Julie Davies was the very first lady to sign the historic record as a Freeman of Montgomery following a change in the law which allowed women to hold this historic honour.

Julie sadly died in early 2020 but her spirit very much lives on thanks to a number of generous bequests to community groups in the town; and now to her specially grown oak.

Passionate about nature and wildlife, some 10 years ago Julie grew a number of trees from seed and as the oak grew strongly she hoped that it would eventually find a place in the town.

Councillor Lionel Weaver, also a Freeman of the town, and who looks after the town’s Whitegate Pool area, identified a spot for the tree, and Julie’s partner, Ian Ward, assisted Lionel to plant the oak.

Lionel said: “I was pleased to be able to find a special place for this oak, and to plant it as a tribute to Julie where it will, in time, grace the area as a majestic tree providing a home for a range of wildlife.”

Sunrise service

Until last year, a sunrise service took place in Montgomery on Easter Day for more than 40 years.

As this cannot happen for the second year running, the Presbyterian Chapel and St Nicholas’ Church have got together to encourage people to celebrate the coming back to life of Jesus with their own households, preferably at sunrise.

They have produced a service of readings and prayers for adults, and a children’s service with a reading and a prayer.

These are available for anyone to pick up at the Ivy House Post Office and in the town’s tourist information box.

One of the organisers, Helen Hayes, said: “This is the most special day of the year for Christians and it is made more special by getting up early, hearing the dawn chorus and then worshipping God.

“In other years the Christians in the town have got together at Montgomery Castle and sometimes we are rewarded with a glorious sunrise. We look forward to being able to meet in future years.”

Madagascar in the Monty Hour

While many people in Montgomery are becoming familiar with the links between their town and Hungary, fewer are aware of links between Wales and Madagascar.

This was the topic of the Monty Hour talk on Wednesday March 24, from Montgomery resident Miara Rabearisoa.

Miara explained that Madagascar is located off the east coast of Africa, with mountains, arid areas and rainforests and many rivers containing crocodiles, and rainforests. which have sadly been decreasing in size since Miara was a young man.

In 1818, at the invitation of King Radama I, David Jones and Thomas Bevan set off from Wales with their families to help teach people in Madagascar tradecrafts and literacy and set up a small school.

David Jones, the only one of the original group to survive malaria, was later joined by another missionary, David Griffiths, and they opened more schools across the country.

Jones then died of malaria in 1841.

After King Radama I’s death, Christians suffered persecution and Griffiths moved back to Machynlleth, but in 1861, freedom of religion was declared and Christians now live alongside people of various other religious beliefs.

Many Malagasy people came to Wales on the bicentenary of David Jones and Thomas Bevan’s arrival, and there was a week of celebration in Madagascar.

Miara helped publish David Griffith’s book “Hanes Madagascar” in Welsh, English and Malagasy, translating the latter.

Miara also organises UK tours by Ny Ako, a group of Malagasi singers and dancers, and the Monty Hour audience heard one of the group members playing the valiha, a traditional instrument played in Madagascar.

The Monty Hour takes place on Wednesdays, 7-8pm. Upcoming planned topics include Passover, land use, cricket history and the circular economy. See https://montgomery.cloud/hour for details.

Diamond celebrations

Ivor and Beryl Whittingham will be celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary on April 3.

Ivor, who will soon be celebrating his 88th birthday, was born in Montgomery, and he and Beryl play a full part in Montgomery life.

The couple were married in Chirbury Parish Church in 1961, and have two children, a daughter Adele and son Steve who both live just over the border in Shropshire, as well as two granddaughters, Cassie and Erinna.