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The Knot Garden at Buckden Towers
The Knot Garden is maintained by a group of volun-
teers who meet at 10.30am on Tuesday and Satur-
day mornings.
This walled garden is a peaceful haven for wildlife
especially birds and bees. It is visited by foreign and
local tourists throughout the year and is accessible
to disabled visitors.
Seasonal gardening tasks are carried out by the
volunteers.
Winter tasks have included spreading fresh gravel
on the paths and replacing the weathered arbour.
Spring jobs include rose bush pruning and tying in
the new growth on the climbing plants.
Summer and Autumn are the busiest seasons with
Summer seeing the box edging being cut and the
beds weeded, followed by Autumn pruning and the
garden being prepared for winter.
New volunteers are always welcome on any Tues-
day or Saturday morning.
Buckden Local History Society
Buckden Local History Society was inaugurated in
1979 to promote the study and knowledge of local
history. The Society meets on the first Wednesday
of the month from September to June at the Claret
Centre at Buckden Towers at 7.30pm. A visit to a
place of relevant interest is arranged for July.
The meetings usually consist of an illustrated talk by
a local historian on a topic with local connections at
least. Most speakers are amateurs who enjoy shar-
ing their enthusiastic interest in their area of re-
search.
Guests are welcome at meetings which are adver-
tised in The Roundabout. The programme for the
year can be accessed through The Roundabout web
page and paper copies are available from the Buck-
den Library. Further information can be obtained via
e-mail,
buckdenhistory@gmail.com
or the present
chairman on 01480 811558.
THE FRIENDS OF
BUCKDEN TOWERS
FOBT is a registered charity formed
in 1977. Its main object is:
“to preserve, or assist in the preservation
of Buckden Towers”
I have paraphrased this as the full list of objectives
is very long, but we raise money to help the owners
(the Claret Community) to maintain and preserve all
the buildings and furnishings at the Towers, includ-
ing the walls, the Gatehouse, the main house and,
of course the Palace.
In the last 12 months we have paid for the refurbish-
ment of the Friends Refectory. We are about to start
on redecorating the toilet facilities, we will be replac-
ing the curtains and repairing the floor in the King’s
Room in the Palace.
We also run the annual plant sale, which is very
popular in the village and draws many people from
the local area and beyond as well. Volunteer guides
run tours of the site for individuals, societies and
tour companies.
For further information and details of our events,
please see our website
www.fobt.org.uk.
VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS
BUCKDEN WHIST CLUB
meets at Buckden Towers,
Monday evenings, 7 – 10 pm
In the 1940’s a local businessman founded the
Buckden Whist Club. At that time a
joker
was
goose-stepping all over Europe and appeared to
hold all the
trumps
. Food being in short supply, we
Britons got out our
spades
, dug up our flower beds
and grew our vegetables.
In the 1950’s a young Elizabeth touched our
hearts
,
when making her vows at her coronation. She has
steadfastly carried out her Royal role throughout the
decades.
Buckden Whist Club, like the Queen, has achieved
its
diamond
anniversary. We have also had our
ups and downs, at one stage being on the brink of
folding.
Recently membership has improved. We would,
however, welcome anyone interested (either novice
or experienced) to come along and join our
Ace of
Clubs
for a chat, a laugh and, of course, a game of
whist.
For information contact: Sheila Swaford
01480
810834
There are many organisations, clubs and societies in the village. All need your support - either attending and par-
ticipating, or by helping them with administration. We are giving them the chance to tell you what they do in the
magazine; most of them also have details on the Buckden Roundabout website at:
http://www.buckdenroundabout.info/village-organisations