An English immigrant family in Edmonton: 1957, by Mary F. Cavill

Mary F. Cavill describes the adjustments she made after immigrating to Edmonton from Britain in 1957. She has come to consider Edmonton her home and herself as ' part of the culture and what it has to offer.' She still has difficulty with the cold weather

It was mid-July, 1957. My husband, our two children and I had just arrived from England to look around, see if we liked what we saw, then consider staying for a while. The Suez Crisis and the continuing post-war problems in Britain triggered many peoples' thoughts of emigration. My husband, who had served in the Royal Engineers for seven years during World War II, was one of those. A firm making oilfield equipment destined for Edmonton employed him, so this appeared to be an opportune time to explore the possibilities of living in Edmonton.


My first impression was of heat, unbelievable dryness, and the blinding light of the sun shining in the bright blue dome of a cloudless sky. I could taste the dust as the frisky wind blew the garbage around. As we stood waiting for our luggage, I felt my five-year old son's tight grip on my hand and saw my nine-year old daughter standing close to her father. I was apprehensive. I had not wanted to move from England, but had finally agreed to consider my husband's wishes to emigrate. Where had we come to? Only time would tell how things would work out.


It is now October 2002. Over the past years, I have had to make many adjustments. The first problem was teaching the children how to cross the road safely with the traffic travelling on the right-hand side. I was terrified they would forget my instructions and be in a traffic accident. I had difficulty understanding what people were saying. The accent was different from what I was used to and many words were novel. A lift was an elevator, a flat an apartment, paddling was wading and a cocktail mat was a coaster--to name only a few differences.


When we arrived in Edmonton, very few people had television. This was a surprise, as we had owned one since 1950, just a small, nine-inch black and white model with a couple of stations. We missed the programs we had watched regularly, but soon became interested in what was being offered here.


But, in retrospect, I think the winter temperatures were, and still are, my worst problem. Back then the temperature was measured in Fahrenheit degrees, not Celsius. We were told we would need special winter clothing as the temperature could fall to thirty below. My husband and I decided this must be thirty degrees below freezing, i.e. 32 degrees F. It was a shock to learn that the temperature plummeted to zero before dropping even further. I wrote to my mother about this and had a hasty reply telling me to go to the children's school, explain to the headmaster that there was no way her grandchildren could be subjected to such weather and they would be kept at home until it was warmer. It took some time for me to assure her we were coping.


I worked in downtown Edmonton for many years taking four buses daily to and from my home. I well remember one brutally cold morning. I was waiting for a long overdue bus. I was frozen to the core, wondering if I would ever be warm again. In the midst of my misery, I wondered why I had not experienced any post-menstrual problems, as did many of my friends. A hot flash or two would have been most welcome.


Just recently others and I were asked to express ways in which we felt we were like the City of Edmonton. My first reaction was I had no idea. Was I being asked how I compared to the city? Apparently this was the idea. Well, the city and I share the same climate that I suppose is a major point. We handle the same money-mine goes to the city in taxes and the city disposes it in various ways, not always to my satisfaction.


The North Saskatchewan River is a focal point of the city. It has no high and low tides to be reported in the local papers, but its level does vary from season to season. I love the river valley and what it offers in the way of recreation-golf courses, picnic areas and trails for walkers and cyclists. I enjoy the floral displays during the summer months. The Parks and Recreation Department and the citizens themselves can take credit for these attractions. I can relate to the time and effort expended in producing such exhibits, as I am an avid gardener. It is obvious that the city administration and I have similar tastes in the landscaping of the capital.


I, like the city powers-that-be, rejoice in the number of activities offered in the way of entertainment all-year round. The opening of the Winspear and its new organ offers many musical events, while the Jubilee continues to give ballet and opera concerts. Hockey, football, wrestling and other athletic activities are around for those who may be interested.


I have often heard the phrase that so-and-so will put Edmonton on the map. I know this is just a metaphoric phrase, but I always react by thinking that if it hasn't appeared on the map by now, there must be a good reason - check the records and see why.


Forty-five years after arriving in Edmonton, I still remember the shock of realizing there were few post-secondary institutions other than the University of Alberta. No technical schools to speak of. Over the years this situation has been remedied as attested by the growth of NAIT and Grant MacEwan Colleges. I still have problems living so far from the sea, but have enjoyed many trips to Vancouver and the Island. I bury thoughts of the smell and taste of salt water, but relish it when I reach the coast.


I now have no difficulty understanding the Canadian accent most of the time, and I'm used to driving on the right-hand side of the street. Yes, I miss the ancient history of my home county and its proximity to London, but am fortunate enough to have made many trips back. I have visited much of North America since coming to Edmonton, met various people and made many great friends. Several of my relatives and friends have visited from Britain, and I have been proud to show them what Edmonton has to offer.


So, I am used to living here now, have become part of the culture and what it has to offer, but I still cannot enjoy the brutal winters. The cold, the ice and snow are still enemies, but the warmth of my family and friends and the variety of entertainment that Edmonton has to offer make the winter months more bearable.