THE RUYTON XI TOWNS `BATTLES OVER` BEACON MANY, MANY THANKS TO AVRIL SANDERS ROYLE AND HER TEAM It was Avril Sanders Royle`s idea of a Beacon to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War. It was such a lovely idea but I doubt that Avril realised how it was going to take over her life over recent weeks. Russ S-R built a HUGE beacon on the Brownhill, at the top of Rock House Garden and, thanks to his garden building work, the whole way from the road to the event was accessable. Margaret Lycett writes "The event went like clockwork. We were marshalled along the road and up the drive with the help of path lighting. A little rain at the beginning soon changed to a fine mildish night. Charlie Rutherford, a pupil at Packwood, sounded the Last Post, followed by 2 minutes silence; And then the church bells rand out in celebration. The beacon fire took hold quickly and was quite amazing. We sang WWI songs and the hymn "I vow to thee my country". Mac Niddrie Davies was the perfect Town Crier. Wendy Lowdon's recitations were well received as was Lucinda our Vicar's". Over 240 men, women, children and relatives of the men who are listed on our War Memorial were counted, proving the publicity had really got people interested in the event. For those on facebook there are some really appreciative comments, photographs and videos of the whole event. I have attached a few screen shots sent by Margaret Lycett. On Sunday morning the Church was full to bursting. I think you can say we successfully commemorated the Centenary of the end of WWI.
-- Yoland Brown Brownhill House B&B & Garden, Ruyton XI Towns nr. Shrewsbury SY4 1LR Tel: 01939 261 121 brownhill@eleventowns.co.uk www.eleventowns.co.uk www.eleventowns.org uk www.eleventowns.com ShACC - Shropshire Alternative Car Club - www.ShACC-uk.org MAILING LIST for Ruyton XI Towns area Yo`s blog: http://Yo-emails.blogspot.co.uk
