AS THE year of the Magna Carta draws to a close, one couple have been honoured by Trowbridge mayor Roger Andrews for all their work in the town’s celebrations.

Angela and Andy Milroy were presented with the Certificate of Civic Appreciation at a special awards evening to celebrate all of the efforts by local groups and individuals for the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta.

The award came as a shock to the couple who have been the main organisers of a series of festivities to honour Trowbridge’s Henry de Bohun. who was one of the rebel barons who rejected King John as king, which resulted in him retaliating by ordering his sheriffs to seize the lands and goods of the barons.

The assembling of the army commemorated the seizing of London by forces supporting the barons on the May 17, 1215, which gave the Magna Carta barons leverage to compel King John to negotiate and force him to seal the Magna Carta.

Mrs Milroy said: “It was an absolute surprise and the whole evening was designed as a thank you to everyone who took part in the Magna Carta project. There were so many things that have stood out and for me it was the fact that so many people took part and contributed.

"We had people involved from the church, Trowbridge in Bloom, the chamber of commerce and the museum. There were so many people and the whole thing really raised the profile of Trowbridge and its history. We have an amazing history and It has been fantastic to show off the town’s heritage."

“One thing I have found is that young people have really got how important the Magna Carta is and how important Henry de Bohun is to Trowbridge.”

Across the year, the pair joined other representatives from the town at a Magna Carta Baronial Army reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of London to commemorate the seizing of the capital in 1215.

The couple, who have lived in Trowbridge for more than 40 years, added they first became interested in the Magna Carta after finding out that Henry de Bohun was from the town.

Mr Milroy said: “We got involved because we find it so interesting and it opened up a whole new interest for people in Trowbridge to learn about the heritage of the town. It has received a huge amount of support and for me, I think they highlight was seeing the Henry de Bohun statue in the museum which was very popular.

“If you can see a human being in the history then it makes it a lot more real.”