Remembering Townshippers’ Days past
For the past 37 years, the third Saturday of September has been designated Townshippers Day, an occasion to celebrate the English community, its history and culture. The event, which traveled from town to town throughout the Townships, was a muchanticipated opportunity for friends and neighbours of all stripes to get together in celebration.
This year, for the first time since 1979, T-day, as it is commonly known, was suspended to give the association an opportunity to re-evaluate the annual event and bring it more in line with current realities. Association president Gerald Cutting says the celebration will be back, considering its importance to the English community of the Eastern Townships, but possibly in another format.
“The Association itself was created shortly after the introduction of Bill 101,” he explained. “Given how the Anglophone community was affected by it, we were to represent their interests, and work with the government to speak on their behalf. So far we’ve been a success, celebrating and reinforcing our community and heritage.”
One of the most tangible and visible ways Townshippers’ Association has done this is through T-day, where the community takes centre-stage for a day, garnering the attention of political leaders, media and French-speaking neighbours.
“It’s an established fall tradition for many people,” Cutting said. “It brings people and institutions together. I’m always surprised by all the people I meet. At the end, what I am most impressed with is the wealth of experience, talent and engagement demonstrated by these people. We have something that is quite special.”
Marjorie Goodfellow, one of the founding members of Townshippers Day, has attended the event since 1979.
“The most memorable one must have been the first one,” laughed Goodfellow. “It was very public. It’s a volunteer effort, so it spreads and involves many people. It was very popular. It still is! I think it’s very important for the community. We get together and show our French-speaking neighbors that we exist, that we are interesting and vibrant. We’re not just rich Westmounters. We’re normal people and I think T-day has shown off the community and demonstrated that we want to live peacefully and productively together.”
This sense of unity and belonging is accentuated by the mobile nature of Tday. Kate Holbrook, who has been the cultural events coordinator and liaison for Townshippers’ Association for 17 years, says every edition is unique since alternating venues allows each host to showcase the different features of their community.
“It truly showcases the community. It gives the towns an opportunity to show off. Every year there are themes, and we often align T-day with a town anniversary, taking over a town for the day” commented Holbrook. “We use up all
the open space available. Once we celebrated in the Ursulines convent ballroom! Each day has its own atmosphere. It’s like a homecoming. It’s a big day, and it’s always free.”
Despite all the festivities, T-day also has a practical aspect, according to Holbrook. “It’s also an occasion for community organizations to promote their services in English, such as health and social services.”
Cutting agreed, adding: “Some look at T-day as a fall tradition. Others go because they like to see old friends, or meet new people. Some go to see the shows and visit kiosks. But for most English-speakers, it’s an incredibly valuable event. They know that it’s a place where they can have some questions answered, where they can get the information they need about any English service. We try to have something for everyone.”
Both Cutting and Holbrook agree that one of the most memorable T-days was the 2000 edition, held in tiny St-felix-dekinsey.
“It snowed!” he exclaimed. “No one who attended that year will ever forget it. And people came anyway. Everyone was so jovial. Some smart ones brought mittens.”
“We had a volunteer supper that year,” added Holbrook. “There must have been over 150 people, even though it was freezing. It’s very small, but the whole town must have been there. There were some beautiful fleece and socks for sale, and they all sold out. And I think that more than one person was adding a little booze to their coffees to stay warm!”
“It’s not an easy event to pull off,” said Cutting. “People love it for different reasons, but for me, it’s seeing the different municipalities, the atmosphere, the buildings, the people. We’re remodelling T-day to relieve stress, to make sure it accomplishes what we want it to accomplish, and to please everybody.”
Some highlights of Townshippers past
Sponsored by popular rock radio station CHOM FM, T-day 1993 featured Battle of the Bands in Brome Village. Youth flocked to the event.
In 1995, in Mansonville, a whole tent full of Trekkies visited for T-day.
Townshippers Day in 1999 celebrated with a special beer brewed specifically for the event held in Knowlton. It was brewed at the Golden Lion in Lennoxville by Townshippers’ Association then-president, Gary Richards. This was also the year the CIDI radio station was inaugurated.
One of the most memorable T-days, according to many, was the one held in St-felix-de Kinsey in 2000. It was the only year it snowed for the event. The unusually cold September weather surprised everyone present, and fleece and socks were sold for the occasion.
In 2001, Townshippers Day was held four days after the September 11th terrorist attacks. The event, this time located in Waterville, was subdued and somber.