New Millennium Alan Payne October 2023
Deep in the Memorial Woods (courtesy Carol Payne)
In some respects, the celebration of the millennium was a bit of a damp sqib. There was no bug, the traffic lights continued to work, and the fireworks of other countries on the television seemed better than ours. In addition to using the Selwyn Hall, a huge marquee with heating and lighting was set up on the Box Rec on 31 December for 600 people to enjoy the music and entertainment on the night.[1] Nineteen-year-old resident David West chaired a Box Millennium sub-committee and the line-up for the evening included local band The Electric Lobsters, Andy West from Nashville, and DJ Keith Pask from County Stores, Market Place. Vicar John Flory made an address before going outside for a massive £2,000 firework display.[2] It all went very well on the night but there was also a desire to leave a lasting memorial of the occasion.
Lasting Memorial
Quite by chance there was the opportunity to establish a memorial because of two independent gifts which coincided. First there was the potential to establish a wooded area at the foot of Box Fields. The idea of planting trees to celebrate the year 2000 was intended to beautify areas of the village and make them more accessible to the public. On land donated by George Lacy of Grove Farm, Box Hill, 650 trees and shrubs were planted next to the Box Tunnel entrance. Much of the work was undertaken by students of Lackham College and individual trees were sponsored by parishioners and local organisations.[3] The suggestion for the wood was proposed by Steve Culley and developed by Box Parish Councillor Steve Wheeler.[4] Already, the area can be really appreciated as a maturing wood copse, offering a natural respite from everyday issues and was a most valuable resource in Covid-19 lockdown times.
Quite by chance there was the opportunity to establish a memorial because of two independent gifts which coincided. First there was the potential to establish a wooded area at the foot of Box Fields. The idea of planting trees to celebrate the year 2000 was intended to beautify areas of the village and make them more accessible to the public. On land donated by George Lacy of Grove Farm, Box Hill, 650 trees and shrubs were planted next to the Box Tunnel entrance. Much of the work was undertaken by students of Lackham College and individual trees were sponsored by parishioners and local organisations.[3] The suggestion for the wood was proposed by Steve Culley and developed by Box Parish Councillor Steve Wheeler.[4] Already, the area can be really appreciated as a maturing wood copse, offering a natural respite from everyday issues and was a most valuable resource in Covid-19 lockdown times.
Carol Payne and her Millennium sculpture (courtesy Graham Thompson)
A separate concept was to build a stone memorial to the quarrymen of Box and it was resolved that the best location for this was in the corner of the wood. The sculpture was conceived, designed and constructed by Carol Payne to depict the anecdotal legend of St Aldhelm throwing down his glove to indicate the great treasure (building stone) underground. Ex-quarryman Frank Elms, author and expert David Pollard, and parish council chairman Derek Lovell unveiled the monument on the morning of the New Year of 2001.[5]
Visual progress of restoring the chapel (produced by Michael Rumsey)
Rebuilding the Methodist Hall
Although I wanted to end the series at the year 2000, it would be remiss of me not to mention the rebuilding work at the Methodist Church in the centre of Box in 2002. There was a massive amount of work needed to update and repair the old chapel and the financing of it necessitated the sale of the next-door schoolroom and hall space. Under the guidance of Michael Rumsey and David and Marion Button, it was resolved to keep the best of the historic features including the gallery. This was converted to hold the organ and the organ screen which was once part of the pulpit front. The moving of the organ from the ground floor was a major task with the dismantling of 500 organ pipes, the mahogany case, and then their reassembly in the gallery after the replacement of rotten floor boards.
The work on the building premises was complicated by the volume of asbestos in the premises, all of which required specialist removal. Each time the builders had to enter a special airlocked environment, don protective clothing and to wear breathing apparatus. After work the clothing had to be bagged up for safe removal.
Although I wanted to end the series at the year 2000, it would be remiss of me not to mention the rebuilding work at the Methodist Church in the centre of Box in 2002. There was a massive amount of work needed to update and repair the old chapel and the financing of it necessitated the sale of the next-door schoolroom and hall space. Under the guidance of Michael Rumsey and David and Marion Button, it was resolved to keep the best of the historic features including the gallery. This was converted to hold the organ and the organ screen which was once part of the pulpit front. The moving of the organ from the ground floor was a major task with the dismantling of 500 organ pipes, the mahogany case, and then their reassembly in the gallery after the replacement of rotten floor boards.
The work on the building premises was complicated by the volume of asbestos in the premises, all of which required specialist removal. Each time the builders had to enter a special airlocked environment, don protective clothing and to wear breathing apparatus. After work the clothing had to be bagged up for safe removal.
The restoration and dedication team (courtesy Michael Rumsey)
References
[1] Parish Magazine, November 1999
[2] Parish Magazine, December 1999
[3] Chippenham News, 7 December 1998
[4] Parish Magazine, January 1998
[5] Parish Magazine, February 2001
[1] Parish Magazine, November 1999
[2] Parish Magazine, December 1999
[3] Chippenham News, 7 December 1998
[4] Parish Magazine, January 1998
[5] Parish Magazine, February 2001