FRA visit to Exbury Gardens 16th June 2015 – report
A last minute decision to postpone the trip to Exbury on 14th May, due to the anticipated poor weather, was met with sighs of relief for those who had booked to join the trip. Exbury Gardens is not a venue to visit on a day of continuous heavy rain! With the reluctant decision having also been taken to cancel the Barrow Boys and Bankers trip to London on 16th June due to lack of sufficient numbers, it was decided to insert the Exbury outing in its place. A few of those who had booked for the original date were unable to attend, so it was a small party of just 14 souls (quality if not quantity!) who boarded the single TVCS minibus for a leisurely trip through the New Forest to the splendour of Exbury Gardens.
Most gratifyingly, whilst the azaleas were no longer at their best, there were still sufficient rhododendrons and other species in bloom to make the visit worthwhile – and it did mean the Gardens were significantly less crowded than they would have been in May. The entrance charge was also lower than in May, ensuring that the trip still covered its costs, despite the empty seats in the minibus. And the sun shone throughout the day, which was a major relief! A smooth ride on the steam train around the summer garden, and a lovely stroll through the extensive gardens to the riverside, were accompanied by several chances for conversation during stops for refreshments in Eddy’s Cafe. A lovely day enjoyed by all, and well worth being retained in the programme of trips for the year, despite the very late change of date.
Thanks go to John and Hazel for having suggested and investigated the trip, which they were unfortunately unable to enjoy themselves.
Dick Hewett
The Friends of Romsey Abbey AGM report
The AGM was well attended by the members and we also welcomed the Town Mayor of Romsey and the Mayor of Test Valley, who are our Honorary Vice Presidents. The Chairman, John Twigg, gave a vote of thanks to the retiring Vice Chairman, Rev. John Clarke and thanked him for all his support and hard work. The new Vice Chairman is Roger Rowe, who is also Membership Secretary. Dick Hewett has taken on the Chair of the Events Committee. All the Trustees were thanked for their support and work during the past year.
Rev Canon Tim Sledge introduced our speaker: The Rt Revd. Geoffrey Rowell who had been the third Bishop in Europe from 2001 to 2013. He is currently Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Chichester. During his talk he gave the Friends an insight into some of the challenges and joys he experienced during his work as Bishop of Gibraltar. Many of these challenges due to the vastly different cultures and ethnic backgrounds of the churches under his care which stretched from Gibraltar to Kazakhstan and included Christian communities from France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Eastern Europe and Northwest Europe. Following his talk the Bishop answered a number of questions.
Thanking him for a most enlightening talk John Twigg said he was sure few present had any idea of the challenging role played by the Bishop of Gibraltar both in theological and diplomatic skills prior to this evening.
The Friends of Romsey Abbey are 345 strong, made up of people who love and support the Abbey. Recent visits include Bletchley Park and a cruise on the Basingstoke Canal. Coming up we have a three day visit to York and a day out to Wimborne. There are regular Coffee Mornings, talks and an Annual Dinner at Berties. If you are interested in becoming a Friend then please contact John Twigg the Chairman, 01794 521966 or Jill Hall, Secretary 02380 731640 or email office@romseyabbeyfriends.org
Launch of Liz Hallett’s book “Romsey Abbey. The first 1100 years”
Liz Hallett has written a new history of the Abbey which she has called “Romsey Abbey the First 1100 Years”. It is a chronological account of the story of the Nunnery and Parish Church from 907 to 2015.
Liz is holding a book launch including a short talk on Saturday 6th June at 10.30am in the Church Rooms (coffee available). Books, normally costing £15, will be on sale at a special price of £13.50 at the launch – and also if you do not have a copy already of Judy Walker’s history, you can buy the two books at a special price of £27 (instead of £30). The new book will subsequently be available on the book stall in the Abbey and all profits will go to Abbey funds.
Bishop Geoffrey Rowell’s talk at the Friends’ AGM 2nd June 2015
Please find attached a recording of the talk given by Bishop Geoffrey Rowell
(link opens in a new window)
FRA Final Trustees Report and Accounts 2014-2015
Dear Members
Please find attached our Annual Report and Accounts which have been approved by your Trustees and will now be submitted to the Charities Commission. You might like to bring them with you to our AGM next week if you have any questions concerning them.
Best wishes
Roger Rowe
Vice-Chairman
Friends of Romsey Abbey
FRA Final Trustees Report and Accounts 2014-2015
FRA report 2014-15
Our AGM is taking place on June 2nd at 7.30pm in the Abbey. We are making all the documentation available online to minimise the amount of printing needed. This download contains the agenda and all the reports apart from the Trustees’ Report and the Accounts. These will be put on the website when they have been approved by the Trustees.
The speaker is The Rt Revd. Geoffrey Rowell, speaking about his unique ministry as Bishop of Europe 2001-2013.
Please click on the link below to download a pdf of the report.
If you have any problems, please let us know by sending an email to office@romseyabbeyfriends.org and we will reply back as soon as we can.
FRA Abbey Talk – “The Vicars of Romsey”
On Friday 6th March, The Friends of Romsey Abbey had a very interesting and intriguing talk by Liz Hallett, about the Vicars of Romsey. We heard about fascinating characters, the influence of the nuns and changes to the Abbey over the years.
A religious community was established on the site in the 10th century but the first vicar, Nicholas de Botelstan was not appointed until in 1334. The Abbey went through periods of prosperity, suppression and neglect; however it was not demolished at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, as it contained a church within a church, a section dedicated to St Lawrence and used solely by the town.
The fact that the Abbey survives so well today was due to three Victorian Vicars who set about restoring it to some of its original glory, The Hon and Revd Gerard Noel 1841-1851, the Revd Charles Avery Moore 1855-1860 and Revd Edward Lyon Berthon 1860-1892. The latter oversaw huge improvements including a heating system, the north transept roof, a new nave ceiling and new windows.
At the end of the talk Liz showed us a gallery of photographs including two of three vicars, unusually all in one photograph. The older photograph shows, from left to right, Revd Andrew Robertson, Canon James Cooke-Yarborough and Canon Corbin.
The modern photograph is Canon Neil Crawford Jones, our present vicar, Revd Canon Tom Sledge and Revd David Sherlock.
Click on the “Play” button below to listen to the talk.
Or you can download if from Dropbox here
The Friends of Romsey Abbey, already 350 strong, is made up of people who love and support the Abbey. Future visits include a cruise on the Basingstoke Canal and a visit to London, Barrow Boys and Bankers. There are regular Coffee Mornings, talks and an Annual Dinner at Berties. If you are interested in becoming a Friend then please contact John Twigg the Chairman, 01794 521966 or Jill Hall, Secretary 02380 731640 or email office@romseyabbeyfriends.org