LEAVING HOME

By

Andrew Westerside

University of LincolnSchool of Performing ArtsBrayford PoolLincoln. LN6 7TS

awesterside@lincoln.ac.uk

01522 837672

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Cast of Characters

AMY BEECHEY: Susan Freebury

EDITH BEECHEY: Stephanie Jackson

MARGARET BEECHEY: Phoebe Wall-Palmer

WINNIE BEECHEY: Lizzy Hayes

KATHERINE BEECHEY: Charlotte Mooney

FRANCES BEECHEY : Ellie Coleridge

BARNARD BEECHEY: Samuel Mant

CHARLES BEECHEY: Samuel Davis

CHRISTOPHER BEECHEY: Jon Coleman

FRANK BEECHEY: George Creighton

LEONARD BEECHEY: Alex Watson

ERIC BEECHEY: Tom Briggs

HAROLD BEECHEY: Martyn Horner-Glister

SAMUEL BEECHEY: Jake Robinson

RECTOR: Howard Leader

RECRUITING SERGEANT: Sgt. A. Miller

The 2ndBattalion

The Royal Anglian Regiment

MUSIC The Band of The Royal Anglian Regiment, Royal Air Force Cranwell Military Wives Choir, Nick Bruce (Piper, Scunthorpe and District Pipe Band)

STAGE MANAGER Gemma Smart

DIRECTOR Andrew Westerside

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Conan Lawrence.

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ACT I – THE CHARABANC

THE PIECE BEGINS IN THE LPAC CAR PARK. AS THE AUDIENCE ARRIVE AT THE COACH, THEY ARE GREETED BY EDIE, WHO TAKES THE TICKETS OF EACH AUDIENCE MEMBER AS THEY BOARD, ASKING THEM POLITELY TO REFRAIN FROM SITTING ON THE BACK ROW. WHEN THE AUDIENCE IS FULLY BOARDED AND SITTING, AMY, MARGARET AND SAM ARRIVE TO TAKE THEIR PLACE ON THE COACH.

EDIE: (WHO IS FIRST ON THE COACH, AS SHE TAKES HER FIRST STEP ON-BOARD, WE HEAR HER SPEAK OVER HER SHOULDER TO MARGARET, WHO IS BEHIND HER) …of course I know that Margaret, but Kat’s older than you. (TO SAM, WHO IS LINGERING) Sam, come on.

MARGARET: Ten months, Edie, ten months –and you’d think it was ten years! Winnie went with Kat, so there’s no reason I couldn’t have gone too.

EDIE: (PLAYFULLY) Don’t forget that Kat doesn’t like you, Marg. (TO AMY) Mother I’ve saved us a row at the back.

MARGARET: Kat does like me. You’re just jealous because you don’t…

AMY: (INTERRUPTING) Enough. Hold this. (SHE HANDS HER BASKET TO A SCOWLING MARGARET). Margaret sit this side of me and straighten your face. Samuel, with Edie.

THEY SETTLE THEMSELVES ON THE BACK ROWN OF THE COACH. AFTER A TIME, THE FIRST VOICE-OVER BEGINS. AS IT DOES SO, AMY ‘SHUSHES’ THE CHILDREN.

V/O: June 23rd. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, nephew of the Emperor of Austria, Heir to the Throne and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, leaves Vienna to attend army manoeuvres in the Province of Bosnia. On Sunday 28th the Archduke visits Sarajevo accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Hohenburg. While passing through the streets their automobile is fired upon by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb. Both the Archduke and the Duchess were killed.

In light of the assassination the sea of anti-Serbian feeling sweeping Austria-Hungary is easily understood. Yet by the 11th of July the Serbian Minister in Vienna had no reason to anticipate any threatening communications from the Austrian Government. Even as late as July 22nd, the Minister-President of Hungary stated in Parliament that a

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serious turn of events was not necessary, or even probable.

BARNARD (V/O): Barnard Beechey, Schoolmaster and employee of Lincoln Education Board, eldest child of the Reverend Prince William Thomas Beechey, Rector of Friesthorpe and Snarford until his death in 1912, and Amy Beechey, my mother, who survives him. We grew up here, in Lincolnshire. About nine miles north, in a beautiful little hamlet called Friesthorpe. It's magnificent -the kind of place that just captures your heart. I'm the eldest, then my brother Charles, and when we were young we used to have the most fantastic times in the fields around the rectory. We'd pretend we were explorers, discovering all kinds of things -rocks, old burial sites, roman art - we were quite the young adventurers. We'd make up stories about the things we'd found -explain them to each other, I often wondered if we were destined to be schoolmasters. I remember a summer - Chris had just been born, and Len was about two, so I was no older than six - Charles found the most enormous worm, took it back to the house and told father it was a cobra, and that if he didn't give him a penny it would bite him. To his great surprise father acted as though he was terrified and pulled a penny straight out of his pocket. And now we're men. In the blink of an eye we're men, children in bodies they don't recognise, but somehow became used to. Good men, kind, thoughtful men -I hope. And we stand, it seems, on the brink of war. I used to command the Officer Training Corps, leading the cadets on manoeuvres, charging them up the hill to attack Maiden castle. And still, I don't really know what's coming. I don't really know what it's like, out there. Perhaps I'm too old for all that now anyway. Thirty-seven years old -I don't know where the years disappear to, or what I've got to show for them. I've been in love, I'm just not sure anyone's been in love with me. Ah well, there's still plenty of time for all that.

V/O: July 23rd, Austria shows her hand. An ultimatum of ten demands is delivered to Serbia, with a deadline of forty-eight hours. The demands include: the suppression of newspapers and literature; the suppression of nationalist societies; a reorganisation of schools; a dismissal of officers from the army, and the participation of Austrian officials in Serbian judicial proceedings. It is perhaps fair to say that no independent nation had ever been called upon to accept a greater humiliation.

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V/O: July 25th. Russia's significant interest in Serbian affairs, as with all the Balkan states, suggests that she can do naught but take a most serious view of Austria's ultimatum. It is widely understood that Russia will defend Serbia in the event of war.

V/O: July 28th. The strenuous demands of the ultimatum not met, Austria has to-day declared war on Serbia.

CHARLES (V/O): Charles Beechey, Schoolmaster at Stamford School, Lincolnshire.  Bar and I were very close. Perhaps not so much once we reached twelve or thirteen, but for those first years we were inseparable. We just became different people. I have a great fondness for him, but he's a harder man than I am, perhaps quicker to temper -or melancholy. Something changed in him when father... you know. Him and Harold took such good care of him, but they never really took care of themselves. Especially Bar -it aged him, I think -always seems half a step behind the rest of the world. We're a family of two halves, in a way. There's me, Ba, Len, Chris, Frances and Frank - although I was already nine by the time Frank was born - and then the others. I was 12 by the time Harold came along and 21 when Sam was born. It's nice that all the girls are similar in age, although I do feel for Fran - she was already eight by the time Kat was born and she'd put up with our teasing for so long, the poor thing. It makes me wonder how mother did it, to be honest with you. You don't think about it growing up, but we rarely wanted for anything. We had such space to play and walk and run, and everyone was lovely in the village. Mr Kirk and Mr Otter would always give their bicycle bells a ring -people were friendly, you know? And now onwards to the future! I suppose I ought to find myself a wife -I'm not such a young man anymore, although it's something I often forget. I'll stay in Lincolnshire. I'm not fond of the big cities -the muck and the smoke, it's all machines now isn't it? Factories and such. I've always wanted to go to Scotland, I'm not sure why, I suppose I like the peace and quiet.

