News
Sackville Hosts Morden Manitoba Delegation
November 14th, 2008
Morden, Manitoba and Sackville, New Brunswick have a few things in common. They are both 2008 Cultural Capitals of Canada, and have an interesting connection with Canadian Naval history.
It happens that both communities are namesakes to Naval Corvettes. In fact, the two corvettes sailed in the same C 2 group and fought together in key battles of the North Atlantic.
This interesting connection was discovered by Sackville Town Councillor Virgil Hammock during a visit to Morden this August. Manitoba playwright Larry Danielson wrote "The Long Journey Home" in honor of the Town of Morden being named a 2008 Cultural Capital of Canada. While the play features a prairie boy as its main character (Ted O'Brien), the setting is in Atlantic Canada and the oceans beyond. The story is based loosely on the experiences of a real R.C.N. sailor--Ed O’Connor on H.M.C.S. Morden--but the story reflects the voyages of many others who served their country during the Second World War. It is also about a sailor’s coming of age. The H.M.C.S. Sackville is also featured in the play. Today, the only remaining Naval Corvette, is the H.M.C.S. Sackville which is open to the public at the Halifax waterfront each summer.
Both communities decided that bringing "The Long Journey Home" to Sackville would be an excellent way to share a joint event, and celebrate our connection at a very special time of year. A delegation of five, including the playwright, actor and technicians, one of whom is Morden Town Councillor Maurice Butler, arrived in Sackville and presented the play over three days. The house was packed for opening night performance on Remembrance Day. Proceeds from ticket sales are being donated to Sackville's Royal Canadian Legion.
At the Town Council meeting on November 12th, Sackville's Mayor and Councillor Virgil Hammock made a special presentation to the Morden delegation, expressing our thanks for bringing such a meaningful production to Sackville and sharing an important event with our community. Both communities would like to continue the relationship between Sackville and Morden beyond this year and even consider a formal twinning of the towns.