Lynton and Lynmouth will commemorate 'founding father'

LYNTON and Lynmouth will stage a day of events on Wednesday of next week (June 9) in memory of a founding father who helped transform the twin villages. The community will be marking the 100th anniversary of the death of Sir George Newnes, the man respo

LYNTON and Lynmouth will stage a day of events on Wednesday of next week (June 9) in memory of a "founding father" who helped transform the twin villages.

The community will be marking the 100th anniversary of the death of Sir George Newnes, the man responsible for the creation of the famous cliff railway, as well as the Lynton to Barnstaple Railway.

The wealthy publisher, who bought a house in Lynton, also donated the Town Hall, Congregational Church and cricket pavilion to the community.

The day of commemoration begins at 11am with a laying of wreaths at Longmead Cemetery at Lynton, followed by a procession to the United Reform Church for a memorial service from 11.30.

At 2pm schoolchildren will visit Lynton and Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay Station, where they will be presented with Sir George Newnes medals before riding on the railway.

At 4pm Lynton Town Hall will see the Mayor address the community and followed by a talk and slideshow from John Travis. At 5.30pm the Cliff Railway will see a photograph and plaque unveiled in memory of Sir George, plus the placement of a time capsule.

Then the focus shifts to Lynmouth, beginning at 6.30 as Barnstaple Youth Band marches from the cliff railway to the harbour. From 7pm there will be a variety of outdoor entertainment in the harbour area, with line dancers, Vamanos Samba Band and at 8.30pm, team wheelbarrow races.

From 10.15pm there will be fireworks over the harbour and throughout the evening there will be stalls, sideshows and a barbecue.