew from Toronto to Preswick and then rented a car and drove to Glasgow and on to Dunblane. "That's the best way to travel," Mr. Campbell said. "if you rent a car, you can take side trips. There are so many side trips to take." The Campbells got the Idea of renting a car and tourin : on their own from Don and Sheila Morton who went to Scotland for three weeks in July of last year. Mr. and Mrs. Morton are both descendants from the Isle of Lewis. They loved the history and scenery that abound in Scotland. GREAT PLACE TO GO Mr. Campbell said Scotland is definitely worth visiting. "It's a great place to go. The little towns are like Walt Disney towns because of the way they're constructed with little cobble- stone streets and all. Two weeks is too short a period of time to try and cover the area we did. W e could go for two more weeks and never cross our paths." The bed and breakfast places the Camp- bells went to were the most economical accommodation offered. "W a used them a lot, They're like little tourist information centres, They cost on the average eight pounds ($16 Canadian) per person for one night with breakfast in- cluded." Mr. and Mrs. Campbell travelled about a 15 -to -20 -mile radius around Dunblane. They saw Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle. They went north of Perth and visited other castles. They drove their little rented Peugot out to Inverness, took a cruise down Loch Ness, out to Oban to the Isle of Mull and Isle' of Iona, down by Loch Lomond, along the north side of the River Clyde and through Port Glasgow to the town of Largs and then back to Preswick. Mr, Campbell said they drove just under 1,000 miles. "It's hard adjusting to driving on the left-hand side of the road," he said. "The roads are narrow and winding. The people drive fairly fast but they're good drivers and the roads are excellently marked. You have to concentrate 100 per cent but after 48 hours you become accustomed to the driving." Gas is twice the price in Scotland compared to Canada, Mr. Campbell said, but the tittle cars get about 50 miles to the gallon so it doesn't cost that much. The Campbells were very impressed by the history and scenery in Scotland. "Around every corner there is a new part of history," Mr. Campbell said. "There's an unreal amount of scenery. W hat they take for granted, we take as awesome and breathtak- ing,,, RUGGED BEAUTY Gordon W right, another Scottish descend- ant who lives in Seaforth, agreed the history and scenery are most impressive in Scotland. "There's a rugged beauty you can't describe. When you're visiting the Hebrides islands off the northwest coast of Scotland it's like stepping back 100 years. It's an experience. They shear the sheep and dye the wool by themselves and use no motorized equipment." Mr. Wright is proud to be Scottish. "Of necessity, many inventions have originated there: the pneumatic tire invented by a man named Dunlop; black -top roads by a man named McAdam; the postage stamp and many more. It's a poor country. They work hard but they are governed by the lairds who own the land. The people invent things for their own convenience. Mr. Wright went to Scotland for three weeks in 1984. He also lived there for d -a -half months in 1981. He has cousins in Scotland. When he lived there he stayed in a town called Bridge of Allan which is the same size as Seaforth but more densely populated. Seaforth is a Scottish settlement, Mr. Wright said, "but as times goes by there is less interest in the history." Mary Doig is still interested. The last time she visited her "home" was five years ago in June. "I love Scotland. I love the scenery and the history. The history in' all of Britain is very excellent and has a lot to offer." Mrs. Doig would go back to Scotland every year if she could afford it. She likes Canada and she likes Seaforth "but I still like to goy home. I have good memories of Scotland and of my home town of Perth." in Canada there are a lot Of people who have moved out from Perth since Mrs. Doig. left years ago. Peter Malcolm and his wife, who also live in Seaforth, came from her home town. Mrs. Doig met her husband, who is Canadian, when he went to Scotland to play hockey. They came to Canada in 1951 but Mrs. Doig became so homesick for Scotland they went back four or five months later. They returned to Canada 30 years ago. Three of her children were born in Scotland and three were born in Canada. Her granddaughter is keeping the interest in Scottish ancestry alive by taking highland dancing lessons in Goderich. FABLES AND STORIES "Scottish history is one of the most exciting," Mr. Campbell said, "because it's fill of fahles,nn i gtnri I'm proud t0 be a CHAALIECAMPBELL, of Seaforth, recently