By Angie Sullivan

The Georgina Centre for Arts & Culture (GCAC) is presenting a series of four author talks in conjunction with their theme, “A Celebration of Words & Deeds” to kick off the new year.

First up is journalist, creative non-fiction author, and public speaker, Ted Barris, who will deliver his latest in-person presentation at the GCAC, at 2 p.m., on Saturday, February 8. 

Ted Barris has had a lifelong fascination for presenting history, dating back to elementary school.

His latest popular talk uses multi-media elements – video, interview clips with veterans, and live commentary – to illustrate Canadian military involvement in the Battle of Britain during the Second World War.  

Ted Barris said, “My interest in researching the Canadian military began in elementary school when I fell in love with history. I attribute this to my Grade 5 teacher, who made history come alive in the classroom. Storytelling runs in my family and has always been in my blood, so I began searching these stories out at a young age.”  

His latest book, Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen in Their Finest Hour, was published in September 2024, and according to the book blurb, focuses on the “unknown stories of Canadian airmen, ground crew, as well as engineers, aeronautical designers, medical officers, and civilians, who answered the call and turned back the very real threat of Nazi invasion.”

Canadian pilots of RCAF No. 1 Fighter Squadron pose briefly beside their principal fighter aircraft, the Hawker Hurricane. No. 1’s Canadian fighter pilots served in the Battle of Britain from Aug. 17 to Oct. 10, 1940, shooting down 30 enemy aircraft; 20 Canadian pilots died in the action.
Fighter pilots of the Battle of Britain station at RAF No. 85 Fighter Squadron scramble in the summer of 1940. A fully operational base could launch a counterattack against Luftwaffe bombers in fewer than three minutes. The 48 RAF and RCAF operational squadrons might have to mount as many as three or four similar scrambles (sorties) each day of the 113-day battle.

Barris is a frequent author guest at Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge, which is currently operating a pop-up bookstore at the GCAC.

“I hope that the people who attend my presentation on the Battle of Britain will go away more inquisitive and with some pride, knowing that Canadians had a significant influence on history,”he said.

The next author presentation on the docket will be Andrew Sibbald on Saturday, February 15. Sibbald is the author of The Briars Between, a historical fiction novel set at the Briars Resort in Jackson’s Point. 

“A Celebration of Words & Deeds” is presented in co-ordination with the 7 Stories Writing Competition. Contestants are asked to choose one of seven selected pieces from the GCAC Permanent Collection and write a flash fiction story of no more than 400 words based on the art. Those interested are invited to view the art before or after Barris’s presentation. 

There is a $25 entry fee and winners can win cash prizes. The deadline for entries is Friday, January 31, 2025. To learn more about the 7 Stories Writing Contest, visit https://thegcac.ca/event/7-stories-a-writing-competition/

Mike Anderson
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