Posted 9 hours ago
Mark Ribbe, Leamington Post
The 14th annual Leamington Mersea Historical Society Heritage Awards were presented last Friday night at the Rhine Danube Club in Leamington.
Society President, Nellie Jenkinson and Emcee Paul Bunnett-Jones, presented the awards to six recipients worthy of upholding Leamington's heritage in different categories.
The Heritage or Historic Family award winner went to the Charles Hairsine family. Mr. Hairsine was born in Yorkshire, England and came to Canada in 1818, settling in Mersea Township. Their descendants continue to live in the area and Sue Thomson was there on behalf of the family to accept the Dr. Robert and Bess McGirr award from Rob McGirr.
The Heritage Restoration or Preservation winner was Hillman United Church. On August 14 of this year, the church celebrated 114 years in existence. The cornerstone was laid on August 18, 1897 on land donated by Ellis Hillman Sr. with 400 people attending at the time. Many from today's congregation attended the awards dinner, including Lawrence Hillman, who can boast of seven generations of the Hillman family attending the church.
The Society also awarded two posthumous awards this year for Heritage or Historic Contributions and those went to Audrey Nicholson and Janette Mulholland.
Audrey volunteered for many organizations in the community, including the hospital auxiliary, the bog tomato, Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Cancer Society. Her entire family was there to accept the award on her behalf, including her husband, Don Nicholson.
Janette Mulholland was the long-time president of the Leamington Fair Board. She is considered to be the person who has made the Leamington Fair as strong as it is today, as her influence and spirit still live on each and every year that the fair goes on without her. Her husband Reg Mulholland accepted the award on her behalf.
The Heritage or Historic contribution (living) award was bestowed upon former Leamington Police Chief, Dean Gow. Being the final police chief for Leamington prior to the OPP being put in charge here, Gow was instrumental in making sure historic pieces and information found their way to the Historical Society. He has the distinction of also being the last chief of the former Mersea Township police force.'There was also a certificate of merit given to the Roadhouse family as runner-up for the Heritage or Historical Family award.
After dinner, those in attendance were treated to a variety of songs from local band, Faith Sound.
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