V/O: July 29th. A mere 24 hours after Austria's declaration of war, the Serbian capital of Belgrade is placed under bombardment. The following day, Russian troops fully mobilise in response to Austro-Hungarian aggression in Belgrade.

V/O: July 31st. Germany, allied to Austro-Hungary by treaty, sends an ultimatum to Russia demanding immediate demobilisation. A further ultimatum is sent to France, insisting on French neutrality in

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the event of a war between Germany and Russia. The ultimatum has a deadline of 12 hours.

LEN V/O: Leonard Beechey, Clerk, London. I work at the Railway Clearing House, which is near Euston. There's about two-thousand of us work there -I'm a payment clerk. Seems I got father's knack for mathematics, most of us did. It's mostly simple calculations, though. When you travel on a train, if the carriage you're riding on is owned by the same people who own the track, then the fee that you pay, all of it, goes to that company. But if the carriage belongs to one company, and the track another, then the fee is split, you see? At the clearing house I work out which company is owed what, and I make sure everyone gets their fair share. There's other things going on, too -the Clearing House sets the standards for the railways. You know the buffers on the end of the trains? Well the old ones have what we call 'Dumb Buffers' on them, and they're not very safe, so the clearing house declared them obsolete. Now people are using spring buffers -I'm sorry this must be terribly boring! I do this all the time to Annie! I met her in London. She's wonderful. She's not from the city either, so we like to get away when we can. Not very far, usually, but we like to go up to Hampstead Heath for walks -you get a lovely sunset up there, just like back home in Lincolnshire where it's so flat. I think I was a rather quiet boy. Bar and Char were the best of friends, and I was just that touch younger. Then by the time I'd reached ten Chris, Fran, Frank, Eric and Harold had all been born, so I suppose I felt a little lost in the crowd. Annie thinks that's why I moved down to the city, because I'm comfortable in crowds. We're terribly close, the family, coming home is still the highlight of my year. And it's easy -especially on the railways because Annie and I can travel for free. I like our Eric, he's smart lad. We go cycling together, down to Market Rasen or over into the Wolds. I'd like to do a little more travelling, I think. I had wanted to go to Germany, the things they're doing with trains is amazing -some of the finest engineering in the world. They've got a few smart fellows at work over there that's for sure. Don't suppose I'll have the chance for a while, it's all looking a little fraught overseas -or so I'm reading.

V/O: August 1st. With scant warning, Germany declares war on Russia. Stock exchanges begin to panic, and close.

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V/O: August 2nd. Germany delivers an ultimatum to Belgium requiring that she remain neutral toward any German troops en route for France.

CHRIS V/O: Christopher Beechey, soon-to-be farmer, or, almost ex-employee of the Railway Clearing House. I've been at the RCH with Len for a few years but to be honest with you don't really like it. I prefer the outdoors -god didn't put me here to push other folks pennies around -I didn't get the family trait for numbers. So I'm going to Australia, and I'm trying to convince Harold to come with me. There's a great deal of work on the Wheatbelt. It's on the west coast of Australia, near Perth. It's cooler than the rest of the country and there's a fair bit of rain, so most of the farming happens there - wheat and grain - the Wheatbelt. There's sheep, too, and oranges, but I can't see folk calling it the sheepbelt. It'll be lovely and warm -I can't stand the rain, and the work's outdoors. I'd stay in Lincolnshire if it weren't so bloody cold all the time. London wasn't for me, either. I'm sure it's marvellous if you like it, I know Len does, but no, not for me. It'll sound barmy, this, after telling you I'm emigrating, but I missed the family a bit too much. These big cities, there's lots of people but none of them are your people - does that make sense? Since father died, I've been back with the family a little more. I know she's got the girls, and Sam, of course, and Harold and Frank are close by but -I don't know, I just think it's a lot to do. I don't like the thought of her being alone. She's been through a lot, mother. We're a close family -big, but close. I don't think she likes us all being away from the nest. I think she worries about us. It'd be a thing if this war started, wouldn't it? Think of it, the whole of Europe dragging itself around in a continent of mud. No, it'd be a bloody good war this one, no doubt. Can't see us getting involved though to be honest with you -leave 'em to squabble and if they get too boisterous we'll pop over and give them taste of the Empire.

V/O: August 2nd. France responds to the German ultimatum, stating that France will act in accordance with her own interests. Germany declares war on France.

V/O: August 3rd. As a protectorate of Britain from the 1839 Treaty of London, British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey announces to Parliament that Britain will fight to defend Belgian neutrality if necessary.

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FRANK V/O: Frank Beechey, Schoolmaster at the Choir School, Lincoln, although I can't sing for toffee, the choir masters take care of all that. I'm a fair sportsman, though -captain of Lindum Football Club; wicket keeper for Lindum and county. Between that and riding a motorbike I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing, it's certainly all I did growing up. I'm still in Lincoln, I like to be close to the family. Family's all you've got, isn't it, so you look after them. Edie's my favourite, but don't tell anyone. I've got a lot of time for Fran, too. She liked being older than someone for a change, even if it was only by 18 months. Frances. Frances, and then Frank. I suppose she'd have been Frank if she'd been a boy. Which would have made me Eric. Anyway, now she's got lots of perfectly delightful friends that she can introduce me to, and she does -I'm certain she's intent on marrying me off as soon as possible, which I suppose I ought to consider. Eric's managed it, so I fancy my chances. Mother would like to see some grand-children, I think. She's given up on Bar, though, and Charles wouldn't know what to say to a woman if you gave him a script -truly astounding with numbers, terrible with words. I've noticed Edie getting some smiles from the local boys. With father gone, I suppose one of us'll have to meet the young chaps and make sure they're all tip-top. I'll do that, I think, Harold might just punch them. Been thinking recently, about joining up. Not with any seriousness, I'm just not sure I'm Schoolmaster material. My friend Tom's in the reserves, and he's saying that if we actually went to war, that the reservists might have to fight as well. Not sure where he's heard that from, though, the Army's huge. And don't forget the navy -envy of the world it is. It'd mean leaving home though, most likely, at least for training. Not sure how I'd feel about that.

V/O: August 4th. Germany invades Belgium. Great Britain's ultimatum to Germany requesting the ongoing respect of Belgian neutrality expires tonight at 11PM. Chancellor of the Exchequer David Lloyd George and Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey await the Kaiser's reply in Westminster. Opinion in parliament is divided on the expected response from Germany; nevertheless, Britain prepares herself. This morning, His Majesty King George met with Prime Minister Herbert Asquith to discuss the role of the Empire in the wider conflict. As the deadline approaches, reservists from across the British Isles are mobilising for war.

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ERIC V/O: Eric Beechey, Dental Apprentice -because Father was getting tired of breeding teachers! No, that's not true. The opportunity was there, it meant I could stay in Lincoln, and it sounded interesting. It's helping, isn't it? It's all a bit tense everywhere at the moment. If I'm honest I don't pay much attention to the papers but it's all anyone's talking about now. I can't say I really understand all of it. The archduke was shot, and it's all gone from there, hasn't it? Ba and Charles talk about it a lot, and Chris has plenty of opinions, but I don't know. I suppose we'll get involved if we have to, won't we? And I'll do what I have to do, I expect we all will. My training finishes in a week, so perhaps there'll be a job for me fixing teeth -there's always going to be teeth that need fixing. I'm not a solider and I'm not in the reserves so the thought of fighting's never crossed my mind. I don't suppose soldiers think about my job much, either. Anyway it's summer, which means getting everyone together in Friesthorpe, and there's nothing better. I like Lincoln, too, mind, but I think wherever you grow up is always special to you, even if that somewhere's not very nice. I know some of the others have moved on to the big cities, but they're happier when they come home, you can tell -they seem calmer, quicker to laugh than quarrel. Maybe that's being with family.

