The happy couple (2nd/3rd left) with Town Clerk Paul Cunningham and Lion President Sandy plus Lions Chris and Keith.
Beccles and District Lions Club were invited by Beccles Town Council to man the Town Bell Tower on 23rd December 2021 to enable a very special event to take place.
A son of the Town, Tom Hill, had asked to visit the Tower during a planned trip from Canada so that he could show the view over Beccles town to his girlfriend, Virginia Favreau. Whilst at the ‘top of the Town’, he also planned a surprise proposal!
Beccles Town Council and the Lions Club were delighted to help to facilitate this very special event.
Unfortunately on the day, the weather was unpromising with poor visibility limiting the view the couple would be able to enjoy. However, the Lions involved opened the Tower so that visitors could be admitted from 10 am. As the Tower bells chimed - Tom and Virginia arrived and were greeted by Lion Chris Eglington. Lion President Sandy Barr escorted the couple up to the Belfry having given the pair the tour guide of the lower 3 floors. From the Belfry the couple ascended to the roof where Lion Keith Moore welcomed them to the view over the town and its surrounds – and of course was witness to the proposal!
Meantime, the Hill family had gathered at the entrance to the tower, awaiting news or Virginia’s response and the arrival of the couple at ground level where the younger family members were waiting with balloons declaring ‘Congratulations’. Fortunately, Virginia had said ‘Yes! with Lion Keith confirming this via the walkie-talkies.
The reception party, delighted and excited, eagerly awaited the sounds of footsteps in the second-floor bell ringing chamber and when that happened, they took up position to welcome the newly-betrothed couple. Virginia, of course, had no idea that the family were there. The expression of surprise on her face when she saw the welcoming group was priceless!
Tom Hill, who grew up in Beccles but now lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was visiting Beccles with his girl friend Virginia. Tom has been living in Canada for ten years now and works in hospitality there. Virginia works for the Canadian Pacific rail system, and this was her first trip to England. Tom and his twin brother Richard grew up together with their two older sisters in Beccles. All four attended the Sir John Leman High School.
Beccles and District Lions Club were delighted to be able to help Beccles Town Council host the event, and were honoured to participate in such a happy outcome for Tom and Virginia. We wish the couple every happiness in their future together.