Parsonage as an historical museum so as to protect the heritage of our area; to promote the residency of Lucy Maud Montgomery in our area; to pro- mote tourism in our area; to develop links with the general history of our area and to partner with other museums and historical sites in the promo- tion and preservation of our heritage.

A motion was passed at a meeting of the West Country Historical Society on February 29, 2000 to name the museum The Bideford Parsonage Museum. Residents volunteered their time and energy restoring it to the period of 1894—95 when Lucy Maud Montgomery boarded there. Financial assistance for the restoration was obtained from ACOA. The Society was incorporated on April 17, 2000 and registered as a non-profit charitable organization. The official opening of the Bideford Parsonage Museum was held on July 30,2000.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN BIDEFORD AND ELLERSLIE

The Friendly Senior Citizens Club of Ellerslie was organized in 1974. They obtained a lease on the Community Hall (formerly the ORANGE HALL) and look after its upkeep. Plays, concerts, meetings with card games and other events are held there.

In 1977 the Ellerslie-Bideford Community Improvement Committee (CIC) was organized. The name was later changed to the Ellerslie— Bideford Community Council (EBCC).

In 1980 Sandra Rafferty started her hairdressing business in her home.

Karen’s Shapes 11’ Styles Beauty Salon was opened by Karen Coughlin in her home in 1987, adding a tanning bed later.

Georgia (nee Ross) MacKinnon began operating the Valley View Florist business in Tyne Valley on February 1, 1988. In July 1992, she obtained a building and relocated the business in Bideford on the Barlow Road. Her husband, Roger, started a business, The Sleep Factory, in June 1997. In October of that year, an extension was built on to the existing florist building thus providing space required to display the many different arti- cles of furniture and mattresses.

The Senior Citizens’ apartment building, Evergreen Lodge on the Barlow Road in Bideford had its Official Opening on May 28, 1993.

In 1997, Stephen Sharpe opened the Ellerslie Golf Course on the family

1 14 Roors & BRANCHES