A slightly different outing to see the Bodleian Library, 14 of us had a guided tour and saw the amazing Divinity school and Library, with fabulous and intricate carvings and architecture, as well as ancient books chained up. Here is a virtual guided tour.
https://youtu.be/HWs65nrCJPs?
Sadly Mo who requested this wasn’t able to come because she was at the dentist instead, but we found last minute substitutes and all arrived almost on time.
The next Core Group meeting will be at 2pm at Maureen Buch’s on July 21st 2026
All members are most welcome to join us to find out what we do and raise any questions, or to discuss in advance with one of the Core Group members or send an email via Contact Us. Members may request a copy of previous minutes.
We usually plan social events at this meeting as well as hearing about trades, and discuss 2026 and 2027 holidays. We also deal with any issues arising and raised by members.
We found an excellent house to rent in trendy Margate this year in June. Very near the sea and town, sandy beaches, and 8 en suite bedrooms.
Everyone is independent but take turns to cook in the evening, which has been a fun bonding exercise. Otherwise no-one is obllged to do anything in particular, but people often do things together.
We avoided one of the very hot weeks in Wallingford and instead had sea breezes, walks, fresh air, the Turner gallery, and loads to see and do. We visited nearby towns, Canterbury and its cathedral, Morelli ice creams, and sat on huge sandy beaches. We saw the Ramsgate tunnels where people slept during the war, RAF Manston museum, rode eletric bikes round the coast, visited the shell grotto, 2 tidal pools, Dickens House, and cooked communal suppers. We were amused and refreshed, and bonded ovver many cups of tea
The house was beautifully restored to iys Edwardian best and had everything you could want and much more. We hope to go back either with LETs or other groups!
This Spring Chris hosted our regular bluebell walk around Nuffield where she lives, starting at her lovely garden with wisteria in bloom. Several new members, and friends, joined us for this walk, and most stayed for a shared lunch at Chris’s
We hope those of you who have not yet dipped your toe in the trading water, will soon give it a go. After all, that is why you joined, isn’t it?
To help people start and keep trading, we hold social events from time to time as we have found everyone is more likely to trade with someone they have met. Anyone can organize one. It can be as simple as “come to my house for a cheese and wine evening”, or a bit more adventurous, like a games afternoon. If you have an idea for a social event, but are not sure about it, do please get in touch with a core group member for a chat.
Two of our longstanding members and friends, Jane and Chris, assisted by their pooches, have organised excellent afternoons of fun and brains at Warborough. What a great idea, recycled some no longer wanted possessions for castles too.
We played games – nothing too strenuous- until approx tea time, then we enjoyed a Bring and Share tea. More games from 5-7, allowing everyone to play games, eat and chat, even if unable to be there for the whole time.
“Really enjoyed the games afternoon yesterday!” Laura
We thought people would enjoy meeting up for a Saturday coffee morning in the winter weather, and organised another one in Novenber at Cholsey pavilion coinciding with the Cholsey repair cafe. Newer members quickly meet everyone else, and we moved round and spread out as chats suggested. A big success, attended by about 12 members.
If anyone would like to organise another where they live, this helps develop local clumps of members outside Wallingford centre,
Bluebells galore