Visit to Hemingford Grey Manor

On 16th May a party of members from The Arts Society Woburn Area visited Hemingford Grey village.

Following refreshments at The Coffee Shop the group walked the short distance to the 900 year old Manor House, the oldest, continuously inhabited house in the country where a very interesting tour of the house was conducted by Mrs Diana Boston, the home owner.

The house was the home of children's author, Lucy Boston who was also a renowned patchwork quilter and many of her beautiful works remain to be seen in the house. Hemingford Manor was built in the 12th Century, and has been much modified since – partly as a result of a fire in the 18th century.  Some of the really old features remain such as the unusual window at the back of the house.

The author Lucy Boston created the garden and there were numerous examples of yew apiary, shaped to resemble crowns and coronets on one side, and chest pieces on the other. 

The Gallery photos taken by Paddy O’Donnell during the visit include a small piece of her patch work and other items of interest – the clock, and the amazing old wind up gramophone, still functioning, which used to entertain the military when they came during the war to listen to gramophone recitals of music played on 12 inch 78s - remember them ? ......And finally – a shot of boats passing on the Great Ouse which runs so close to her front gate.

Thank you to Hemingford Grey WI for providing a delicious buffet lunch in the village hall and afternoon tea to finish off a very enjoyable day.