There was a little chill in the air when we met for one of our outings of the year. After the last one to Hyde Hall which had to be cancelled, there was also some trepidation. However the new coach company had provided a coach with Liam the driver who seemed very pleasant. 46 of us made ourselves comfortable on the coach and away we went. Liam did not go on the motorways so we went through the beautiful countryside always a treat.
We went first to Millets Farm, which had a wonderful farm shop displaying mouth -watering produce, where several people who had succumbed to temptation came out with many purchases. Webbs Garden Centre, where lovely plants and gifts were displayed, also proved very popular. By then many people headed to the cafeteria where they chose to have a coffee or a snack. Promptly at one o’clock everyone was on the coach where we then proceeded to Buscot Park. The entrance to the Park was very narrow but Liam skilfully drove the coach through.
Buscot Park is the home of the Henderson family. The present Lord Faringdon with his eldest son James and his wife Lucinda, look after the property on behalf of the National Trust as well as the family collection of pictures, furniture, ceramics and objects d’art known as the Faringdon Collection which is displayed in the house.The house was built between 1780 and 1783 for a local landowner Edward Loveden Townsend. The estate was purchased in 1889 by Lord Faringdon’s great-grandfather, a financier of exceptional skill and ability who in 1916, who greatly enlarged the house and laid the foundation for the Faringdon Collection. The family together with the National Trust continue to add to the collection and also to keep the gardens and grounds in good order. Many people commented on the cosy feeling of the house and how they could live their comfortably. Very little rain fell and everyone enjoyed themselves. Promptly at four o’clock everyone was on the coach ready for the journey home.
Irene Maynard