First gathering since February 2020

Eleven members and wives gathered yesterday at Pamber Priory near Basingstoke to hear a facinating talk by local historian David Cullum about events at the priory.

The Benedictine priory was founded in the early 12th century and became very wealthy in the 13th century. By the 15th century it was in decline and was granted to Eton College by Henry IV. They evicted the monks and pulled down the nave and trancepts. In 1462 Edward IV gave the priory to Queens College Oxford who have looked after it ever since. It remains in use today as a parish church, much smaller than the original extensive buildings.

It was great to see familar faces again as this was the first time we have met outside our regular Zoom meetings and it was good to be inside the cool building on a very hot afternoon for most of the talk. We are now looking forward to resuming our regular group meetings at the bowls club in the near future.