17th February 2019

Kennet Valley TR Group - February Mid-Monthly - Snowdrops & Lunch

Kennet Valley TR Group mid monthly for February 2019 is another visit to Welford Park, it is renowned for beautiful displays of snowdrops.

Snowdrops are nearly always found in abbey ruins and graveyards, and were planted by Norman monks as a symbol of purity and the cleansing of the earth after winter. Some of the greatest snowdrop displays in England were all originally monastic sites ie Walsingham Abbey, Hodsock Priory, Anglesey Abbey and Welford Park.

Welford Park think the snowdrops here were planted by the Norman monks to decorate their Church for the feast of Candlemas, and also for medicinal use. The monks harvested snowdrops and used to rub them on the temple of people suffering from "mal au tete". Close to the snowdrop woods they have also found wild aconitum, petasites and mistletoe all of which have strong healing properties, each year Welford Park make donations to West Berkshire charities.

The entrance fee is for £8 adults, £6 for concessions including OAP, £4 for children and children under 4 free. Admission from 10:30, park gates open at 11:00.

We then are arranging a pub lunch at 13:00 at the Five Bells, Wickham, they have offered Sunday lunch from the menu below at £14.50 per head main course only Starters & Sweets can be pre-ordered or on the day again for extra cost. Here's the menu and booking form: Welford-Park-Mid-Monthly-17-02-19.pdf