V/O: In Trafalgar Square, a brave British public gathers in warm August sunshine, chattering excitedly in the shadow of the National Gallery. Along the Mall crowds’ to-and-fro, hoping to catch a glimpse of His Majesty the King. The Manchester Guardian this morning reports that war and rumours of war seem to have made no diminution of the happy holiday crowds of Brighton. In the capital, in contrast to yesterday's peace protest, a hostile crowd demonstrates outside the German Embassy, with groaning and hissing 'freely indulged in'. Today, as never before, Europe in arms watches Great Britain. 

HAROLD: V/O: Harold Beechey, apprentice engineer, or if you take Chris' word for it, soon-to-be-farmer, seeing as though he seems to have made his mind up for both of us. No, it's a good idea. I'll let him go first and if it's not too awful I'll follow on and keep him company. I don't want to sound dreadfully callous, but I need some time away. It's not like me to talk like this, but Father's death hit me harder than I expected. Seeing that frailty, seeing him in that poor little house -it was too much. A change of scenery's good for the constitution. My trouble is I worry about them too much. Frank and his motorbikes, Len down in London, even Sam. What kind of a world

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is he growing up in? None of it looks too pleasant at the moment. I look out for them where I can, the girls, too - although they're Beechey girls, so they're ten times tougher than most of the chaps round here -and twice as clever, too. When I was about ten, I told mother that I got into bother so that they didn't have to. I think she found it quite funny. I wasn't a troublemaker, and none of it was serious, although I must have been in more scrapes than the rest of them put together. On my first day at De Aston I fell into the baths and nearly drowned. Do you know what they called me? The Rat, and I never took kindly to name-calling -I don't like bullies, is my problem. Seems like a lot of that going on at the moment, perhaps I can get out to Australia and put the lot of it behind me.

V/O: British Foreign Minister Sir Edward Grey: 'We are going to suffer, I am afraid, terribly in this war, whether we are in it or not. Foreign trade is going to stop, not because the trade routes are closed, but because there will simply be no-one to trade with at the other end. When nations are engaged in war their populations, their energies, their wealth, are engaged in a desperate struggle such that they cannot carry on the trade with us that they are carrying on in times of peace, whether we are parties to the war or not. I do not believe for a moment that at the end of this war, even if we stood aside and remained aside, we should be in a position to undo what had happened in the course of it; to prevent the whole of the west of Europe falling under the domination of a single power, and I am quite sure that our moral position would be such as to have lost us all respect'.

SAM V/O: Samuel Beechey, Schoolboy, De Aston School. I'm the youngest -and last, child, of Amy and Prince William Beechey. It's okay being the youngest, all of them were the youngest once, except for Bar. I wish I was a bit older now, though, because if that war gets going I want to be out there! What an adventure, can you imagine? Bar tells me all about the drill he used to do with the cadets, it sounds so exciting. Marching here, charging there, all shiny buttons and sharp creases -folks cheering you on as you parade past, oh yes, that'll do for me. Charles bought me a copy of Treasure Island last Christmas. I must have read it ten times now! It's about a boy called Jim Hawkins, who's the same age as me, and he finds a treasure map that used to belong to a pirate called Captain Flint -so he goes off to sea on a ship called the Hispanola, and he fights pirates, and searches for treasure. There's one pirate in particular, Long John Silver, and he's wicked, but

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Jim's fond of him in a way. I asked Charles about that, and he said I'd understand when I was older. When you're older, Sam. Not yet, Sam. Soon, Sam. Honestly, though, it's the best story ever. In the book, Jim's father had just died, which is a bit like me, really. He just goes off on his own and has amazing adventures. I've got family here, of course, but I think I'd like to be like Jim... It's not fair. I'll tell you what though if the army needed me I'd be there quick as a shot, you bet I would. Mother tells me not to wish my life away, but even if I was just as old as Harold I could sign up and be out of here tomorrow. No more school, just sand and sea and adventure, just like Jim Hawkins...

V/O: August 4th. No word has yet been received of a German response. Barring what some in parliament are called a 'miraculous' last minute reprieve, the odds for peace appear in tatters. If, by the last chime of the eleventh bell -this very evening, Germany has not stood down in Belgium, this country, and everyone in it, will be at war.

AS THE COACH APPROACHES ITS STOPPING POINT, AND FRANCES IS IN VIEW, EDIE DELIVERS HER FOLLOWING LINE.

EDIE: Look there’s Fran!

AMY: Come along then get your things together.

THE FOLLOWING LINES ARE SPOKEN AS THEY BEGIN TO DISEMBARK.

AMY: Have you got everything?

THEY ALL SAY ‘YES’, APART FROM SAM

Samuel?

SAM: Yes!

EDIE IS FIRST OFF THE COACH, AND SHE RUNS TO GREET FRANCES WITH A HUG. HER FOLLOWING LINE IS DELIVERED AS SHE STILL HAS ONE FOOT ON THE LAST STEP OF THE COACH.

EDIE: Fran! (SHE HURRIES OVER TO HER)

AMY AND SAM ARE THE LAST OFF THE COACH. AS AMY DISEMBARKS, SHE HEADS TOWARDS FRAN AND THE OTHERS. AS SHE DOES SO, FRAN DELIVERS HER FIRST LINE.

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FRANCES: Good news, it looks like everyone’s going to be here. It’s a lovely day for it.

MARGARET: Frances, that’s my hat. How did you get it?

FRANCES: Mother gave it to me, she said it makes your face look round.

MARGARET –ANNOYED, TURNS ROUND TO LOOK FOR AMY, WHO HAS BEGUN TO HEAD DOWN THE LANE.

AMY: Let’s be moving then.

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ACT II - THE LANE

AMY, EDIE FRANCES, MARGARET AND SAM ARE WALKING DOWN THE LONG LANE TOWARDS FRIESTHORPE. SAM IS LAGGING BEHIND.

MARGARET: This is nice, it's so quiet.

FRANCES: You weren't saying that last time.

MARGARET: Chris was chasing me with a frog!

AMY: And we'll have none of that from your brothers today, thank you.

EDIE: You talk about them like they're children!

AMY: Because, Edith, they come back to Friesthorpe and behave like children, which Frances will remember all too well. (SHE STOPS AND TURNS BACK TO SPEAK TO SAM)Do you hear me Samuel? No mischief. And if Harold tells you something is a good idea, I assure you it jolly well isn't. Is that clear?

SAM: (MUMBLES) Yes.

AMY: Sorry?

SAM: Yes, mother.

AMY: Splendid. (SHE CARRIES ON WALKING). And no newspaper talk either, please, I've had enough of it -especially not around the rector, a church event does not need to be spoiled by all this talk of fighting.

EDIE: Bar says it's going to be war.

SAM: I hope it is! We should teach that Kaiser what's what.

FRANCES: He's right though, isn't he?

AMY: I don't know, Frances.

MARGARET: Charles says it'll be a sea war. I heard him talking about it with Frank.

HEARING THE TALK OF WAR, SAM BUSTLES HIS WAY FORWARD, AND SHOULD BE BREAKING THROUGH THE FIRST AUDIENCE MEMBERS AS HE DELIVERS HIS LINE.

SAM: (EXCITEDLY) So we are going to war.

