August 5th, 1975 — What’s fascinating about this picture of Vancouver’s Gastown Grand Prix and the one below is the complete lack of crowd control. Restaurants had tables right beside the track. Spectators ate lunch and drank wine as the racers went by. The Gastown Grand Prix is still held but now spectators are packed in behind six foot high fences. It’s still a fun race to watch but it doesn’t have that special joy it once had. The picture above was taken as the riders sprinted for the finish. The rider on the left, Brian Keast of Coquitlam, won the race. Bill Wild of Port Moody on the right was second.
Arthur Delamont
April 1976 — Arthur Delamont was a legend in Vancouver because of his Kitsilano Boys Band which won over two hundred awards between 1928 and 1974. He was also a legend because of his fearsome temper aroused by missed notes although I think this more myth than real. The band ceased performing in 1974 but there were still rehersals and this young boy is receiving a trumpet from Delamont after band practice in the basement of General Gordon School. From his body language he knows about and believes in the legend.
Black tide
September 25th, 1973 — In the 1970’s oil spills in Vancouver Harbour were comman. There seemed to be at least two a year and young people would wade out into it with straw and rakes to soak it up. Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver.