THE spirit of victory and celebration was in the air as crowds, waving union flags, gathered in Lifton on Monday to be part of the anniversary marking a momentous event in history. Lifton?s significance on the epic journey made in 1805 to carry the news of the British Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar was remembered in a glorious re-enactment retracing the route from Falmouth to London. The village was the first stop in Devon made by seaman John Lapenotiere whose 271-mile mission to reach the capital was accomplished in 37 hours. A mixture of church bells and bugle horn could be heard as the Arundell Arms became the focus for the celebrations. The replica post chaise carriage carrying young actor Alex Price, playing the part of Lapenotiere, arrived in the village to the sounds of cheers from excited onlookers. ?It?s absolutely fantastic,? said West Devon resident Alison Woodhams, who watched with her three children. ?It is great fun but it also gives a great sense of history and belonging.? Unveiling a plaque to mark the bicentenary of the battle, in which more men from Devon than any other county took part, and place Lifton firmly on the new tourist route ?The Trafalgar Way?, chairman of Lifton Parish Council Colin Warne said it was a very proud moment. He said he was honoured the Lord Lieutenant of Devon Eric Dancer could be there to witness ?the importance of this momentous event in the history of our nation and the part played in it by local men. ?It has been a great learning experience for everybody,? he said. ?I think many of us have been a little ignorant about the events surrounding the Battle of Trafalgar and now with a plaque in the centre of the village it will be a lasting reminder.? Mr Warne praised the village?s local history group who had co-ordinated the events and dressed in period costume for the occasion, the WI for providing refreshments and others who were involved in the celebrations including the sea scouts and cadets. Eric Dancer said it was a very important day for Devon: ?Not only are we celebrating a very important naval battle but in doing so we remember the 1,115 sailors and marines from this county who fought in the battle,? he said. One of the organisers of the celebrations Admiral Robin Shiffner said there had been a great welcome so far in the villages and towns on the Trafalgar Way where the New Trafalgar Dispatch was read out: ?The dispatch will now be taken to the Devon County Records Office in Exeter where it will be kept in perpetuity,? he said. He said Lapenotiere was riding in the carriage with a young naval recruit from Britannia Naval College at Dartmouth to link history with present day. ?Our aim is very much educational and we are involving as many young people as we can,? he said. ?There is a lack of knowledge among members of the public about Britain?s battles and this, we hope, will go some way to improving that.? The British Navy?s decisive victory in the Battle of Trafalgar, which saw Nelson and his men defeat the combined fleets of France and Spain off the coast of Spain near Cape Trafalgar, permanently removed the threat of invasion of England by the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. l More pictures on page 3
