The Wingham Advance-Times, 1952-09-03, Page 1Scenes in Fordwich, Kent, England
... .. . . .
Reproduced above are pictures of the ancient church and the town hall in Fordwich, Kent, England. Below is a
story written about this quaint English town after whi ch Fordwich; Ontario was named by the early settlers of
this district,
Kentish T own Provides Name for Ontario Centre
Mrs. Mary Anger
Dies in 92nd Year
The death occurred on Thursday,
August 28th., in the Wingham General
Hospital, of Mrs. Mary Anger, widow
of the late Wm. Anger, who prede-
ceased her in 1927, If Mrs, Anger had
lived until November 2nd„ she would
have been 92. Site was smart and
active for her years until Tiny 8th.,
when she broke her hip.
Born on the 15th, eon, of Howick,
she was a daughter of the late Hugh
Wylie and Mary Giffen Wylie. With
the exception of nine years' residence
in Listrievel and the last 16 months
in a nursing home in Wingham, all
her life was spent in Howiclt Town-
ship, Two sons served overseas in
WorldWar 1 and during both wars
she was an ardent knitter for the Red
Cress.
Pour sons survive: James, Listowel;
George, Wingham; John, Palmerston;
and Matt. of Orillia. The eldest son,
Dave, died a few years ago. There are
14 grandchildren and 21 great grand-
children.
The funeral service was held on
Saturday at the T. V: Edgar Funeral
Home in Gorrie. The Rev. 3. W, V.
Bachatian of the Gorrie United
Church was in charge. Interment was
in Gorrie cemetery, Pallbearers were
Robt, Graham, 3as, Douglas, Jas.
Shearer, Wm, Dane, Gee. Baker and
Norman Wade.
aut Abtante.
With which is amalgamated the Collie Vidette and VVroxeter News
sierhaeription $2.50 Per year; 80 per copy
Vol. 76 No, 43
Square Dance Contest to Be
Big Feature Lions' Jamboree
Increased Attendances at Opening of
Public and High Schools on Tuesday
ALONG THE THE MAIN DRAG
By The Pedestrian
This coming Friday, September 5th„
marks the 79th anniversary of the
.founding of the Winghara Advance-
Times, which first saw the light of
day in the year 1878, With all those
years of service to the community
behind us, it is our deepest desire
to continue serving the town and dis-
trict to the best of our abilities, An-
other birthday falls on the same day,
. the 71st, anniversary of the Dark Day,
0 when fires in Michigan forests and
bush threw a pall of smoke over
Wingham and a good part of Ontario.
A praying mantis was picked up
by one of our staff, Jim Csaigen, on
the door handle of Kerr'e Drug Store
After exhibiting it in a jar in the
Advance-Times window, we freed it
to travel whereVer a mantis goes.
It is not only children who get lost
at the Toronto Exhibition. Ask a cer-
tain Wingham grocer who got lost, in
.4 the Ontario Building. His wife and
daughter finally located him by paging
him over the PEA system.
Bob Clark had his prayers answer-
ed and is now the fond guardian of a
deodorized skunk. Bob's problems are
not aver yet however, as he has yet to
find a name for the little stinker.
Tory Gregg, well-known CKNX
sportscaster, has assumed the full-
time position of manager-secretary of
the WOAA with offices in the Stone
block at the corner of John and Jos-
ephine Sts.
Wingham swimmers did well at the
-Teeswater meet last week. Jean Hob-1
den won several events and Jim
Lockridge also was a winner. Shirley
Campbell, Fergus, winner of the three
mile Ex swim was on hand to demon- 1
strate the stroke which won her the
championship.
BIARRIED IN TORONTO
The wedding took place in St. Pet-
ers R"bman Catholic Church in Tor-
onto, on Saturday, August 23rd., of
Donna Louise, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Walter Lockridge, to Walter
'Truppe, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.
Truppe, of Salshurg, Austria. Rev.
