1971

We had the opportunity recently to meet an elderly lady with a fascinating story about the two previous Renforth Regattas.

Lyla Gregory, 434 Riverview Avenue, tells us that, 50 years ago, she and her father went to the 50^th anniversary of the historic race at which James Renforth lost his life. She remembers that her father met an acquaintance, Bollard Beyea, and they viewed the race from Beyea's boat. The day was warm and sunny and there was an extremely large crowd to watch the race.

Miss Gregory was a nurse at the time and had come from Fredericton to see the race. She couldn't tell us which of the crews won the race. She merely explained that events of this kind mean more to her now than they did then and she had not paid attention.

Miss Gregory's father, Andrew Gregory, had attended the race that gave Renforth its name. He was seventeen at the time. We were told that the late Mr. Gregory was the son of a sailor who had grown up on Saint John's west side. Mr. Gregory apparently was always interested in the sea and boats and he had gone to Renforth by train for the big event. Miss Gregory tells us that, when her father used to tell his children the story, he always emphasized the fact that a journey to Renforth (then called The Chalet) was considered an extremely long journey and wasn't to be taken lightly at that time. She also recalls that her father was very moved by the tragedy of the British oarsmen.

We found ourselves talking to Miss Gregory about many of her other experiences and finding them just as fascinating. It was with a great deal of pleasure that he realized again the interesting experiences that many of our senior citizens have had. Miss Gregory's overseas work as a nurse in the First World War and her relief duty at a hospital in Halifax after the famous explosion of 1917 are vignettes of history that can never be found in textbooks.

Miss Gregory did not know if she would be attending the 100^th anniversary of the race. She merely says that she is 83 and the prospect of standing on the shore during the race is not appealing to her. But she did say that she would try to attend because she thinks she would enjoy the excitement. Somehow, we think she'll make it.