Wedding at Hitcham, Runneymeade and Poulton Park

Paula and Steve

Shopping in Slough

On Saturday morning we went into Slough, which is a town of some size and had a large shopping mall. While it's not one of those picture postcard places it looks like it would be a pretty nice place to live. It's certainly been around long enough.The first recorded instance of the area was in 1196. The name at that time was written Slo. In 1336 was also recorded as Sloo. There doesn't seem to have been much of a push to preserve any historical buildings like you see in other communities. Slough seems to be pretty firmly grounded in the present.

 The reason for our visit here was that Jenny had informed me that I needed a hat! It has been at least 30 years since I've had to wear a hat and I want you all to know I looked bloody stupid in it. Jenny said that if I didn't include the fact that I moaned all day about it she was going to go into my computer, steal your e-mail addresses and tell you all herself. I told her when we bought it that she better become fond of it because I wasn't taking the stupid thing home.

All Saint's Church, Hitcham

 The wedding of Bob's cousin was held in a wonderful small 12th century church in Hitcham. I picked up a brochure by the door and it said that the first recorded Rector of St. Mary's Church was John the Clerk who came to the parish in 1167, when Henry II, great-grandson of William the Conqueror was King of England. I was so impressed with the church that I have only a vague recolection of the ceremony. In the Nave of the church were six long ropes hanging down from the bell tower. Each one was pulled by a bell ringer person so the wedding was announced to a regular cacophony of bells. (I have always liked that word and am very pleased to have such an appropriate place to be able to use it.

 There were inscriptions and memorials all along the walls of the church but one in particular caught our eye. Apparently in years past, if you were prominent enough you got to be buried inside the church instead of out in the churchyard with everyone else. The inscription reads:

Underneath Lie the remains of George Crookshank, Esq. Formerly a merchant of Amstead(?) who by uncommon abilities and indefatigable application acquired ample fortune with the strictest integrity and honor; employed in constant acts of charity generosity most agreeable to his nature. No men ever possessed a greater share of natural talents, and none (in busy life as his was) ever improved them with more acquired endowments which were aided by such a perspicuity of judgement and of reasoning on all subjects, as convinced and delighted all who conversed with him. Superior to every interested consideration all the actions of his life discovered the most enlarged and benevolent mind in fine, the greatness of his capacity was equaled only by the goodness of his disposition Finetta his wife (one of the daughters of Henry Pye late of Farringdon house in the county of Berks esquire, by Anne sister of Allen Lord Bathhurst) who possessed his most tender affection returned the same particularly by a faithful and constant attention to him during a tedious illness, which alas! being ineffectual to preserve him longer in life, she hath erected this monument of her affection for him in death. he dyed September 10th 1765 aged 50 years. 

The very spot?
Where the Magna Carta was signed

 On Sunday, the day following the wedding we got up early and drove out to Runneymeade, the site of the signing of the Magna Carta. Runneymeade is now just a meadow where hay is grown. The actual place where it was signed (how do they know where is actual spot was, I ask myself?) is about a quarter of a mile from road, up the hill, through the wet grass. We settled for tea in the nearby tea room and purchased a copy of the document. The interesting thing that happened while we were walking along the road to get a camera shot of the monument, was a glimpse of the Queen as she sped by in her ugly black limo.

 This being Father's Day Bob's Father was guest of honor at lunch. We then went to what I thought was a marvelous old country inn called the Fox and Pheasant. While I was sitting there being impressed with the inn, Jennifer informed me that it was fake, having been built only a couple of years ago. Spoilsport!

After lunch we hit the road again and Fareham, right outside Portsmouth to visit with Granddaughter Joanne and family. She has two darling children so I got to play G-Grandma and enjoyed it thoroughly. We had originally intended to spend Monday on the Isle of Wight but altered our plans and went to Paulton Park which was a much more pleasant day out for the children. Paulton Park is sort of a Zoo/Kiddie Theme Park/Botanical Garden kind of place. The kids had a blast, Jade, my five year old G-Granddaughter managed to con the assorted parents, grandparents and even the great grand parent into riding the log flume with her for a cumulative total of 12 times. Here she is on the right dressed in her Granddad's jacket, hat and sunglasses trying to warm up.