Fr, Gleason officiated. Miss Ruth
Lockridge, cousin of the bride, was
'bridesmaid and Hans Daschall was
the best man.
HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
The Ladies' Auxiliary to Wingham
Hospital will hold their meeting in
the Council Chamber on Friday
afternoon, September 5the at three
o'clock. As s this is the first meeting
of the fall term, a geed attendance
is expected.
ROLLER HOCKEY GAME
Two roller hockey teams will clash
in the Wingham Arena on Saturday,
October 4th, at 9 p.m, See hockey
*played on roller skates at its best,
When the Galt Rambler's Meet Wood-
stock Food-rite, who have won their
last 28 games. For speed and excite-
Meat see roller hockey played under
lee hockey rules. 3b
COMING IN PERSON—Poetess Edna
Jacques in the Wingham Town
Hall, Wednesday, Sept, 17, at 8
sponsored by The Ladies'
Gelid, St, Paul's Church, Wingham.
3;10b
The Lions Club of Wingham will be
all out this year with the old-time
atmosphere for their annual fall car-
nival, to be staged in the Wingham
Arena on Friday and Saturday even-
ings of next week,- September 12 and
13.
The big feature of the event is the
square dance contest on Friday even-
ing, when a first prize of $50.00 and
a second of $25.00 will be offered
the winners, In addition there will be
a consolation award for each group
entering which is not in the bigger
money.
This type of entertainment has
become increasingly popular of re-
cent years, and as a result there are
some pretty fancy steppers in the dis-
trict, Junior Farmer and Institute
groups have become highly proficient
in a form of dancing which has
brought real pleasure to countless
generations. David Crompton, of
Wingham, is in charge of the contest
and ,entries should be turned in to
him as soon as possible, His post office
box is 364.
Pipe Band Here
The people of Wingham and district
have always been 'fond of the music
of the pipes—so on Friday evening
they should he out in full force to
welcome the Mount Forest Boys' and
Girls' Pipe Band. This musical or-
ganization has visited Wingham pre-
viously and you will no doubt recall
by
Margaret G. Aldred
It was a link. of over 40 years ago
that took me to Fordwich, Kent. I
had looked so often on photographs of
Fordwich, Ontario, until I felt the
urge to see its English counterpart
which lies three miles from the cath-
edral city of Canterbury. The bus hav-
ing left me in the village of Sturry, I
walked the quarter mile to Fordwich
between typical red brick mellow
houses with occasionally a black and
white half timbered cottage showing
among the trees.
At the foot of a small bridge was
a signpost topped with the emblem of
the White Horse of Kent. The letters
said FORDWICH and I knew then I
had reached the ancient Port of
Fordwich. This statment requires
some explanation for the visitor to-
day sees no quayside, no ships and
hears no bustle. The river Stour
flows slowly, the village seeiris asleep
and I realized that Fordwich was
living On its memories. Owing to the
silting of the river the port has de-
cayed from its once importance and
the appelation of port and town are
now only of historic significance.
' Fordwich was once the Port of
Canterbury and it was a proud "limb"
of the Cinque Ports which meant that
it had to contribute to ship service
which was the beginnings of the
Royal navy . As"Teir back as the days
of Edward the Confessor title money
was being paid, But even before
the Confessor Fordwich had its
history, having been a settlement of
the 'Romans and even to-day the
water supply comes from a Roman
well.
What does the narne* Fordwich
mean? It derives from the Saxon
tongue meaning "the bay on the arm
of the sea", vide Meaning bay and
fiord meaning sea. We find Domes-
day Book recording Fordwich and the
Met that it was Self governing. The
first Mayer inscribed on the roll of
malere IS one John Maynard and the
date .is 1292.
ACCIDENT VICTIM
DIES IN HOSPITAL
David T. Johnsten ,died in Wingham
General Hospital, on Monday, the re-
sult of injuries received in a highway
accident in July. He had been confine
ed to the hospital since then with a,
compound fracture Of the left leg,
severe lacerations and shock, He was
in his 71st, year.
