Author: Fran Martin

Fran Martin became a member of The Bootmakers of Toronto in 1987 and The Stormy Petrels of B.C. in 1988. She has attended several Sherlockian conferences including: In 1992 "Aspects of Holmes" in Bradford, England (hosted by The Northern Musgraves); In 2006 "ACD at 35" in Toronto (hosted by The Bootmakers of Toronto); 2013 "Sherlock Holmes Through Time & and Place" in Minneapolis (hosted by The Norwegian Explorers); 2014 "Gillette to Brett IV" in Bloomington (hosted by Wessex Press); 2015 SherlockCon in Seattle; 2015 "A Scintillation of Scions VIII" in Baltimore (hosted by Watson's Tin Box); 2016 "The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes" (hosted by The Norwegian Explorers); in 2018 in Dayton, Ohio for the "Holmes, Doyle & Friends" conference (hosted by the Agra Treasurers). Fran has held several positions with The Stormy Petrels of B.C. including secretary, vice-president, special events coordinator and is currently president and editor of the "Petrel Flyer". She was honoured with being awarded the title of "Master Bootmaker" in 2014. She was very pleased to present a paper to a meeting of Sir Hugo's Companions in Chicago in 2017. Fran has contributed articles to Canadian Holmes magazine, the Watsonian and Chris Redmond's "About Sixty" and "Sherlock Holmes is Like...". In May, 2018 she attended the 78th annual Speckled Band of Boston dinner. She was very honoured to have been one of the first women invited.

SEPTEMBER 2017 MEETING

The Stormy Petrels of BC will gather for another study session on Tuesday, September 5th to discuss part 1 of “The Valley of Fear”.

This adventure was published in The Strand Magazine from September 1914 to May 1915.

Valley of Fear CoverWe begin with a coded message sent to Sherlock Holmes, a murder and a trip to Sussex.

Valley of Fear Card

Is Professor Moriarty behind this unfortunate incident at Birlstone Manor?  What is the significance of “VV341”?  Was the victim a member of a secret society in America?

A slipper print on a window ledge, an abandoned bicycle, a missing wedding ring and a missing dumb-bell.  What more could one ask?

The meeting will take place at 7:00 pm at our usual Hampton Place lounge at UBC (near Wesbrook Mall/16th Ave., Vancouver)

Bonus question for those planning on attending the meeting:  Whose name did Mrs. Douglas say her husband called out in a fever?

For more information, please contact Fran at:  franziskah@shaw.ca

VALLEY

 

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SILVER BLAZE 2018

The 23rd Annual Silver Blaze Sweepstakes will take place

Sunday the 12th day of August 2018

at

 1 o’clock in the afternoon

at the

South Surrey Country Estates of Dame Johnston-Keddis

Come for an event-full afternoon of high stakes betting, games and prizes.

For your dining pleasure High Tea will take place on the Manor House Terrace.

The theme this year is Hats and Ascots

Reserve your Grandstand seats now.  Petrels are urged to RSVP  so that the staff will be able to set up adequately for the large flock.

Send your calling card to:  skeena73@yahoo.ca or call 604-634-3633.

Please bring a hearty potluck dish and snack to share with the hungry Petrels who come from far and wide. The BBQ will be set up for those who’d like to char a little something for themselves, and Cook will be on hand to assist.

Sherry, ale and other delightful libations are welcome.

The Gamekeeper requests that you keep your dog on a leash so as not to disturb the chickens.

If you have any questions, call Johnnie at the above contacts.

Directions to the Estate will be sent separately.

SAM_0131.jpg

 

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Reichenbach Falls (aka Shannon Falls) Picnic – June 15, 2019

On Saturday, June 15, 2019 The Stormy Petrels will flock to Shannon Falls on the Sea-to-Sky.

[Left: Shannon Falls, BC / Right: Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland]

About Shannon Falls

Shannon Falls is located just off Highway 99, 58 km north of Vancouver. BC. According to the BC Parks website, it is composed of a series of cliffs, rising 335 meters above Highway 99, making it the third highest falls in the province.

In 1792, Captain George Vancouver set up camp just west of the falls, which were named after Shannon who, in 1890 – 1900, owned the falls and surrounding area and used the clay deposits to make bricks. (you can’t make bricks without clay!)

The park also holds significant spiritual value to the Squamish First Nations, the first people to live in the area. They told of a two-headed sea serpent, Say-noth-ka, who lived in and around Howe Sound. According to legend, this beast traveled both on land and in the water. Some versions say it was Say-noth-ka who formed Shannon Falls by slithering and twisting his powerful body up the mountainside, wearing down a spillway for those cascading waters

We will once again met at 10:00 am at Shannon Falls, our substitute for the Reichenbach Falls. The resemblance is truly uncanny!

Those who wish can will hike up to the lookout. Once back down to the park area, we dedicate the wreath and enjoy a picnic lunch.

A bonus this year –  we have been invited to “Toad Hall” the home of Elsa and Len Haffenden where we will be treated to the delicious baking of our hostess.

Members:  please see Sheldon’s e-mail regarding rides.

If you require any additional information, please contact Fran at franziskah@shaw.ca

[Photo sources: Wikipedia and Flickr]

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June 6, 2017 Meeting

“The Adventure of the Second Stain” was first published in The Strand Magazine in December 1904 and in Collier’s on January 28, 1905.

second stain

The morning paper announced: “A crime of mysterious character was committed last night at 16 Godolphin Street…”

How was this event connected to the two distinguished visitors to Baker Street?  One, Lord Bellinger (twice Premier of Britain, and the other, the Secretary for European Affairs.

Why did the Secretary’s wife call in at Baker Street? After her departure, Holmes, smiling, mentions to Watson: ” Now, Watson, the fair sex is your department.”

What did she want of Holmes?

Watson tells us that this was “…the most important international case which he (Holmes) has ever been called upon to handle…”

secondstn

This adventure, the last in The Return, was ranked as #8 by ACD his list of 12 favourite stories.

Please join the Stormy Petrels as they discuss this case on Tuesday, June 6th at 7:00pm, meeting at their usual Hampton Place lounge.

Contact Fran for more info.

Bonus question:  What sort of weapon was used to rid the world of Eduardo Lucas?

 

 

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