↗ View this article in the original PDF newsletter
Over the last few weeks, signs of summer have been drifting in at Fort York. It began with a solitary drum roll. Someone came into the staff room asking if we knew where to find extra neck stocks. Under the tree first one soldier began practising loading procedures. He was soon joined by others until there were almost a dozen marching around. The summer guard had arrived. The Summer Guard Programme is a tradition that dates back to the 1950s. In 2000, The Friends of Fort York and Garrison Common revived the tradition. The Friends are a non-profit, volunteer organization who have been ad vocates, supporters and benefactors of the fort since 1992. One of their major initiatives is the Summer Guard. They raise money through donations, grants and fundraising events such as the annual Georgian Mess dinner. There is a Fort York Drums CD for sale in the canteen. The funds raised go towards salaries, uniforms, equipment and the training of the guard and the results have been impressive. Winning the major awards at the annual Fort George competition has become a Fort York Summer Guard tradition. This year there are 16 members of the Guard. There are soldiers and musicians who practise their individual craft but also perform together. They are an interesting bunch: In her fourth year at Fort York, the sergeant of the Guard is Keiko Twist. Keiko comes from a family with long-term connections to the fort. Her father, Peter, is an active member of both The Friends, and the Fort York Management Board. Her mother, Miyoko and Aunt Amy are both members of The Fort York Regency Dancers, her brother Mark is a former Fort York Guard commander. Keiko is attending the University of Toronto, is an accomplished musician and plans to see what her future holds when she gets there. Watch for Keiko and the Guard on Much Music in August.
started out as a volunteer and is now on staff, claims she has no interests! In 2002, Ned Gallagher won the Ontario Heritage Foundation’s Young Heritage Leader Award for his volunteer efforts with the Fife and Drum Corps. After two years as a volunteer, this year Ned is actually being paid! Alex Myers likes to be called Whitebox. – there must be a story in there somewhere; career plans vary from Ian Biggar’s dream to be a Police Officer to Jeff Colden wanting to be an Engineer; Some have lived in interesting places: Niroshan Arumugam was born in Sri Lanka and lived in Saudi Arabia and England. As he says “I have been practically everywhere.” Brendon Gray has lived in Halifax, Andrew Ng in Normandy, Edward Bell in London England. Others dream of future travel: once he graduates, Michael Ramsay plans to visit Japan; Matthew Wickson will also travel (anyone who lists his hobbies as baseball and geography has no choice). Demonstration Schedule for Summer 2003: (Weather permitting and may be subject to change.) Mondays and Tuesdays – Drum Corps only Flag Parade at 10:30 and 4:30 Music at 11:30 and 2:30 Artillery (Cannon) Firings at 12:30 and 3:30 Drill at 1:30 Wednesdays and Thursdays Squad Only Flag Parade at 10:30 and 4:30 Musket at 11:30 and 2:30 Artillery (Cannon) Firings at 12:30 and 3:30 Musket Firings at 1:30
Demonstration Schedule for Summer 2003: (Weather permitting and may be subject to change.)
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays – Drum Corps and Squad Flag Parade at 10:30 and 4:30 Musket at 11:30 Artillery (Cannon) Firing at 12:30 “The Show” at 1:30 is not to be missed. The artillery, infantry and musicians work together to give a sense of how they performed in battle Music at 2:30 Drill (Training) at 3:30
David Juliusson is a full-time program officer and has been with the fort since 1989. ~ 3 ~
Original printed pages
