Dear Editor
We were much saddened to read in the October 2015 issue of the Village of Ashcroft newsletter that council, in its wisdom, has decided that the Mesa Subdivision lands would not be suitable for the Ashcroft Rodeo. So, no rodeo, no parade. These two related events have defined much of what we love about living here and we will be poorer for the loss of them.
For several eyars we were privileged to serve on the Parade Committee with many other dedicated people, all of whom we are sure will join us in expressing their appreciation for the vision and leadership of Heather Philpott, without whom there would not have been a superb parade.
We can truthfully say that while other members worked hard under her direction, she was the tru visionary and contributed vast amounts of her time, resources and energy to make sure that each successive parade was at least as good, of not better, than the previous editions. Without Heather’s energy and input, we doubt if any of this would have transpired.
To say that we were apalled to discover that Healther found out about Council’s final decision the same way that we did would be an understatement. No gratitude, no sentiment, no detailed explanation, no advance warning, just a myopic decision blurted out as a casual public announcement in a newsletter.
Once lost, we cannot see how the rodeo or the parade can be resurrected and we doubt if there are many residents who will not be saddened by this decision of Council.
Ashcroft depends to a certain extent on tourism and we find it hard to believe that this move will benefit from the loss of these two significant events in our calendar. They certainly did more for us than the binning of our hire hall icon in favour of the infantile and meaningless substitute on which so many resources were directed.
In the apparent absence of any acknowledgement by Council, we ask all of you who have enjoyed our parades to join us in thanking Heather for her foresight, leadership and efforts to keep us on the map and for bringing so much joy to both the young and old of our community.
Richard N. Isles and Susan M. Hughes
Ashcroft