NORGATE LANDMARK

FELLEL

. fOr one extr parking space

FOR MANY of the locals who shop there, it was what distinguished Norgate Plaza from all the other businesses stretched along the Marine Drive

strip.

But for Charles Chamberlain the huge weeping willow was more than a local landmark. It symbolized an era of pioneering days in Norgate’s history of which he had been a part.

Last week that landmark went the same way as those bygone days when it became a victim of “progress”. Now the tree has been eradicated there is room in the centre of the parking lot of the newly- developed plaza for one more car. ‘

Chamberlain was asked if he wanted to see the felling of the tree — but he couldn't watch. The willow, whose branches draped like a giant umbrella which had shaded the spot where he had operated his Tomahawk Barbeque stand for so many had

years, too many memories for him. Chamberlain, known to

most as Chic, is now 79 and is even more a part of local histary than the tree.

Back as far as most people remember he ran his bar- beque stand there. He used to rent the spot from a couple called Wilkins and recalls that Mrs. Olive Wilkins was the first white baby born on the North

Shore, on the Capilano reserve. Chamberlain's faithful

companion was his German shepherd and when the dog died of old age Chamberlain buried him behind the barbeque stand.

Then he planted the willow sapling as a marker.

“It was a little bit of a sapling I stole from Pascal's nursery,” says Chamberlain “That was 36 years ago.”

The spot was the former

By CHRIS LLOYD

bed of the Capilano River and the roots of the sapling obviously found their way down to a water supply sufficiently abundant to support a willow,

The tree flourished and Mrs. Wilkins once told Chamberlain that if ever she sold the land she would make sure it was to someone who would promise to leave the tree standing.

When she began to think about retirement she offered to sell the land to Cham- berlain, who set about saving up the money agreed for the price.

Then about 20 years ago, as the time approached, he recalls a real estate businessman came along and persuaded Mrs. Wilkins to sell for a better price.

Chamberlain says she was concerned about the promise she had made to him but that they were reassured that Chamberlain would be looked after in the realty agent's plans. These plans, the two are said to have been told, would see an Indian style stockade built there to preserve local history, with Chamberlain's barbeque in the centre.

“But as soon as she signed the paper I was given 30 days’ notice after being there 35 years,” says Chamberlain. His Tomahawk Barbeque was later moved to its present location on Philip Avenue.

Even during the current development of the Norgate Plaza, everyone wanted to keep the tree. Everyone, apparently. except the head office of Credit) Foncier, which owns the property

Chamberlain says the

CONTINUED ON PAGE A4

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LANDMARK willow tree which was once a centrepiece at Norgate Plaza fs shown in top picture, while below, Chic Chamberlain holds twigs which are the only remnants of the tree he planted on the spot where he stands. (lan Smith photos)

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A3 - Wednesday, September 29, 1982 - North Shore News

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