Ruyton XI Towns history

1. RAY `WILLPOWER` WILLIAMS Ray Williams started this whole project by lending me the photograph of Maud Fox and Miss Philips at the top of Woodview Lane, next to Brownhill House. Ray grew up with his parents and brothers, Bill and Tom, at World`s End Cottages. Their father, and then Ray, worked for Jim Slater, at the Broadlands Farm between Ruyton and Baschurch.  In due course Ray went to work for John Gittins, Hall Farm, Ruyton XI Towns. Ray seems to have been an unusual young man, and rather than spend his time playing football and drinking in Ruyton`s three pubs, he trained his body to perform formidable feats of strength which he demonstrated to his workmates on the farm.  Then, he started to perform in the local pubs and at village fetes to raise money for charity. In 1971 Ray aimed to beat the world record for eating cheese, supplied by Ruyton dairy, but had to give up after 14 ounces! One evening he put away 8 portions of fish and chips, supplied by Roy Pen...