W.I. Newsletter August 2016

It never does any harm to have a break from routine, and as much as we enjoy all things WI some of our regular activities have taken a backseat this month, although we have still managed a lunch and a walk. 

For a change the lunch group met at the beginning of the month, this time at Wyke Down, for which there was a good response and the walking group did a gentle stroll round Amport, finishing for quick bite to eat at The Hawk.

On our calendar in August is usually our summer outing and this year we travelled up the M3 to Syon House, one of the last great houses of London.  It has been in the family of the present owners, the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, for more than 400 years. 

Our party was divided into two groups for our tour of this grand house and our guides were certainly knowledgeable – but some of us were rather overloaded with facts by the time we finished some two hours later.  Nevertheless, after refreshments at the adjacent Wyevale Garden Centre we were able to return and enjoy visiting the first floor bedrooms and inner courtyard garden in our own time. 

The interior was re-modelled by Robert Adam and took us all by surprise.  We learnt about his love of symmetry and some of the tricks he used to create his designs.   The grounds are much smaller than they used to be, much has been sold off, but Capability Brown was employed to create the landscaping.  There is still a lake to walk around and the Great Conservatory to admire, which is quite something.  All the members of staff were so friendly and informative. 

The feedback has been positive and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  It was hard to believe we were barely nine miles from Charing Cross.   Thank you to everyone who joined us on this trip, we couldn’t have done it without you!

Back to normal next month, as we will be in the Village Hall on 29th September and our guest speaker is Atalanta Clifford, but before that we will be busy at the village fete on 3rd September serving refreshments – not too late to make us a cake – PLEASE!   

Diary Dates:

03 September   –              WI Teas at Abbotts Ann Village Fete

08 September   –              Supper Club

10 September   –              Walking Group

13 September   –              Reading Group

29 September   –              Monthly Meeting – 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall – Atalanta Clifford “My Life”

01 October          –              Lunch Club