visited his ancestral clan In Scotland. At right Is his framed family tree. Wilkins photos Scotsman but I'm Canadian first. Anyone with pride in his ancestry wants to go back and discover who his ancestors were and who he is related to." Mr. Campbell said people in Seaforth are interested in Scotland. "They asked me when i returned:' W ell, how did you like Scotland'?' There are people in Seaforth who are members of the National Trust for Scotland, a government organization that takes over historical places and restores and maintains them." But while Scotland is beautiful, full of history and the people are great, Mr. Campbell would not move there. "Our home is Seaforth. We like Seaforth. W e went to Scotland to visit and it was a great place to go." Report calls SDHS viable school you'll see severe effects," said Mr. Moore. This article is a condensation of a report by "In others, depending on staff qualifica- the Planning and implementation Commis- tions and attitudes, you can ameliorate the sion of the Ontario Ministry of Education impact of low enrolment. Our athletic assessing the viability of small secondary program, for example, certainly hasn't schools, using the example of Seaforth suffered; our senior boys' basketball team District High School. The report concludes has just won the Western Ontario champion - the school is a viable operation at its current ship ti orer the stfifth time members a mist the two size and enrollment levels. physical education teachers in coaching school its size, it offers a wide array of duties. Mr. Scott coaches tennis, for courses. example. The school has the usual assort - "The number of course offerings available ment of clubs, and its student drama has to do with the type of staff you have," production won awards last year in the drama said Mr. Scott. festival in Clinton. "Ours has been pretty good. Some years limitations obviously exist. Industrial arts we have problems because we offer addition- are limited, and no music program is al options. Then we look at the qualifications available. Courses in art are offered in of our staff and what we can do. For example Grades 9 to 11. To augment the arts program, our industrial arts teacher is an excellent the school offers a film arts course in Grade 11 English instructor. He teaches three classes and has outfitted a room in the school of English because we don't have enough basement with appropriate equipment. sttilelrta lerikfullplljglAm in.ipdustr al arts,; RE DUCEBIdEVELC1ASSES Hb also teaches art. ' �The`mossf senotus dlffI ii1i . in "fFie op on " 1 'Mr. Scott added that Ile 'and' MY'. Iffkil"e "'or6dfh'"aciro friltimi ►f�8i tf9t31s, is the "stack - also teach with himself teaching Grade 13 ung" of pupils in the bi-level or split -grade accounting in one semester and Mr. Moore, classes. Grade 13 history in the next. "I'd like to see an end to stacldng," said "So when one of us is in class, the other is Mr. Moore, "especially in bi-level classes. available in the office. Both our guidance Stacking of levels is more harmful than counsellors teach a second subject as well." stacking of grades. With the latter, you can , TWO ORTIIREESUBJECTS have a mentor system in which students who Of the school's 26 .teachers, about have previously taken a course help the two-thirds teach either two or three subjects younger ones. But with bi-level courses, Since 1985, he Huron County Board of there's such a disparity in student abilities Education has given the school one teacher that portions of the classcan be totally left out above complement to enable it to offer a of discussions." basic -level program. This will be extended a "Stacidng is one of the major problems of grade at a time until a full Grade 9 to 12 small enmlments, along with the restricting program is available. of some courses to alternate years The school ma:dmizes its resources by Next year, however, bi-level classes will be combining general and advanced levels in reduced. Mr. Scott explained the board's many classes and two grades in others, and staffing formula will generate one more by offering certain courses in alternate years. teacherforSDllS, and the Board may be al,ie Geography is available in Grade 11 this year, to provide a second additional teacher on a and history will be offered next year. half-time basis. German., the only third language available, Seaforth also makes use of courses offered can be taken this year in Grade 11, next year in Grade 12. It is offered at the Grade 13 level in certain years only, where numbers warrant. "In some schools with small enrolments Assessing the viability of small secondary schools continues to be a central concern of the Planning and Implementation