New Richmond Talk about The Chaplain, July 2013

The evening started with a bang – MP Philip Toone 

presented the Queen Elizabeth medal to Joan Dow, 

Founder of the British Heritage Village (BHV) 

in New Richmond.

Joan and Philip talked together about the Village.

Then Joan Dow spoke about the beginnings of the village.

The BHV is now run by the dynamic Kim Harrison, 

a descendent of the Deserter and thus a relative. 

She has built the Heritage Village into a thriving institution 

commemorating the contribution of the British Isles 

to the now mainly French Gaspe Coast.

Then we moved to the small but vibrant 

church of St. Mary Magdalen.

Philip introduced me to Doreen Bird-Daley, 

the dynamic United Church minister.

Philip is undoubtedly the best Federal MP 

our region of the Gaspe has ever had. Doreen, 

new to The Alford Saga, bought all five books!

First Philip Toone, Federal MP, introduced me 

with a talk about how churches are 

the backbone of his territory.

I spoke to the tiny community, which nonetheless 

bought over fifty copies of The Chaplain 

to support their church.

Joan Dow busily kept track of the books she had sold.