Lilian Taylor of Sulgrave, Women’s Royal Air Force, died 6th November 1918, aged 29

Late in the afternoon of 3rd August 1914, the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, stood at the window of his office in Whitehall and was overwhelmed by a sense of foreboding tragedy. As he looked out he saw that the street lights were being lit down below. He turned to a visiting friend and observed ‘the lamps are going out all over Europe and we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime’.

Everyone in the UK is invited to take part in “LIGHTS OUT” by turning off their lights from 10 pm to 11 pm on 4th August, leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection.

In particular, villagers are asked to remember those from Sulgrave who died in the conflict. See here for full details of the 18 young men and women who went to war and did not return.

See here for details of the National “Lights Out” event.

Future first US president George Washington as a young officer in the British Army during the French and Indian War 1754 to 1763 (Re-enactment of a skirmish in the Manor orchard)

Saturday July 5th provided glorious summer weather for United States of America Independence Day (nominally July 4th) celebrating the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. Highlights included a parade of British and French soldiers in mid-eighteenth century uniforms with frontiersmen and native Americans in war paint. This was followed by the re-enactment of a skirmish between these soldiers in 1754, said to be the young George Washington’s first taste of action, whilst still a British officer. The sound of musket fire was later replaced with the characteristic roar of Harley Davidson motor cycles ridden into the courtyard by members of the HOG (Harley Owners Groups) Lakenheath and Nene Valley Chapters. Cheerleaders from the Danielle Buick Academy of Theatre Arts performed on the front lawn, which was also the venue for a variety of Tudor children’s games. The Forge area featured activities by Boy Scouts of America and Scouts and Guides from the UK. Long queues formed in the courtyard for burgers and hot dogs from the American style barbecue, entertained by live music from “Acoustic Journey”. The usual tours of the house were available and a very fine exhibition of Native American artefacts was to be found in the Brew House.

Photographs of all these events on the following pages.

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Sale of Promises at the Village Fete

Shrimp Christy writes:

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