Chairman Mark Taylor’s vision becomes a reality in an emotional and epic year for TBS members. Leading a large and enthusiastic group on this year’s Members Walk, I was conscious that we were actually creating history of our own making. This is the first year we have been able to make the walk knowing that henceforth the trail will be open to the public all year round and not just for Palm Sunday. I took a moment to pause, looked out over the rolling hills and fields and was reminded of the movie Field of Dreams.  I don’t know if you have seen the film, first released in 1989, but it’s the one starring Kevin Costner as an Iowa corn farmer, who upon hearing voices, interprets them as a command to build a baseball diamond in his fields. He does, and the Chicago Black Sox come to play at his stadium. I am sure this resonates with many Towton Battlefield Society members, as one of the criticisms of our battlefield in the past has been that “there is nothing to see but fields.” With the new interpretation boards and access to the circular path, members of the public can now see for themselves how the battle developed at key anchor points on the route.  Being able to see how the landscape had a major effect on the outcome of the battle, really brings it home and the viewing platform at Bloody Meadow is positively gripping. This has been the culmination of many years of effort by the TBS who have worked tirelessly and diplomatically with local landowners to negotiate a trail that is now open twelve months of the year.  Over 3,000 visitors came to see us on Palm Sunday and many of those went on the guided walks.  Judging by their comments alone, what we have achieved has been a resounding success.  Pass the memorial cross at any time now and you will see several parked cars, their passengers poring over the details on our splendid Interpretation Boards. Back to the walk.  On Palm Sunday, several members of the public, touched with generosity, gave donations for the battlefield so that we can keep up the good work.  There may be a serious recession on, and there are certainly lots of stringent government cut-backs, but this demonstrates the strength of public feeling towards protecting our heritage sites. So, for Towton Battlefield Society, the Field of Dreams has become a reality and we are now encouraged and determined to go on, and do bigger and better things, to keep the memory of this battle alive.

Mark Taylor, Chairman of TBS.