Bass River, Kent County
Coordinates: 46°32′40″N 65°06′49″W / 46.54434°N 65.113478°W
Bass River is a small farming and forestry community located in Weldford Parish, New Brunswick that developed around the Bass River, a fresh water tributary of the Richibucto River. Bass River is located between the Intersection of Route 116 and Route 490.
History
In 1871 Bass River had a population of 400, in 1898 Bass River had 1 post office, 3 stores, 1 grist mill, 2 churches and a population of 350.
Bass River is home of the Bass River County Fair held annually on July 12 weekend since 1974. The week-long celebration of local English, Irish and Scot's heritage has featured events such as the double horse haul, a parade, horse and car shows, circus rides and games for family and children as well as providing top notch New Brunswick musical entertainment from artists such as Kevin Chase and Don Coleman. A weekend regular at Bass River Country Club is country music singer and songwriter, Valerie Thompson with Heartland who makes her home in Bass River and the community is also home to a rock and roll band named Cactus Tung, once featured on the New Brunswick Music website. The community center hosts a softball field, outdoor skating rink, horse show display spaces and barn, picnic area, playground equipment and open spaces available for the communities enjoyment.
Thompson's General Store in Bass River has a long-standing history, conveniently located along Route 116 and currently owned by Glen Thompson of GlenHar Builders Ltd., Quispamsis, New Brunswick. Glen was raised in Bass River and the Thompson family of Northern Ireland with Scottish roots has long standing roots in the community with a Road from St. Mark's Presbyterian Church to Mrs. Thompson's constructed in 1854. The church, near Walker's Mill, a thriving business in the 1880s, was constructed about the year 1840 and was the center of community living for early settlers to the area including surnames Campbell, Keswick, Walker, Stewart, McKendrick and McDougall.
The general store in Bass River was at one time owned by the ancestors of Major John McKendrick Hughes, 1882–1967, with The 151st Battalion Company: C and honoured for his work with French civilians while serving as an Agricultural Officer in the fall of 1917. Major Hughes was made an Officier l'Ordre du merite agricole, one of four Canadian officers to receive this French award. His accomplishments are highlighted in a book which describes his experience and service with the Armistice Commission. The book was written by his grandson, John R. Hughes, based on letters the Officer sent home from the field to his wife Sarah which were compiled and published in May 2005, University of Alberta Press, 'The Unwanted, Great War Letters from the Field'. Major Hughes was descendant from Donald McKendrick and Catherine Little who are noted on the land grant map at Bass River having moved to the area about 1810 from Prince Edward Island where the family had originally settled after immigration from Scotland in 1770.
Other local businesses in 2010 include some specializing in New Brunswick Hunting Adventures such as Upriver Outfitters.
Notable Person
Krista Betts is a Canadian Women's Wrestling Gold Medal Winner and recipient of the 2005 Roland McLenahan Award, given to New Brunswick Athletes who best combine excellence in sport, perseverance and sportsmanship and who has made a significant contribution to the New Brunswick team effort at the Canada Games. In 2005, Krista Betts made Canada Games history by becoming the first gold medal winner for women's wrestling at the Canada Games, she led Team NB at the closing ceremonies and was also New Brunswick's flag bearer. Betts wrestled in the 2009 Romanian International Junior Cup which took place in Reşiţa Română on May 19–22 and won against Disislava Kuncheva(Bulgaria) 2-0, 7-0, she beat Ileana Dobrescu(Romania) win 6-0, 7-3 in the final match to win gold. The whole week before the tournament Krista along with the rest of the Canadian National Team had a training camp in Resita and after the tournament was over they traveled to Schifferstadt, Germany for another training camp and practiced at one of the sport schools there. Unfortunately, Betts was hurt during the week, suffering a costochondral separation and was unable to compete in the tournament in Dormagen, Germany that weekend. After attending physiotherapy her next trip was to Guelph, Ontario, Canada for a training camp in preparation for the World Junior Championships held in Turkey.