Born oil the fourth concession of
Kinlose, Mr. Johnston farmed in this
district all his life.
Surviving are two sons, William of
Calgary, and John, of Cuirass, and
two sisters, Mrs, S, Hutchison of
Wingham, and Mrs., W. Conn of
Whitechurch.
The service will be held at 3 p.m.,
on Thursday, Septembear 4th., from
Curries Funeral Home with inter-
ment in Wingham cemetery.
To Teach at Omemee
Miss Mary Tofting, daughter of Mr,
and Mrs. Chris Tofting, of town, has
been engaged to teach at Omemee,
12 miles: north of Peterboro, at No. 9
Emilie. Mary completed a six week's
course during the summer in Toronto.
Loses Fingers
Little Douglas Coultes, son of Mr.
and Mrs, Norman Coultes, R. R. 5,
Wingham, had the misfortune to get
the ends of the three fingers on his
right hand caught in a seed drill on
Monday last, He lost two at the first
knuckle and the other' above the nail,
arms of the Cinque Ports of 1660.
Upon the table made of oak and
dating from 1580 lies the constable's
staff and a pair of handcuffs,. Placed
on the solid oak beams in the centre
of the roof are two drums one bearing
again the Cinque Port arms and the
other the arms of Fordwich, These
drums could tell an unhappy tale for
they were beaten to collect men for
the dreaded press gang for the navy,
Between the drums is a relic of
our Elizabethean ancestors the duck-
ing chair. This chair was originally
at the end of a long piece of wood and
into the chair was placed any woman
who had been over talkative or who
had talked scandal. The chair was
then lowered into the river amid the
cries of delight the assembled
people. The caretaker of the town
hall pointed out a tiny closet, dark
and creepy into which the repentant
women were taken after the ducking
to be dried. The Muniment chest
could yield many a fascinating docu-
ment for inside are docuMents dating
from 1275.
We leave the town hall and look at
the Fordwich Arms Inn (a compara-
tively new building the old one having
been burnt down) and we are standing
on what was once the old Quay of
the important Port of Fordwich. I
have yet to find anything more peace-
ful and sleepy than this once active,
quayside, ,
The church of St. Mary the Virgin
is of great age. In the doorway On
the south side bf the tower are traces
of Saxon work and there is a Norman
window at the west end Of the church.
The old shoulder high 18th century
hex pews are still in this church and
how pleasant it is to tee them for
they are rapidly disappearing from
our ehurches, The mayor's pew has
carved oak panelling with the Cinque
Port arms above. By the north wall
stands a Penitent's Chair or stool
Made of oak and apparently well
worn. At the south end of the nave
are two oak shelves and upon these
(Continued on page ten,)
faces and new names to learn. At
Wingham District High School, Prin-
cipal Stanley Hall reported a total
enrolment of 343, which' is an increase
of '13 over last year's total registra-
tion, Grade IX not only has the
largest number of students, 108 in all,
but there are, by some strange coin-
SIX INJURED IN
MOLESWORTH CRASH
A head-on collision near Moles.;
worth injured six persons on Tues-
day. According to provincial police,
the cars were travelling in opposite
directons but the cause of the acci-
dent has not yet been determined .
Those taken to htispital were:
driver, Henry J. Murr, 78 ,of Wrox-
eter, with scalp cat, knee injury and
shock; Mrs. Murr, 68, shoulder injury
and bruises; Mrs. Edward Collis, 68,
of Atwood, with cut forehead and
scalp wounds and right shoulder in-
juries; Alex Shaw, 55, of Bluevale,
scalp cut and bruises; Allan Brecken-
ridge, 28, also of Bluevale, bruises and
cut tongue; Campbell Robertson, 44,
of Bluevale, driver of the other car,
was released from hospital after
treatment for minor cuts.
