Partially hidden from view in rural West Grey is one of the largest private antique tractor and equipment collections in Ontario. Yet until a few years ago, few had ever seen it.
John and Eunice Bosom-worth started farming in 1966 with a John Deer AR and later with a JD 520.
Their second property, a 100 acre pasture farm, had an old bank barn set well back from the road. On it they erected a couple of sheds, and in 1996 sold the home farm, built a new house, and moved.
A lazy Sunday afternoon drive and an old-fashioned drop-in on friends introduced a hobby that would take the couple from Alberta to Nova Scotia. As they began the visit there was no idea they would be shown a few old John Deere tractors. The seed was planted and it ballooned.
The initial concept was just to acquire a few old tractors and restore them. The attraction was to the John Deere two-cylinder (the “putt-putt”) tractors. Eunice encouraged this sideline because most farmers don’t take time for a hobby or an outlet for relaxation from their daily long, hard work. Evening was a good time for John to “play” with his restorations.
Lofts were added for century old McLaughlin carriages, horse drawn sleighs, one furrow plows, and other oddities such as one tine hay forks. His appetite was insatiable – but he was having fun. John Bosomworth thoroughly enjoyed preserving history.
Bosomworth also began collecting a stable of Norwegian Fjord horses.
Fjords are an incredible breed: strong but gentle, very sociable and obedient. They make a good first horse and are friendly. Some refer to them as the little horse with the big heart.
Norwegian Fjords are an outside horse. The Bosomworth’s house them in an open barn which is more natural than being locked in box stalls.
John’s father farmed with an International Farmall M. John decided to veer away from JD’s and acquire a tractor like his dad’s. He found one all painted up, and eventually managed to restore five different Farmall models. Now there’s red among the green and yellow. In 1998 he found his father’s original McCormick Deering 1020 – sunk in the ground up to the front axle. It too was hauled home, restored, and then put back on steel.
From travelling with the truck and trailer to check out, sell, and buy horses or tractors the Bosomworths met many fine people both in Canada and the U.S. Many cross-border Fjord horse sales were made through emails and photographs.
Then heartbreak struck.
At different times both John and his sister-in-law Mary Lou Holliday were diagnosed with cancer.
Mary Lou had worked tirelessly for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) growing projects which included potatoes and sweet corn for farm gate sales. She was a strong and enthusiastic advocate for the CFGB.
John and Mary Lou were flying to Nova Scotia to seek alternative treatment for cancer when she came up with the idea that John could host an open house/antique extravaganza to showcase his collections and horses.
There could be food booths – and all proceeds would go to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Organizers from area churches, five different denominations, met where most farmers do – around the kitchen table. No one knew what to expect. How closely can you plan for an unknown quantity?
On a July Saturday in 2006 the first event attracted 1,400 attendees and raised $13,000 was raised for the Foodgrains Bank. The committee repeated the event in 2009 but unfortunately Mary Lou was no longer living to witness its success. That year about the same number attended and the proceeds increased to $21,000.
John died in August 2012. His four children want to hold the Extravaganza one last time as a memorial and tribute to their dad. This year is the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Foodgrains Program. Ontario coordinators, David and Kathryn Mayberry, are organizing an anniversary service and supper on Aug. 4 extending the extravaganza to a two-day event. There’s a challenge for the 30th anniversary called “30 for 30” ($30 a month, 30 acres, 30 tons etc.). Charitable receipts will be issued. The Extravaganza committee has set a goal of $30,000. Money is matched 4:1 by the Canadian International Development Agency.
The Antique Extravaganza and Fjord Horse fundraiser will be held on Aug. 3 from 10am to 5pm and Aug. 4 from noon until 5pm at 102081 Concession 6 West Grey (RR2, Ayton). For information and directions visit: www.antiqueextravaganza.com or www.foodgrainsbank.ca.
submitted by Willa Wick
