FOLLOWING the traditional Remembrance Day service at Marhamchurch, the plaque commemorating the Bude Airfield which was sited at Langford Hill, Marhamchurch was unveiled by Mr Nigel Kivell on Sunday, November 10.

Nigel and his brothers grew up at Langford Hill where their father managed the mini estate. Nigel spoke of the huge honour it was to have been invited by Marhamchurch Parish Council to unveil the plaque and how he was delighted to have been involved in the research for the exhibition of information relating to the airfield as well as the exhibition the parish council had put on last year for Centenary of the Armistice.

Nigel praised the work of Tom O’Sullivan and his parish council colleagues for the wonderful exhibition.

Nigel also praised the current owner of the Langford Hill, Alan Venn, who as well as doing lots to keep the house and estate in good order, had been very helpful during the research.

For Nigel, visiting Alan ‘was like going back to when we were kids at Langford’.

Nigel also referred to the ‘concrete balls’ that were scattered around the front meadow at Langford Hill. Their childhood imaginations thought these might be some mystery objects from outer space, however on being told they were the weights the airships were tethered to made their imaginations run even wilder with the thought of airships flying around where they lived!

Earlier Nigel had been introduced by chair of Marhamchurch Parish Council, Jackie Walter. Jackie opened by welcoming everybody especially Mayor of Bude-Stratton Town Council, Cllr Bob Willingham, deputy Lord Lt of Cornwall, Simon Sherrard, chair of Week St Mary Parish Council, Jeremy Ward, chair of Launcells Parish Council, Dr Alan Whittle, chair of Poundstock Parish Council, Steve Pawley and representing Kilkhampton Parish Council, Clive Vanstone.

Jackie spoke of the honour it was to share the occasion with representatives of the other parishes. She thanked especially Bude-Stratton Town Council for agreeing that Marhamchuch village was the most appropriate site for the plaque. Jackie also thanked the Bude, Stratton and District Old Cornwall Society for sending their information about the airfield.

The parish council were also very grateful to the Diocese of Truro and the Trustees of The Bray Institute for giving permission to place the plaque on the wall of the (Bray) village hall.

Thanks were extended to Cllr Rob Bray and his brother James for erecting the plaque, and to fellow councillors, especially Susie Butler, for putting the display together and laying on the refreshments.

In her address Cllr Walter gave a brief history of the airfield and its significance to the war effort because at the time German U-boats were decimating the British Navy and Merchant vessels and the airships played a very significant role in protecting shipping in the Bristol Channel and Irish sea.

Event organiser for Marhamchurch Parish Council, Cllr Tom O’Sullivan said how pleased he was by the occasion, not least the lovely weather on the day!

The plaque had been received by the parish council prior to Remembrance Sunday 2018 and was on display at the Centenary of the Armistice exhibition.

Having consulted with parishioners, it was decided the Bray Institute was the most appropriate location to erect it. Permission was then needed from the Diocese of Truro and the trustees of the Bray. By that time it was felt holding the unveiling should be after this year’s Remembrance Service.

After the somewhat challenging few months for relations due to the ongoing Cornwall Council Governance Review, Tom said how pleased he was by the attendance not only of Mr Willingham but also Cllr Derek Towl and Cllr Lea Deely had sent their apologies for not attending due to ill health.

The attendance of representatives of the other parish councils was important as this is part of their individual heritage and also their shared heritage.

Cllr O’Sullivan explained: “I was also very pleased to see Danny Chambers attending. While Danny is the Liberal Democrat candidate for North Cornwall in the forthcoming general election, his father and grandfather farmed at Langford Barton. Danny’s grandfather is buried in Marhamchurch.”

Before rounding off the occasion, Cllr Walter inquired if anybody present had anything further to add.

Harry Pearce from Budehaven took the opportunity to recount that lovely story about wireless operator, Stephen Henry Bromhead. Stephen, who apparently liked to visit the Bullers Arms on occasions, had arranged a date with a Marhamchurch young lady for one Sunday. However the craft was called out to escort two steamers up the Bristol Channel at short notice. Stephen managed to persuade the powers that be to divert their flight path so that he could drop a message (attached to a brick) into his sweetheart’s Marhamchurch garden, telling her he’d be late for their date! It was the 1918 version of a text message.

Cllr O’Sullivan concluded: “Finally and not for the first time, the hearts of everybody present were stolen by six-year-old Cali Butler. Cali took great care to greet everybody attending the exhibition, including asking the deputy Lord Lt of Cornwall why he wasn’t wearing his sword. At the end of the unveiling ceremony, she thanked everybody for attending. The future of Marhamchurch will be in safe hands when Cali is a little older!”