Sponsored by
Brechin 'twin'
EMPIRE Day, which was renamed Commonwealth Day in 1958, was being celebrated in the city reported the Brechin Advertiser of Tuesday, June 23, 1942.
"The Empire Day holiday was enjoyed by the mercantile section of the community on Wednesday. With shop shutters up, and banks, offices, &c., closed, the town was quiet during the day.
"Jaunting was on a limited scale, though quite a number went of by train or bus to Montrose, Dundee, Aberdeen or Edzell for the day. Hikers and cyclists were early on the road, and gardeners put in a busy day in gardens and allotments.
"Others enjoyed relaxation on the golf course, tennis courts, bowling and putting greens, &c. The countryside was richly green, and though the gardens have not yet come into the full splendour of high summer they were gay with laburnum, lupins, poppies and fragrant with lilac.
"Blossom has been rich this year, and the rhododendrons have been especially exuberant."
An interesting visitor from Brechin in Ontario made local news.
"Since Canadian troops began to arrive in Britain to reinforce the forces of the Mother Country, quite a number of men from the Dominion whose forebears claimed a connection with this district have been paying visits to Brechin and received a warm welcome from relations and friends in and around the city.
"These men are attached to all branches of the Services - naval, military and air forces.
"But specially interesting was the Canadian soldier who paid a brief visit to Brechin recently. He was Trooper J. F. Egan, of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, whose hometown is Brechin, Ontario.
"He came over with a Canadian contingent about seven months ago and has been stationed somewhere in the South of England. When a period of leave happened he determined to travel north and see something of the Scottish Brechin so that he could tell the folks in Canadian Brechin all about it when the war is over.
"The stalwart young Trooper accordingly turned up here the other day, and was greatly interested in the old city. He found his way to the Cathedral and some of the other sights, and during his tour came upon the shop of Mr J. D. Michie, music-seller, where he decided to purchase some strings for his guitar, which he plays, when opportunity offers, foe the entertainment of his comrades and himself.
"Entering into conversation with Mr Michie the soldier remarked that he came from another Brechin, across the Atlantic, and thereafter Mr Michie kindly acted as cicerone for a time to the visitor.
"Trooper Egan made a call at the Advertiser Office, and expressed his pleasure at having been able to visit the Scottish town that has given its name to his own birthplace and his interest in all he had seen.
"The Canadian Brechin, it appears, is a small but busy agricultural village in Ontario, 80 miles north of Toronto. It was founded about the beginning of the past century by a Mr J.P. Foley, who bestowed on it the name of his wife's birthplace - (Egan unfortunately was unable to give the lady's maiden name, but perhaps some of our readers at home or out west may supply the information).
"The Brechin overseas boasts a population of only 500 or so, but our visitor informed us that it is quite a lively little place. Most of the inhabitants, like himself, are interested in agricultural and allied pursuits. Two railways run through the village, which has two schools, two kirks, a hotel, and several garages."
A Polish Society for Brechin was established.
"The recent stay of Polish officers and men in our midst proved an interesting and worthwhile experience for many Brechin families, and links were forged which should stand firm long after the horrors of war are forgotten.
"Friendship was freely, offered to the sojourners, and in return Brechin people gained a new insight into the Polish character, learned something of its music, art and drama, and was delighted with its dancing.
"These recently forged bonds are precious, and though the Poles are no longer with us (though letters which have been received show that Brechin is far from being forgotten) it is proposed to maintain and develop the still lively interest which prevails by the formation of a branch of the Scottish-Polish Society.
"Brechin is rather behind some of its neighbours in the inauguration of such a Society, but there is real enthusiasm behind the present move, and the Society looks like being a healthy youngster form the start.
"All interested are cordially invited to be present at the meeting in the HIgh School on Thursday evening. Capt. Don, Maulesden, will preside, and among the speakers will be Col. Greenhill Gardyne of Finavon, the organiser for Angus of the Scottish-Polish Society."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Brechin
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
