Annual Gathering - Shrewsbury

Our evening swung into action with a meet-and-greet reception in the Darwin Suite and the chance to browse round Ray and Colin’s tempting selection of books for sale, then down to the Royalist Restaurant for a wonderful buffet supper.

The evening’s entertainment, ably hosted by Mike McGarry, included an illustrated round-up of the past year’s events, plus the photographic competition, but I suspect the highlight for many was a spoof version of Star Wars, starring members of the Saville Society.

Saturday saw one party set off by coach for a guided walk around Ludlow. The others took the train to Craven Arms. The line from Shrewsbury to Marshbrook (‘Onnybrook’ in the Lone Pine books) is the one the Mortons travelled on their first visit to Witchend. An energetic walk from Craven Arms to Onibury (another inspiration for Onnybrook) and back, meeting up with the Ludlow group at the Secret Hills Discovery Centre.

We lunched here on a splendid selection of sandwiches, savouries, cakes and fruit before travelling back to Shrewsbury by train or coach. In the evening, we enjoyed a formal ‘fabulous feast’ at the Prince Rupert, followed by the presentation of awards and the dreaded Malcolm Saville Quiz, which certainly gave our brain cells a workout!

Sunday dawned bright and sunny again – we really were lucky with the weather over the weekend – and the morning was taken up by the AGM.

Sunday afternoon we drove out to Hamperley Farm (the model for Ingles Farm in the books), on the lower slopes of the beautiful Long Mynd.

Hamperley’s owner, Chris Foulkes, accompanied by Sally the dog, kindly walked us round his fields and woods, showing us the newly set hedges and the new born lambs, We saw the pond he had made, and heard about his plans for attracting more wildlife. We were even lucky enough to go inside the farmhouse – now being renovated – and see the kitchen where Mrs Ingles welcomed the Twins and was often busy with her cooking.

At teatime, there was another treat in store. We walked down the lane to Cwm Head, where Malcolm Saville used to attend the Church of St Michael and All Angels when he stayed at Cwm Head House. The lovely little church was decorated with spring flowers, and local residents welcomed us in to a magnificent home made tea; sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, Hamperley sausages on sticks, and iced cakes that were almost too pretty to eat. As we filled the pews, one of ladies played the harmonium, and we enjoyed the music, warmth and friendliness as well as the delicious food. Altogether, a very happy Gathering. Thanks to all who organized it, and helped to make it special.