One Essay House entry fee returned

At least one entrant in the failed Essay House contest has received her entry fee back but several more have contacted the Aylmer Express saying they are still waiting for refunds despite the contest closing eight weeks ago.

The Malahide home and property located at 50279 Talbot Line on the south side of Talbot Line between Aylmer and Summers Corners was the prize in an essay-writing contest that required 3,000 entries at $100 each before a winner could be judged and announced. The funds had to be submitted by certified cheque or money order and payable to Calvin and Diana Brydges.

The contest’s second round started on Oct. 1 and closed April 30 without a winner being announced as it fell well short of the 3,000 goal with reportedly under 1,100 entries.

Mr. Brydges, reached June 24 by telephone, conferred with his wife before answering a couple of questions. Until now, they have refused multiple times to comment on the contest to the Express.

“The reason I’m talking to you now is there are questions out there obviously and it’s time to have them answered,” he said.

“The fees are now all being returned,” he said, adding the couple’s secret third-party representative was handling all facets of the contest. The Brydges had no knowledge of how many fees had been returned and to whom.

No deadline was given for when entry fees would be returned.

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