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AMY: I don't know, Sam, and neither does your brother.

MARGARET: Frank says the reservists in the cricket team were called up last week. He says they're all going to end up in France.

EDIE: Will Bar have to go to war?

AMY: Nobody's going to war, Edie. Not yet. And Britain doesn't make anyone go, one volunteers.

SAM: Well then, one will volunteer. I should think it'd be a proper adventure. I'd be like Jim Hawkins! (HE MOTIONS FORWARD, AS IF FIGHTING WITH A SWORD) Hyah!

AMY: You'll do no such thing, and I shall be talking to Charles about his choice of literature.

THEY CARRY ON WALKING, IN SILENCE. AS THEY APPROACH THE STREAM (THE GREY-RAILING BRIDGE) THEY HEAR BICYCLE BELLS FROM BACK DOWN THE LANE, IT IS LEN AND ERIC. EDIE TURNS AND SEES THEM FIRST.

EDIE: It's Eric and Len (SHE WAVES TO THEM, CALLING TO ERIC WHO IS IN FRONT). Eric!

AMY AND THE OTHERS TURN AND STOP TO WATCH THEIR APPROACH. LEN DOESN'T SLOW DOWN AND PRETENDS TO RIDE HEADLONG INTO MARGARET, WHO HE SWERVES TO AVOID AT THE LAST SECOND. EDIE, FRAN AND SAM LAUGH, MARGARET IS NOT AMUSED.

LEN GETS OFF HIS BIKE AND WALKS BACK TO THEM, ERIC IS ALREADY OFF HIS. THEY COME ALONGSIDE WITH THEIR BIKES, WHICH THEY PUSH AS EVERYONE CONTINUES WALKING. MARGARET'S FOLLOWING LINE STARTS THE DIALOGUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR 'NEAR MISS'.

MARGARET: Leonard you could have killed me!

LEN: Oh hush, Margaret. (TO AMY) What's in the basket?

AMY: Nothing that concerns you, Leonard. (TO ERIC) Eric I thought you were with Winnie.

ERIC: I was, but she's at Mr Wilson's now with the horses.

AMY: Where've you ridden from?

ERIC: White Swan. Over in Market Rasen.

AMY: The White...a pub?! You're going in to church, or had you forgotten?

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LEN: Mother, if we're off to war it's important that I take every opportunity to have a good English ale. You know, if I join up, chances are a war won't be over 'til Christmas, Who knows what they drink over there.

AMY: Oh Len please, no wonder Sam's got a head full of Tennyson. (LEN GIVES SAM A WINK, AND HE SMILES). Have either of you seen Bar?

ERIC: Haven't seen him since yesterday. Had a serious case of the morbs over something, probably a woman -old codger.

LEN: Oi! Less of the old, thank you. He's only two years older than me!

ERIC: Hand us your basket, I'll give it to Kat. Chris and Harold should be in Mr. Wilson's Field, give 'em a shout as you go past.

AMY: Be careful with it, Eric.

ERIC TAKES THE BASKET AND PUTS IT INTO HIS OWN BASKET ON THE FRONT OF HIS BIKE BEFORE CYCLING AWAY WITH LEN. AS THEY COME PARALLEL WITH THE FIELD IN WHICH WE FIND CHRIS AND HAROLD, LEN TURNS BACK TO US AND POINTS IN THEIR DIRECTION.

WE KEEP WALKING. FRAN DELIVERS HER FOLLOWING LINE ONCE CHRIS AND HAROLD ARE VISIBLE.

FRANCES: There's Chris and Harold.

SAM: What are they doing? It seems a bit hot for all that.

EDIE: (WAVING AND SHOUTING OVER THE HEDGE) Chriiiiiiis! Chriiiiiis! Harooooooold! They can't hear me, oh Sam you shout.

SAM: Harold! Harold! (CHRIS AND HAROLD TURN FROM THEIR WORK)

EDIE MOTIONS TOWARDS THE GATE AT THE END OF THE FIELD. CHRIS AND HAROLD PUT THEIR TOOLS DOWN AND HEAD TOWARDS IT. EDIE AND SAM RUN ON AHEAD AND GOES TO MEET THEM. THE NEXT SECTION OF DIALOGUE BEGINS WHEN THE FAMILY REACH HAROLD, CHRIS AND EDIE AT THE GATE.

CHRIS: (LOUDLY, AS WE APPROACH) Well don't you all look very fine!

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HAROLD: Give us a kiss, Margaret (HE MOVES TOWARDS HER)

MARGARET: Eww no! Get off me Harold you're all sweaty and stinky.

AMY: Are you planning on going into church like that Christopher? You look like a potato.

CHRIS: I'm sure God'll forgive me a little dirt. (HE BRUSHES HIMSELF DOWN, WHICH MAKES NO DIFFERENCE). We didn't expect to be helping out, to be honest. Tom's a reservist -he left yesterday morning.

SAM: Who's Tom?

HAROLD: Mr. Wilson's nephew, Frank plays cricket with him -hands like shovels, wouldn't surprise me if he went to fight with a pitchfork.

AMY: (CHEERFULLY) Oh stop it! Come along, we'll never get there at this rate. (TO CHRIS AND HAROLD) Are you coming?

EDIE: Come on Harold, have some lemonade with us before we go inside.

HAROLD: Sold!

THEY CARRY ON WALKING, HAROLD IN FRONT WITH SAM, OCCASIONALLY GESTURING AS IF HE WERE HOLDING A GUN, TO WHICH SAM RESPONDS EXCITEDLY, WITH QUESTIONS. CHRIS WALKS BEHIND WITH THE REST, OCCASIONALLY THREATENING TO GET MARGARET MUDDY.

AS THEY COME ROUND THE CORNER APPROACHING THE FARM, HAROLD AND SAM PICK UP THEIR PACE AND HEAD FOR THE GATE. AS WE REACH THEM, WINNIE IS ALREADY TALKING WITH THEM AT THE GATE.

HAROLD: Where's Kat?

WINNIE: With Eric and Len, she's got mum's basket. Which is a good job. (TO AMY) What are you thinking giving our Eric your basket?

AMY: I didn't tell him what was in it!

WINNIE: Because that's likely to stop him isn't it? You carry on, I'll be along shortly. (SHE LEANS OVER THE FENCE AND KISSES AMY ON THE CHEEK).

WITH AMY LEADING THE WAY, EDIE, MARGARET, FRANCES, SAM AND HAROLD CARRY ON WALKING TOWARDS THE CHURCH. WINNIE CALLS CHRIS BACK.

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(WHISPERING)

Chris! (HE DOESN’T HEAR HER) Chris!

HE TURNS BACK. AS HE REACHES THE GATE AND TALKS TO WINNIE HE PULLS OUT A TOBACCO POUCH AND STARTS TO ROLL HIMSELF A CIGARETTE WHICH, WHEN FINISHED, HE PUTS BEHIND HIS EAR.

Have you seen Charles?

CHRIS: No. Why?

WINNIE: Harold wants to join the army.

CHRIS: Who told you this?

WINNIE: Charles did. They had a big fight about it. He said he wouldn't go to fight and he thought Harold was going to hit him. Called him a dandy.

CHRIS: He'd fight if he had to.

WINNIE: Will he have to, though? Will any of you?

CHRIS: I don't bloody know, Win. (PAUSE) Harold'll join up, I know that much. And me, and definitely Bar -he's really keen. Heck Sam'd go, too, given the chance (PAUSE). Look, Win, don't worry about it. Eric said if it happens it'll be done and dusted in six months. It'll probably be all over by the time we get there. Chances are we won't even be needed.