Uncle of Clerk,
J. H. Bugg, Dies
James Herbert Bugg died on Thurs-
day at his London home, in his 81st.
year. He was born-at Riversdale, near
Wingham, and came to London in
1926, after residing in Toronto for
some years. Mr. Bugg was supervisor
of water service at London with the
CNR and had been 30 years with
that company there.
He was a member of Transportation
Lodge, No, 583, A.F. & A.M., Toronto;
the London and District Cage Bird
Association, of Which-he wee secretary
for several years; the Independent
Order of Foresters; and was a former
member of the American Railway
Bridge and Building Association. He
was a member of Metropolitan United
Church.
Surviving besides his widow, the
former Margaret N. Galbraith, are;
one daughter, Miss A. Dorothy Bugg;
one son, Dr. W. J. Bugg; and a sister,
Mrs. D, M. Stevens, all of London. A
nephew, W A, Galbraith, resides in
Wingham.
Funeral services were held on Sat-
urday at 12.30 p.m. at the A. Millard
George funeral home. The Rev. Dr.
W. E. MacNiven, retired minister of
Metropolitan church, officiated. Inter-
ment was in Wingham cemetery.
NIECE FEATURED ON
MAGAZINE COVER
Marilyn Young, sixteen-year-old
member of the Winnipeg ballet, who
this month graces the cover of Chat-
elaine magazine is well known to
Wingham residents, having spent a
summer here two years ago. She is a
niece of Mrs. Howard Sherbondy of
town and last spring was in Toronto
with the Winnipeg ballet.
According to the director of the
ballet school in Winnipeg, Marilyn
progressed steadily from the age of
ten to become "one of the most out-
standing dancers we've had in the
fifteen years of the company," She is
now a paid member with bit parts.
and will join the professional com-
pany on its eastern tour this fall,
western one in the new year.
She was a brilliant piano student
before devoting full. practice hours
to ballet, averages close to 80 010 in
school work and is an active teen
canteener at Kelvin Community Club,
Marilyn is the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs, Dan Young.
cidence, 54 girls and 54 boys. A break-
down of the other grades shows 91 in
Grade X, 70 in Grade XI, 39 in Grade
XII, 21 in Grade XIII and 24 in Spec-
ial Commercial.
Three new teachers arrived at the
High School to assume their duties:
Mrs. M. Chopin, of Alliston, who will
teach the Special Commercial; Bob
Ritter, of St. Jacob's, English and
Geography; and Doug Turner, of
Windsor, to instruct in History,
Public School
Principal T. S, Beattie, of the public
school, has an accommodation prob-
lem with 370 students registered, as
compared to 353 last year. The new
addition, which is designed to take
the overflow, will not be open until
later in the month. For the present
time the 60 children in the kinder-
garten class will use the Masonic
hall quarters which has housed this
class of recent years.
Parents who have not as yet regist-
ered their children should hasten to
do so, board officials state, All child-
ren must first he registered in kinder-
garten before going into the other
grades.
Three new teachers joined the pub-
lic school staff; Miss Jean Penning-
ton, of Teeswater, Miss Grace Golley,
of Wingham and Miss Edith Beacom
of Londesboro, •
ORGANIST HONORED
BEFORE DEPARTURE
A very enjoyable evening was spent
on Friday last at the home of Mrs.
John Ernest, when she was hostess
to a number of ladies of Sacred Heart
Parish, who gathered to honor Miss
Patricia Brophy, who has been organ-
ist at Sacred Heart Church for the
past three years. Pat left on Monday
to enter St. Joseph's Hospital, Lon-
don, as a nurse-in-training, Bingo
games were enjoyed during the even-
ing and when the guest-of-honour
"bingoed", she was presented with a
very lovely cash gift, and memento
book, A dainty luncheon was served
by the hostess*, assisted by Mrs. Tom
Rafferty and Mrs. John Brent,
Miss Sally Slosser entertained at
her home on Tuesday evening in hon-
our of Patricia, prior to her depart-
ure. Members of the Young Ladies'
Sodality spent an enjoyable evening,
playing games and singing, They pre-
sented Miss. Brophy with a lovely
gift, The highlight of the evening was
a farewell address by Rev. Father
Durand, pastor. The evening conclud-
ed with a dainty lunch, served by the
hostess, assisted by Miss Shirley
Chettleburgh. Miss Sally Slosser suc-
ceeds Miss Patsy Brophy as organist
of Sacred Heart Church.
