There are two migrant workers buried in a collapsed well in North Saanich’s Ardmore subdivision.
That’s one piece of interesting history, told by Wallace du Temple, one of three storytellers invited to talk about North Saanich recently.
On Tuesday, the District launched its official Jubilee events, marking the municipality’s 50th anniversary, with the first of two storytelling sessions.
Du Temple, the author of a book on the history of the Ardmore Golf Course, joined Pat Johnston and Gordon Hartshorne in the North Saanich municipal hall. They talked about the early settlers of the District, their neighbours and their interesting experiences — including an armed robbery, TV stars and the aforementioned well accident that sealed two workers to their doom.
Mayor Alice Finall says the storytelling event drew a good crowd. They were invited by the District’s Heritage and Jubilee committees to open a year of events that mark the anniversary of the incorporation of the municipality.
To mark the occasion, Finall said there will be a variety of activities and events. Storytelling continues May 6 at the Ardmore Golf Course, where du Temple will regale the audience with tales of the family mule that lived along the links, and more.
The District hall contains a Then & Now Exhibit, featuring photos, artifacts, maps and more — some submitted by the community. It will also appear at the Sidney Museum on Beacon Avenue in May.
Finall said the big events are being saved for summer. On July 25 at 10 a.m., there will be a Jubilee Community Barbecue during the B.C. Aviation Museum’s annual open house. And this year’s Flavour Trail event will follow the Jubilee theme, she said.
To find out more, and to watch for Jubilee updates, visit northsaanich.ca and click the Jubilee link.