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How it started…
The first major question, where could such an event be held? How large an event could be workable? Having the Bonar Law Common Heritage Site within the community, this concern was quickly dealt with. This beautiful site snuggled on the bank of the Richibucto River makes for a beautiful display area. With its unique connection to Great Britain, restored heritage buildings, local museum and welcome centre, combined with the infrastructure of the festival grounds, to hold the event at the Bonar Law Common was a very easy decision. As well, the size of the grounds could easily handle future growth of the event.
Soon a committee was created and with the full support of the municipality and staff of the Bonar Law Historic Site, the idea took off. Once everyone was assured in the ability to put on such an event, the next step was to get in touch with British Vehicles owners and get their thoughts on it.
The first outside meeting was held at a Tim Horton’s in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Ernst, Pierre and Barry went to Nova Scotia to meet with some members of the British Automobile Touring Association of Nova Scotia (BATANS). The Rexton group could not have wished for a more encouraging or a friendly welcome than we received from members of BATANS. So much so, that we actually came away with a potential date for the first British Car Days of New Brunswick.
Immediately following the meeting with BATANS, meetings and contacts were made with as many British Auto Clubs as possible. The Rexton organizers met and contacted the Greater Moncton British Motoring Association, the Fredericton Area British Automobile Club, the British Motoring Association of PEI, as well as, many individuals associated with British Vehicles. The former “British Car Days across the Bridge” of PEI was also visited. The organizers were very helpful. They allowed the British Car Days of New Brunswick’s group to promote their event and actually assisted by sharing our event’s information with their members.
The next was to pick the date and, following much consideration to avoid other similar events, a date was decided upon.
Earlier on it was agreed that the British Car Days of New Brunswick would be more than just a car show; it would need a purpose and should work with local volunteer organization. It was agreed that the main focus, (other than a car show) would be:
- to host a fun filled event which would assist in maintaining the Bonar Law Common Heritage Site and promote the region’s tri-community cultures,
- to support local volunteer organizations through supporting their fund raising activities and,
- to annually choose a worthy cause to donate 25% (?) from the net profits.
So in short, The British Car Days of New Brunswick’s purpose is to host an enjoyable event while promoting this beautiful region of New Brunswick while working with various volunteer organizations and supporting recognized worthy foundations whenever possible.
Checkout the previous British Car Days of New Brunswick events as well as the links to our event supporters and other British Associations.
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British Car Days of New Brunswick
August 7, 8 & 9th 2009
The second, British Car Days of New Brunswick started at 6 pm on Friday. A meet and greet was held at the Bonar Law Common on what started as a beautiful Friday evening. Then, rain, thunder, lighting, no… no… not again. However, cooler heads prevailed and it was agreed with the weather being out of the organizers control and with such beautiful buffet, delightful tasting wine from Maury Winery, Alex’s delicious oysters, it was time to relax on the porch and enjoy the great company. Tomorrow is another day!Saturday, show day, what a day it was! It was a sunshine and lollipop day! It started off with additional cars landing on site at 8 am. 41 cars were registered and with the event drawing attention on British made vehicles there were more then 50 vehicles on the grounds throughout the day. We had approximately 300 visitors viewing the wonderful display of vehicles. Susan Ueffing played for the crowd while the Rexton Lions Club flipped burgers and hotdogs and the RCMP displayed their rollover display vehicle. With great weather, beautiful cars, wonderful entertainment and fun loving people all gathering at the Bonar Law Common, on the banks of the Richibucto River, always makes for a grand day.
This year’s banquet was held at the Lions Community Hall. Lovely dinner music was performed by Doris Richard followed by many favourites performed by Duane Lewis and sung by Susan Ueffing. Premier Shawn Graham and wife Roxanne attended the banquet. Premier Graham addressed those present and showed support for the British Car Days of New Brunswick by suggesting the province would be interested in supporting future events.
