Leonard Stanley Wine Circle

OUR June and July meetings were something worth looking forward to and much enjoyed by all our members.

In June, we attended a Garden Party in the grounds of The Grange at Leonard Stanley, yet again kindly hosted by Fiona and David Turner.

The weather was great, the company was great and a great time was had by all.

Many thanks to Fiona and David for letting us use their lovely garden.

Our July meeting took the form of our annual outing and this was a visit to Weston’s Cider Company at Much Marcle, Herefordshire.

39 of us left the village hall via Rovers coach in warm sunshine promptly at 4.45pm.

We had a fantastic visit, starting with a comprehensive tour of the facilities and were taken aback at the automation and the way the cider and perry is produced.

Weston’s is a family company and they have been making cider since 1878 and now sell more than 150 different ciders and perry with Stowford Press as their most popular cider.

They sell nationwide and also export to many countries.

Jack our guide gave an excellent tour, answered loads of questions and then led us to the bar and shop where we ended up tasting numerous different types of cider and perry.

Needless to say, most of us came away with purchasing something and as a very nice touch, we were all given a present of an engraved glass.

We then proceeded to the restaurant and were served a two course meal, excellently cooked and presented and served by friendly staff.

Although many drank cider with their meal, some of us naturally drank wine – what else would you do belonging to a Wine Circle?

We arrived back in the village, well watered and fed.

Our next meeting is on September 30, when Ann Taylor of Stroud Museum will give a talk on the Museum’s Secret Garden.