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BRUCE COUNTY MRMN The History of Bruce County Tartan as told by Mrs, Jetm Fenian, FWIO Board Director, Subdivision [6. Bruce County has it‘s own Tartan! Believed to be one of live Canadian Territorial Tartans duly registered at Her Majesty's Registry House in Edin- burgh, Scotland. It was Dr. J. F. Morton, Southampton who suggested “we have :1 Bruce Tartan for our Centennial to promote Bruce County.“ Where do people turn when they want something doneiJ Women‘s Institute. . . . Mrs. Mary Gatcman, a devoted W 1 member, presented the idea of sponsorship to the Bruce County Women‘s Insti- tute Rally at Park Head in October 1962. In January 1963 the WI‘s reported to Bruce County Council they were ready to take on this project. County Council passed a by-law to establish a committee. From the four Districts within the Rally each chose a representative. Mrs. Gateman became the Secretary representing Bruce Centre, Mrs, J. E Rowe, Bruce South; Mrs. Gordon Hepburn, Bruce North; Mrs Kathleen Jacklin, Bruce East. the remainder of the commit~ tee Dri J. F. Morton, Chairman, Mrs. Tessie Greig, Warden ofBruce,Mrs.Dorothy Wimperley and Mr. Norman McLeod. Weeks of work and many meetings later, ideas and thoughts of a design were taking shape. It was hoped ori- ginally that the tartan would have a blue background repre- senting the 367 miles of shore line. However, that was not to be! A letter was sent to Lord Lyon, King-of-Arms in Scotland who replied “that under no consideration would a Tartan be approved for an organization and that the request must come from County Council and that only variations of the Bruce Clan Tartan would be considered“. What to do now? It was then that Mr. Norman McLeod, a former Bruce County son and personal acquaintance of Lord Bruce asked assistance from this noble Lord, grandson of a former Governor General. Lord Bruce conferred with his father the Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, head of the Bruce Clan, for consent of modifications of the Bruce Family Tartan. This was granted and the commitee Sent suggestions as to color and design. The committee requests were not all granted, but with modifications the suggestion of a deep blue line on each side of the white line and using red instead ofscariet for the background. Excitement mounted, wheels were set in mo- tion, a sample piece was sent to Scotland. Yes. approval had been granted. The County of Bruce had their own Tartan registered in Edinburgh. Scotland on January 19th, 1965 and in Canada on July 13,1966. The next step was to have the Tartan woven and the first five hundred yards were cut into bolts and distributed throughout the County. This was not done without some expense and again the Women‘s institutes of Bruce County donated money which was given with the understanding that at such time as the Tartan Committee was financially able, the money would be repaid to each Branch_ 11 wasn't too long before each Branch was notified “if they wanted their money relumed the Tartan Committee was now in a position to do so". By this time all the W I members were so proud ofthe part played in obtaining “our own" Tartan, very few asked for their money back. 2'2 The next thought for consideration was the app“,,,r,,,em of a Business agent, Mr. James Meyer received that} “’11 J in August 1965 and in November 1968 Anna Meyer promotion manager. A gala evening was held in Sol. wimp. ton and the Tartan was launched commercially. The“ m u Tartan Show of men’s jackets, vests, ties and 1am, capes and even children's wear. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer’s efforts proved most SUL Hm however they decided to go into other fields with it 5U], that in November 1975 County Council passed a .53“, giving Bruce County Women’s Institute Rally the e gm rights to promote and sell the Tartan. The four 1‘ m; again appointed representatives, a secretary was neg from this group and Mr. Cliff Buckingham as Tr c, When Bruce County hosted the 1976 Inter: .n;,| Plowing Match, one other lady was appointed r m, with the heavy work load. They geared to m 11.3 demand, and anyone who attended the Match \ rim Tartan everywhere. This was financially so so in] that $8000.00 was invested and at the 1976 Rn LIN members voted to use the interest to provide two rig, 17113, One, for a resident of Bruce County who has con; 9,; the most to Agriculture in the past year, The second, to a resident of Bruce County who lr *Il'l~ tributed the most to their Community in the past yr The terms of reference â€" each resident is to be 1' :en 16-30 years of age. $300.00 and a trophy to each ’Ii'r and to the three finalists in each category $25.00 ch- . A review of terms every five years. County Council has renewed the W 1 Rally let: it .9 second five-year period to promote and sell the : an. Wherever you see W 1 members from Bruce County are sure to see a piece ofjewelery, a suit, askirt or tie. The first Committee was a devoted and energetii up. however there are many members who have work ‘r-r the years, giving of their energies, time and talent r. rill remain the unsung heroes of a most worthy project. ROSEDENE W I, LINCOLN DISTRICT celebrated their 70th Anniversary Tea in the Silverdale Centennial H39 P'E' rured are the executive and members.