Invitation
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The first coach trip of the year took place on Monday 22 April, to Chenies Manor Tulip Festival.
A party of almost 50 people, comprising members, friends and a group from St Vincent’s Nursing Home enjoyed a comfortable 35 minutes coach ride to Chenies in Buckinghamshire. We were met by Charles MacLeod Matthews, third generation owner of a truly historic manor house, part 15 th and part 16 th century. Charles gave us a short introduction to the history of his family and the manor house which was once the home of the Dukes of Bedford. The history came alive when the majority of our group were taken on a guided tour of what is still the family home.
Some of the current furnishings stem from Tudor times and there are some splendid Jacobean pieces, with complementary antiques added, but there is still a comfortable family feel throughout. The family fully appreciate the historical importance of this building and strive to maintain the estate as authentically as possible.
We visited the parish church, next to the manor house, and were surprised to see this included an enormous mausoleum.
The timing of this trip was to coincide with the tulip festival. Over 25,000 bulbs of different varieties have been planted in blocks of colour - one garden hosting exclusively white tulips, another bed a mass of copper and cinnamon, the Sunken Garden a riot of pink, purple and red. We explored the other areas of the estate - the Physic Garden, built around the 170 ft well, the Maze, the delicate white wrought iron gazebo and behind that the gnarled trunk of the 1,000 year old Queen Elizabeth oak.
An enjoyable afternoon visit, unfortunately accompanied by damp, chilly weather, as evidenced by the photographs. At this time of year we would have hoped to see the tulips in sunshine, but their colours were still vibrant and brightened the grey afternoon.
Sue Alexander, Social Secretary (with major input from her sister, Carole)
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