WINNIE: I know, Chris. But Bar's not really a fighter. And Harold. Getting your knuckles bloody at school's one thing, but this...

CHRIS: None of us are fighters, Win. Not like that.

CHRIS TURNS HIS BACK ON THE CONVERSATION DURING HIS LAST LINE AND CONTINUES DOWN THE LANE. AS THE AUDIENCE FOLLOW CHRIS, WINNIE JOINS THEIR RANKS AND WALKS WITH THEM, LOOKING PENSIVE.

AS WE APPROACH THE MAIN JUNCTION, WE SEE ON OUR RIGHT (NEAR THE POSTBOX) A BENCH AND A SMALL STALL WITH REFRESHMENTS (TEA AND HOMEMADE LEMONADE). FRANK IS ON THE LEFT (AS WE APPROACH) SHOWING SAM SOME CRICKET STROKES WHILE ERIC AND LEN WATCH ON APPROVINGLY.

AMY AND FRANCES ARE SAT ON A BENCH TO THE RIGHT OF THE POSTBOX. CHARLES IS STOOD IN FRONT OF THEM, TALKING ANIMATEDLY. EDIE IS WITH KAT, WHO IS SERVING

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TEA/LEMONADE. AS WE APPROACH, CHARLES SEES CHRIS AND BEGINS TO APPROACH WITH PURPOSE.

CHARLES: (IN A RAISED VOICE AS HE APPROACHES) Come on then, let's hear it!

CHRIS: (CHRIS WAITS FOR CHARLES TO GET NEAR, THEN PULLS HIM CLOSER, WORRIED ABOUT BEING IN EARSHOT OF THE OTHERS, AND SO THAT THEY ARE BOTH IN PROFILE TO THE AUDIENCE).Don't make a damn scene. Hear what?

CHARLES: I suppose you're going to call me cowardly as well, aren't you? Well let's just get straight to it.

CHRIS: Charles, I...

CHARLES: (INTERRUPTING) No, Chris, I know what you're thinking. I bet Harold's told you all about it this morning. Well listen, I just don't think...

CHRIS: (INTERRUPTING) He didn't tell me anything.

CHARLES: What?

CHRIS: He didn't tell me anything. Our Winnie just told me what you told her.

CHARLES: This is not...

CHRIS: (INTERRUPTING) Charles, (HE PUTS HIS HANDS ON TO CHARLES’ SHOULDERS) try not so look so bloody worked up. For a start (GLANCING TOWARDS AMY), Mother's watching. And for the record, I don't care what Harold thinks. (HE LIGHTS HIS CIGARETTE, TAKES A PUFF AND THEN OFFERS IT TO CHARLES, WHO DECLINES) He's very brave, but you know what he's like, Char. Bar's got soldier written all over him, and I'll not stand by while folk get trampled on. But it's not the law. You'll be back in Stamford come the end of the month, right? What business has a schoolmaster - and a jolly good one - got joining the army?

CHARLES: I said all this, but he wouldn't give in.

CHRIS: Well of course he wouldn't, but he could do with reminding that we're not even at bloody war. And even if we were, we've got an army and a reserve. You said it yourself, it's a sea war Charles, so calm down.

WINNIE APPROACHES FROM THE REAR, AND COMES OVER TO JOIN THEM. SHE COMES BETWEEN THEM, LINKS EACH OF THEIR ARMS, AND WALKS THEM TO THE OTHERS.

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WINNIE: (AS SHE COLLECTS THEM) Come on.

THE AUDIENCE FULLY REACH THE AREA OUTSIDE THE CHURCH WHERE THE LEMONADE STALL IS SET UP. AS WE ARRIVE, KAT BECKONS US OVER, AND SHE SERVES DRINKS WITH EDIE. WHEN ALMOST ALL OF THE AUDIENCE HAVE DRINKS, AMY COMES OVER TO KAT, AND AT THE TEA/LEMONADE STALL AMY APPROACHES KAT. THE FOLLOWING SECTION OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN THEM SHOULD HAPPEN AS SHE CONTINUES TO SERVE DRINKS.

AMY: Any word of Bar?

KATHARINE: Eric thinks he's being all melancholic. Have you had some tea?

AMY: (ABSENT-MINDEDLY, AS THOUGH SHE’S NOT HEARD THE QUESTION) No. No thank you. He promised me he'd be here.

KATHARINE: If he's promised, then he'll be here.

AMY: (AGAIN, PREOCCUPIED) Yes. Thank you, dear.

SHE WALKS AWAY TO SIT ON THE BENCH AGAIN. FRANCES HAS LEFT AND IS OVER WITH THE BROTHERS, KEEPING AN EYE ON SAM. SEEING AMY ALONE, FRANK WALKS OVER.

FRANK: New hat, mother?

AMY: No. Have you seen Bar?

FRANK: Not since yesterday. One of his old Officer friends was passing though. He's probably got a sore head.

AMY: Mmm. What's wrong with Charles?

FRANK: Nothing.

AMY: Frank you're the worst liar this family's got. What's going on?

FRANK: It's nothing, really. Him and Harold have had a bit of a falling out.

AMY: About?

FRANK: About? Harold and Charles have been bickering for fifteen years, they really don't need a reason.

AMY: What have they been fighting about?

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FRANK: (A LITTLE EXASPERATED) Oh I don't know, Something about Charles not joining the army. It's nothing, mum, you know what Harold's like with a bee in his bonnet.

AMY MOTIONS FOR HIM TO SIT DOWN WITH HER. HE DOES SO.

AMY: You'll look after them, won't you?

FRANK: Who?

AMY: (POINTING TO HIS BROTHERS) Them! The damn soldier boys! (SHE PAUSES TO COMPOSE HERSELF) Sorry, Frank. They're so very clever those boys, you know. But they're not fighting men. Tell me, when Ba got in a scrape in the Arboretum which thirteen year-old boy tried to join in?

FRANK: Me.

AMY: And when Len fell out of the rectory tree, who almost broke his neck jumping off a higher branch to make him feel better?

FRANK: (LAUGHING) Me, mum.

AMY: There may be a lot of you, Frank, but don't think I don't notice. You're a strong boy, and when you go off and do whatever it is you have to do, well...(SHE PAUSES FOR A MOMENT, AS IF TO HOLD HERSALF BACK FROM GETTING UPSET IN PUBLIC) I know what's coming, Frank. It's all anyone's talking about, even Edie.

FRANK: It's an opportunity to do something. I'm fed up of the choir school, and I'm not a teacher -not like Charles. Bar's the same. You know how Chris and Harold feel.

AMY: I know, although I wish I didn’t. Go on back with your brothers. Spend some time with Sam.

FRANK GOES BACK TO JOIN THE BROTHERS, WHO ARE TALKING ANIMATEDLY. HAVING REACHED THEM, BAR IS NOW APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTH END OF THE LANE, BAR IS WALKING TOWARDS THE CHURCH. HAROLD IS THE FIRST TO NOTICE HIM.

HAROLD: (SHOUTING TO BAR, WHO IS OUT OF SIGHT) Well about time Barnard! Did you lose your shoes?

SAM: Mum! Bar's here!

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AS HE ROUNDS THE BEND AND ARRIVES IN THE CHURCH JUNCTION. HE LARGELY IGNORES HIS BROTHERS, WHO ARE CALLING TO HIM, OFFERING A CURT NOD. HE HEADS DIRECTLY AMY, WHO HAS STOOD AND TAKEN 10-OR-SO PACES FORWARD, SHIFTING THE AUDIENCE SLIGHTLY.

