Lead by Anthony Langdon  (Retired Royal Marines and member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides)

The story of the Monmouth’s rebellion and his defeat, largely by John Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough, is a fascinating study that might be considered to have started in the English Channel off Lyme bay on 10th June and ended in a dank cell at Ringwood on 10th July 1685.   To follow the whole rebellion would take several days but the crucial moment was on 5th July.

Our guided walk will start at St Mary’s Church, Westonzoyland at 2.00 p.m.  Anthony will 'paint' a picture of what led to the rebellion and how Monmouth’s army ended up in Bridgewater en route to Bristol.  We will, on foot, then see where the Royal Army camped at Westonzoyland and follow on footpaths the route followed by Captain Sir Francis Compton’s cavalry patrol to Chedzoy, where we will visit the church of St Mary the Virgin.  It is here that the parish register gives an account of the battle.  We will then walk the route taken by the rebel army as it attempted to surprise and attack Lord Feversham’s Royal Forces at Westonzoyland.  The bloody battle that followed on the Bussex  rhyne is our final stand.  We will pause to remember those who died at a memorial beside a field which is said to contain a mass grave of 600 men.

We aim to be back at the Westonzoyland Community hall by 4.45 p.m. for  a strawberries and cream tea provided by the ladies of Westonzoyland WI.

Wear stout shoes and be prepared to walk about 3 miles, most of it on footpaths.  The cost of this tour including the tea and a contribution to the two churches we visit is £8-50 per head.

For those who might want a light lunch beforehand, the Sedgemoor Inn in Westonzoyland (tel: 01278 691 382) or The George in the next village of Middlezoy (tel: 01823 698 215) , might be worth considering.   Both have good reputations, but it would be advisable to book. 

If possible, please arrange with your friends to share cars.  (If necessary please 'phone 01749 870 606 for help)  Although there is some parking at the Sedgemoor Inn, Westonzoyland,  parking on the main road through the village is difficult.  For practical purposes there is a limit of 50 people, so book a place early!

Mr Chris Hann, Little Orchard, Back Lane, Westbury-sub-Mendip,  Wells   BA5 1HZ   Telephone:  01749  870 606

BEAULIEU GARDENS IN JULY
Thursday July 2nd 2009
Review
All 43 members were very timely in getting to Wells bus station so the coach was able to leave 5 minutes early and get on our way for an enjoyable day out to Beaulieu organised by John Barkle.

The first stop was just outside Salisbury for a very welcome cup of coffee at the Grassmere Hotel, where we sat on the terrace, which overlooked the river and gave us a splendid view of Salisbury cathedral.

Then back on the coach for the remainder of the run over to Beaulieu House which we reached about 12 pm.
The party then split up and went its own separate ways to explore the extensive grounds and exhibitions only coming together at 2 pm for a guided tour of the house. The staff were very knowledgable and provided us with a vivid impression of the history of the house.


The abbey ruins were well worth investigating and even the limited amount left gave a powerful idea of the grand scale of the whole operation.

However the highlight of the visit had to be a tour round the motor museum. This held a vast range of vehicles ranging from the earliest 19th century examples from Germany and France through to the rocket powered land speed vehicles of more recent years. 


Of special interest to our group was the reconstruction of Mr Jack Tucker's garage from Wedmore that was bought complete and then re-built in the Beaulieu motor museum. It was very strange to walk through a building that one had driven past so many times.



Along the way one must not forget to mention the rides on the 1930's bus or the overhead monorail that took you right round the site. 

There were lost of places around the site to satisfy ones hunger and as it was a particuarly warm day I think that a lot of icecreams were consumed. Most people finished off with a cup of tea and a cake in the cafe by the entrance before getting back on the coach at 5 pm for a leisurley and intersting drive back through the New Forest finally arriving in Wells at around 7 pm.

Thanks again for all the organisation John and well done for providing such an excellent day out.   

---

ORIGINAL FLYER
A SUMMER OUTING TO BEAULIEU GARDENS, ABBEY AND NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM
Thursday July 2nd 2009

Our summer visit is to Beaulieu House and its Gardens, on the edge of the New Forrest.  The 'Palace House' has been home to the Montagu family since 1538, although with additions, especially in Victorian times.  The nearby Abbey, built on land given to the Cistercian monks by King John in 1204, sustained the ravages of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16^th century, but there is still much of interest to be seen.  Within the parkland setting there are a Victorian Flower Garden, an Ornamental Kitchen Garden and Wilderness Garden dating back to the 1770s.  Other attractions include the extensive National Motor Museum, and The Secret Army Exhibition (which tells the story of wartime Beaulieu that housed the SOE during WWII and where agents were trained before entering occupied Europe to work with the Resistance) and the opportunity to ride on a monorail and a 1912 London bus.

9.00 am The coach will leave Wells Princes Road Coach Station 

10.30 a.m Stopping at Grassmere House Hotel, Salisbury for refreshments in the Garden Room, which overlooks lawns leading down to the River Avon.

12.00 noon (approximately): arrive at Beaulieu House where the Brabazon restaurant offers a wide range of food and drinks all day – from snacks to full meals.

2.00 p.m.: Palace House tour of Lord Montagu's ancestral home with its exquisite paintings, antique furniture and stunning architecture and covering its history from its monastic beginnings to the present day.

3.00 – 5.00 p.m.: at your leisure to enjoy the attractions and gardens.

5.00 p.m.Leaving Beaulieu at  we expect to arrive back in Wells at around 7.00 p.m.

The total cost is £26 per person, which includes coach travel, morning coffee, entry to Beaulieu, tour of Palace House and driver gratuity.

Mr John Barkle, Kings Hay, Back Lane, Westbury-sub-Mendip,  Wells   BA5 1HZ 
Telephone:  01749 870 063