Barn benefit in Sydenham

Oct 20, 2011

Photo: Tracey Timmerman, Pete Redmond and Emma Redmond

Close to 125 friends and family of long-time farmer, Pete Redmond, whose 100-year-old barn in Holleford burned to the ground on September 10, came out to assist in raising funds to replace it at a silent auction and dance held at the Sydenham Legion on Oct. 15. The event was organized by Tracey Timmerman and Pete's daughter-in -law Emma Redmond. Pete was in attendance and graciously greeted attendees at the door. He recalled being woken up by a neighbour who called him to tell that his barn was on fire. “I remember looking out the window at 2:30am and seeing the barn up in flames. My daughter usually keeps her show calf in there but luckily that night she left it outside.”

The fire department was quick to respond and managed to keep things under control, remaining on the scene until the next afternoon and returning three successive times to douse the still smoldering bales. The fire totally destroyed the barn and the 3500 square bales stored inside. Formerly his grandfather’s farm, Pete has resided there since he was 10. He ran the farm first with his dad. He is currently in the process of rebuilding and said he hopes to have the new 34x 50 foot building finished, for a cost of about $60,000, before the snow flies. Presently he keeps 60 head of beef cattle Supporters who attended the event were treated to a silent auction with a wide variety of items donated by local businesses and individuals and danced the night away to the music of Cory Tucker. Members of the Frontenac Cattleman’s Assoc. provided beef on a bun and by the end of the night over $2800 was raised for the cause.