Beacon to shine over Oswestry for national Armistice Day commemorations

Preparations are under way by the Oswestry Heritage Gateway group for residents of the town and area to pay tribute to fallen First World War soldiers as thousands of beacons are lit across the country at 7pm on November 11.

A bugler will be sounding out the Last Post and Reveille across the ramparts and there will be a remembrance glow with LED lanterns and torches.

Organisers say the community has been getting behind the event with pledges of funding, equipment or volunteer support, but funding donations and stewards are still needed.

Those who have already pledged their support include Oswestry Town Council, Griffiths Hire Shops, Oswestry Cambrian Rotary and the 1165 (Oswestry) Squadron Air Training Corps .

The hillfort beacon will conclude local ‘Battle’s Over’ commemorations on Armistice Day and has been form part of the Wilfred Owen festival dedicated to Oswestry’s famous son and war poet.

Neil Phillips, one of the members of the Heritage Gateway group, said the 3,000-year-old hillfort had poignant connections with the Great War.

"A system of practice trenches dug into the top of the earthwork, which survive intact today though buried, were used to prepare troops from the nearby Park Hall military camp for action on the Western Front.

"Wilfred Owen was stationed at Park Hall in October 1916 around the time he wrote the poem ‘Storm’. It would be his final return to his place of birth before being killed in battle in November 1918.

Organisers at Oswestry Heritage Gateway are working in liaison with English Heritage, guardian of Old Oswestry.

Anyone wishing to help should contact 01691 652918. For information about the event, search Old Oswestry on Facebook or go to oldoswestryhillfort.co.uk