A VILLAGE business owner is set to help raise awareness of the the ‘Malpas 100 Years On’ campaign with the sale of commemorative cups.

Rachel Williams, who owns Honeybee Florist and Craft Shop, which is based behind Chester Villa in the High Street, is selling the cups as part of the village’s respectful remembrance of the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice.

The Honeybee Florist shop premises shares Malpas family history.

At the time of the First World War, Joseph Turtle was a well-known painter and decorator living in Malpas.

Added to that, among the attractively displayed crafts and gifts with an evocative scent of flowers caringly arranged by Rachel, there is reflection upon her husband Michael’s long Malpas connections.

His grandfather, Harry, retired from his job as a policeman and came to live there when he began to work in partnership with his father, Joseph.

“We are privileged to be selling drinking cups designed by artist Jean Ashley [who is form the area],” said Rachel.

“After the event, in our day-to-day lives, we can still stop to remember those local heroes and their families who gave so much.

“The weekend activities will bring home a real connection to Malpas history, it is so easy to forget how much hardship people experienced.”

It is a fitting tribute that Joseph’s descendants continue working and supporting Malpas community and make time to remember the village at the time of The Great War.

Honeybee Florist, is situated at the top of Malpas High Street, next to the High-Street Church.

This is where exhibitions and displays will share wartime memories and stories through military and domestic memorabilia over the commemoration weekend of November 9-11.

The shop is open from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Saturday.

The ‘Malpas 100 Years-On’ Commemoration drinking cups are on sale in the craft shop at £6 each or two for £10.

n For more on ‘Malpas 100 years On’ and for general Malpas news, head to Malpas Ward News on Facebook or www.malpascheshire.org/parish-council/malpas-parish-council.html