Does anyone know why the name Coningsby was chosen for School Section No. 5 in Erin Twp.?
The settlement included a school, church, burying ground, blacksmith shop, general store, and a post office. One story goes that when the post office was being created, a list of suggested names was sent from Ottawa.
Was the name selected at random? When newcomers were settling in Ontario in the 1800s there was a tradition to name new communities after places in ‘the old country.’
In the 1970s, I was approached by an English couple on the street in Erin who were visiting their family. They inquired if there was a local Branch of the Women’s Institute (W.I.) that they could visit? I referred them to Coningsby. She said her best friend was President of the Coningsby–Tattershall branch in Lincolnshire county in the United Kingdom. Thus an international exchange was established in 1980.
They come every 5 years to celebrate our milestone dates and we go to celebrate theirs.
In 2015, we will mark our 110th anniversary. Six members and three consorts will spend a week in September in our community.
Our daytrips will include cattle research operation, sugar bush and maple syrup enterprise, visits to Erland Lee Museum Home where our constitution was drafted, Adelaide Hoodless Museum Home where our Founder was born, Collingwood where Madge Watt grew up and who was instrumental in organizing the Associated Country Women of the World, and to the Aviation Museum in Hamilton where ‘our flying Lancaster’ is stationed. It flew to the Coningsby airport last September to take part in The Battle of Britain Memorial exercises.
W.I. branches exist for the betterment of home and country. We are not affiliated with any religious or political parties. We support and learn from each other as the need is in our communities. Our programmes increase knowledge of agriculture, foreign affairs, food labelling and recycling. We have been affiliated with the United Nations for 68 years.
Please welcome these international guests if you see them about in the community . Otherwise you can chat with Myrtle @ 519 833 2669.
submitted by Myrtle Reid, Coningsby Women’s Institute
