W.I. Newsletter June 2025

It is amazing that it is still possible to find pockets of landscape that are almost timeless, not very many miles from home.  Unfortunately, it was only 13 of our members that enjoyed this month’s meeting on a lovely warm, not too sunny or hot, June afternoon on Summerdown Farm near Oakley, once we all found it, in a small hamlet.  Unfortunately, the postcode given wasn’t specific enough, one vehicle found the correct venue (and sign), the others had to be re-directed and arrived in convoy.   Maybe the rest of our members are still out there looking!

We were met by Laura, who had been our contact, and Ian the farm Manager.  The 3,000 acre Estate, owned by the Coleman Family, is actually located in Malshangar, but there was a rebranding a few years ago as Summerdown in order to grow, and subsequently market, their mint and lavender products.  They use Black Mitcham Peppermint, which is not as easy to grow, or as prolific, as the common spearmint which can be grown successfully in our own gardens, but research indicated that this was the variety needed for flavour and oil production.  Originally grown in Surrey, it had petered out during the War, when more home-grown vegetables were needed, Ian had to source it from America.  Summerdown have their own distillery to produce their oils. 

Ian has been working on the Estate for more than 40 years and in addition to the mint and lavender they also grow other crops and farm with biodiversity in mind.  There are wildflower meadows to encourage all pollinators, not just bees.  Did you know that bees will travel up to a mile from a hive to find a food source and apparently bats navigate by hedge rows?  Summerdown try to ensure that the gaps between them are not too wide, otherwise the bats could get lost.  As you will remember, last summer was very wet, which meant a dearth of butterflies, whilst too early to say, it is hoped that the hot, dry weather this year will result in an increase in numbers.

Most of us walked up to the various fields of mint and vibrant lavender, but a few were taken by car.  We had the chance to sample some mint tea and chocolates – all very delicious and members were given the opportunity to indulge in some retail therapy.

Then it was time to return to the clubhouse for a delicious cream tea, all to the sound of the peacock and peahens in the surrounding garden. At one point the peacock was on the roof.

Due to the very dry summer that we have enjoyed, so far, crops are ripening fast, and the lavender should be harvested the week after our visit, although Ian was keeping his fingers crossed that there were no hailstorms. One year, such a storm destroyed the whole crop.  So demoralising, but as Ian said, that’s farming for you. 

It really was a delightful, enjoyable and informative afternoon.  Thank you to Lynda for organising. 

Earlier in the month our book club had met to discuss their latest read – The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte – a novel ahead of its time.  The coffee morning was well attended and the Walking Group wandered around Whitchurch, alongside and across The Test and then enjoyed a well-earned drink and lunch at The White Hart.  That was a warm day.

Our next meeting is on 31^st July and Paul Stanton, known to many in the village, is our guest speaker, Helicopters: Noisy, Annoying, Never Boring!  This meeting is open to anyone, including any men who may be interested in this subject – don’t be shy, as we have decided to offer cake as part of the refreshments this month.  There will be an entry fee of £5 for non-members.  The meeting starts at 7.30 p.m. and is in the village hall.

We have already started planning for the village fete in September and once again we would be very grateful if any of you lovely readers of this newsletter would like to bake us a cake.  Please deliver to the Village Hall on the morning of the fete – 6^th September – we will be there in the kitchen.

DIARY DATES: