The Summer Lunch returned to Ernest Morris’s home in Chesham Bois this year on Sunday 5th July
On the Saturday afternoon we erected the gazebos. There were only 4 of us this year, with Rose Edwards joining Colin Thomas, Lloyd Jones and David Powell to do the preparation.
Ernest’s garden was looking lovely with a large well-kept lawn to spread out on.
It was quite warm and we had difficulty preventing Ernest from doing the heavy lifting, but we managed to complete the task and get all the tables and chairs out before 6pm.
We then hoped that a stray wind wouldn’t blow them all down, as the catering tent needed quite a few running repairs.
Ann Tenant’s team arrived early on Sunday morning to prepare the food and dress the tables, and by 12:30 all was ready for the guests to arrive.
The weather was just right, warm with some clouds and a slight breeze.
This was a chance to catch up with old friends and quite a few new members too, and some people started reading the newsletters that were distributed among the tables.
Fewer people had signed up this year, with only 4 tables being needed, and by 1pm we were getting worried as not everyone had arrived yet, but as food was served, the remainder arrived – all apart from poor Jayne Pegler who had the day wrong!
Ann Evans welcomed everyone and thanked Ernest for the use of his garden, Kay Day for arranging the catering and the gazebo team for their hard work.
The food was lovely as usual, with ham, salmon, chicken and different salads. A wide range of desserts were on offer and it being Ann Tenant’s team – there were lots available to go back for seconds!
We have had the gazebo that we use as the catering tent for probably 15 years, but it was showing its age today, with one leg none too straight! Still, it had served us well for many years.
As the afternoon progressed, the clouds disappeared and the temperature started to rise, causing some on the sunnier side of the gazebo to transfer to the shadier spots of the garden.
Soon Ann was thanking everyone for coming and she presented Ernest with a bottle of wine as thanks for his hospitality.
As the tables were cleared we had quite a few volunteers to help put away the tables, chairs and gazebos as the temperature continued to rise.
Another successful Summer Lunch – thanks to all those who made it such an enjoyable day.
On Thursday the 18th June a number of the Chiltern District Welsh Society were treated to an historical and archaeological walk around Hodgemoor Woods led by Nigel Rothwell and his wife Janet.
Walking through the woods we were at the edge of the Parish of Seer Green. In the Domesday Book Seer Green was recorded as a detached woodland portion of the Manor of Farnham (later Farnham Royal). The land was governed by a companion of William the Conqueror, Bertram de Verdun. This is where a Welsh connection comes in. De Verdun was also a Marcher Lord!
The tour was very informative and full of surprising insights into life in Amersham during Tudor times. We also discovered the origins of many everyday expressions that originated in that period.
We met again with the three other women. One was the Wise Woman, who sold herbs and potions for medicinal purposes. She trod a fine line between providing a health service and being accused of witchcraft. Life was hard for most people and meat was a luxury. A family meal might be a pot of vegetables with a very small portion of meat. It was “pot luck” for whoever pulled out a ladleful with the piece of meat in it.
The Martyr’s Memorial was a poignant reminder of harsher times. Their crime was to read the Bible in English, an act seen as a challenge to the authority of the Church and its bishops. They were burned at the stake, with the daughter of the first victim made to light the fire. Ironically, within less than a century English language bibles were to be found in all Anglican churches. A play about those events is held every four or so years in Amersham, and for those that haven’t seen it, preparations have already begun for the next performance in 2027. Well worth seeing.
We all met at Milton’s Cottage at 10am on Friday 10th October. Most of us arrived early and, as the weather was good gathered in the garden.
Milton took refuge from the plague in London by escaping to this cottage in 1665, and, although he lived here for less than two years, wrote his most famous work Paradise Lost and began Paradise Regained, whilst living here with his third wife.
We then walked down the hill to the parish church of Chalfont St Giles. Here we met our guide Tony Ferguson, who is not only an author and speaker, but also a member of the St Giles watch, which helps to ensure that the church remains open to visitors.
One of the most striking features of the church is a set of 14th century wall paintings depicting scenes from the bible. These were discovered and revealed by the Victorians, but about 20 years ago suffered damage as a result of thieves taking lead from the roof.
The advance party arrived at 9:30am to put up the gazebos in Ann Evans’ lovely garden, and as there were only 4 of us and we were dealing with a new gazebo, it took a bit longer than expected.
It was lovely to meet with old friends again. In total there were 33 of us, and, after mingling and greeting everyone, we chose which of the four tables to sit at.
provided us with a choice of chicken or salmon salads (or a combination of the two), and a wide array of desserts.
After the meal Kay Day thanked Ann Tennant for the lovely food and Ann Evans for coming to the rescue at the last moment with the offer to host the event.
We had a great turnout for our AGM on Friday 9th May. There must have been 55 people attending.
Chairman Gwyndaf John opened proceedings by welcoming everyone and saying that we had apologies from another 17. He said that as this was a special occasion, marking the 25th anniversary of the Society the celebration would be free and we would look back over the first 25 years since the Society’s creation. As he spoke, there was a slide show on the screen behind him showing photographs of our events over the 25 years – approximately 1,000 photographs!
Sue Jones then proposed a vote of thanks to past and present committee members.
Bob Ford then spoke about his time as chairman, and the 2004 trip to visit the Norwegian Welsh Society.
the organisers who had arranged outings, golf days and trips and all our committee members (giving special thanks to Jonathan Pegler and Maldwyn Pugh).
UK staff used to use Walther PPK pistols, but changed to bulkier Smith & Wesson revolvers after an incident when the automatic pistol jammed. Lloyd described the care and maintenance of the weapons and the firing practise that they undertook.
This year Ann Evans hosted the event at her house, The Tuft, in Chesham Bois. This was the original location for Christmas Drinks in the earlier years, until the Society became too large.
many of our favourite carols.
It was a very joyful occasion, and our thanks go to Ann for hosting the event again, Ann Tennant for the lovely canapes and to Kay for organising the event.