Sunday 23 May 2010
Crossing the Threshold
You are invited to attend the Second National Conference focussing on a community development approach to the use of Church buildings.
July 2010 Meeting
In the relaxed life of the Hampshire Rural Group,
an Invitation to a Ramble ...
Tuesday 6th July, 11.30am until 3.00pm, Beauworth
This is an opportunity to accompany gamekeeper Julian France as he walks and talks us around his demesne on Shorley Farm, Beauworth with its four woods and the source of the River Itchen.
This is not only about how shoots are prepared for and organised but the relationship of a gamekeeper to the land and its woods. There will be time enough to put to Julian our many questions – dialogue rather than lecture. By paying attention to how he sees and works in the countryside we may learn to appreciate the rural scene better – and our own parishes.
It will be helpful to know who is coming as we shall walk in a group and once we have started it will be difficult for latecomers to find us. Please let me know if you intend coming: Martin Coppen 01264 738308 email: revd.coppen@dsl.pipex.com . For the walk I will have my mobile on in case of need to contact: 07884 014 245.
We are very grateful for the encouragement of Dr Alexandra Clarke, the Rector of the Upper Itchen Benefice, for this visit and look forward to meeting her.
Shorley Farm is north of Beauworth village, south of the A272. At the crossroads on the A272 signed Cheriton and Beauworth, turn towards the latter. Take the first turning on the left, around the gamekeeper’s house with tall chimneys, and rendezvous outside the farm buildings on the right up the lane.
Points to note:
• The visit will go ahead whatever the weather. If necessary there will be a sheltered place near our cars to stop for lunch.
• There are no toilets on the walk – only au naturel.
• Bring your own lunch AND drink.
• We may well walk 3-4 miles in total, though not at great pace.
• It may be damp or muddy in places and certainly will be uneven.
• Meet at 11.30am at SU 579 266, on the lane to Shorley Farm. Parking is on hard-standings outside the farm buildings on the right about 300 yds from the junction with the lane to Beauworth village.
• We will drive from there to park outside Beauworth Church for the short final service finishing 3.00pm.
• New members always welcome, do invite someone you think might be interested.
• Details about Hampshire Rural Group are on http://www.hantsrural.org.uk/ .
THOSE who delight in roaming about amongst the fields and lanes, or have spent any time in a country house, can hardly have failed to notice the custodian of the woods and covers, or to observe that he is often something of a ‘ character.’
The Gamekeeper forms, indeed, so prominent a figure in rural life as almost to demand some biographical record of his work and ways. From the man to the territories over which he bears sway—the meadows, woods, and streams —and to his subjects, their furred and feathered inhabitants, is a natural transition.
The enemies against whom he wages incessant warfare—vermin, poachers, and trespassers—must, of course, be included in such a survey. ... The facts here collected are really entirely derived from original observation.
R. J.
an Invitation to a Ramble ...
Tuesday 6th July, 11.30am until 3.00pm, Beauworth
This is an opportunity to accompany gamekeeper Julian France as he walks and talks us around his demesne on Shorley Farm, Beauworth with its four woods and the source of the River Itchen.
This is not only about how shoots are prepared for and organised but the relationship of a gamekeeper to the land and its woods. There will be time enough to put to Julian our many questions – dialogue rather than lecture. By paying attention to how he sees and works in the countryside we may learn to appreciate the rural scene better – and our own parishes.
It will be helpful to know who is coming as we shall walk in a group and once we have started it will be difficult for latecomers to find us. Please let me know if you intend coming: Martin Coppen 01264 738308 email: revd.coppen@dsl.pipex.com . For the walk I will have my mobile on in case of need to contact: 07884 014 245.
We are very grateful for the encouragement of Dr Alexandra Clarke, the Rector of the Upper Itchen Benefice, for this visit and look forward to meeting her.
Shorley Farm is north of Beauworth village, south of the A272. At the crossroads on the A272 signed Cheriton and Beauworth, turn towards the latter. Take the first turning on the left, around the gamekeeper’s house with tall chimneys, and rendezvous outside the farm buildings on the right up the lane.
• The visit will go ahead whatever the weather. If necessary there will be a sheltered place near our cars to stop for lunch.
• There are no toilets on the walk – only au naturel.
• Bring your own lunch AND drink.
• We may well walk 3-4 miles in total, though not at great pace.
• It may be damp or muddy in places and certainly will be uneven.
• Meet at 11.30am at SU 579 266, on the lane to Shorley Farm. Parking is on hard-standings outside the farm buildings on the right about 300 yds from the junction with the lane to Beauworth village.
• We will drive from there to park outside Beauworth Church for the short final service finishing 3.00pm.
• New members always welcome, do invite someone you think might be interested.
• Details about Hampshire Rural Group are on http://www.hantsrural.org.uk/ .
Richard Jefferies’ first book of rural description was The Gamekeeper at Home (1878). It’s a book of essays which grew out of his own experience and observation of a gamekeeper local to Coate (now on the very edges of greater Swindon), where he grew up. The Preface, Title and Contents pages indicate how he ordered the material. It was a very successful book in its day and is still in print.
from the PREFACE
THOSE who delight in roaming about amongst the fields and lanes, or have spent any time in a country house, can hardly have failed to notice the custodian of the woods and covers, or to observe that he is often something of a ‘ character.’
The Gamekeeper forms, indeed, so prominent a figure in rural life as almost to demand some biographical record of his work and ways. From the man to the territories over which he bears sway—the meadows, woods, and streams —and to his subjects, their furred and feathered inhabitants, is a natural transition.
The enemies against whom he wages incessant warfare—vermin, poachers, and trespassers—must, of course, be included in such a survey. ... The facts here collected are really entirely derived from original observation.
R. J.
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