St Lawrence Seaway's GOLDEN JUBILEE

1959 - 2009

Dave (Syd) Lever and Capt. Blake Nelson, two of our Canadian members, have briefly discussed the possibility of having a reunion in Canada in 2009 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the St Lawrence Seaway which was officially opened on 26th June 1959.

This would depend on the interest generated from members in the UK and elsewhere as we currently have only eight members domiciled in Canada and it is therefore still only a proposal.

Anyone who may be interested please contact: ML Hon Secretary or ML Hon Webmaster

Please also watch this page - NEWS EXTRA - for any further information. If you might be interested - no commitment required yet - and it doesn't matter where you live in the world - please let one of us know.  We can then keep you informed on any information which we receive from the St Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, and on any progress we make on our proposed reunion in Canada.

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The St Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), the Canadian element, in association with the St Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) the American element, are proposing to mark the anniversary of the opening by the Queen in June 1959.

They are indicating they have set up a preliminary programme of celebrations around 26th June 2009 and are waiting to see if the Queen would attend or another member of the Royal Family.

Derrick Howarth is making enquiries re likely costs of flights, hotels and transfers etc and has established the following from a travel agent (ABTA bonded).

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We have received the following from the ABTA bonded travel agent, which at this stage is only a suggestion:

Flights are virtually daily from Manchester to Toronto.

Suggest 3 nights Toronto then train to Montréal followed by 4 nights Montréal.

We can of course add side trips eg: Niagara Falls, city tours of both Toronto and Montréal so people get their bearings.

To make such a trip more appealing and the cost of the airfare effective, the return date can be left flexible. This will allow members to tailor the trip to suit themselves.

The air fare we will be using will give a bit of flexibility in who wants to stay longer so that you do not all have to come back together. If individuals want say to stay on in Montréal or visit Quebec or even go to the Rockies then I can deal with this on a per person basis so saves you any effort.

So to put that simply the basic itinerary could be as follows:

Say Depart Manchester to Toronto 22 June daylight flight - 7½ hours

One way transfer airport to hotel

3 nights 4* Delta Chelsea Hotel, Toronto

Then 25 June rail Toronto to Montréal day time - 3½ hours

Followed by 4 nights 4* Delta Montréal Hotel, Montréal

Then 29 June rail Montréal to Toronto - 3½ hours

Followed by flight Toronto to Manchester  29 June overnight - 7½ hours

Approx cost £926.00pp (subject to change) based on sharing twin/double room. Room only basis.

If we use this as a base we can then allow for individuals own requirements. Deposit £150pp

The flights are now flexible to suit each person. However, once booked amendment /cancellation fees will apply. Each person can come go and come back when they want, so long as there is a flight available.

With regard to the group discount, we have used a “general” price one that fits all. So everyone has the benefit.

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So far 28 members have responded with a notice of interest, together with wives, partners or friends, making a total of 47 people currently on the list.

Anyone who may be interested and who has not already responded please contact:

Steve Worthington ML Hon Secretary or Derrick Howarth ML Hon Webmaster

This will allow those interested to be informed of any progress as the situation unfolds, thereby restricting any mail updates by not having to circulate the whole membership each time.

At this point we are not asking for a commitment, only to express an interest.

Finally the St Lawrence Seaway is completed - CBC Archives

Queen Elizabeth II opens the St Lawrence Seaway