Two new members were welcomed to our April meeting when over 40 members enjoyed a very informative talk on The Nuns of Oulton Abbey. Chris Westwood was a wealth of information, covering 400 years of history in just one hour! Chris became interested in the convent when she worked at the care home and has extensively researched it's story. The origins of the Benedictine convent started in Brussels by Lady Mary Percy when Elizabeth I was on the throne and being a Catholic in England was dangerous. The convent subsequently moved to Ghent until once again persecution drove the nuns out and with the help of the Duke of York and a benefactor, Mr Dickinson, the convent crossed the channel and settled in Preston, then Caverswall Castle and finally Oulton. Chris brought the lives of the nuns to life with often amusing anecdotes from sources such as the Annals of the English Benedictines of Ghent and even their accounts ledger. With surprising links to Charles II, Pugin and Tolkien this was local history with an international twist. 

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 12th May at 7-30pm with the first of our new programme of talks, a presentation on Eco-Cleaning.

Meetings are held in the Village Hall at 7-30pm on the second Tuesday of the month - new members and guests are always welcome..

Stowe WI also holds a monthly coffee morning at Stowe Village Hall on the 4th Thursday of the month. Everyone is welcome between 10-00am and midday.