The Dream
Bay Roberts SUF Established 1873
Dawe Lodge #82,
Patterson Street
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The Municipality of Bay Roberts is a community where traditional culture and values are held in high esteem.
Clear evidence for this can be seen in the community's large number of churches (almost a dozen churches for a population of about 5500.) In addition, traditional lodges and organizations such as the SUF (Society of United Fishermen), the Orange Lodge, and the Masonic Lodge are still an important part of community life.
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"But we'll do it. Yes sir! You watch," Uncle Mose
Councillor Clarence Mercer, having visited other provincial and national sites, was impressed with the manner in which these communities preserved and presented their traditional culture to the public through heritage villages. He had a dream of developing a similar concept for the town of Bay Roberts. He wanted to present town history for present day residents, for former residents (and their descendents) who have moved to other communities and to the mainland, and for tourists who visit the town.
His vision went beyond establishing a physical "heritage village;" he wanted to immerse visitors in the past. He realized that the works of Ted Russell, who was born, grew up, and was educated in Coley's Point, portrayed a traditional life style and culture that was typical of the municipality at one of the most interesting times in the province's history. (Ted Russell's works are set during the Commission of Government, WWII, Confederation, and early post Confederation period.)
He brought his idea to the town's Tourism Committee and then to Ron Delaney, Director of Development, Tourism, and Recreation. A meeting of like minded people was called .... and the dream began to take shape. At Councillor Mercer's suggestion, a steerning committee was formed, and they adopted as their motto a quote from Uncle Mose - "But we'll do it. Yes sir! You watch."
Why Ted Russell?
Radio similar to ones on which Newfoundlanders listened to The Chronicles of Uncle Mose. |
The obvious answer is because Ted Russell is a native son. The radio voice that he used with pride, when telling "Uncle Mose" stories, is the voice of people from our community.
Dr. Peter Narvaez of Memorial University, discussing Ted Russell's radio broadcasts, has pointed out:
"The unique trait of these monologs was the use of folk talk ... incorporating vernacular language, conventionalized topics of conversation, traditional oral genres ( beliefs, sayings, gossip, narrative) that people of the region think of as their own and give residents a sense of place. "
He goes on to say that Ted Russell spoke with a "slow paced, Conception Bay" [ie Coley's Point] accent, using Newfoundland terms and vocabulary. (As opposed to other voices heard on CBC at the time, who used "mid Atlantic" voices and terms.) |
Coley's Point Influence
Ted Russell himself described the purpose of his Uncle Mose stories: "The aim I had in mind, I suppose, was just to tell stories - stories I know were basically true - not factual, but true - about Newfoundland People."
Ted Russell wrote about the Newfoundland experience as he saw it. He is recognized as one of the first and foremost writers to use Newfoundland outport settings and characters as personifications of themes which, while appearing to be local, are actually universal in their scope and appeal.
Ted Russell's images of Newfoundland People developed during his formative years on Coley's Point. Dr. Elizabeth Miller, Ted Russell's daughter, in her biography of her father, Uncle Mose: the Life of Ted Russell, points out that a number of people and events in the Pigeon Inlet stories were based on her father's experiences growing up in Coley's Point.
Interior of St. John the Evangelist Church, Coley's Point, consecrated in 1906.
James Norman donated his time and talents in almost every church position that a layman could hold. |
In particular, Dr. Miller refers to the influence that James Norman, one of the most loved and respected teachers that Newfoundland has produced, had on her father's education and his life. She quotes Dr. Blackall, the Church of England Superintendent of Education, who wrote in the Annual Report of the Department of Education (1919-1920):
Coley's Point High, under Mr. Norman and his two assistants, easily comes first among the forty schools inspected recently. It was a pleasure to visit it. The Head Master keeps up his own reading, and despite thirty years of teaching, is most enthusiastic about education, and sets a standard both for his own and other Departments of the school.
She goes on to point out that Mr. Norman carried on conversations with fifteen year old Ted about Shakespeare and revered English poets, as well as introducing him to classical mythology. He inspired Ted to continue his studies and pointed out to him the difference between being educated to "make a living" and "living" a career.
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