G’day there!

As promised, nothing having to do with the royals this week. Instead, we’re going back a whopping 28 years to 1988, courtesy of this gem of a film I found on Youtube. I don’t know much about it, other than that it was recorded by a Keith Wakelin, and that it is (largely) a compilation of Charlottetown streetscapes. The footage, however, is perfectly nostalgic – close enough to the present that it seems tangible, but by now far enough into the past that everything, though familiar in appearance and largely recognizable, is clearly from a different era. I’m not gonna lie – this thing had me completely and utterly entranced. Whoever and wherever you are, Mr. Wakelin, I salute you. You’ve become this historian’s new hero.

The whole of the video is narrated by Mr. Wakelin, a feature that might prove a boon to those of you not familiar with the city. But for those of you who are, or don’t care to listen to the commentary, mute it and watch along to your background music of choice. I opted for jazz, along with a measure (make that two) of 12-year-old Aberfeldy single malt – admittedly something of an odd trio, but it worked. The only caveat is that the film has a run time of just over an hour, so bear that in mind if you’re in the process of doing something important and productive. While I would typically source much shorter videos, I really couldn’t help myself with this one, and I think you’ll agree once you get into it.

Well, I’ll leave you to it then. Enjoy!

Cheers,

PEI History Guy

P.S. – You’ll be happy to know, if you didn’t already, that the situation vis a vis the deplorable state of the Old Protestant Burying Ground would eventually be rectified, and in more recent years the cemetery has undergone extensive restoration.