Author: Eddie Westfield

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4th. Viscount Hood

Hon. Francis Wheler Hood
4th. Viscount Hood of Whitely

Set In the graveyard at the north east corner of St. Mark’s Church, Hadlow Down, outside the vestry, there is a most notable gravestone.  The grave itself is surrounded by a low hedge and the memorial stone, in the form of a large cross that lies prone, is decorated with a curious and unique labyrinth design which has five paths that have no obvious source.  Labyrinths and mazes do appear on gravestones occasionally, particularly in historical graveyards, often symbolizing spiritual journeys, remembrance, or even as a form of memorialisation. Labyrinthine designs can vary in complexity and material, from simple chalk outlines to more elaborate stone or tile work.
The grave is the last resting place of 4th. Viscount Hood of Whitely, Lt Colonel Francis Wheler Hood. 1838-1907.

Francis Wheler Hood was born in Marylebone, London on the 4th. July 1838 and baptised at the parish church of St Marylebone, Middlesex on 11th. August 1838 his father was Samuel Hood, 3rd.Viscount Hood of Whitely and his mother Mary Isabella Tibbits.  He had two brothers Albert and Alexander Frederick Gregory.  The family were living at No.38 Nottingham Place, Marylebone, London when he was born. Continue reading “4th. Viscount Hood”

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The Hadlow Down Summer Show – Conditions, Rules, Hints & Entry Forms

The Hadlow Down Summer Show – Conditions, Rules, Hints & Entry Forms

                          Hadlow Down Summer Show

                                                          CONDITIONS

  1. All classes in the schedule are open to all persons to exhibit on the payment of 30p per entry.
  2. Entry forms and fees to be handed in BEFORE THURSDAY 6PM JULY 31ST
  3. Entries will NOT be accepted after this date
  4. All fruits, flowers and vegetables, except decorative classes must have been grown in the exhibitor’s own ground.
  5. Only one exhibit per class may be entered by any one exhibitor.
  6. Exhibitors shall, upon request, allow members of the show organisers to visit the place where their exhibits were grown.
  7. All jams and other preserves in the Domestic section, must have labels clearly stating the contents and date of making.
  8. Exhibits to be brought to the hall between 8.30am and 10.00am on show morning. Judging begins at 10.00am.
  9. Judges have the power to withhold any prizes where the subject of the competition is considered unworthy or where there are insufficient entries.
  10. Any exhibit not according to the schedule will be disqualified.
  11. The Show organisers do not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to any exhibit.
  12. PRIZE GIVING 3.30pm. No exhibits to be removed before 4pm.
  13. This year, for the first time, we will be auctioning exhibits that have been donated after the show. Exhibitors who do not wish for their exhibits to be sold in aid of Hadlow Down Summer Show, should remove them between 4.00pm and 4.20pm. The donated exhibits will be auctioned at 4.20pm.

Continue reading “The Hadlow Down Summer Show – Conditions, Rules, Hints & Entry Forms”

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Book Club Review – September

‘Jewish is a way of seeing the world, a strong consistent background theme.’

Our book this month is Going Home by Tom Lamont 2024. It is set in the Jewish community in Enfield and centres on Joel, an articulate two-year-old whose mother dies leaving him in the care of her friend Teo. It is about the four adults who take on responsibility for him in their own way. Teo who has moved away from the community to a job in the police force and a flat in Aldgate is the responsible one who takes on the grieving youngster and  learns to care for him and love him. Then there is Ben, the feckless rich boy, the opposite of Teo but also his best friend, and Vic, Teo’s father, dying of a degenerative condition and determined that Joel will not grow up in the care of the Social Services as he once did. Finally, Sybil, the only woman of the four and a progressive rabbi trying in vain to reform the intransigent members of her synagogue. All of them interact with Joel in their own way and find their lives challenged and enriched by him Continue reading “Book Club Review – September”

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‘Painting with Plants’ – Wine & Buffet Evening

Last chance for Hadlow Down HS members to get a preferential opportunity for tickets  before they go on sale to the general public!
A Horticultural Society presentation not to be missed!

Chris Beardshaw was born and grew up in Broad Green, near Broadwas, Worcestershire.   He was formally trained in horticulture at Pershore College, and holds a BA Hons and PGDip in landscape architecture from the University of Gloucestershire.  He has won 35 prestigious design awards, including 12 RHS Gold Medals.  He has also been voted for the People’s Choice Award six times, most recently in 2023.
His first TV appearance was in 1999 as the expert on Surprise Gardeners for Carlton TV. After this, he moved to the BBC TV and Real Rakeovers as the expert contributor.  His first show as solo presenter was Weekend Gardener for UKTV Style in 2000. Also in 2000, he co-presented Gardening Neighbours for BBC 2. This was followed by three series of Housecall.  After this, he joined Gardeners’ World Live as a specialist presenter, and then soon moved on to become a presenter on Gardeners World. 
Beardshaw presented The Flying Gardener series for BBC2, which ran for four series. He currently presents Beechgrove and is a regular panel member on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time .
The Chris Beardshaw Rose was launched at the Hampton Court Show in July 2007. Scented with soft pink blooms, the new rose was produced by international rose specialist C&K Jones. Chris specifically asked for a donation (£2.50) to be made to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for every rose sold.
He holds an Honorary Degree from Liverpool University and is an Honorary Fellow of Gloucester University and in 2017 was awarded the Kew Guild Gold Award.

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Hadlow Down Book Club August Review

 

‘A kid is a terrible thing to be, in charge of nothing’ 

Recently we read the childhood of David Copperfield and then compared it to Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver’s novel inspired by her hero Dickens but set in the rust belt of Appalachia and exploring contemporary issues. It was a co-recipient of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for fiction and winner of the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Like Dckens, she lays bare and makes an impassioned criticism of social injustice, cruelty and incompetence of those who should be helping children,  Continue reading “Hadlow Down Book Club August Review”