Shining memories at Beacon's big birthday
Folk who had played their part in the earliest years of the Beacon Community Centre story in Market Drayton joined in a weekend of 70th birthday celebrations.
Highlights included a memorabilia day with displays showcasing the history of the centre and the blessing of a new commemorative stone on the exact anniversary of the laying of the original foundation stones back in 1948.
The building started life as the Beacon Youth Club and continues to be a hub of community life in the town, hosting various groups and activities, many of which put on displays of what they do.
"It was absolutely wonderful," said secretary Mrs June Edwards.
"On the Saturday we had a lot of people come to see what we were doing. We had about six original youth club members who turned up. One was a 90-year-old lady, a Mrs Critchley, from Market Drayton.
"I can't remember all the little stories because there were so many that day. She told us little stories we hadn't heard before about the founders Eustace Parker Bowles and Mr Llewelyn Roberts.
"We also had a lady, who had been Brenda Bagguley, who was an original youth club girl. She said she belonged to the Beacon Belles and was quite disappointed that she couldn't find a photograph of them. I have never heard of them. I would think they were a dancing group.
"She lives in Smethwick and her daughter brought her over for the day. And we had two gentlemen who had been evacuees from Manchester during the war.
"Another lady was Dot Stevens, whose father-in-law was a prime mover of the Beacon in the early days, and so was her late husband. She is still in Market Drayton. Her maiden name was Talbot.
"Some of our user groups had their own tables to promote their clubs. The evening bridge club had an ongoing bridge game all day, in a relay of players, which I thought was wonderful."
Also on the Saturday the Beacon's original 1948 time capsule, which had been removed and updated with some modern items, was put back in the wall in readiness for Sunday's events, in which around 80 people attended a thanksgiving service taken by lay minister James Thornbury, and with Fauls Choir.
Afterwards Mr Thornbury blessed a commemorative stone which was then unveiled - a small Union Jack was rigged up in front - by June's husband George, who is the Beacon chairman.
The stone's inscription read: "Laid by Mr George T. Edwards, Chairman of The Beacon, April 2018."
June added: "I would just like to thank everybody who took part in whatever way they did. We were supported very well, as we always are by the community. That's what we are there for - the community."
