The 360th Anniversary of the King's execution took place on Friday 30th January from 2 pm for 2:30 pm in the King Charles I Room, Kidderminster Town Hall, hosted by President Colin Lloyd.
It was a cold, wet, and pretty horrible winter's day, but possibly the largest number ever of members of the Association turned out on 30th January for the annual wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the execution of King Charles I. In the absence of the Mayor, his Deputy, Cllr Howard Martin, represented the Town, and worthy of mention were the attendances of Roy Clark, who, as one of the Kidderminster librarians, threatened to throw me out of his hallowed halls for making a noise a few decades ago, and Tom Perrett, son of the illustrious and much-loved A J.
Canon Owain Bell, Vicar of St Mary's and All Saints' Church, dwelt on the thought that, while Charles was being executed, Oliver Cromwell was at a meeting of the Army Council, seeking God – both believers, but with very different views of the same subject. He posed the question: 'Why are we here?' It seemed a little odd, he thought, remembering an execution from 360 years ago, but he felt that remembrance was all-important. He felt that no one could be unmoved by the courage that the King showed on his final day. He quoted from a Russian proverb: 'Dwell on the past, and you'll lose an eye. Forget the past and you'll lose both eyes'. Association President Colin Lloyd talked about Charles I, the man and the King, who had given the charter to the Town and the School, but would not concede his belief in the Divine Right of Kings and went to his death instead. He introduced a more modern perspective on the matter by relating him to Kevin Pietersen, who had just lost the England Cricket Captaincy: Colin felt as if there were similarities between Kevin and the King – perhaps they were both 'self-righteous, stubborn, opinionated, determined and confrontational'. Be that as it may, he acknowledged the King's very significant contribution to our modern Kidderminster existence, before laying the wreath at the Association's commemorative plaque in the King Charles Room.
The President then joined Canon Bell for his short address and closing prayer for the Town and the School, particularly in the current parlous economic climate; they were finally joined by Cllr Martin for a commemorative photograph.
As ever, the Association's wreath, in the School colours of royal blue and gold, seen here next to the Association's commemorative plaque below the portrait of Charles I, looked splendid.
The Association thanks Cllr Martin for his hospitality in the Mayor's Parlour after the ceremony and Canon Bell for his unstinting support for the Association.