President Jenny Axford began her second year in office with a tea party in the hidden garden of The Hemingford Grey Manor, last Wednesday evening. Eighteen members took their own chairs and drink but the sandwiches, strawberries and cream were assembled a

President Jenny Axford began her second year in office with a tea party in the hidden garden of The Hemingford Grey Manor, last Wednesday evening. Eighteen members took their own chairs and drink but the sandwiches, strawberries and cream were assembled and served by Jenny and assisted by Gillian Brady. After the much appreciated tea party, members were given a conducted tour of the manor by Diana Boston, daughter in law of the late Lucy Boston. Members were amazed at the sight of the beautiful collection of patchwork quilts that had all been made, by hand, over many years by Lucy Boston. The Manor itself is reputedly the oldest continuously inhabited house in England having been built in circa 1130 and most of the Norman house still remains intact. However most of the 18th century extensions were destroyed by fire in 1798. The atmospheric music room echoed of nearly nine centuries of family life and members were enthralled to listen to a record played on the 1930s EMG gramophone, using a bamboo needle, which was reminiscent of the twice weekly gramophone record recitals given by Lucy Boston for locally stationed RAF personnel during the Second World War. Lucy Boston used the house and gardens as the settings for her classical children's Green Knowe books. The attic still contains many of the toys used by the fictional children of the past. The proceeds from the tours, plant sales and gift shop, selling postcards, gifts, crafts and books go towards the preservation of this Grade 1 ancient house and the Lucy Boston garden. The garden displaying topiary coronation and chess pieces, as well as 200 rose bushes, boarders with scented shrubs and herbaceous plants are a delight to wander round. The garden is open daily from 11a.m. - 5p.m. but daily tours of the Manor House, at 2p.m. need to be booked on 01480 463134.

The next meeting of the club will be at the Old Dispensary on September 27 at 7.30pm.