Acton Bridge WI by Rosemary Mullett

The bunting, made for the centenary celebrations was on display at the recent meeting of Acton Bridge WI, Sue Williams thanked all who had contributed to making it and remarked how beautiful it was.

There was much to report including the recent Public Affairs Liaison talk from Professor Kevin Taylor about Fracking from Veronica Oliver and information about Town Farm Quarry and the residents objections by Rosemary Mullett.

Guest Joyce Kirkpatrick from Pickmere was particularly interested in hearing about Arley from guest speaker, Judy Popley, who used to work at Arley as an event promoter.

Arley was offered a book of old photographs taken by the gardener, Roland Mills during the latter part of the 1890s, when Roland and Mary Egerton-Warburton were the owners. The book turned up through one of Roland's descendents and featured many of the people who worked at Arley as estate workers, household servants and dairymaids. It showed a prospect of Arley down the pleached lime avenue with the clock tower at its focus, the famous herbaceous border with the alcove and the ilex bushes when they were much smaller.

There were photos of the house as it was in the 1890s before the servants’ wing was demolished. Judy gave an insight into the owners of Arley Hall past and present and the staff who worked in the house and garden and maintained it to such a high standard.

Today, Lord Ashbrook and his family live in a smaller house on the estate as the main house is let out for weddings and other functions. Other houses on the estate have been renovated in recent years and George Osborne MP lived in one for a short period. The garden is still regarded as one of the top ‘must see’ gardens in the country.

Selina Rooney was the lucky winner of the draw to represent the WI at the Buckingham Palace garden party. Diana Brown won the Denman bursary and Elizabeth Wakeford won the flower arrangement.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12, the resolution will be discussed and there will be a social supper.