WINGUAK ONTARIO, WEI) ICVSDAY, SEPTE?aIMR 3rd, 1999
the very fine entertainment provided
by these superbly-trained yOungsters.
Their part of the program will be a
treat in itself. They will parade on the
main street and continue on to the
arena, where further music and a
dash of Highland dancing will be add-
ed.
Imported Floor Show
On Saturday evening the music will
be provided by the local Twenty-First
AST Regimental band, with a parade
through town to the arena,
The highlight of the second even-
ing's program will he a floor show,
presented by out-of-town artiste. Full
details of the show are not yet avail-
able, but it is known that the enter-
tainment will be of first-class calibre.
There will be a full range of games,
wheels, bingo, ball-throwing and all
the rest of the side-shows which go
to make up a real carnival, Don't for-
get to patronize these booths, for it is
from the revenue derived at the games
that the Lions Club provides con-
tinuing welfare services to the 'com-
munity. If you do not spend with fair
generosity the service club which
sponsors this annual event will be
seriously hindered in the work from
which this community has benefited
for some years.
Dancing to the music of Hender-
son's Orchestra will round out both
evenings.
The streets leading up the hill to
the public and high schools were busy
once again on Tuesday morning as
students from town and, country
headed back to the halls of learning
after summer vacation.
For teachers it was a busy time,
with lessons to be prepared and new
Charles Bonnett
Passes Here
A native of England, Charles Bon-
nett, died here in Wingham General
Hospital on Monday, For many years
he was a harness maker in a shop
located on Victoria St., near Joseph-
ine St.
Mr, Bennett came to Wingham
from Toronto approximately 14 years
ago and had retired four years ago,
His home was in Lower Wingham.
Surviving besides his wife is a
brother in the West.
Funeral services were held on Wed:
nesday at 2 p.m., from Currie's Fun-
eral Home, with interment in Wing-
ham cemetery.
BARN DESTROYED
BY LIGHTNING BOLT
The Wingham Rural fire brigade
answered the call to the farm of
Lloyd Griffith, three and one-half
miles north of Gerrie, on Monday
evening, but nothing could be done to
save the barn which had been struck
by lightning. Fire completely destroy-
ed the large barn which centairied
no crop or stock at the time of the
blaze. Loss is expected to be in the
neighbourhood Of $4,000, A corn pick-
ing machine belonging to a neighbor
Was hauled to Safety.
4,6 Former Mildmay
Doctor Mourned
Hundreds of friends and former
patients filled Sacred Heart Roman
Catholic Church in Walkerton, on
Tuesday morning ford the funeral of
the late Dr. J. B. Miller, 52, of that
town, who was found dead in his car
on Saturday, He had been in ill health
since early spring. Burial took place
in Walkerton R. C. cemetery.
Dr. Miller, had practiced in Mild-
may until a year ago, when he com-
menced studies at the University of
Toronto in Public Health. He was
known to and beloved by a multitude
of friends and patients throughout a
large district, and his .death has oc-
casioned genuine and widespread
grief.
The doctor was one of the organiz-
ers and first president of the Mildrhay
Rotary Club, an organization which
has achieved, notable things in public
welfare work,' He was a member of
the Knights of Columbus, a former
member of the Mildmay Council and
of the various medical organizations
0 of the district.
