The Friends ‘Bottle Tombola’ at Abbey Christmas Fair

Romsey Abbey’s Christmas Fair is a major fundraising event for the Abbey, fully supported by the Friends, who manage the highly successful Bottle Tombola stall.  Bottles are donated weeks beforehand, by members of the Friends and the wider Abbey congregation.  This year a fantastic 226 Bottles were donated.

A very big ‘thankyou’ from the Friends Organising Team

The Tombola stall was managed by Colin and Rosemary Davis and supported by Friends members.  Their efforts resulted in a wonderful £540 for Abbey funds!!  Overall, the Christmas Fair raised £5500 for the Abbey.

Our picture shows our Romsey MP Caroline Nokes with Celia Rowe, trying her luck at winning a bottle.

Ken Gibson

Friends of Romsey Abbey

Romsey Abbey Friends Visit to the Weald and Downland Living Museum

At the beginning of August, a group of Romsey Abbey Friends visited the Weald and Downland Living Museum. It was a thoroughly absorbing and interesting day. The Museum is set in a 40-acre site and has a collection of traditional rural buildings, which tell the stories of the people who lived and worked in them for over 1,000 years.

During the day there were demonstrations of traditional carpentry, working oxen and horses, millers, blacksmiths as well as many crafts on display, including lace and hat making in felt.

We sampled the wares of Tudor cooking and ate locally sourced food in the café overlooking the lake. The picturesque setting, good company and the sunshine all added up to a very enjoyable day.

The Friends enjoy The Kennet and Avon Canal to Bath

It’s difficult to imagine a more glorious day out, than cruising the Kennet and Avon Canal from Bradford-on-Avon to Bath.

Boarding a luxury coach in Church Place, Romsey, 45 members of the Friends enjoyed a panoramic view of the Hampshire and Wiltshire countryside on the journey to Bradford-on-Avon, to join our Narrowboat the ‘John Rennie’.

The “John Rennie” is Bath’s and the South West’s most exclusive and luxurious floating restaurant boat on the K&A canal. 

http://www.bath-narrowboats.co.uk/john-rennie-restaurant-boat

Once under way coffee was served at the tables, followed by a delicious two-course lunch cooked and served by the onboard Chef and his team.

Members also enjoyed a ‘lively Quiz’, covering Canal wildlife and flowers, Cathedrals and Music.

Our thanks to Colin and Rosemary Davis who organised and managed the whole trip, which was taken at a gentle speed and lasted from 11.00am to our arrival at Bath at 3.00pm.

If you would like to experience a Friends trip this year, please click on the link for full information.

https://www.romseyabbeyfriends.org/files/2018/02/FRA-events-2018-summary.pdf

Ken Gibson

The Friends of Romsey Abbey 

Friends’ delightful day trip to the Seaside at Swanage

A day at the seaside which includes a steam train ride, sunshine, wind and the occasional downpour is a quintessential British way to spend the day.

Twenty-three members of Friends travelled to the Swanage Railway in Dorset and alighted at Norden Station to board the 10.40am steam train to Swanage. Pulled by steam locomotive BR 2-6-4 T Class 4MT – No. 80106, a gleaming black steam engine built in the 1950’s for commuter and suburban services.

The 25-minute journey took in some wonderful scenery and of course dramatic views of Corfe Castle. Upon arrival at Swanage, the Party enjoyed a welcome cup of coffee at the Station Buffet, courtesy of the Friends Team.

The Party had plenty of free time in Swanage to view the sights including, the stunning ocean views at Peveril Point and of course the brand-new RNLI Building and Life Boat.

After lunch, the Party caught the 14.00hrs steam train back to Norden Station, with half the Party alighting at Corfe Castle Station to visit the Castle and enjoy afternoon tea.
A wonderful trip thoroughly enjoyed by all of the Friends!!

Reporter Ken Gibson