Sunday 24 April was a special day when the nation celebrates its patron saint, Saint George of England.
This appropriate date was chosen to re-dedicate our war memorial following the re-positioning and refurbishment work undertaken during last year.
This widely promoted event, ably organised by Councillor Tony Gillias, attracted what must have been the largest gathering ever seen at the village centre with more than 300 residents and visitors assembled around the memorial to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The ceremony commenced at 12.30 pm when the Mayor of Rugby Cllr Richard Lane unveiled the memorial which had been draped with a well-worn union flag first used at the coronation of King George the Fifth in 1911.
The service was conducted by the Rector, the Reverend Christine Garrod, who officiated at the act of dedication, assisted by the Reverend Beth Smith who led the prayers. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by trumpeter Edward Latham. A choir of local enthusiasts had been assembled to lead the singing of the traditional hymns and the roll of honour was read by ex Infantry Officer Dick Moss who gave a brief description of the lives and service of the 15 men whose names are inscribed on the memorial. The announcement of each name was accompanied by the laying of individual wreaths presented by young men of the village all of similar ages to those who gave their lives for this country.
The only local serviceman to have lost his life in the second world war was Private W G E Skeet whose sister and niece were present to see a wreath laid in his honour.
Much credit should be given to Mr. Denis Collins from Stretton under Fosse, also present, for his painstaking research into the service careers of those being commemorated which provided details of where they lived, the families to which they had belonged and accounts of how they had died in action on the battlefields of the Great War. A particularly poignant memory was the account of the Morris family of Pailton House who commemorated the loss of their son, Lieutenant Anthony Morris who was killed in action at Meteren, Northern France, by purchasing land at the scene and constructing a memorial using materials from their home in this parish including the clock and arch from the stable block.
Uniformed standard bearers representing the Royal British Legion took part featuring Tom Maloney on behalf of Pailton and Monks Kirby and Harry Morton on behalf of Brinklow.
Amongst the honoured guests were veterans of the second world war wearing impressive rows of medals and each willing to recount details of their military experiences in many theatres of war. Wing Commander Ken McKenzie from Lutterworth had flown Hurricane fighters in 501 Squadron of the RAF and been awarded the DFC and AFC, later becoming a prisoner of war. Squadron Leader Tony Pickering from Rugby had also served in 501 Squadron and flown fighters and bombers during the war. Flight Lieutenant Reg Cleaver from Brinklow had served in Halfax bombers and was mentioned in dispatches following the completion of 75 operations only to be taken prisoner in 1943 after crash landing in enemy territory and incarcerated, together with Ken McKenzie, in the notorious Stalag Luft 3 camp.
Cyril Wilson of Coventry Road had served in the Royal Signals and seen active service in many theatres of war throughout the Middle East.
The high point of the event was the eagerly awaited flypast of a Mark 19 Spitfire which swooped over the village three times before retiring towards the RAF Memorial Flight based in Lincolnshire. To the younger onlookers this may have been a novel experience but to those of a certain age it brought back distant memories of a time when the country was fighting for its very survival in the face of imminent invasion when this superb creation by R J Mitchell ensured British supremacy in the sky. The once familiar roar of the powerful Rolls Royce Merlin engine, produced in local factories, recalled the sound of a defiant nation achieving its ‘finest hour’ in the face of the daunting prospect of defeat.
After the flypast many of the spectators gathered at the village hall where the village trust committee had arranged an appetising array of snacks which managed to satisfy the needs of the larger than expected crowd. The hall was decorated for the occasion with pictures of the restoration work of the memorial undertaken by local contractors also large models of aircraft dating from the second world war provided by David Huck of Churchover.
As the crowds left the hall to return to their homes the beautiful multi coloured wreathes remained surrounding the war memorial in tribute to those who were honoured that day by a grateful community.
On 13 April the funeral service of Mrs May Morton took place at St Denis Church attended by relatives and many friends all of whom extended their sincere condolences to Mr. Alan Morton on his very sad bereavement.
The annual litter-pick took place on Saturday 22 April. Many villagers helped to clear rubbish from the roads and ditches of Pailton. Those taking part were treated to coffee and scones by Mrs Ruth Bilson who celebrated her birthday on that day.
The Village Trust now actively raising money for new playing field equipment has so far obtained a grant from ‘Awards for All’ from the National Lottery Fund of £5000 and from the ‘Local Network Fund’ of the Heart of England Community Foundation of £7000. The trust is now well on the way to the total required.
Following a very successful day in 2004 the Council of St. Church has decided to stage an ‘Open Gardens’ event on 18 June. It is hoped that many residents will display their gardens and that Pailton will play host to many admiring visitors on that day.
Fete fever is with us again. The first fete committee meeting was held at the Service Men’s Club on Tuesday 19 April where plans were laid for the usual fun-packed day which will be held as usual at the playing field. This year the important date is Sunday 2 July and everyone will be very welcome.