Commis- sion, as it studies the Roman Catholic Secondary School board plans to establish secondary schools with limited enrolment potential. in its attempt to judge, fust, whether the new schools can offer a sufficiently broad program to meet their students' needs, and second, whether enrolment shrinkages in nearby public secondary schools could weaken the schools' ability to maintain adequate programs, the committee looked at the Seaforth District High School: With 350 students and a staff of 26 the committee felt SDHS qualifed, by Ontario standards, as a small school. Harry Scott, principal of SDHS, explained that enrolment has fluctuated between 350 and 400 for several years now, and projections to 1990 indicate little or no change. Nevertheless, the -school is able to. offer a full business program as well as an academic one; it spo sprs a wide range -of extra -curricular aptivitJes; apd jt is offering 96 subjects thisiyear, indtidirig 14 at the Grade 13 level. Its graduates do well in college and university, and its athletic teams - win more than their share of games. POORMEASURE Both Mr. Scott and vice-principal Jim Moore, say despite its size SDHS is a viable school and Mr. Mobre says it is a mistake to tie viability to enrolment numbers. "You have to look at two factors. Smallness is not determined just by numbers but also by the type of program you're trying to offer. Once you've defined what constitutes a viable program, then you deal with the business of smallness. That brings In many other factors, such as staffing and the collective agreement, Arbitrary numbers can be misleading; there are a lot of variables involved." One of he keyvariables is the fad that area students who want a technical education are only a short bus ride away from Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton. The proydmity of a composite school with a full fan a of shops enables SDIIS to 'focus on academicandbusinessprograms, although it does offer courses in industrial arts. For a FROZEN SOLID — When the Seaforth District High School drama club members decided to return props used in a recent production they found that was easier said than done. Jon Knights, Sonja Fehr and Guy Devine were forced to take refuge In a no parking zonith until il help, and More muscle arrived. Optimlit Perk to get new equipment The northeast corner of he Optimist Park Seaforth Optimist Club to replace old will have a new look once new playground worn-out equipment. The project should cost equipment is completely installed. about $4,000 said Optimist President elect The •equipment is being put in by the Jack Bedard. COMMUNITY I CALENDAR,. Sunday comic] Wednesday, June 18 6 P.M. Red Vs. Blue will play make up game at Opimist Park. 1:30 p.m. Senior Shuffleboard 640-6:80p.m. Houseleague Soccer Green Hands vs Yellow Jackets 7 & B 0 p.m. Mens football at lions (rairfolit teams unlmown) Thursday, June 19 p fn: Mosquitos vs Goderich at the High Seltool field. 6411-730 BoyS Ball Iiodkey ?:30-Y0 3O Mens Ball Hockey. ,lay; .June 20 11300% lit R611er Skating at Arena 0150 p rri: Pee Wees vs Mean at Optimist Park ' • gunday; June 22 F ltd 1NS'l'RTJCTIONS 1 3 p.m. ,Auden; (age 9-i5 years) et hipghschool tienais courts 5 " m Adults (age 16 'arid over) 7 p.m. Firemen vs Villagers at Lions Park 8:30 p.m. Bears vs Turf Club at liens Park Monday, June 23 Tri -County District Senior Hames at Dorchester 6:30 p.m. Boys Houseleague at Icons Park 6:30 p.m. Mixed T -Ball at High School 7 p.m. Mainsheet vs Topnotch at OptirrdPark 8 pp.m.Creamery vsQueens atOptimist Park Tuesday, June 24 Tri -County District Senior Gaines at Dorchester 7p.m Optimist Park vs SL Columban at the 7 acid 810 p.m. Indies Softball at tions Park Wednesday, June 25 1:30 p.m. Senior Shuffleboard 6:30-6:30 HoUSeleague Soccer , ?p.m. Queens vs Turf Club at Iior'is Park 8:30 pan. Bears vs Topnotch at Ions Park, If you`re organfiing a non profit, event of Interest tO other Seafortii area residents, "• phone tib recreation officeatr 527-0882. or the Expositor at 527-0240, or Meli the • hiformatlon to Community Calendar, The Huron Expositor, Box 69; Seafo , Ontario,• NOK;f WO well In advance of the scheduled data Space for the Community ', Calsndar is donated by The Huron Expositor. Parent fights BY811EU1 V McPHEOM MST Janis Soots wants to do something about the negative attitude associated with educa- tion and schooling in Huron County. The Goderih mother 0.riginally took her concerns to Robertson Memorial School in Goderich and has now presented her questions and comments to the Huron County Board of Education. "The points I raise are not isolated to one school, but it affects all schools in Huron County," she told board members. Mrs. Soots