Early on the morning of Sunday July 2nd a group of our stalwart men folk gathered at Ernest Morris’s house in Amersham to erect gazebos in his garden for the annual summer lunch.
The rest of us arrived around 12.30 on a beautiful, hot, sunny day. The ladies were in their prettiest summer dresses and the gentlemen in light shirts and trousers, as well as the odd pair of shorts.
There was much chat about the success of the Lions team against the All Blacks in New Zealand the previous day, as well as reminiscences about the very recent and successful CDWS trip to Tenby organised by Jonathan Pegler. There were a few people who were sadly, unable to come at the last minute for various reasons, and they were much missed.
Fifty of us mingled in the garden before being asked to collect our food provided by To Dine For Catering company. A number of very helpful young assistants served the food – a selection of salads, new potatoes, cold beef and salmon en croute with various relishes, and bread and butter. We had brought our own wine and glasses but water was provided on each table and refreshed several times because of the high temperatures. Desserts were equally delicious with a choice of pear meringue and fruit tarts. Later, coffee, tea and chocolates were served at the table.
Before we all departed for home after a very pleasant three hours, our Chairman, Kay Day, thanked the catering company for the delicious lunch they had prepared for us and reminded us of some of the upcoming events of the Chiltern District Welsh Society. Thanks were also given to Ernest for opening up his home and beautiful garden for us to use for this very popular and enjoyable summer event.
Have a good summer everyone and enjoy the Wimbledon Championships, cricket and other outdoor events, particularly if the lovely weather continues!
Rose Alkins
quarters including Nene goose and Laysan teal from Hawaii, and declining species swans and geese from Greenland, Bulgaria and Russia.
A blue plaque marked the house where ‘close friends’ Lord Nelson, Lady Hamilton and Sir Wm Hamilton visited, we were told that any impropriety had been denied by the party at the time!
remain and they face difficulty in recruitment. We were so fortunate to be able to see and hear the monks singing and chanting (surprisingly in English rather than Latin). The Prior – Brother Gildas – a friend of Marion’s, kindly spoke to us of the monastic life on Caldey, where they rise at 3.30am every day! As the Cistercian Order is a silent Order, at least 12 hours a day are spent without conversation whilst at prayer and work.
Marion took us to Picton Castle and its beautiful gardens, where we were privileged to have an exclusive guided tour from the Director himself. A most interesting castle from the 19th century with visits to the Great Hall, White and Gold Room, Library and Lady Philipps’s bedroom, then to the Dining Room where the Queen and other members of the royal family were entertained in 2014.
Our afternoon visit to St David’s Cathedral (always a joy) was so informative, with Marion bringing everything to life, with her knowledge and enthusiasm. St David’s has been a place of worship, prayer and pilgrimage since the 12th century. The medieval Shrine of St David which was restored and then dedicated on St David’s Day 2012 contains 5 colourful icons including those of St Patrick and St Andrew.
A wonderfully entertaining and informative visit to Carew Cheriton Control Tower. The talks given by the ‘boys’ with their camaraderie and humour, again brought to life the atmosphere of the RNAS station during WW1 and the later RAF station in WW2. The station was home to airships in WW1, then in 1939 Coastal Command squadrons were engaged on coastal patrol duties and bombing raids along the French coast. In 1942 the airfield also became a Technical Training Radio School until it was disbanded and 
closed in 1945. Most memorably, Reg now aged 91, recounted his service in the RAF followed by singing whilst wearing ‘tin’ hats in the reconstructed bomb shelter.
Some of the party took advantage of an invitation by the Tenby Male Choir to attend one of their rehearsals. They were very impressive, and we learned that they will be travelling to Oxford to perform with the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir next October. Ann Evans presented the choir with a donation and certificate.
With our 5 days almost at an end, a last visit was made to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales at Llanarthne. The gardens setting is perfect; however, the temperature had dropped and light rain was the order of the day!! We were treated to a Falconry display and most of us were able to wear a gauntlet and have a falcon or hawk land on our arm to snatch its food.