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The Friends of Buckden Towers
Dates for your Diary:
27
th
April – AGM 8.00 at The Towers
21
st
May Plant Sale at The Towers. No admission before 11.00 a.m. Closes at 3.00 p.m.
8
th
July Coffee Morning 10.00 at the Methodist Hall
17
th
July – Summer Event at the Towers
Quiz Night this year was a roaring success. We had the highest attendance I can remember – around 80 people.
In fact there were so many that we had to bring in extra tables and chairs and had any more come, we would have
been sending them away!
It was an excellent evening. Ian Carter again prepared the questions and acted as Quiz Master (thanks Ian – a
great job), the refreshments were, as always, excellent (thanks to Ann Petty and all those who prepared and do-
nated food) and we raised £392.50 for FOBT funds, which is outstanding.
I again urge members (and any non-members interested in joining) to attend the AGM on 27
th
April. It is important
to the committee to know that we have your support. I look forward to seeing you there.
This year Barry Jobling has agreed to give another of his excellent talks, this one on Nursing in world War 1 with
particular reference to the nursing of the wounded at The Towers.
Buckden Local History Society
Alan Butler who has worked at the Cromwell Museum for 15 years gave an illuminating
and entertaining overview of the history of the museum and life as a staff member. Clearly
not one just to sit behind a desk, he has spent hours researching the records and docu-
ments held by the museum.
Originally part of a much larger building used as travellers’ accommodation, it was reduced to its present size by
the time Cromwell was at school there. He probably would not recognise it as by the mid–19
th
century it was sub-
siding badly. It was rescued thanks to the generosity of Dion Boucicault (himself a fascinating character) whose
son died in the Abbots Ripton rail crash of 1876. The building was taken apart but rebuilt very differently.
The museum passed the half million visitor mark 2 or 3 years ago. People have come from all over the world to
see it. Several women visitors had been at school there during the war, having been evacuated from London.
One visitor from America wanted to know if Mr Cromwell was in the habit of visiting. On being told he is no longer
with us, she enquired if his children or grandchildren came by at all. Obviously Alan is a diplomat as well as a
guide.
Buckden Wine and Beermakers Society
Formed in 1978, the BWBS has established itself as a leading local wine and beermaking society. We have a
busy programme and social calendar and have good connections with many other wine and beermaking associa-
tions with whom we regularly compete.
Amongst our members we have a qualified wine judge who is only too pleased to pass on his knowledge on all
aspects of Wine and Beermaking.
Most of our meetings are held at the Scout Hut in Lucks Lane on the 4th Thursday of the month, starting at 8 p.m.
28
th
April – Annual General Meeting + Supper
Following the AGM a light supper will be provided. Non-members are welcome to attend.
26
th
May – Questions & Answers
An evening dedicated to helping members with their wine and beer making, for example how to use hydrometer
or refractometer.
Why not come along and meet us and see why BWBS has been so successful over the years? Please give Ann a
call on 810346 for further information.