|
Based on an interview with Emma Wells and Jean Taylor, daughters of Bill Howell.
The Carbonear Rink was built by Billy Howell in 1927. Howell had already built several houses and churches, and saw a need for a rink in Carbonear. The construction was undertaken by his two sons and son-in-law, Mr Howell himself assisting in the evenings. When the time came to raise the beams for the domed roof, the whole community lent a hand.
The roof was lost in 1930 to wind, and the building was soon rebuilt by the Howell family. The new rink was named Jubilee Rink, in honour of the Jubilee Year of King George V.
The rink was used for both hockey and general skating. At first, an accordion player provided the skating music; later, Mr. Howell purchased a turntable and amplifier. Skating records were ordered from St. John’s. Only skating waltzes were played, such as the “Skaters’ Waltz” or the “Viennese Waltz.” The music was heard all over Carbonear, apparently without complaint. The Jubilee Rink was open every night, enjoyed not only by the residents of Carbonear, but also from the neighbouring communities of Brigus, Shearstown and Bay Roberts.
In 2003, the William F. Howell family was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. At the presentation ceremony, daughters, Emma Wells and Jean Taylor, presented an intimate history of the rink, with stories about the community’s involvement. Hall of Fame Acceptance Speech
Photographs
| Children of William F. Howell [ca. 1970] |
 |
Children of William F. Howell [ca. 1970]
Back row L-R: Mac, Alma (Badcock), Roy, Fred, Flora (McCarthy)
Front row L-R: Emma (Wells), Jean (Taylor), Frances (Earle), Duncan
Courtesy of the Howell family
|
| Newfoundland Sports Hall of Fame 2003 |
 |
Newfoundland Sports Hall of Fame 2003
L-R: John Barrington, Kathy Noseworthy, Emma Wells, Jean Taylor, Sue Ann Bartlett, [?], Adrian Miller
Courtesy of the Howell family |
| Carbonear Men’s Hockey Team 1934 |
 |
Carbonear Men's Hockey Team 1934
L-R G.F.Saunders, Guy Earle, Jack Lee, Jack Cleary, Roy Howell, Mark Badcock, Ewart
Badcock, Jack Keneally, Lloyd Saunders, Graham Russell, William F. Howell
Courtesy of the Howell family |
Interviews
Rinks
|
