The Moxon Society
We're a well travelled Society - at least within England. Our annual Gatherings have been located all around the country.
19 - 21 September (members please note the change of weekend for the Gathering this year). Wells, Somerset.
The Crescent Hotel, Scarborough was our destination this year. On our arrival during Friday afternoon, she was showing herself at her best with absolutely glorious weather and hardly a cloud in the sky. Many of us heard the call of the sea and wandered down to the seafront to stretch our legs before the AGM and evening meal. The AGM was well attended and included a number of members attending the weekend for the first time. Saturday found some members choosing to visit Whitby, some took a jaunt to Beningborough Hall (National Trust property), whilst others decided to brave the steep climb up to Scarborough Castle and spend the day looking around Scarborough and what it had to offer. At 7.00 pm we had an informative presentation from our President, Graham Jagger, reminding us of Moxons through the ages, before rounding the evening off with a 3-course meal. Delicious food, good company and the weather was kind - what more could we have asked for! Our grateful thanks must go once again to Diana Trotter for organising the weekend. This was Diana's last as "Gathering Organiser" and all the members expressed their appreciation for the hard work she has put into organising the Gatherings over the last 8 years. The customary "Gathering Photo" is to follow ...
The Gathering was held at The Old Mill Inn in Bagington, a village just a couple of
miles south from Coventry City Centre.
The weather was very kind, and members
were able to sit out on the large patio adjacent
to the mill stream. We had a dining room to
ourselves, and the sole use of an attractive
conference room.
The programme followed the well tested format: AGM on Friday evening, followed by dinner. On Saturday morning we travelled into Coventry City Centre, for a conducted tour around all three Cathedrals - Firstly the New Cathedral, where we took group photos on the steps, overlooked by Epstein’s St. Michael slaying the Devil. Next the bombed out Cathedral, and finally the mediaeval cathedral, excavated a few years ago by the “Time Team”.
We made out own arrangements for lunch, one group went to Mediaeval Spon Street to The Old Windmill for an excellent drink and lunch. From St. Mary’s Guildhall others members headed off to Warwick Castle, then “Back at the Mill”, we relaxed before dinner at 7-00 pm, before hearing our speaker, Roger Bailey, talking about Coventry’s history.
A grand total of 32 members and guests attended the 2005 gathering in Winchester. The weekend was based at The Winchester Hotel, and started as always with the AGM, followed by dinner. We then gathered in the conference room for a discussion on the latest DNA results before finishing the evening in the bar.
On Saturday morning we strolled into Winchester for a conducted tour around Winchester College, where we took the customary 'Gathering Photo'. We then had time to explore the city on our own and find some lunch. For most of us that included a visit to the Cathedral, and a look at the flag carried by Ensign Philip Moxon at the battle of Ferozshuhur in 1845. We then made our way back to the hotel to get into our cars and head for Mottisfont Abbey.
The evening was filled as usual by dinner, followed by a talk. This year the subject was Jane Austin, and all but the most devout fans learned a lot about the authoress.
The weekend was rounded off on Sunday morning with a full english breakfast before we made our way home.
This year the Gathering took place in Durham. Accommodation was in Collingham College, one of the newer colleges of the city, just a short walk from the centre of Durham. We had a smaller turnout than recent getherings, but well done Alvin (now 96), Jim and Birgit, who again joined us from the USA.
The AGM was
again the first event, and lively discussion took place. Three new officers
were voted into their roles, one being totally new to the committee (well done
Sue!). The AGM was followed by the evening meal in the large college dining
room, and then some of us managed to find our way to the bar.
Saturday started off with a gentle stroll to the Castle, where we enjoyed a guided tour of what is now another University College. This was followed by a DIY tour of the Cathedral (or a wander through Durham if you so wished) and lunch at whichever local establishment took our individual fancies. The afternoon was filled with a trip to the excellent outdoor museum of Beamish. Again the evening meal was in the College dining room, and again the bar called us afterwards!
This year we had nothing organised for Sunday morning, and we all went our separate ways, looking forward to next year's event.
The 2003 Gathering took place in Shrewsbury from the 5th to the 7th September. Because of our large contingent our accommodation was split between the Abbots Mead Hotel and the Sandford House Hotel.
We began as usual with the AGM, held in the bar of the Abbots Mead Hotel. This venue turned out to be a bit on the small side, but this didn't stop the discussions from flowing. Watch out for the minutes coming with a future issue of The Moxon Magazine. We then retired to the restaurant for an excellent two course evening meal. Fully refreshed (but now feeling ready for bed) we returned to the bar (surprise, surprise) to discuss the latest findings from the DNA research. Please see the DNA pages for details.
On Saturday a steady guided tour of the historical aspects
of Shrewsbury followed a leisurely breakfast. Our two guides each took a group of us through the maze of Shrewsbury's
lanes and shuts. They showed us many of the very old buildings in Shrewsbury,
and entertained us with tales of some of the more colourful (and also fanciful)
characters in Shrewsbury's history. After the tours we had time to find lunch
in the town before getting on board a coach for the journey to Erddig
- a large National Trust property in Wales where this group photo was taken.
The house at Erddig was large, and the unguided tour took us through both the
downstairs and upstairs of this palatial building. Of course the tea room was
discovered quickly, and made good use of. The day concluded with another tasty
and leisurely meal at our hotel.
Sunday was a do-it-yourself day, and after breakfast we gathered for yet more group photos before heading either home or to other sightseeing destinations.
Once again a big thank you to Diana Trotter for arranging an excellent weekend.
The Gathering in 2002 was from Friday 30th August to Sunday 1st September.
The
weekend was centred at The Travel Inn, Wakefield, West Yorkshire. The event
kicked off with the Society's AGM at 6.00 pm, followed by a talk by Mrs Gill
Briscoe on "The West Riding Settlement Index". The evening was rounded
off by a three course meal.
On Saturday we had a coach tour. This started at Cawthorne, with a look around the museum, then on to the National Coal Mining Museum at Caphouse Colliery. Here we had an excellent tour underground, followed by lunch in the cafeteria. The remainder of the afternoon was at Leeds, where the party split into two to see either the Royal Armouries Museum, or Abbey House and Kirkstall Abbey. Once returned to the hotel we had a brief rest before gathering for a presentation about the DNA testing that the Society has recently funded. Like the day before this was followed by a three course meal.
Sunday was an altogether more leisurely day, consisting of a guided tour around Nostell Priory, Wakefield. Lunch at Nostell Priory's cafe rounded off the 2002 gathering under a cloudless sky. Some members used the day to take an alternative tour of the ancient Moxon areas of Hoylandswaine, Midhope and Bradfield. We hope they returned safe and well!
Many thanks to Diana Trotter for the organisation of a magnificant weekend. Also thanks to Alvin (aged 93), Jim and Birgit from Wisconsin USA for coming to join us.
© Copyright The Moxon Society, 1994-2006 - last edited 9 September, 2007