The Berkshire and Mid Thames and Oxford Groups were delighted to welcome our visitors from Wales as a follow up to a visit made to the Gower peninsula in 2022 by members of the two groups. Our visitors spent the weekend exploring Berkshire and South Oxfordshire as well as visiting two National Trust properties and Gardens.
In addition we were also delighted to be joined by members from Groups as far away as the TransPennines, the West Country and Lincolnshire as well as visitors from London and of course our own members.
The weekend kicked off in sunshine with a fascinating tour of Oxford on Friday led by Andrew Walker who took us on a guided tour of the city pointing out places of interest to our visitors. Andrew offered the walk as a taster for those who wished to return to Oxford and spend more time delving into the various museums and other places of interest such as the Bodleian Library and the Pitt Rivers Museum and for which we did not have the time on this visit. After our walk a number of us went to the Kings Arms pub for light refreshment. Thank you Andrew for leading this walk.
On Saturday morning there were two options. A visit to the National Trust and gardens led by Bill Fuller. This was a popular choice and again the weather was on our side with brilliant sunshine which showed off the gardens to their best. They are expansive and there were plenty of opportunities for members to go off and explore. As usual with NT properties there was a cafe and members were able to sate their thirst and have light refreshments on a warm afternoon. Thanks Bill for leading and organising this visit.
The other option on Saturday was a walk starting in the hamlet of Russells Water in South Oxfordshire. We spent a pleasant morning exploring the bridleways and paths in this beautiful part of the country with extensive views of the woods and fields. And of course at this time of the year there were the sheep and frolicking lambs their voices echoing around the valleys. After the walk we had a lunch at the Cheese Shed in Nettlebed a which produces its own cheese, butter and other organic products. Their cheese toasties were to die for!
On the Saturday evening we had a communal dinner at Cote by the Kennet Canal in central Reading. Always good value and enjoyed by all.
On Sunday there were again two options. Bill Fuller led a walk and visit to Basildon Park National Trust and house. This offered those who wanted to walk the prospect of walking across green pastures and woodlands as well as a visit to one of the Lodge Houses in the Park. The main building was open for a guided tour of the hose and the staff were were only too happy to explain the history and background to the house. The NT cafe again offered light refreshments which were most welcome.
The other option on Sunday was a walk I led in West Berkshire. This is an area of downland with extensive views across to North Hampshire. Despite a somewhat gloomy start we headed out from the village of Chaddleworth passing through fields and the West Berkshire Golf Course where, purely by chance, we encountered a mobile van offering a variety of snacks and drinks including some delicious home made cakes! We continued our circular walk returning to Chaddleworth via the Golf Course again and passing RAF Welford en route. This is a site for a large ammunition store and used solely by the USAF. At the end of the walk a number of our members stopped for Sunday Roast lunch at the Ibex Inn.
And finally our last walk on Monday, which Vas and I jointly led, offered us a circular walk beside the Thames at Henley. Before embarking on this we visited the grave in St Mary's Church Henley of Dusty Springfield. After a couple of miles walking beside the Thames and passing Remenham Weir we gently ascended into the woodlands that overlook this beautiful part of Oxfordshire where bluebells were in bloom. Back in Henley we lunched at the Henley River and Rowing Museum where a couple of members spent some time exploring the museum.
This was our final event of the weekend. Looking ahead I hope we will be able to offer a similar weekend in the future with a mixture of walks, garden visits and possibly other ideas such as a theatre visit to one of our local theatres. Sharing a weekend with another group as we have done works well. It may encourage other groups to do the same.
Thank you to all who took part in the weekend. Bill Fuller and I enjoyed jointly hosting you.
More photos will be found on the various walk and garden reports for the weekend. Commentary is only in this report but it will be linked in the various reports as well.
Kind regards
Simon
