Local community leaders, residents and members of the Bronte Horticultural Society (est. 1925) gathered on the lush lawns of Sovereign House Museum July 8 to unveil a bronze plaque, sponsored by the Bronte BIA to commemorate the 20th year anniversary of the Bronte Horticultural Society’s association with the Bronte Village lakeside park museum, and its 90th year anniversary as a horticultural society.
Present for the unveiling were Bronte Horticultural Society President Paula Warwick, John Leard, President of the Bronte Historical Society, Bronte BIA’s Vice-Chair Carolyn Moshtagh, and Executive Director Ann Sargent, Local and Regional Councillor Sean O’Meara and BIA Board Member/Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson. Councillor Robinson congratulated the BHS on being one of Oakville’s oldest organizations. BHS President Paula Warwick welcomed all stating “Our work at Sovereign House represents a labour of love for this beautiful site”, and thanked the Bronte BIA and our Councillors for their support, in particular Councillor O’Meara for his championship of the cause”.
This year 2015 marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of Bronte Horticultural Society established in 1925. BHS is organized under the authority of the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act of Ontario, and is a member of the Ontario Horticultural Association.
It is also the 20th anniversary of its involvement in the creation, planting and maintenance of the gardens at Sovereign House Park in Bronte. Every year, BHS members volunteer to commit time between May and October to prepare, plant and maintain the gardens at the site. The plaque is to celebrate and recognize the ongoing work of the club. The Bronte Horticultural Society is a small non-profit garden club of 104 members offering a range of interesting, informative, gardening-related activities at very low cost. Funding from provincial grant and fundraising activities, is applied back to member programs and a wide range of projects and special events, including a members garden tour, BBQ’s, a fun, educational bus tour, a plant sale at Bronte Village Mall each spring and the work at Sovereign House Gardens.
The club welcomes new members and supporters at its general meetings, held on the 4th Tuesday of each month except July and August, with each meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors, 1565 Old Lakeshore Rd. (south of Lakeshore Rd., just east of 3rd Line).
Following the unveiling of the plaque, guests enjoyed a wonderful pot-luck informal dinner by the Bronte Bluffs, a largely undiscovered treasure by other than Brontonians, with gardens lovingly planted by many of the original gardeners, some in attendance. The BHS invites new members and gardeners to carry on this labour of love for Bronte’s Sovereign House.