Clifton Hampden & Burcot
Women's Institute
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80th anniversary celebrations
March 19th 2026 saw our 80th anniversary celebration which was a most exciting evening. There was a 1946 post war theme in which we looked back 80 years and saw how fashion has changed. Our meeting started at 7.30pm with speakers Lyn Mistry and Jenny Storey who spoke on the theme of Forties Fashion. While some members dressed for the occasion in forties style, we enjoyed the company of our many guests who enriched the meeting by wearing their costumes redolent of the times. The evening finished off with the cutting of a cake followed by tea and sandwiches.
Boats, Sheep, Ships and films, an interview with Michael Byard
On 16th April we enjoyed a fascinating evening witnessing Anni Byard interview Michael, her father, who has had a interesting life. Michael was born in Lymington where he learned to swim and thought nothing of swimming from Linette, his parent's houseboat, through the railway bridge arches and around to the ferries and back again. As a boy he travelled to Australia as part of the "£10 Poms" scheme where he lived with his parents on a Sheep Station in the Australian Outback. He joined a shipping company and met his wife and made his way back to the UK where he worked for 25 years in passenger shipping, this was followed by being a film extra or supporting artists as they are also known. Michael spent 50 years building a five foot long model of HMS Victory, the flagship of Nelson, equipped with gun ports and life boats, This was featured on BBC.
Garden visit 18 June the CLIFTON HAMPDEN & BURCOT met at 116/118 Oxford Road, Abingdon. We were delighted to welcome our latest member Sophie Stone from Little Baldon.​Members were welcomed by the owners of the gardens the Aylward family who explained the history of the gardens and helped with identification of plants. The gardens not only contain beautiful plants but many quirky items eg old bicycles, mini upright piano, upcycled vintage glassware and wood carvings. After a tour of the garden we sat down to enjoy light refreshments of tea and biscuits.
Garden Party – 16 July
On 16 July, we were delighted to visit the garden of Carole and Matthew Rooke at Riverside Lodge in Burcot.
Despite being in the midst of a heatwave and the associated dry conditions, their garden looked beautiful and was a wonderful setting for our summer gathering. Members enjoyed a selection of cakes, snacks, and drinks generously provided by everyone, while spending a relaxing early evening chatting, catching up with friends, and enjoying the lovely surroundings.
Many thanks to Carole and Matthew for welcoming us into their garden and making the evening such an enjoyable occasion.
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