INTRODUCTION

This information would not have been compiled without the funding of a Youth Service Canada (YSC) grant from Human Resources Development Canada. YSC is a program run throughout Canada to mobilize community-based organizations to develop job opportunities for youth through service. This youth's initiative was developed to enable young people between the ages of 15 and 30, who are having difficulty entering the labour market as a result of either lack of skills or opportunity, to obtain a renewed sense of hope and accomplishment. The program aims to not only give youth a hands-on community service experience and relevant work experience, but to also build better and stronger communities by enabling young people to address issues of local concern.

Harbour Grace Tourism was successful in December of 2000 in obtaining a Youth Service Canada grant. Eight participants were hired and under the direction of the Coordinator, Daphne Mercer; Assistant Coordinator, Doug Taylor (left program after four weeks to take a full time position) and Assistant Coordinator, Maureen Snow (who replaced Doug Taylor), the group researched and compiled the history of the Harbour Grace Regatta.

Thanks to the participants:

Roger Fewer, Christopher Hearn, John Mesh, Jillian Pynn, Glenn Sheppard, Wendy Snow, Michelle Thistle and Darryl Whelan for their hard work and dedication in making this project a very successful one.

In the early Regattas the 'Silver Trumpet' was used on Regatta Day as a microphone would be used today. Until this trumpet came onto the scene the Regatta organizers did not have any means of contacting crews other than by yelling and gesturing from the lakeside. The trumpet enabled the races to run much more smoothly and professionally.

The Silver Trumpet was donated around 1890 to Joseph Godden by Edward Phelan of Vancouver. Mr. Phelan was a cooper by trade, who had formerly lived and worked with Garland's Ltd., one of the larger firms in Harbour Grace at that time. Mr. Phelan later moved to Vancouver where he retired and sent the trumpet to the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Company for their use.

Through the years, the Silver Trumpet was the subject of many interesting stories. After reviewing the minutes of the Harbour Grace Fire Brigade it was noted that due to fiscal restraints in the early 1900's the membership decided to gain money for their organization by melting the trumpet and selling the silver. Luckily, for unknown reasons this action was not carried out and this part of our heritage remains intact. Another section of the Fire Brigade's minutes indicates that the trumpet was misplaced for a number of years and had been packaged for shipping to parts unknown. The membership at that time requested that the trumpet be returned and it now remains the property of the present Fire Brigade.

Today the trumpet is used at the annual general meeting of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade. At this meeting there is an election of officers and as a symbolic gesture the silver trumpet is passed from the outgoing fire chief to the newly elected chief. Although the trumpet is not used at the Regattas of today it has been an important part of the early years and has a history of its own.

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