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Whitchurch
Silk Mill
The mill was built on the River Test in Hampshire in 1800, during
the reign of King George III. Silk has been woven here since
the 1820/1830s. The
mill produces high quality bespoke silk for country house restorations,
for new commissions and interior designers and for film and
TV productions - for example dresses in the popular Downton
Abbey series. Their silk is also used for academic or legal
gowns. The V8 Party parked up their V8s on the lawn alongside
the mill and enjoyed a fascinating tour and lunch. (Saturday)
Report
1 & Report
2 & Report
8
www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk
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Inkpen
Beacon - almost a "mountain" with wonderful views
and big skies
The route from Whitchurch to the Crofton Steam Bean Engines
passed attractive small villages and then climbed up to Inkpen
Beacon with stunning views to the North. (Saturday) Report
3
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-avebury
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Crofton
Beam Engines
These steam powered engines pumped water for the Kennet and
Avon canal and are the oldest working steam pumps in the World.
Our visit coincided with a day when the engines were in "in
steam". (Saturday) Report
4
www.croftonbeamengines.org
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V8
Dinner in the barn at the Norton Park Hotel
Dinner on Saturday evening was in the barn at the Norton
Park Hotel which provided a private dining room for a convivial
evening for the V8 party. (Saturday) Report
5 |
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Historic
Dockyard at Portsmouth, home of the Royal Navy
On Saturday the V8 party had a full day at the historic dockyard
at Portsmouth with a guided tour of HMS Victory and visits to
the Trafalgar sail, HMS Warrior, the Mary Rose Museum, the Museum
of the Royal Navy, the Trafalgar experience and the Dockyard
Apprentice. The day included a boat tour of Portsmouth harbour.
In addition they toured of a serving warship, HMS Diamond. (Sunday)
Report
6
www.historicdockyard.co.uk
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Salisbury
Cathedral
On Monday morning the V8 party enjoyed a morning visit to Salisbury
Cathedral, a stunning building which has the largest close,
cloisters and quire of any in Britain and has the tallest spire.
It is unusual in being built all in the same architectural style
- and what a light and soaring style it is too! The V8 party
were invited to park in Cathedral Close and had a guided tour
of the cathedral. The Chapter House has the best preserved copy
of the Magna Carta. For the brave there was an opportunity to
see the fantastic view from the tower and even the medieval
scaffolding within the spire with 332 steps. The cathedral also
has a famous Grandfather Willis organ. (Monday) Report
7
www.salisburycathedral.org.uk
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250911 & 270911 |
V8
Autumn Tour 2011 members' plaque & Bob
Ownen's photo collection |
