A LITTLE MORE HISTORY TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS - WITCH'S RIDGE

Published on July 2021

In a previous enquiry a couple of months ago, someone asked for information concerning where the name, etc. of Witch's Ridge Golf Course, came from. The Uniacke Newsletter received a response from an unknown source many years ago when this same question was asked so thought we would share it with our readers / new residents. All that follows is based on stories, passed down information and folklore.

Here is the answer: although we do not know the date, there was a documentary for television done on Uniacke House, the history and, of course, the lake itself. It is most important to remember that the real name of Uniacke Lake is Lake Martha, named after John Uniacke's first wife.

Now the story: There were apparently many sightings of unusual things and unexplained happenings that occurred during the construction of the great mansion as we know today as Uniacke House.

These all happened at or near the Post Road which runs beside where Uniacke House is today and also the "home" of the Witch. It is said that she would watch everything that happened on the post Road like a hawk - as it was her territory - completely.

Unfortunately for the Witch, Mr. Uniacke fell in love with the area on a trip along Post Road to Halifax and eventually started construction of Uniacke House that included clearing of the land that was the home to the Lady in Black.

Distraught, lonely but not willing to leave her area of centuries, she moved to the West side of Lake Martha on a ridge that we know today as #5 green and #6 hole. Lady Martha mothered 11 children and never did get to enjoy the great house as she died at a very young age, however, the Witch blamed Martha for everything, including having her to move her home of centuries to the West Side.

As part of the documentary, there was a story that if you could walk the complete shoreline of Lake Martha at midnight on a clear night, that the vision of Lady Martha would appear in the center of the lake. The new location for the Witch was very good as she could watch the lake and ensure that nobody crossed her area and therefore not walk the entire shoreline. By doing that, the Witch ensured that the beautiful Martha would never be seen again.

It has been said that the Witch lives on today although with the construction of the Golf Course, she has moved again. Still handy and still watches the shoreline of Lake Martha and the often-walked R/R tracks from the heavily wooded and elevated area across the inlet behind #6 green and will most likely see your next hole-in-one on #6.

A new version of golf's "keep your head up".

Although this is rumour, some mysterious reports of sightings by late evening and early morning golfers with very credible reputations would suggest that the Lady in Black lives on and will be remembered in our generations to follow. Several years ago a good friend of mine told me about the Witch in that area and a really neat story. Of course, Witches are magic and when confronted she would change herself into one of the Black Bears that frequent the Estate. Unfortunately, my good friend has passed away - and with him the story. The next time you cross paths with one of the Bears either on the Estate or the Golf Course - remember, you may be standing face to face with "The Witch".

This is not a road that I wish to walk down at this time, however, I am sure there are people who have stories from their elders, past or present, that would shed more light on this very interesting folklore.

WITCHES LIVE FOREVER & MAY WITCH'S RIDGE GOLF COURSE LIVE IN YOUR MIND FOREVER.

"THAT IS WHERE AND HOW THE COURSE GOT ITS NAME"