Leonard Stanley Wine Circle

IN THE absence of Tim Smith who was on holiday, Bob Britton gave a warm welcome to everyone and said that unfortunately due to the ongoing Village Green Enquiry in December in the village hall, that the Wine Circle’s Christmas Dinner would now take place on Thursday, December 17, instead of the Wednesday evening.

The cost would remain the same as last year at £17.50 per head and choice of menu would be given out at the AGM in October.

A volunteer was requested to assist Secretary Chris Phillips with the programme. Next year’s programme was actually complete apart from the annual outing and suggestions for this would be much appreciated.

Without further ado, Bob introduced our Guest Speaker – Ann Taylor, Learning Programmes Officer from the Museum in the Park who has been working on a project to extend what they can offer the public.

She gave a brief but very interesting history of the site which covers 66 acres and said that the Museum used to be situated in Lansdown.

Not everyone knew how Stratford Park and the Museum had come about and how eventually it was purchased by Stroud District Council for the use of the community.

Some of our older members could remember things how they were when they were young and all of us enjoyed hearing about the Secret Garden behind the Museum and seeing pictures of what it was originally and how it is now.

Most of us have seen the walls and peeped through the gate at some time but never knew what was behind.

It was hard to believe all the hard work and thought that has gone into developing this garden, including the discovery of Japanese Knotweed, a dipping pond, the dismantling of a large Edwardian greenhouse due to asbestos being found in it, clearing undergrowth and some trees.

During all this time, the area has been used for schools and groups to examine wild life etc, whilst volunteers worked hard to clear the site with the contractors.

With the help of a grant from Environmental Trust for £250k, with another £50k from the Arts Council, a new modern building has been built.

The design ensures that the building can be used with the glass doors shut or wide open.

One could see how Ann loved being involved with this project and her vivid description and enthusiasm made us all want to visit.

Planting of shrubs and flowers will take place in the Spring and we all felt that this was such a worthwhile project and hope that more money from the community will help finish the Secret Garden so that everyone can enjoy.

Our next meeting will be on October 28, and this will be the AGM followed by one of Bob’s famous Quiz’s.

Do try and attend and collect your Menu to choose your choice of Christmas dinner.