Picton council will help rectify historical injustice
Posted by nicolesharlene on 2011/04/27
Picton’s town council meeting on Tuesday night was impressive and highly educational to say the least.
John Lyons, a member of Prince Edward County’s heritage advisory committee addressed council requesting to rename Long Reach to Hayward Long Reach.
Bob Wayward and the infamous Miss Supertest III (the fastest hydroplane powerboat in the world) claimed three world championships in Unlimited Hydroplane Racing.
In 1959, Miss Supertest III became a Canadian legend when she claimed victory over American champion Maverick in the challenge for the Harmsworth Trophy on the Detroit River. It was the first time in 39 years a Canadian entry triumphed over the American. It was dawn of Canadian dominance in the sport.
Wayward and Miss Supertest III would go on to win their next championship on county soil in 1960.
Local residents and council members can still remember the excitement and adrenaline they felt while watching Miss Supertest III soar over Picton’s Bay.
In 1962, a motion to rename Long Reach to Hayward Long Reach was put in place. The name caught on and county residents have been calling the historical section along the Bay of Quinte Hayward Long Reach for 50 years.
Lyons has discovered that the renaming was never made official by the government and he considers it to be a historical injustice.
He stumbled on to the truth while preparing for the 50th Anniversary of Miss Supertest III return to the county this summer.
Lyons has spent two years working with Canada Post to have a commemorative stamp made in honour of Wayward and the Supertest team.
The stamp will be presented at the 50th Anniversary ceremony on August 8th.
His goal is to have Long Reach officially renamed by the time the stamp is unveiled.
Council agreed with Lyons that Long Reach should be renamed because it’s a historical site and Hayward’s accomplishments deserve recognition. After the area is renamed Hayward Long Reach, a by-law will be put into place stating all maps will honour the name change.
Lyons should be applauded for his continued commitment to preserving the county’s heritage and Bob Hayward’s memory.