BARNARD: Mother.

AMY: Barnard.

BARNARD: You look nice.

AMY: Where have you been Bar?

BARNARD: In Lincoln. A friend was passing through.

AMY: From Cambridge?

BARNARD: No. One of the chaps from the Officer Training Corps; William. Haven't seen him since Dorchester. Listen, he and I were talking, and...

AMY: (INTERRUPTING) A lot of people are talking at the moment Barnard.

BARNARD: (CAUGHT OFF-GUARD BY AMY’S LAST LINE) Yes, quite. So I was thinking that it would be a good opportunity for me if I...

BAR IS INTERRUPTED BY LEN AND ERIC, WHO HAVE APPROACHED FROM BEHIND AND FLANK HIM AT EITHER SHOULDER.

LEN: Ignoring us are you Bar! Well that's very nice!

ERIC: Charming, Bar, just Charming.

BARNARD: You've been in the pub.

LEN: And you've been looking, tirelessly, for your sense of humour. How did you fare?

BARNARD: I'm talking to mother, will you just give...

ERIC: No. You're talking to us now. Now tell us where you've been you old rascal!

BARNARD: Eric can I just have one minute...

AMY: Talk to your brothers, Bar. We've got plenty of time.

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ERIC AND LEN PRACTICALLY STRONG-ARM BAR OVER TO THE OTHERS. FRAN AND KAT COME OVER TO AMY. EDIE AND MARGARET ARE A FEW STEPS AWAY, DRINKING LEMONADE.

FRANCES: Is he well? What's wrong?

AMY: He was about to tell me that he'd like to join the army.

KATHARINE: Oh.

FRANCES: Is he serious?

KATHARINE: He looked rather serious.

DURING THE NEXT FEW LINES, THE RECTOR MAKES HIS WAY FROM THE CHURCH, DOWN TO THE CONGREGATION. GREETING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WITH A GENUINE WARMTH.

AMY: Yes, he’s serious.

FRANCES: You're worried?

AMY: They're my boys, Fran. It doesn't matter how old they get. They're not the only ones reading the newspapers.

KATHERINE: They'll look after one another.

AMY: How? Half of them are teachers. They get paid for their words not their strength.

THEIR CONVERSATION IS INTERRUPTED BY THE ARRIVAL OF THE RECTOR

RECTOR: Ladies and gentlemen (he waits for their attention) I hope you've enjoyed our modest refreshments, and if you've finished, please do accompany me into the church.

THE RECTOR LEADS THE WAY TO THE CHURCH, AND STANDS TO THE RIGHT OF THE DOORWAY, GREETING THE CONGREGATION (CAST AND AUDIENCE) AS THEY ENTER.

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ACT III - WAR

THE CONGREGATION (CAST AND AUDIENCE) SEAT THEMSELVES IN THE CHURCH. AS THEY FINISH, THE RECTOR TAKES TO THE PULPIT AND SPEAKS.

RECTOR: Thank you, all. Thank you all for being here, and for showing your support and generosity for St Peter's, this humble building which has held the sounds of worship for more than six centuries. It is also a pleasure to see so many of the Beechey family with us today -their father, our previous rector, the Reverend Prince William Thomas Beechey's good and Godly work remains in our hearts, and is carried on by his children -especially Miss Katherine Beechey, who we are to thank for our lovely refreshments, and Winifrede Beechey, for the wonderful decorations and garlanding. Our thanks go to all the members of the Parochial Church Council, for the sterling work they do, and in particular the following: Mr and Mrs Pitchforth, who have worked tirelessly to show-off the beauty that is St. Peters; Mr Baxter, who has cut, for many years now, not just the picturesque churchyard you just walked through, but indeed all of the verges in Friesthorpe; Mr and Mrs Spillman and their daughters; and finally Miss Kinsey and Mrs Moore, who have overseen the work of restoration we are here to celebrate today. We thank them all. And what a welcome sight, perhaps even a surprise, to see so many new faces in the congregation! Today of course is a most happy day, on which we rededicate two of the bells in our tower, bells which haven't rung in living memory. And so with thoughts of music ringing in our minds, let us begin with a hymn, Love Divine, All loves Excelling.

CHOIR: MWC RENDITION OF LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING

RECTOR: And now, to mark the re-dedication of the bells, a reading from Miss Frances Beechey.

THE RECTOR LEAVES THE PULPIT, AND FRANCES TAKES HIS PLACE.

FRANCES: Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, the flying cloud, the frosty light: the year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind, for those that here we see no more; ring out the feud of rich and poor, ring in redress to all mankind.

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Ring out a slowly dying cause, and ancient forms of party strife; ring in the nobler modes of life, with sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin, the faithless coldness of the times; ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes, but ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood, the civic slander and the spite; ring in the love of truth and right, ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease; ring out the narrowing lust of gold; ring out the thousand wars of old, ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free, the larger heart, the kindlier hand; ring out the darkness of the land, ring in the light that is to be.

FRANCES RETURNS TO HER SEAT, AND THE RECTOR AGAIN TAKES THE PULPIT.

RECTOR: Thank you Frances, for a delightful reading. The hamlet of Friesthorpe, which our newer parishioners might not know, is so old as to be mentioned in the Domesday Book, some eight-hundred years ago. This church, which was built two-hundred years later, now takes a central place here, and those bells call us to worship over the long flat fields -bells which were first introduced to St. Peter's in the 16th century. They ring out in praise, but also remind us of those we've lost. Their sound is carried on the wind. They represent continuity, and remembrance. Indeed, the Friesthorpe we see today is little changed from the one mentioned in the Domesday Book. Where our neighbours in Lincoln has seen such a change of speed -factories, machines, gas lights, Friesthorpe is pocket of quietude in a rapidly changing world. So let us mark today by remembering the joyous sound of these bells. The church bell is a uniquely Christian tradition, introduced in 400AD by Paulinus of Nola. The ropes hanging from the bells require labour to pull, just as God requires our labour in devotion of Him. The oldest church bells are the "Wolsey Bells" at St. Lawrence's Church in Ipswich. Named after the Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, their circle dates back as far as 1480...

THE RECTOR'S SERMON IS INTERRUPTED BY THE MUSIC OF THE BAND, WHO BEGIN THE GRENADIER. AS THEY STRIKE UP, THE CAST MEMBERS SEATED NEAR THE REAR OF THE CHURCH (CHRIS, HAROLD, ERIC AND LEN) LEAVE TO INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE OF THE SOUND. AS THEY DO SO,

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THE REST OF THE FAMILY AND THE AUDIENCE FOLLOW. THE RECTOR IS THE LAST TO LEAVE.

ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENTAL BAND:

RENDITION OF THE GRENADIER

AS WE WATCH AND HEAR THE PLAYING OF THE BAND, THE BOYS JOSTLE THEIR WAY TO THE VERY FRONT, ADMIRING THE PRISTINE UNIFORMS OF THE SOLDIERS, POINTING AND EXCITEDLY NUDGING ONE ANOTHER. CHARLES IS NOTICEABLY ABSENT, STANDING TO THE REAR, ASIDE ALSO FROM AMY AND HIS SISTERS. A RECRUITING SERGEANT STANDS BEHIND THEM, WAITING FOR THE BAND TO FINISH. AS THEY DO SO, HE SPEAKS.

SERGEANT: (BARKING) Right then lads! How's about them uniforms, ey? Brass buttons and shiny boots! (POINTING AT CHARLES) I reckon red's your colour, big handsome six-footer like you. Well then?

