Published in The BANAR December 1998
by Lois Kemp
At the BCA General meeting of March 1997 a motion was passed to erect entrance signs to the Hamlet at a cost of $24,000 for two signs. The funds for this project were the Fun Fair shares from activities run by individual volunteers, street groups, etc. from 1978 to 1985 which went into a capital fund for a future project. Prior to 1978 all the Fun Fair profits ($38,754) went into construction of Bearbrook Park. Since 1985 approximately $183,000 has been given out in shares to the Fun Fair participating groups. Over the last two years 25% of the Fun Fair profits has been put into a community hall fund for tables, etc. A good portion of the $40,000 for the construction of the new Community Hall was interest from the Capital Fund.
The saga of the construction of the signs!!
Corush, Sunderland and Wright designed the signs and in July 1998 the City of Gloucester put out the tender for us and Brentras Ltd. from Nepean was the low bidder at $21,260.90 for the two signs. Every thing went well until the company that was making the aluminum casting went into bankruptcy. We got quotes from other foundries but they were $6,000 plus taxes more than Aluminum Star. To make a long story short we are getting the two signs made for an additional cost of $2,743.90. At press time the signs were being delivered to Bentras and the wrought iron ordered and should be installed by the New Year.
It has been very frustrating to say the least and I want to thank the City of Gloucester staff, Rodney Pitchers and Warren Whyte for the time and effort they have put into these signs and the patience they had with all my phone calls.
These signs will not only tell you that you are entering Blackburn Hamlet but will attest to the fact of the tremendous community spirit that we have here in Blackburn Hamlet.