Four Parishes Arts Society - October 2007

On a lovely sunny Sunday, 12 August, members and friends of the Society enjoyed an excellent Alfresco lunch by courtesy of David and Rhoda Bucknill in their lovely garden at The Grange, Grateley.

A marquee was set up the day before, ostensibly to keep the rain off, but instead we were in luck and the sun shone!

The lunch was organised and undertaken by the committee of the Four Parishes Arts Society who presented a real feast.  The lovely variety of food was well cooked by volunteers who manned the four barbeques, the youngest being 16 years of age. The main course was followed with a tasty variety of sweets, all made by the committee.  After coffee, the Chairman, Sue Ryan, presented Rhoda and David with a beautiful bouquet of flowers to show our appreciation to them for opening their garden and making the day so enjoyable and pleasant.

Tuesday, 11 September – AGM and Talk by Rhoda Bucknill – “Wherwell Abbey”

Rhoda gave a very interesting and in-depth look at the history of Wherwell Abbey.  The Abbey and remains can no longer be seen.  There is a plaque commemorating the site, but this is behind a gate on private ground.

Wherwell Abbey was built by Queen Æelfthryth (Elfrida) in AD986 in atonement for killing her first husband, Æethelwold, to marry King Edgar the Peaceful, and then for arranging the death of  her stepson Edward the Martyr to make way for her own son Ethelred.  After the Norman Conquest, Matilda de Bailleul from St. Omer in France became Abbess of the Convent.  In later years, she was joined by her niece, Euphemia, who became Abbess on her death.  Both Matilda and Euphemia were Abbesses for forty years.  Euphemia did much to restore the Abbey.