BA, SAM, HAROLD AND CHRIS ALL MAKE THEIR WAY (WITH NO SMALL AMOUNT OF GLEE) TOWARDS THE RECRUITING SERGEANT.

SERGEANT: Well now look at this. Here's a fine selection of young men. Fancy a bit of adventure boys?

SAM: (BUBBLING WITH EXCITEMENT) Yessir!

SERGEANT: Tip-Top! Now what about the rest of you? Who's going to make the country proud?

CHRIS: I will. (HE TAKES A STEP FORWARD)

SERGEANT: Good man. Go and get your name down on my piece of paper over there. Any more?

THE BOYS BEGIN TO COME FORWARD, IN THE ORDER THEY JOINED UP. CHARLES IS SECOND-TO-LAST. HE AND SAM ARE YET TO MOVE.

Almost a full house! (AGAIN TO CHARLES) Come on boy, don't let the family down now! You'll be fighting the girls off as well as the Kaiser!

HAROLD: (ENCOURAGINGLY) Come on, Charles.

SERGEANT: Good soldier's name that, Charles! Officer material I think. I'll be calling you Sir in no time.

SAM REMAINS AS THE ONLY BROTHER NOT TO SIGN UP. HE TURNS BACK TO FACE AMY AND HIS SISTERS. AS HE DOES, AMY SPEAKS.

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AMY: Sam. Sam...

HE TURNS BACK AND LOOKS AT HIS BROTHERS, WHO ARE MAKING THEIR WAY OUT OF THE GATE. HURRIEDLY, HE DASHES TO JOIN UP AND CATCH UP WITH THEM.

SERGEANT: Don't you worry madam they'll be back by Christmas. I give you my word.

ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENTAL BAND:

RENDITION OF TBC

THE BAND STRIKES UP AGAIN, A ROUSING NUMBER. WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR PIECE, THE RECTOR TAKES AMY BY THE ARM, AND LEADS HER BACK TO THE CHURCH -HE IS WHISPERING INTO HER EAR, BUT WE CAN'T HEAR WHAT HE'S SAYING. WE ALL FOLLOW, AND TAKE OUR SEATS ONCE MORE. AGAIN, THE RECTOR TAKES THE PULPIT.

RECTOR: It is a terrible thing, on a summer's day, that we sit with such long shadows cast over us; shadows which steal their way across our hearts. Because a tremendous crisis has suddenly overtaken us. Against our will, we are engaged in a great war, a war close to our doors. The prosperity and even the existence of England as a free country is in peril. We shrank from this war, but now we are in it and must behave ourselves as good Christians and citizens.

And so what shall we do? Here, at home, what shall we do? We will pray for our country, for our sailors, for our soldiers at the front. We will pray that God may bring this awful war to a speedy, just, and happy close. We will behave ourselves as brave English-men and women without panic, without excitement. Steadily and quietly, we will try to do our duty. We will be content to live plainly and waste nothing, and bear discomforts without grumbling, not forcing up prices by buying provisions in panic, nor making a run upon the banks. The money is safe, with a Government guarantee, and the more gold we leave in the banks the more sure we make of victory. In these ways every one of us can help the men at the front. We will be very kind to one another, and very strict with ourselves, living as people should live who look for the blessing of God.

The night of war is approaching, and we must wonder when again we shall see the streak of dawn. In times of shock, those things which are not shaken will

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remain. We remain. We remain here while our brothers, fathers and sons are leaving home. And so we must not be shaken, so that we might remain. Like this Church, and this village, we will stand the test of time. We will remain strong, and remain calm.

Let us think of James 1, verses 2-4: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. And Psalm 144: Blessed be the lord, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; my loving kindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer; my shield and He in whom I take refuge. It seems inexorable that whether we are at war or peace, the landscape of Europe is to be radically, and forever, changed.

BY THIS POINT, THE BROTHERS HAVE RETURNED, IN UNIFORM, AND ARE LINING UP ACROSS THE BACK WALL OF THE CHURCH.

And now as our soldiers join us before leaving for the front, let us remember the words of Psalm 91, in which we say to the lord "you are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust". For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler. Under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the things that stalk in darkness. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but you will remain untouched. For he will command his angels to guard you. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. When my brother calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.

AS THE RECTOR DELIVERS HIS FINAL LINE, THE CHOIR IMMEDIATELY BEGIN THEIR RENDITION OF O LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO. AMY TURNS TO THE BACK OF THE ROOM AND SEES THE BOYS IN FILE. SHE STARES AT THEM ALMOST OPEN-MOUTHED. HER FACE IS A COMPLEX MIX OF PRIDE AND TERROR AS SHE LOOKS -SEEMINGLY FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, AT EIGHT SONS THAT SHE SEEMS TO SOME HOW NOT RECOGNISE. SHE LOOKS AT THEM THROUGHOUT THE HYMN.

CHOIR: RENDITION OF O LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO

THE CHOIR FINISHES, AND AMY STANDS, THE SISTERS BEGIN TO STAND, TOO. EDIE, WHO WAS SAT ON THE AISLE

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SEAT OF HER PEW, TURNS OUT INTO THE AISLE. SHE LOOKS AT FRANK, WHO GIVES HER A SMILE.

FRANK: We're going, Sis.

THE BROTHERS, LED BY BARNARD, WHO IS CLOSEST TO THE DOOR, FILE OUT OF THE CHURCH. THE FAMILY HURRIEDLY FOLLOW.

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ACT IV – LEAVING HOME

THE BROTHERS HAVE GATHERED OUTSIDE THE CHURCH GATE. THEY STAND, ALMOST IN LINE, ALONG THE HEDGEROW OPPOSITE TO THE CHURCH. AMY, EDIE, FRANCES, MARGARET, AND KAT HEAD IN FRONT OF THE ONLOOKERS AND GREET THEM. THERE ARE HUGS EXCHANGED. LINES ARE IMPROVISED HERE BUT WILL CONSIST OF WISHES OF FAREWELL, PROMISES TO WRITE, PROMISES TO TAKE CARE, TO LOOK OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER.

BAR IS THE LAST TO HOLD AMY. THEY DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO EACH OTHER, BUT HE SMILES AT HER AND SHE SMILES BACK, SUPPRESSING A SLIGHT LAUGH -THE KIND THAT COMES UNBIDDEN WHEN THE ONLY OTHER CHOICE IS TO CRY. AS THEY TURN TO LEAVE, EDIE -WHO IS TEARFUL, SPEAKS.

EDIE: I can't go. I can't bear to watch you go.

CHARLES: Just make sure you're here to watch us come home. Look after yourselves girls.

KATHERINE: Come back soon, Char.

CHARLES: Promise. (HE WINKS AT THEM, THEN TURNS AWAY)

KATHERINE AND MARGARET, STAY NEAR THE CHURCH WITH A TERRIBLY UPSET EDIE.

CHARLES CATCHES UP AS THE BROTHERS WALK, SIDE-BY-SIDE, DOWN THE LANE TOWARDS FRIESTHORPE HALL. ON THE LEFT THEY COME TO AN OPEN FIELD. THEY GATHER BRIEFLY THERE, AND REPRISE THEIR GOODBYES. CHARLES THIS TIME DOESN'T ENGAGE IN THE FAREWELLS, AND INSTEAD STARES OUT INTO THE FIELD, ALONE. BAR NOTICES, AND GOES TO JOIN HIM. THEY STAND SIDE-BY-SIDE FOR A SECOND, AND BAR PUTS HIS ARM AROUND CHARLES' SHOULDER. AS IF THEY WERE BOYS AGAIN.

