Like Rome, Ruyton-XI-Towns lies on a river winding its way among its seven hills.  The river, of course, is not the Tiber, but the Perry, which having left the marshy flats of Baggy Moor, plunges its winding way among a series of hills to join the Severn near Bromley Forge at Mytton.

I came to work in Ruyton in 1926.  Having just left school, I had a year to fill in before going to University.  Accordingly, I applied to the Shropshire Education Authority for a temporary post as a student-teacher.  I was duly appointed to Ruyton C. of E. School at the princely salary of £30 per annum. In due course I presented myself at the school to Mr. W.A. Riddlesworth, the Headmaster.  The other staff were Mrs. Riddlesworth, Mrs. Challenor and Miss Glover.  Mr. Riddlesworth not only gave a good example himself on how to teach but his advice and criticism of my efforts were most constructive.  I will draw a veil over some of the gaffs I perpetrated.  Suffice it to say many of them would have provided excellent material for that comic schoolmaster, Will Hay.  I did notice however, that far from earning the ridicule of the pupils, I gained their sympathy in being a fellow victim of authority.  Mr. Riddlesworth had high ideals on the role of the schoolmaster in the life of the community and these ideals which he inculcated into me I have never forgotten.  He carried these ideals with him into retirement by taking Holy Orders and becoming Vicar of the neighbouring parish of Knockin.

I then began one of the busiest and fullest years of my life.  Mr. Riddlesworth was organist and choirmaster at the parish church.  So he decided I should join the choir.  As my lately broken voice hardly gave an indication of what I was, he decided I was a tenor.  To help me along he placed me beside the choir`s leading tenor, George Davies.  Not only did this mean attending morning and evening service on Sundays but choir practice on Friday nights.  After practices one adjourned to the Admiral Benbow across the road from the church. In those days before radio and television became paramount, communities had to provide their own entertainment and Ruyton was no exception.  On Mondays the village choral society rehearsed in the Oddfellows Hall. (now the village hall) As Mr. Riddlesworth was its conductor, I was duly conscripted to join.  So most of that winter we practiced a wide repertoire, ending with a public performance early in the New Year.  That over, the Society gathered to prepare an offering for Easter.  At Easter 1927 the Society performed Maunder`s `Pardon, Penitence and Peace` in the parish church.

On Wednesdays the village dramatic society rehearsed.  Again, I was conscripted.  The play was Sarah Grundy`s `A Pair of Spectacles`.  I played the part of a hardup law student with a mean and harsh father – played by Mr. Hall, a local poultry breeder, noted for his `silkies`.   Mr. Riddlesworth enacted the role of my benign uncle.  The producer was the Rev. Owen, the Congregational Minister, who bullied or cajoled us to a final production.   One day I was accosted by my `dramatic father` Mr. Hall, who asked me to take part in a play he was producing for the Junior Imperial League.  This was the `Young Person in Pink` in which I played the part of a keeper in Hyde Park.  The rehearsals were on Tuesday nights.  The `Junior Imps` production went on first.  Never shall I forget its aftermath.  The criticism of the Rev. Owen of my role was devastating.  Every lunchtime I crossed from the School to the Manse for practice in my other role until every gesture and tone of voice was perfect.  Nevertheless, I was grateful to Mr. Owen for his training, particularly in later years when I was a producer myself.

On Thursday evenings a discussion group was held at the home of the Misses Kenyon.  That year the book for discussion was `The Clash of Colour` by Basil Matthews.  Strange that half a century ago there was a group in Ruyton studying the racial problems which affect our own country today.   Thus, in those days a Shropshire village could be a hive of spontaneous activity, not yet dulled by the artificiality of the cinema, radio and T.V.

 As the light nights approached the needs of the land caused a cessation of these activities, though I recall preparations being made for the church fete which was held in the vicarage grounds under the direction of the vicar, the Rev. Furmstone.

 Young Charles then goes on to write something of the local history he has picked up.

 Ruyton did not lose its municipal status till 1886.  I recall being shown the original mace.  It is quite possible under the last Local Government act, for the chairman of the parish council to re-assume the title of Mayor.  Some villages in various counties have appointed an Official History Recorder to ferret out historic facts and to see they are recorded – in the names of new roads etc.  Ruyton has much scope for such an appointment.

 Though the numbers of cars were then steadily increasing, cycles seemed to be the most common form of transport among the younger people.  Public transport was scarce, and it was three miles to Baschurch station.  A limited bus service ran to Oswestry and Shrewsbury on Wednesdays and to Shrewsbury only on Saturdays.  And there was still a motorized carriers` cart which served Little Ness, Valeswood, Hopton and Nesscliffe on Saturdays.

Remote though Ruyton was over 50 years ago it had a vigorous community life.

Charles Wilkes 1980

Kelly`s Trade Directory for 1926, the year that Charles Wilkes was living in Ruyton XI Towns, gives us a comprehensive view of the village community.

	Mrs & Mr Riddlesworth and teachers, Miss Parry, Miss Picken and Miss Morgan

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