This year’s award winners were:
- People's Choice - Curry and Sherry Alders in their 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 MK III from Upper Kingsclear, NB
- Participant's Choice - 1952 MGTD owned by Debbie and Rodney Krolouski from St. George, NB
- Mayor's Choice - Bob Hamilton with his 1954 Sunbeam Talbot Drophead Coupe
- Longest Distance Traveled - Ed & Esther Ingold from Lunenburg, NS in their Land Rover
This year the awards were hand carvings by local artist Pat Doiron. These awards were smaller carvings of the larger carving permanently on display at the Bonar Law Common. The carvings are of a 1923 Vauxhall Kingston, locally owned by Jurg Pilgrim.
Sunday started with a great breakfast served at the Richibucto Lions Club. Following breakfast it was back to the Bonar Law Common to organize for the parade to Daigle Park in Saint Louis. This was another grand day, especially for a parade and a drive along the eastern coastline of New Brunswick.
In order to obtain input from the participants, organizers held the annual review, before everyone departed. Lots of good suggestions were put forward to continue to improve the British Car Days of New Brunswick. Plans are already underway for next year and some new fun ideas are being worked on.
We would like to thank our local supporters of our 2009 British Car Days of New Brunswick.
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As well, the continuing support from BATANS and FABAC is very much appreciated. Thank you to everyone that helped to make this event such a great success.
The BATANS is the British Automobile Touring Association of Nova Scotia
http://www.batans.ca/
The FABAC is the Fredericton Area British Automobile Club
http://fabaclub.blogspot.com/
2009 Photo Gallery:
http://www.bonarlawcommon.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=14
British Car Days of New Brunswick
August 8, 9 & 10th 2008
The first ever, British Car Days of New Brunswick started at 4 pm on Friday. A meet and greet was held at the Bonar Law Common Welcome Centre on what was a beautiful Friday evening. The meet and greet offered a chance for participants to taste the delightful Maury wines and sample La Fromagerie du Fond des Bois goat cheese display and fresh muscles and oysters from Alex Cormier. Rexton’s Mayor David L. Hanson, along with the Mayor of Richibucto, Meldric Mazerolle and the Mayor of St- Louis, Louis Arsenault welcomed one and all. A nice surprise was a visit from Premier Shawn Graham who popped in to welcome and greet the participants.
Saturday, show day, started off with a little sun but soon turned into a day of torrential rains that went on and on and on. Hoping the rain would subside the Rexton Lions Club and other vendors continued setting up. It was not to be so plan B to move to the curling rink went into operation. Can you imagine the first ever British Car Days of New Brunswick and it had to be moved inside? However, by noon it was all set up inside the club. Eventually, we had a nice crowd attending even with the pouring rain. The participant’s partner tour and the balance of the day including the banquet went off without a hitch. To our amazement the participants’ spirits never dampened.
Saturday evening a banquet was held and catered at the curling club. Trophies were awarded to:
- People's Choice - Jurg and Elsbeth Pilgrim with their 1958 Jaguar XK 150
- Participant's Choice - Bob & Pat Hamilton with their 1953 Sunbeam Alpine
- Mayor's Choice - Jurg and Elsbeth Pilgrim with their 1923 Vauxhall Kingston Tourer 23/60
- Longest Distance Traveled - Preston and Betti Ann Smith from Head of St. Margaret's Bay, NS
The evening’s guest speaker was Ronald Durelle, Assistant Deputy Minister of Corporate Operations/Tourism and Parks, New Brunswick. As well as special guest Al Capone dropped in (Emery Comeau) to present awards to the winners as recognition of the local Rum Running era.
Sunday morning brought out the sun while the Rexton Lions Club served up breakfast at the Lions Community Hall. Following breakfast, the R.C.M.P. lead the parade of British vehicles, on a gorgeous August morning, on a 25 km tour to Daigle Park in St-Louis where we had the closing ceremonies hosted by the three tri-community Mayors. The event closed with very positive comments from the participants, along with requests that the local committee not let the weather discourage them from holding another event next year.
The organizing committee would like to thank all the participants for attending the first British Car Days of New Brunswick. Special thanks to members of the BATANS; we appreciate all your support.
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The Bonar Law Common is well on its way in being discovered and becoming a major attraction of the region. It has been stated by tourism industry leaders; “with these new and exciting developments, this beautiful historic site may become a top major tourism draw for the region”.
