Our speaker at the W.I. this month Andrew Negus (no relation to Arthur) is obviously passionate about history and in particular the City of Salisbury. A teacher by profession, he had our members and visitors enthralled as, with the aid of slides, he brought to life the early settlement located on Bishopsdown Ridge at Old Sarum. He explained that during its long history it has had various names, including Sorviodunum, Searoburh and Sarisberie. With Andrew’s graphic descriptions, it was easy to imagine how crowded, noisy and smelly the settlement became and hence the need to find something else more accommodating.
The Cathedral that we know and love today was the beginning of the second city and was completed in 38 years. Much to Andrew’s abhorrence the spire was added some 100 years later and he dislikes it intensely. He is on a one-man mission to get it removed -sssh don’t tell him, but I suspect he is not going to win that argument. Strange, as for most of his audience, it is the sight of the spire as we approach the city that we love the most.
The new City was planned on a grid system. The proximity of the royal Clarendon Palace a couple of miles east of Salisbury, together with the confluence of several rivers and major roads, ensured its success. However, it was at this point that Andrew drew his talk to a close, stating this was the end of Part One! No doubt he will be asked to return with Part Two at a later date!
Once again we have had a busy month, although our walking group was down to three it didn’t deter us, we had a gentle stroll around Amport and ate at The Hawk. However, there was a large group at the White Lion in Wherwell for Supper Club and after a break of several months the Lunch Club gathered at the Poplar Farm.
Our summer outing is to Syon House – the London home of the Duke & Duchess of Northumberland. If anyone is interested in joining us on this trip, then the cost is £24 to include entry and coach – please contact Sharon King for more information.
Our next meeting is our AGM and we will also be discussing the two resolutions which will be voted on at the National AGM in Brighton in June. It is usually a more informal meeting with more time to chat, so please do come along and meet us – 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall on the 26th May.
Diary Dates:
10 May – Reading Group
10 May – Coffee Morning
12 May – Supper Club
14 May – Walking Group
26 May – Monthly Meeting – 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall – AGM & Resolutions
28 May – Lunch Club
