Russell Dawkins

When I first came to Langford at the age of 14 with my family in 1958, 'downtown' Langford presented a near-fairytale appearance with little stores in amongst massive fir trees lining both sides of Goldstream Ave all the way from Millstream to Jacklin Rd—trees with trunk diameters of 3' or so. It looked more like an old growth forest with tiny cottages. Not so much, now. I wish I had the foresight to have taken some photos of it. Large firs were also lining the south side of Goldstream all the way down to Colwood corners until they were topped by some short-sighted chainsaw operator, much to the chagrin of residents. I find the casual blasting of bedrock outcroppings such as is in progress between Florence Lake and Costco and vicinity unfortunate and largely irreversible. Moreover, I believe permits should have to be taken out to blast bedrock for the purpose of private home building. Glacier scoured, moss and licorice fern covered rock outcroppings can be beautiful and should be preserved whenever possible, as used to be done, not turned into a pile of boulders to allow some inappropriate house design to be forced into place.

When I first came to Langford at the age of 14 with my family in 1958, 'downtown' Langford presented a near-fairytale appearance with little stores in amongst massive fir trees lining both sides of Goldstream Ave all the way from Millstream to Jacklin Rd—trees with trunk diameters of 3' or so. It looked more like an old growth forest with tiny cottages. Not so much, now. I wish I had the foresight to have taken some photos of it. Large firs were also lining the south side of Goldstream all the way down to Colwood corners until they were topped by some short-sighted chainsaw operator, much to the chagrin of residents. I find the casual blasting of bedrock outcroppings such as is in progress between Florence Lake and Costco and vicinity unfortunate and largely irreversible. Moreover, I believe permits should have to be taken out to blast bedrock for the purpose of private home building. Glacier scoured, moss and licorice fern covered rock outcroppings can be beautiful and should be preserved whenever possible, as used to be done, not turned into a pile of boulders to allow some inappropriate house design to be forced into place.

Victoria and the Highlands are very fortunate to have the McMinns' influence. Bob is a sterling character to the core.