Willington Local History Group
Summer
Trips 2025
This summer, helped by the good weather, we were
lucky enough to have three very enjoyable trips. The first was to the Walled Garden at Luton Hoo. This is
separate to the Hotel and covers 5 acres of the Luton Hoo
Estate. It was designed by Capability
Brown for the 3rd Earl of Bute in the late 1700’s. But, despite having an excellent guided tour,
it was unfortunately not possible in the time to take full advantage of the
visit as so much work is still being carried out. However, those who visited said they would
like to go back to explore other areas. An idea to be noted for future years.
The second trip was an afternoon cruise on the Great Ouse with a cream
tea. It was another beautiful day and it
was extremely pleasant simply to relax on board and drift along – not to
mention enjoying the well-presented cream tea.
This year we went upstream from Priory Marina towards Willington, skirting
the Priory Country Park and Nature Reserve, through Cardington Lock then along
towards Castle Mill Lock before turning round to return to Priory Marina. We were fortunate enough to have the river to
ourselves and thus have the chance to enjoy a peaceful voyage.
Our final
trip was to Bury St Edmunds. After an
eventful journey there – the main road was closed because of fields of corn
burning out of control, so our driver had to find an alternate route – we were
welcomed by the Cathedral staff who gave us a tour of
the building and explained its place in the history of the town. Relatively new, it became the Cathedral of
the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich in 1914, having
started life as a parish church, originally dedicated to St Denys, then to St
James, and it grew and developed over the years.
An excellent lunch was provided by the Pilgrim’s
Kitchen, the Cathedral’s restaurant.
In the afternoon, we were given a tour of the
ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund. In Medieval times, the Abbey
was one of the richest, largest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in
England and people came from all over Europe to visit the Shrine of Saint
Edmund, the first Patron Saint of England.
We were told the story of Saint Edmund and the wolf; a bloodthirsty tale
which I recommend you visit Bury St Edmunds to hear more about!
A most successful end to our
2024/2025 season. We look
forward to welcoming back members - and visitors - to the start of the
2025/2026 programme on Tuesday September 16th, when we shall be
having a talk on the History of Chicksands Priory.
Sue Harland