School concerts have always been a big part of Christmas celebrations in Bradford West Gwillimbury. A 1927 issue of the Bradford Witness reported: “The annual entertainment in connection with the Coulson’s Hill Public School took place on December 22, 1927, and was a great success. Parents and friends turned out to see and hear the pupils perform and listen to a programme of dialogues, drills, club swinging, mouth organ selections, fancy dancing, and an address by Reeve Hambly, who acted as chairman. From the sounds of applause, it was evident that everyone was delighted. The programme being over, Santa Claus appeared on the scene and certainly played his part well.”
Christmas concerts hold a prominent place in the memories of older residents. “The big exciting event of the year was the Christmas concert. This was held during the evening so the parents, grandparents and younger sisters and brothers could attend. It was a full schoolhouse… The entertainment consisted of carol singing, a few recitations memorized by nervous voices, and a play with a few props and costumes. Excitement grew as at the end of the evening Santa Claus arrived with candies for everyone. I never did figure out who that was behind the beard.” – Ralph Williams, memories of Middleton S.S. #6, 1941-1949.
“When Santa arrived one year, he asked the children to hold onto a rope to keep the reindeer from flying away. (Teacher) Dorothy Turner had quite a time keeping the excited children from running outside to see why the reindeer were pulling on the rope.” – Barbara (Bowles) Andrew, memories of Bowles S.S. #8.
“The Christmas Concert was another highlight. There were great preparations learning songs, recitations and skits. Families came by horse-drawn sleighs to watch the children perform on the stage, which magically came alive with the light from the oil lanterns. Santa always arrived at the end of the program. The admission fee of usually 25 cents was used for something special, such as a new ball or bat.” – Ann (Watt) Hughes, memories of Bond Head School.
Christmas wasn’t the only special holiday at the rural schools. The children also enjoyed the School Fair, with its parade, banners, and competitions. And Arbour Day, when, after a morning of tidying the flowerbeds and raking the lawn, students enjoyed a picnic lunch under the trees and a free afternoon of picking flowers, hiking or fishing. In fact, for some, Arbour Day was even better than Christmas.
Sources: Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury, and Bradford Public Library Archives.
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