Members were taken on an amazing journey through the history of Abberley Hall and the Clock Tower by speaker Jo Roache at this month’s meeting.

In the 14th century, the hall was a hunting lodge in the deer park of the Abberley estate and possibly a castle on Abberley Hill. At one time it was owned by Henry VIII and then had several owners until in 1837 it was sold and renamed Abberley Hall.

After much improvement and refurbishment, it then burnt down in 1845 and was rebuilt between1846 and 1848. Between 1883 and 1884 the owner, a John James Jones, built the Clock Tower and installed the enormous and extremely expensive clock.

Through inheritance and sales the hall has apparently had many owners and today is a private school but still has a group of dedicated people who are making sure its heritage is preserved.

Members enjoyed the evening very much and look forward to a visit to Abberley Hall in the not too distant future. Mrs Jeanne Round gave a vote of thanks to Mrs Roache for her excellent talk and the accompanying slides.

In the normal business of the meeting, a report was given on last month’s lunch at the Eagle & Spur and names taken for Leys Group Meeting at Wolverley and for the lunch outing to the Plough at Far Forest.

The next meeting will be on Monday, November 11 at 715pm at the Eagle & Spur. All will be welcome.