Armistice Day 2018

The following poem was read in St Bees Priory on Sunday, 11^th November by the President of The St Beghian Society
as part of the special service which was held.

 

If I should never see the moon again

“If I should never see the moon again
Rising red gold across the harvest field
Or feel the stinging soft rain
As the brown earth her treasures yield.

If I should never taste the salt sea spray
As the ship beats her course across the breeze.
Or smell the dog-rose and new-mown hay,
or moss or primroses beneath the tree.

If I should never hear the thrushes wake
Long before the sunrise in the glimmering dawn.
Or watch the huge Atlantic rollers break
Against the rugged cliffs in baffling scorn.

If I have to say good bye to stream and wood,
To wide ocean and the green clad hill,
I know that he, who made this world so good
Has somewhere made a heaven better still.

This bears witness with my latest breath
Knowing the love of God,
I fear no death.”

(Lines found in the Bible of Major Malcolm Boyle, killed in action)

 

Throughout the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday, there was a variety of events held in the village. These included a display of 214 named crosses along the path outside the Priory to commemorate those killed in the First World War (30 from the village and 184 from St Bees School), while the stories of many of these formed part of an exhibition within. Other events during the week included poetry readings on the hour and every hour in the Priory between 10 am and 6 pm along with various talks. On the evening of Armistice Day the names of the fallen from the school and the village were read aloud in the Bell Tower of the Priory to the accompaniment of the passing bell.

 

Photos may be seen by clicking here.

 

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The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk