Port de Grave

Hibbs Cove, originally uploaded by eracose.

Port de Grave is one of the oldest and historically most successful fishing communities in Canada. Although there is evidence it is much older, its recorded history goes back to 1675, when the main planter in the community was Thomas Butler. In 1675, Thomas was living at Port de Grave with his wife and three sons. He employed 20 servants and owned five boats, 50 cattle and 20 sheep. Thomas is believed to be the grandson of Samuel Butler, who was a member of John Guy’s colony in Cupids Cove, which was settled in 1610.

The French from Quebec led by Pierre Le Moyne D’Iberville attacked Port de Grave on January 23, 1697. Abbé Jean Baudoin wrote in his journal that they found 116 men, 14 planters, 20 boats, and 10 000 salt codfish. He commented: “This place is very beautiful.” Visitors to the community make exactly the same comment today! Artists and photographers love Port de Grave!

Port de Grave

Organically growing from the cliffs on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, Port de Grave is one of the most beautiful communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. About 15 minutes from Bay Roberts, it retains its own distinct character and community spirit, while older people in the community still speak with their distinctive Port de Grave accent. People from all over the province come to see Port de Grave Harbour during the Christmas season, when fish harvesters decorate their  longliners with colourful Christmas lights.

Christmas Boat Lighting

For further reading about Port de Grave, see Heritage of a Newfoundland Outport: The Story of Port de Grave written and published by Gerald Andrews. Available through Amazon > >

Aslo see, Our Life on Lear’s Room, Labrador by Greta Hussey, published by Flanker Press. Available through Flanker Press > >
Here is Greta Hussey, 89 years old, reading a selection from her book.

“Stunning Natural and Cultural Integrity”

Madrock – Shoreline Heritage Walk – Bay Roberts, Photo: Sandra Roach, originally uploaded by unclemose.

National Geographic Traveler Magazine rated the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador the top rated coastal destination of 99 reviewed in the November – December 2010 issue.  The article quotes one of the reviewers:

Professor Michael Hall, who teaches tourism and marketing at New Zealand’s University of Canterbury. contends that the Avalon Peninsula has struck the right balance, extolling its “stunning natural and cultural integrity.” He goes even further, calling it “one of the best-kept tourism secrets.”

Living and working in the town Bay Roberts, in the Northern Avalon, I am always amazed by the beauty, the fresh air, and the many moods of the Atlantic Ocean.  However, as Professor Michael Hall points out, equally important is the preservation of cultural integrity.

Groups within the city of St. John’s have worked tirelessly to preserve the “stunning natural and cultural integrity” of the city. And in most small towns, like Bay Roberts, people are doing their part.

Withstanding forces that attempt to homogenize North America, so that each place is a cookie cutter version of others, is a difficult path, especially in the tourism industry. Frequently, tourists look for the quaint and unusual, in a Disneyesque environment – where they can observe “the locals,” but retreat to the comfort of accommodations and people similar to those they would experience at home.

What we have, in addition to our magnificent scenery, is a genuine culture and way of life that has developed over hundreds of years. I hope we do not lose sight of that reality to offer “eye candy ” for the tourism industry.

The Late Lloyd C. Rees of CBS

Someone who said that best was the late Lloyd C. Rees of CBS, who passed away recently.   Although we never met in person, we corresponded by email for a several years after I asked permission to use his photos for the Northern Avalon Tourism Association.  He offered his photos free of charge to the Tourism Association, although he expressed reservations about ‘putting our culture on display’ as a product for sale.  His appreciation for the region, especially his home town of Lance Cove, Bell Island, is clear in his photos.

I have included a gallery of a few of the photos, that he gave permission for the Northern Avalon Tourism Association to use, as a tribute to Mr. Rees and his love of the Avalon Peninsula of province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Berry Picking, Broad Cove, Conception Bay.

Caplin Cove

Rock Walls, Grates Cove

Green’s Harbour

Gull Island

Hant’s Harbour

Hawthorne Cottage, Brigus

Heart’s Delight

Heart’s Desire

Heart’s Content

Hopeall

Bell Island

Long Harry, Bell Island

New Perlican

Ochre Pit Cove.

Perry’s Cove.

Bell Island.

Rest in peace, Lloyd Rees. I hope we will always value and support  our unique heritage and culture, and share with each other, and with visitors who appreciate our way of life.