Last day of the season for the church tearoom

Today was the last day of opening of the church tearoom in the 2012 season prior to the winter closure period. I would like to extend my personal thanks to Gill Edmunds and her team for their hard work and dedication over the past few months. Despite being incredibly busy at times, it has been "service-with-a-smile" every time, plus of course the excellent food on offer and the magnificent garden. I hope to see you all again next year - Gill plans to re-open on Wednesday 27th March 2013.

End of season stewarding

It is now the end of October and things are quietening down here at Great Witley, though there were still plenty of people about, especially this afternoon, despite it being a cold and wet day. I was covering for Ruth Butler who, at the moment, is suffering a bout of influenza, but Angela Snow popped in so that I could take a short break for lunch down at the tearoom; fellow steward Lata Taylor also paid a visit in the afternoon. Evensong was at 5 o'clock and the choir began to arrive for practice under the hand of musical director John Jenkin. The clocks have just gone back an hour as a reminder of the long dark winter nights about to descend upon us - roll on next spring !

August Bank Holiday Weekend - The Art Exhibition

Once again Great Witley played host over the Bank Holiday weekend to an exhibition featuring the work of local artists which was organised by Anne Walter and her team. The event spanned the whole weekend and on the Sunday at least, several hundred visitors flocked to the church to see the impressive display.

Part of the display of artwork in the sanctuary



Rita Phillips fom Stourport on Severn exhibited several of her works in the nave of the church

Anne Walter (centre) and her team who organised the event

Outside the church a pottery demonstration was organised

Mort Stone Archaeological Excavation

Northwag members in the churchyard prior to the dig commencing

Measuring and recording prior to the mort stone leaving the trench

Inscription on the mort stone after it was excavated

Today, members of North Worcestershire Archaeology Group, ably led by Rod Sproat, assembled in the churchyard in order to excavate the old mort stone prior to its possible relocation fairly soon. A most interesting dig then took place resulting in some fascinating discoveries of a quite unexpected nature. Needless to say a couple of new recruits were enlisted to the group.

Witley Court Society - next meeting

The Witley Court Society

Registered Charity no: 1001400

Founded at the Great Witley Parish Church Tearooms

on the 16^th June 2012.

Chairman: Mark Brown

Secretary: David Pagett

Treasurer & journal editor: Rod Sproat

Membership Secretary: Sally Ludlow

Quarterly Meeting to be held at the Hundred House, Great Witley on Thursday 6^th September 2012 at 20.00 hours.

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence.
2. Chairman's welcome and address.
3. Minutes from the July 2012 meeting.
4. Secretary's report
5. Treasurer's report – financial situation. Distribution of the latest journal.
6. General discussion with regards to future W.C.S. activities, viz: membership matters, web site, material for future journals, archives & research, publicity, speakers, visits, Worcestershire Local History Forum, affiliations, exhibition stands, displays, logo's etc.
7. Witley Churches Fete – Saturday 8^th September 2012.
8. Recent archaeological activities at Witley church.
9. A.O.B.

David Pagett, Secretary

Sunday 5th August 2012 - Harlaxton Manor, Grantham

The plinth in the grotto upon which stood the statue of the woman and child when it was at Witley Court

General view of the grotto



Statue of the woman and child

One of the smaller lions which carry shields bearing the coat-of-arms of the Ward family

Another visit to Harlaxton Manor nr. Grantham, Lincs., the residence of several pieces of statuary originally at Witley Court until 1938. The grotto at the rear of the building is now nearing completion of its rebuild following a subsidence problem. The bronze lions have been temporarily removed from their plinths at the entrance gates for restoration purposes but all other items remains in place.

"The Hive", Worcester

View to the west overlooking Croft Road railway viaduct and the River Severn from the picture windows of the third floor public library.

This is the second floor showing a section of The Hive where family history research may be undertaken, a facility formerly located in the Trinity Street complex, and many years ago in St Helen's Church in the High Street. There is now a vast repository of research material located here. The former County Hall Records Office section is located just to the left of this picture. Much of the new facilities are open seven days-a-week.

Just a small part of the massive new public library complex which occupies the whole of the third floor of the building.

Today I payed a first visit to the new facilities in Worcester collectively known as "The Hive". This new faculty brings together a range of cultural and administrative services under one roof in a brand new multi-million pound custom-built complex. The facilities on offer are extremely impressive with the emphasis on a wide range of state-of-the-art I.T. equipment, free wi-fi access, together with archaeological services, and the facilities formerly located at Trinity Street and the County Records office. The library itself is huge and covers the whole of the third floor. The lower floors contain facilities aimed at younger people. The building is spacious and air-conditioned with toilets on each floor and is fully accessible for the less able-bodied. There is also an excellent cafe serving a good range of food and drinks. Highly recommended for researchers, historians and for those who just like to sit and read or borrow books and music.