2009

April 2009

President Mary Shier and friends recently enjoyed an amazing walking tour/hike in The Limehouse Conservation Area recently with LKS' cartographer who is doing the design and layout for the interpretive signage at the 2 kiosks. See the photo by clicking on the green "photo" link.

June 2009

9th Annual Mayor's Heritage Golf Tournament

The tournament was held on June 1 at the Blue Springs Golf Club in Acton. A full house of golfers enjoyed the event, and a portion of the proceeds will be given to 3 local heritage groups - the Limehouse Kiln Society, Heritage Acton and Friends of the Devereaux House.

August 2009

Restoration Update

Vaulted brick fire boxes have been discovered during the course of the current restoration. They appear intact through to the chimney. The good news is that the kiln isn't rotten through but has this existing brick internal structure intact. Apparently, there was a solid veneer built in front of these openings, likely as part of an earlier decommissioning. Remnants of the iron frames for the doors were found as well.

See the photos, and stay tuned for further news!

The Limehouse Kiln Society will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on Sunday, October 4 at Limehouse Memorial Hall from 10 am till noon. Please join us for the annual general meeting at 10 am to be followed with a tour of the Limehouse Conservation Area highlighting the soon to be erected interpretive signage as well as the ongoing restoration of the draw kiln dating back to the 1870's. There is much to celebrate.

President’s Annual Report
Limehouse Memorial Hall
Sunday,October 4, 2009
Reporting Period - April 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009

The first part of the year was focussed on organizing for an application to the Ontario Trillium Foundation in regard to the restoration of the draw kiln. Susan Cox spent much time and effort in making sure that the application was completed within the time frame. Communication was done electronically for the most part along with actual meetings.

The Mayor’s Annual Heritage Golf Tournament was held once again at Blue Springs Golf & Country Club and was a major success. The Limehouse Kiln Society has been a part of the golf tournament since its inception nine years ago. The kiln society receives a portion of the proceeds from the Heritage Foundation of Halton Hills and that money covers our operating costs.

In July of 08 Ray Shier & I travelled to the Wiarton area to hike the Chris Walker Side Trail which was named in honour of Chris who was one of the founding members of the Limehouse Kiln Society. This trail leads to a spectacular view overlooking Georgian Bay.
In September the kiln society was involved in the preparation of an environmental hike that was being planned for the AGM of the Bruce Trail Conservancy.

Dr. Gerard Leduc, a specialist in heritage and archaeology discovered our website and travelled from Mansonville,QC for a guided tour of the Limehouse Conservation Area.
The kiln society had a display area for Bruce Trail Day held in October at Limehouse Memorial Hall. I also attended a reception at the Civic Centre and the unveiling of signage dedicated to the late Chris Walker highlighting his major contribution in the development of the municipal trail system in Halton Hills.

Maureen Smith of the BTC and LKS and I were also involved in conducting a hike and talk tour for the students of Park Public School in the Limehouse Conservation Area.

December was the month that determined the future for the kiln society. It was a time of restrained hope as the Trillium Foundation held a meeting with us to gather further information. If they approved our application,what exactly were we going to do with the money. They toured the site and suggested that in addition to the reconstruction of the draw kiln, interpretive signage was absolutely essential to explain the lime industry to the people hiking along the Bruce Trail. The Trillium Foundation approved our application in December and that decision set into motion the many meetings and emails that ensued for the coming year.

Our goal for a grant approval had been achieved and the Limehouse Kiln Society was now ready to move on with our partners - the Town of Halton Hills and Credit Valley Conservation. Interpretive signage and the restored draw kiln were to become a reality.

Submitted by
Mary Shier
President
Limehouse Kiln Society