Surviving are his wife, two daugh-
ters, Mrs. Ge erge (Janet) Loughlean
and Barbara and one eon, Robert,
of"
YOUNG WOMAN'S, AUX-
liOLD PICNIC! HERE
The Young Woman's Auxiliary of
the Wingham United Church held a
very pleasant picnic at the Wingham
Town Park. A good time Was enjoyed
by all. The children had a happy time
in the wading pool. Little Teudy Mc-
Guire, five-month-old daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Lovell McGuire, receiv-
ed the prize for the youngest baby
present. A picnic supper was Much
enjoyed.
Severe Storm Felt
At Whitechurch
A severe electrical storm passed
over Whitechurch on Sunday evening.
The hydro wire between the house
and barn on, the farm of Mr. John
Hutchison was-struck. The fuses and
bulbs were blown out at the house and
barn and the family were stunned as
they sat at supper.
Lightning travelled along the wires
into the home of Mr, and Mrs. George
Fisher, breaking bulbs and knocking
off plaster. It was felt severely in the
home of Mr. Jas. McInnis, where the
family also received a shock, One
stroke of lightning came down the
north side of Mr. George McGee's
barn, and blew fuses and burned out
motors. Fire had started on the
shingles, but it was apparently put
out by the extra heavy downpour that
continued during the storm. Mr. Mc-
Gee also had a sow struck and para-
lyzed by the flash.
DAVID CAMERON
SECOND AT CNE
• David Cameron, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Norman Cameron, of Wingham,
placed second in the Junior Boys'
Jump at the Canadian Closed Water
Skiing Championships held at the
C.N.E. on August 26th. Bruce Poole,
of Bobcaygeon, was first.
On Thursday, Aug. 28th, David en-
tered the North American and Can-
adian Open Championships and placed
second again. First place went to
Bill Swaney of Holland, Mich. Third
place in this event was taken by Bruce
Poole..
The boy's parents and friends are
tickled with his success, for David is
just 13 years old, considerably younger
than the majority of those who com-
pete in the water skiing events. Big
accomplishments can reasonably be
expected from the young competitor
in future years.
TO Open Fair
John Hanna, MPP, will open the
fall fair in Paisley on September 9th.
He will also attend a Progressive
Conservative convention to be held in
Clinton 'on Monday. The Ontario
Government will hold a banquet at the
King Edward Hotel, Toronto, on Sept-
ember 15th., at which Mr. Hanna also
will be a guest.
The port had its book of laws or
custumal which includes a charter
from the time of Henry II (1154-1189).
The custumal is a sheepskin parch-
ment consisting of 123 pages written
in Latin but having one of its 31
clauses in Norman French. Each of
the clauses is illuminated by an initial
letter which makes the custumal
bright with colour.
When the town was a port the
quayside was a scene of activity in-
cluding goods for shipment for the
monks of St. Augustine at Canterbury,
Indeed, the now immense and ruined
Abbey of Canterbury is a memorial
to Fordwich for the stone was landed
at its wharfs and dragged during the
11th century to Canterbury by horse
and sweating man, To-day Fordwich
consists of charming red brick houses
some of the time of Elizabeth I and
some delightful cottages, with which
we must include two inns. The church
watches the village and the unique
town hall or court house is its sentinel,
This town hall —and in a place the
size of Fordwich the very name
sounds odd--is opposite the Fordwich
Arms Inn and a stones throw from
the church, We enter the little yard
in front of the town hall and leek at
the tiny building which is of stone
patched With brickwork With the over
hanging upper story half timbered
while the steep roof is tiled. It is an
ancient building, so old that the date
of its erection is not known, We do,
know however that it was restored in
1474,
There is a tiny prison attached to
the building which last housed prison-
ers in 1885, We enter the building
and climb the steep Wooden staircase
to enter the 31..feet by 23 feet 8 inches
council chamber. Three windows set
in mullions and having diamond tat-
tree casements light the room, Facing
us is a panelled Wall and upon the
very narrow And exceedingly hard
bench alongside the wall sat the 12
jurats. The Mayor sits In the centre
and above his head are the Royal
Coat of *Arms of Charles II arid the