All CAW meetings are enjoyable, but this one even more so. We were welcomed by Felicity Bayne who “retired” from St Peter’s to serve at Glenfall, the diocesan retreat and conference centre on the slope of the Cotswolds above Battledown. Husband David was also there. The programme began with the 30 of us divided into 2 groups, to start with one to tour the house with Felicity, the other to tour the gardens with David and then vice versa. There weren’t many takers for the 2nd garden tour in the rain.
The Glenfall site was originally occupied by a
timber framed house, but over the years with changes in
ownership this was replaced by the grand building we see now which at one
time was owned and enlarged by,
among others, the Mitchell brewing family (M&B). Their improvements included
an Arts and Craft library and other features, by Ernest Gimson and Peter Waals,
and a fully developed terraced garden.
How did the Church of England acquire it? By Acts of God it seems. By 1990 the community of Benedictine nuns, which had moved to Glenfall from Leyland Abbey earlier in the 20th Cent, was down to 4 ladies, who judged it time to leave, and did so with a suitcase each. Then there was much help from a legacy of £600,000 to which a condition was that it should be used for a specific purpose. So here it is, open to all to enjoy the benefits of retreats, solitary or in company, or to make use of the various rooms, which include a chapel and a crypt chapel. You can even stay there on a Bed and Breakfast basis for £25 a night.
To end we had the peace of
Compline , led by Felicity. A
perfect end to a beautiful and uplifting event.
Mark 6:30-32 encapsulates the idea of a retreat.
Thank you once again Felicity, and David, and all who look
after Glenfall and its visitors.
David Long.
CAW Report of Parish Walk on 22 June
2010
Nine of us met at the Colesbourne Inn for a fairly leisurely walk to be
followed by a meal at the
As the weather was brilliantly sunny and clear (as well as warm) and the way
was mainly on the Cotswold plateau we were able to enjoy very fine views of the
scenery. Birds were most conspicuous
by song rather than sight, especially Yellowhammers.
The meal was well cooked traditional dishes, served in the dining room. It
is a pity that some of the walking “regulars” were unable to make it this
time. Better luck next year.
David Long