AYLMER

Home of the
Ontario Police College
&
Spring Tundra Swan Migration

Aylmer is the home of the Ontario Police College and is also one of the best spots to view the Tundra Swan migration in North America.

This is a small Ontario town of around 7,000 people, located in Elgin County, just north of Lake Erie and 20km south of Highway 401.

Let's begin our tour of this pretty town with a drive around the tree-lined streets to the south of Talbot Street, which is the main street, where you will see some beautiful homes.

Many of them are of styles that are typically Canadian, but there is also one that looks like it just stepped out of a Plantation in the Deep South! I think this house is lovely!

Every Tuesday, year round, there is a Farmer's Market at the Sales Barn, just north of the town centre on Highway 73, behind the Beer Store. You can buy almost anything there - fruit & vegetables, clothing, shoes, a great selection of imported cheeses, farm fresh eggs & meats and in the spring you can buy young hens, rabbits and ducklings!

You'll probably see Morris in the New and Used furniture area, if you see anything you like, he'll give you a good deal on the price!

Market day is when you are most likely to see our Amish and Mennonite neighbours who live in this area and you will see their horses and buggies parked in front of the market alongside the cars and trucks.

The Amish ladies dress very plainly, in their black, navy blue, or brown dresses, and always have their hair modestly covered by their caps.

The Old Order Amish community is located just east of the town of Aylmer and there, farm life continues the way it has for generations, as the Amish still maintain their horse-drawn farm equipment, and as you drive through the country roads the families can often be seen working in their fields and gardens, gathering the fruits of their labours.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Amish and Mennonite groups in this area of Ontario, then click this link to take you to an information site.

New recruits from all Municipal Police Departments in Ontario pass through the OPC for their basic training, and many of them return for Advanced Training later on in their careers.

My brother-in-law, Bob, tells me that there is great fishing from the pier at Port Bruce - pickerel and perch - yummy!

The photo here on the right was taken from the pier at Port Bruce and shows the Bluffs which overlook the lake.

If you are driving around this area in spring, take a look at the Wildlife Management Area next to the Police College, just watch for the sign on Hacienda Rd, to the south of the College. Drive along the lane and go to the back and look to see if the Tundra Swans are there.

There is a viewing area for the public to use, which gives you an excellent view of the pond and the birds.

The Swans usually arrive in early March and the migration takes about three weeks to pass through this area. Each spring sees tens of thousands of them as they stop here to rest on their northerly migration from Chesapeake Bay to the Arctic Circle to breed.

Swans on River Avon, Stratford-on-Avo... Buy From Art.com

There are usually great numbers of Canada Geese also to be found here in the spring and summer, and often there are many different species of Duck, Merganser and Teal resting and feeding here, so take your binoculars, you never know what rare bird you may see.

Our favourite is at Springwater Conservation Area between St Thomas and Aylmer, south of highway 3 at Orwell.

Here's Becky and my hubby watching our breakfast being prepared.

For $5 per adult, $3 per child, you can have the Sausage and Pancake Breakfast.

After eating, we crossed the road to the Children's Festival, which was the best $12 we ever spent!

Later, we learned how the Native people of this area made Maple Syrup out of sap, watched a demonstration of the way the early Pioneers would have made it and then watched the modern up-to-date process in the Sugar Shack.

All this was fascinating and we were able to sample the syrup and the candy made from the Maple Syrup.

Included in the price was the option for each of us to make a Bird House to take home! WOW - what a deal - $12 for three of us!

We are going to paint our bird houses and hope that we can attract some of the lovely Eastern Bluebirds that are making a come-back in this area.

You can be sure that we will be going to the Springwater Maple Syrup festival again next year!

Plan to spend some time there exploring the property, where there is a working pottery, 54 acres of Pine Forest with a lovely lake, and a great Gift Shop.

It is always wise to telephone first to check if a reservation is required, and note that they are open for light meals, only until 5pm - Phone: 1-519-773-3435

Although tobacco smoking is not the socially acceptable activity it once was, the Aylmer area has long been a tobacco growing area.

If you are driving along Lake Erie, to the south of Aylmer, watch for the fields of tobacco which is grown in that area.

In 2005 the town's biggest employer, Imperial Tobacco, announced that the Aylmer tobacco processing plant would close in early 2007, which has effected the local economy and many local families.

In 2004 the East Elgin Community Centre opened it's doors and can accommodate 600 people in the banquet hall. In addition there are two skating arenas at the Centre and 13 changing rooms, making this a great asset to the community and the township of Malahide.

If you are planning to move to the London, Aylmer or St Thomas area and are thinking of buying a house, ask Real Estate Agent, John Knowles to keep his eye open for you. John helped us find our home and we love it - it was exactly what we were looking for, with lots of room for our growing family! He's a hard-working Realtor and he has many years in the business - contact him and tell him that Barb sent you!

My family love camping and our favourite local place to stay is at Springwater Conservation Area , which is between St Thomas and Aylmer. Turn south onto Springwater Road at the village of Orwell. The entrance to the campground is on your right and the Day Use area is on the left.

This is our trailer at Springwater, its lovely in the summertime because the tall pine trees keep the trailer shady and cool.

Springwater has a spring-fed lake (hence its name) with sandy beach and bathrooms, 180 serviced camp sites, 370 acres of Carolinian forest, over 8 km of walking and cycling trails, including a section of wheelchair accessible trail.

Registration is at the Gatehouse, where there is also a store where you can buy firewood, groceries, and ice-cream.

While you are in Aylmer you could try one of our two favourite restaurants. Johnnie's on the main street is a diner that serves good, wholesome food in generous portions. There is usually parking right outside, so you won't have to walk far.

If you are heading west from Aylmer, take a detour at the hamlet of New Sarum, and have dinner at the New Sarum Diner - we have been eating there for 25 years and have never been disappointed. We usually order the Chef's Kitchen Salad, which is huge and has chopped boiled egg, chicken, cheese and ham - it is delicious and really good value for money (which is really important when you are English & Dutch!)

Aylmer Links

Aylmer Farmer's Market
For fresh produce, clothing and meats, shop at the Tuesday Market in Aylmer, Ontario. This interesting and colourful market is busy and lively in the summer months

Ontario Police College
For Information about Police Training, check out their site

Wildlife Management Area
Check out the site for information about the annual Tundra Swan Migration and area bird life

Pinecroft Pottery & Green Frog Tea Room
Spend some time in this enchanted place, a great place to have lunch and to spend an afternoon, Pottery, Art Studio & Tea Room

New Sarum Diner
Wholesome, home-style cooking at a reasonable price

East Elgin Community Complex
Aylmer's new Ice Skating Arena & Community Centre

Springwater Conservation Area
- Located on Springwater Road, south of Highway 3, Springwater Conservation Area is great for spending a day hiking, fishing, cycling or just sitting on the beach and watching the kids play! Good camping facilities for tents or caravans

Amish & Mennonite Information Check out this site for information about our Amish and Mennonite neighbours, their beliefs and customs