THE SOUND OF DISTANT THUNDER, WHICH MIGHT ALSO BE ARTILLERY, BEGINS TO PLAY THROUGH WIRELESS SPEAKERS HIDDEN IN THE HEDGEROW.

SAM IS BEING HELD BY AMY, AND SHE IS RELUCTANT TO LET HIM GO, SUCH THAT HE HAS TO RUN TO CATCH UP WITH HIS BROTHERS. FRANK HAS HUNG BACK A LITTLE, TO WAIT FOR HIM. ABOUT HALF-WAY ACROSS THE FIELD (STAGGERED) LEN, AND HAROLD TURN BACK TO THE ENTRANCE AND WAVE AT THE SISTERS. FRANCES AND WINNIE WAVE THEIR HANKIES, AMY SIMPLY RAISES A HAND.

AS THEY CROSS THE FIELD, A SERIES OF ‘FAREWELLS’ PLAYS OVER THE HIDDEN SPEAKERS. AFTER CROSSING THE FIELD, THE BROTHERS DISAPPEAR INTO THE TREELINE ONE-

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BY-ONE OVER THE COURSE OF 20 (OR SO) SECONDS. LEAVING OUR VIEW BY ORDER OF JOINING-UP DATE. SAM IS LAST, TAKING A SLIGHTLY LONGER PAUSE. WHEN THEY HAVE ALL VANISHED FROM VIEW, THE RIFLE SECTION IN THE WOOD BEGIN TO FIRE INDEPENDENTLY (NOT VOLLEY FIRE).

WITH THE RIFLE SECTION STILL FIRING, A BI-PLANE FLIES R>L ACROSS THE FIELD, ITS MACHINE-GUN FIRING IN BURSTS. THE RIFLE SECTION BUILD THEIR FIRING TO BE AT ITS LOUDEST AND MOST FREQUENT AS THE BI-PLANE FLIES OVERHEAD. ST. PETER'S CHURCH BELL RINGS FIVE TIMES, ONE FOR EACH BROTHER WHO DIED IN ACTION. THE FIRST BELL IS A CUE FOR THE RIFLE SECTION TO CEASE FIRING. THERE SHOULD BE A LONG ENOUGH PAUSE BETWEEN EACH RING TO ALLOW THE SOUND TO REVERBERATE AND FADE.

5-10 SECONDS AFTER THE FINAL BELL HAS FADED, CHRIS, ERIC AND SAM RETURN FROM THE TREE-LINE. THEIR UNIFORMS ARE UNTIDY, THEIR FACES SCUFFED. CHRIS IS INJURED, AND ERIC STANDS UNDER HIS LEFT ARM TO HELP HIM WALK. SAM IS BEHIND THEM. A PIPER, UNSEEN, PLAYS AMAZING GRACE, JOINED BY THE ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENTAL BAND. AS AMAZING GRACE ENDS, THE FINAL DRUMBEAT CONTINUES FOR THREE FURTHER BEATS, AT THE SAME TEMPO.

PIPER AND ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENTAL BAND:

RENDITION OF AMAZING GRACE

WINNIE GOES TO CHRIS, 15-20 PACES BEFORE HE REACHES THE EDGE OF THE FIELD. HER BACK IS TO US, BUT WE GET THE SENSE THAT SHE IS CRYING AS HE HOLDS HER. SAM -WHO HAS CHANGED, GROWN, A STEEL IN HIS EYES, WALKS STRAIGHT FOR AMY.

SAM: (PAUSE) I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry.

HE EMBRACES HER, RATHER THAN HER HIM. HE IS THE SUPPORT NOW. WINNIE HAS TAKEN OVER FROM ERIC, WHO STANDS WITH FRANCES. THEY APPROACH AMY AND SAM. WINNIE PUTS A HAND ON AMY'S SHOULDER.

WINNIE: Let's go home.

THEY WALK BACK TO THE CHURCH TOGETHER. THE ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENTAL BAND ARE IN THE POSITION WE LAST SAW THEM. WHEN EVERYONE IS IN THE CHURCH, THEY RE-ARRANGE THEMSELVES TO FACE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. IN THE TIME SINCE THE BROTHERS LEFT, THE CHURCH HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED. THE PLAQUES ON EACH WALL HAVE BEEN REVEALED, AND KAT AND MARGARET STAND UNDER ONE EACH, LOOKING UP AT THEM. IN THE CHANCEL,

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A COFFIN HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE FLOOR SPACE BETWEEN THE CHOIR, COVERED IN A UNION FLAG WITH A HELMET, STEEL, MK.I RESTING ON TOP. THE RECRUITING SERGEANT STANDS IN ONE CORNER AROUND THE COFFIN, RIFLE UPTURNED. ERIC, SAM AND CHRIS ARE THE FIRST INTO THE CHURCH, AND THEY PROCESS DOWN THE AISLE. THE RECTOR STANDS JUST TO THE SIDE OF THE AISLE, NEAR THE PULPIT, AND HE HANDS A POPPY TO EACH PERSON AS THEY APPROACH. THE BROTHERS TAKE UP THE REMAINING THREE CORNERS -FIRST ERIC, THEN SAM, AND THEN CHRIS. AS CHRIS REACHES HIS POSITION, THE CHOIR BEGINS THEIR RENDITION OF GOING HOME. WHEN THEY FINISH, THE BAND BEGIN THEIR RENDITION OF NIMROD.

CHOIR: RENDITION OF GOING HOME

ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENTAL BAND:

RENDITION OF NIMROD

A BRIEF PAUSE

RENDITION OF SAUL

IN SINGLE-FILE, LED BY FRANCES AND THEN AMY AND WINNIE, THE CAST AND AUDIENCE PROCESS DOWN THE AISLE TO THE COFFIN AND THEN TURN BACK OUT TO THE DOOR. FRANCES TAKES UP A POSITION TO THE RIGHT, BLOCKING THE PATH BACK DOWN TO THE GATE. AMY, WHEN SHE EXITS THE CHURCH, TAKES THE PATH TO THE LEFT, ALONG WHICH EVERYONE FOLLOWS.

EDIE IS SAT BY PWT BEECHEY'S -AND HER OWN, GRAVE. HOLDING A POSY OF VIOLETS. AS THE AUDIENCE BEGIN TO FILE PAST HER, SHE PLACES THEM, ONE-BY-ONE, ON THE GRAVE. FRANCES IS AT THE BACK OF THE LINE, AND AS SHE LEAVES THE CHURCHYARD SHE CLOSES THE GATE. IF SAUL IS FINISHED, THIS IS A CUE FOR THE PIPER TO BEGIN FLOWERS OF THE FOREST. IF IT IS NOT FINISHED, THE PIPER WILL WAIT 20 SECONDS AFTER THE END OF SAUL, AND THEN BEGIN.

PIPER: RENDITION OF FLOWERS OF THE FOREST

THE AUDIENCE BOARD THE COACH, THE FOLLOWING PLAYS OVER THE PA ONCE IT BEGINS MOVING.

V/O: Sir, Madam. It is my painful duty to inform you that the following men of Lincoln did not return from the Great War, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death, was Killed in Action. [LIST OF NAMES]

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THE LIST OF NAMES CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY, AND THROUGH THE AUDIENCE DISEMBARKING THE COACH. THE AUDIO MUST NOT BE TURNED OFF UNTIL THE AUDIENCE ARE ALL OFF THE COACH AND A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE SOURCE OF THE SOUND.

END

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