Walsingham Cell Barbecue
On Sunday 24th July, Barry and Marian Haughton hosted a magnificent barbecue for the Walsingham Pilgrims in their lovely garden. The photo shows everyone gathered round for this enjoyable social event.
Summer Concerts in Church
On Thursday lunchtimes in July and August there were concerts held in St George’s Church. Light lunches and hot and cold drinks were served from 12.15pm with the concerts themselves starting at 1pm.
On 28th July there was a duet of clarinet and piano. 4th August our Organist, David Cain played for us. On 11th August the Monington Trio with viola, clarinet and piano; 18th August David Price, the Organist and Master of Choristers at Portsmouth Cathedral played some well known pieces concluding with the majestic Crown Imperial by William Walton. Our final concert on 25th August was a quartet of Clarinet, Viola, Violin and Cello.
All the concerts were excellent and much enjoyed by their audiences. A retiring collection at each raised a total of £820.
Trains - St George’s Ladies (23rd August)
Weather preceding had been wet, but this evening was fine and warm. 18 ladies gathered in Tony’s garden where tables and chairs had been set out for us.
His impressive railway track runs through the lower part of his long garden. Tony used two of his trains. The first had carriages of mini logs, the second, my favourite, a steam train, had “passengers” in its carriages. There was real smoke which smelt nostalgically of steam trains of a past era – for those of us old enough to remember!
We took turns “driving”, by remote control which was great fun if a little nerve-wracking at first as we tried, mostly successfully not to derail them!
There was a break for supper of jacket potatoes, beans, cheese and coleslaw, followed by Mo’s special (and rather delicious) apple crumble with ice cream.
It was a most enjoyable evening.
Blessing of Animals
A collection of dogs – large and small together with their owners gathered for our Blessing of Animals service on 1st October. There was great excitement (canine style) as each new dog arrived, but all settled well for the service. We had three hymns - the first two, All Creatures of our God and King, and Make me a Channel of your Peace – both had connection to St Francis, the Patron Saint of Animals. The third – All Things Bright and Beautiful – very appropriate for our service. Afterwards, a Group photo was taken for the magazine.
Bereavement Group Cream Tea, 27th August
Fifty people approx. Came to the Bereavement Group summer cream tea. Savoury pastries, scones with a variety of jams, cream and strawberries were served together with hot and cold drinks. There was a raffle, a stall selling china and a quiz which I managed to avoid as I was working happily with Carol in the kitchen.
Some young people from a local dance school danced beautifully for us, and there was a competition for the “best” hat, I won the Ladies prize!
Bereavement Group trip to Wisley
On Tuesday 20th September we gathered outside St George’s at 10.30am and at 11am boarded our small, 19 seater coach and set off for Wisley. The weather was just right, warm and sunny, not too hot or cold, and dry!
On arrival at Wisley we headed for the nearest cafe for coffee, then we set off in small groups to explore.
On arrival at Wisley we headed for the nearest cafe for coffee, then we set off in small groups to explore.
We made our way first to the Glasshouse. This towering, cathedral-like structure commands an area the size of 10 tennis courts and is 12 metres high. It contains the RHS’s collection of rare, difficult to grow and endangered plants from around the world.
It is somewhat like walking into a jungle (not that I’ve ever been in one!) with its tall trees, climbers and beautiful exotic plants.
Divided into three areas – the Moist Temperate Zone with its own waterfall contains plants from South America, Australasia, also Cornwall and Scotland; ferns, shrubs and epiphytes, trees and tree ferns. The Dry Temperate Zone replicates semi-arid and desert conditions where cacti, succulents and other drought tolerant plants survive in Chile, South Africa, Canary Islands and Australia.
In the Tropical Zone plants can grow huge leaves, banana, palm trees and fast growing climbers. In this hot and steamy area grow beautiful orchids, water lilies in a “jungle pool” - with even a “Hippo”!
The Glasshouse was built to celebrate the RHS’s Bicentinary and its environs are controlled by computer to ensure correct light, heat and ventilation at all times.
We made our way from here as far as the World Food Garden where we had a snack lunch then walked through the rows and pergolas of vegetables and flowers, many well known, some more unusual.
After this we made our way back towards the entrance where we had arranged to meet up with the rest of our group, passing the Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden on the way.
There was just time for a short browse in the gift and plant shop before boarding our coach for the journey back home.
These are stunning gardens, so well worth a visit.