presented an in-depth letter of explanation, questions and suggestions to board Members at their June meeting. She voiced her opposition to the bad cnmmunity image of the Goriestdr public school, but emphasized the positive work that is being done at the school. "I applaud the efforts of Mr. Angus MaclJennan (school principal) to establish a good school environment between student- sdnool-home," Mrs. Soots wrote it her letter to the board. The need for good communications was a major ecineem that she raised t0 the board. She suggested that more emphasis fn oemmimntc0tions could help alleviate the negative attitudes towards sdrool in Huron County, and involving the oammnnity could help achieve this goal Mrs Soots also addressed fire issue of studentbehaviioialpmblerns and appropriate drsdplinarj' m Wrong property negativity (Continued on Page A17) She wrote, "I question the situation of allowing a classroom or individuals) behav- ioral ehave inial problems go unchecked or to be dealt with spasmodically or inconsistently, I question the practice of allowing repeated temper tantrums, outrageous bursts of foul language and abusive behavior directed at fellow students, teachers and the principal to continue when present methods of dealing with such situations do not always bring desired results." Mrs. Soots noted that some behavioral problems are dealt with by short terra suspension, however she questioned the board policy on this, asking, `Is it Teething the root of the problem?" "I have experienced a situation in which a teacher does not exhibit the strong, consist- ent, firm control tin adassrbom hat allows for a good learning environment. I feel that a lack of this control will have a negative effectartail students in that class.•" • She asked about support systems, for' students andteachers who are encountering problems; about board policyon inspection of teachers and, what action a parent can take if there are concerns about a teacher. Mrs. Soots stressed the need for good education hi adrild's "fohiriative years" and she noted, "If they do not receive a final, stable and secure badrground n'ow, Mentally, emotionally and physically, their success as indivrdnalsand in further education can be ardized'" 1co `P IrnusE be ooneeined abort my drildren's eclat:Atkin fork( is their tante With whidt we tir'edealuig. Thisisnot to sayIwrsh to dictate A outline that appeared under a photo- the polraes and practices of the School board graph that appe•ared un areceiit edition of The acid the schools But it is to say that l believe Huron l ,zposrtorhas been found td tontam an irivolvement, earing, interest and support ergot Thephotograp ...- d ... oodschooleend geed students, hshowedJaclneS'tewart alntnliirfetog diddling a balloon she found or a local field. she concluded. Mistakenly the balloon was said to he_ found Several beard members made of Mrs, on the property of Russell Stewart,, instead it Soots' co'mrnents and the Goderich mother Westin the property of Riisseii Millett: was assured that education Oblides for the erersetriPled sometimeago.ln;a Huron County Board Of Education are m ie pert rt from Tudterstnih "fownari Ship Comied. place 04 they address many of the con(erns po received a that raised Van i1d,Foundahon , recei . . , a she_Seise . �e tof $1000 no $1000 front the the township, at Board ;claimant Art Clark thanked Ili m reported, :Soots forties interestin the education syst Our apologies for any embarrassriient or and noted that aaoniprehensive report would inconvenience these errors may have caused. be preparcd to answermanyof her questions. Apt TERRY IVIANCLNI Commission nsrnes mediator in teacher negotiations i The Education Relations Commission has appointed Terry Mancini of Oakville to act as Mediator in the negotiations between the secondary teachers and the trustees of the Huron County Boal of Education. Mr. Mancini is well-known in the labor relations community of the province as an expert in dispute resolution. Fiore 1970 until his retirement in 1983 he served as a senior mediatorivith the Conciliation and Mediation Breech of the Ministry of Labour. tics career began in 1940 in the steel mills of Sault Ste. Marie. For the next 15 years he held a variety of positions with he local inion, and also served a two-year terns in management with Algoma Steels In 1966 Mr. Mancini ,pored, the Interne- Ronal Staff of the Steelworkers Union. Mr. Mancini's previous mediation appoint- ments include: Hamilton Seon"dary Kirk- land irkland lake Secondary, Metroppoolitan Toronto Elementary: and Sinn:6e RC;. This appointment is shadeTunder Section 15 of the School Boards andeaite's Collective Negotiations Act, Reviled Statutes Of Ontar- io.,1980t,.. _ ...