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Continued report on my 1985 trip to England (Page 2) The purpose of this trip to England was to make final plans for the 1986 trip when I would be bringing over 100 Shirleys to England from the United States to participate in the the 900th Anniversary of Ettington. On May 31st, I met with Major John and Evelyn Shirley and Phillip, their son, at Ettington. We spent the afternoon session planning the special festivities for the next year. Also joining us was a event planner. (Unfortunately, he passed away just a few weeks before the 1986 trip. It left us in a muddle, but we worked our way thru it at the time). We had a lovely dinner that evening in the hotel dinning room at Ettington. Over the next few days, I visited the Village of Shirley, Staunton Harold, Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire, Tamworth Castle, Brailesford, Wiston, Isfield, Preston and other places making plans for our trip the next year. June 8th I rode a train to Norfolk where the Earl Ferrers and his family live. They had invited me to come for a visit for that weekend. The evening I arrived, I stayed in a hotel across from Norwich Cathedral and the next morning the Earl came to pick me up at the hotel to attend Sunday services in the Cathedral. This was quite an experience. I walked in a side door with the Earl's daughter and we were seated on the platform at the very front of the church. The pews were on each side of the platform facing the pulpit. It seemed so formal that I was hesitant to look to my left to view the audience seated out in front. Then the procession started and I realized the Earl, in his robe, was leading the procession. I learned he was a Stewart of the Cathedral. After the service, we gathered at a home for a nice lunch. Those attending where the officiating members of Cathedral. I honestly cannot tell you who they were, but they seemed to be people of position. They were friendly and made conversation with me. Since I was from California I added a little something to the gathering, I suppose. Later in the afternoon, the Earl and his daughter took me to their house. It is a very large manor home. Here are a few pictures taken there.
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