In common with others all over the country, many people in Sulgrave extinguished their lights and left only a single candle burning in a window between the hours of 10 and 11 pm on Monday 4th August, to mark the exact moment of the hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War, often known simply as “The Great War”. A group of villagers also spent the hour in reflection in the darkened Church of St James. During this simple but very moving ceremony, poems were read, reminisces shared and prayers were offered. The picture above features an upstairs window in Dippers Cottage, Little Street, Sulgrave. On the left is my “great-aunt” Lilian Taylor, a member of the Women’s Royal Air Force who was serving in France and died of influenza a few days before the war ended on 11th November 1918. She is commemorated by a War Graves Commission headstone in the village churchyard. On the right is my Uncle Harold, who was killed right at the start of the war in the First Battle of Ypres, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate and in the chancel of the village church as well as on the war memorial.  See here for more details of Lilian and Harold together with others from the village who lost their lives.

Colin Wootton

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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2014 marks the bi-centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent and the centenary of Sulgrave Manor’s purchase to serve as a symbol of continuing friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States.

For a hundred years the Manor has been supported by the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America and on the weekend of 7th/8th June, 120 Dames and their husbands visited the Manor to celebrate this event. Despite torrential rain on Saturday morning, the weather relented during the afternoon to give bright sunshine for the reception, the afternoon picnic with villagers, the Tudor performance and the parade of the Grafton hounds.

Perfect English summer weather continued on Sunday for morning service at the Church of St James the Less led by the Bishop of Peterborough followed by lunch at the Manor attended by Earl and Countess Spencer and the American Ambassador.

Photographs of these events can be seen on the following pages.

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Susan Hilton’s wonderful cooking at The Star Inn has won the village pub the coveted Hook Norton Brewery “Food Champion of the Year” award. Susan is seen here relaxing outside with the award, whilst Sam pulls a celebratory pint….

More on the next page, including details of a second award…..

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Ingram Lloyd writes:

Please come and help raise funds for St James the Less and Sulgrave Manor.

Entry for visitors: adults £5, children under 16 and accompanied by an adult £1.

Tea and refreshments are available. Free for exhibitors.

Please let others know about this event as well.

 ALSO – do you have a classic or veteran car, cars, old bicycle, tricycle, scooter, pram etc. that you would be willing to have included in our village event? Having wheels is important! Vehicles will be on part of the Manor grounds. If you can manage this date and are happy to join in I would need your vehicle at about 10am latest and also a write up about the car etc. earlier so that I can compile a programme.

Contact Ingram Lloyd. 01295 760520. [email protected]

Photo: Peter Mackness

For a couple of hours around lunchtime on Sunday 4th May, Sulgrave roads were closed and villagers waited in the sunshine for the arrival of runners who had left Silverstone Racecourse earlier  on the first “Wings for Life World Run”. The event featured an entirely new format for a charity run and no one knew what to expect. Peter Mackness’ report accurately conveys the atmosphere: “It was 12.20. We watched and we waited at the junction of Park Lane. The sun shone. The Marshall – two-way radio in hand – receiving streams of progress reports could tell us only that the ‘runners’ were entering ‘Zone 7’. He was not familiar with local geography. A helicopter triangulated the sky above – we supposed – Culworth, Moreton and Eydon. Tired of waiting Ann and I strolled up to the bungalow which afforded a view up the hill from where the first of the runners would appear. Official looking motor bikes arrived and departed. Then on the hillcrest two slowly moving motor cycles appeared shepherding a lone runner who seemed to move effortlessly down the hill towards us. The pillion rider on the second machine was filming at close quarters the runner’s every move. One of two girls waiting patiently in a Red Bull sponsorship car got out and with excellent timing the proffered bottle of water was expertly taken by the lone runner’s outstretched hand. Silence fell for five minutes until the second runner appeared – without any motorised companions. This must herald the arrival of yet more? No. After no more than five minutes a vehicle convoy snaked down the hill. The leader of which being ‘The Catcher’ followed by two ambulances and a large pick-up full of excited ‘cheerleaders’. That was it. The finale. We estimated that Sulgrave was the halfway point. We weren’t surprised that only two runners made it this far. By any standard the hill climbs around Eydon, Culworth and Thorpe challenge the most seasoned runner.” The “effortless” runner described and photographed by Peter was Paul Martelletti, who had already covered over 60 kilometres when he passed through the village! Over 45,000 runners worldwide simultaneously took part in this event and in covering a total of 69.37 kilometres, Paul was placed 5th in the world rankings. More of Peter’s photographs and a full report on the event on the next page.

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Half an Allotment Plot is available for rent this year.  The cost is £15 per year April to April, and there is water at the site. Please contact Janet Smith on 01295 760397.

A large crowd with lots of youngsters and dogs assembled at the Manor on Bank Holiday Monday to enjoy the May Day Celebrations. The weather was kind, with almost unbroken sunshine.

Lots of photos on the following pages: (more…)