Annie May Spawton 1944 - 2014

Annie May

Annie May (nee Hilltout, later Ommanney - took the name May which was one of the Christian names of her paternal grandmother whom she loved dearly) was born at the Anglo-Italian Hospital in Alexandria on 3rd April 1944. Her Italian-born mother Tita had followed her father to Egypt but they separated early. Tita then married Max, a naval officer, who became Annie's step-father and they lived for a while in Hong Hong and Malta. A half-sister, Frances ('Fanny'), followed in 1950.

Annie grew up in and around Droxford and went to Miss Etheridge's kindergarten school in the stables at Fir Hill House, then owned by the Hulberts, where she was the contemporary of Will Martin and Herry. She later claimed that she bit Will ('and everyone') but we only have fond memories of her in those early days. Her mother Tita was a formidable woman - among other things an Italian Olympic swimmer. She had a fiery disposition and she and Annie clashed from an early age. And it was not until Fanny was 15 that Annie took her aside and told her that she was her half-sister. In 1962, she attended Les Rosey School in Lausanne and later went to finishing school there. Needless to say, she spoke perfect French.

Because she moved around so much and because of her schooling abroad, she didn't join the active social life of the rest of us until later. We were rarely out of each other's houses and pursued a constant round of tennis parties in the summer and dances in the winter. But she attended the naval parties at HMS Dryad in Portsmouth and at one of them gave the previously gnawed-on Will his first kiss. Soon her attractiveness, vibrancy and wit made her irresistible and in her late teeens she became one of the gang. In those days though there was no 'pairing off'. As Annie later put it, we enjoyed 'rushing around in a heap' too much.

Annie apparently fully clothed on a li-lo in the pool at Stocks. Mervyn Archdall on the side

I remember driving around with Annie sitting on straw bales in the back of one of the farm vans, probably with Richard Courtauld (who Annie was rather keen on) and on other occasions, following her car though the lanes in my Mini with my lights off so that I could surprise her at the other end. We held dinner parties at Stocks that on one famous occasion began with carefully disguised vodka consommé (frozen so that the vodka was effectively tasteless) that degenerated more quickly than usual into games and helpless laughter. It might have been on that occasion that Nick Duke attempted a barrel roll out of the drawing room window and smashed it. And it was at Annie's wedding in 1969 that I first drank anything stronger than Coke and was found laughing helplessly and had to be taken home.

Annie married a submariner, Lt Stuart Thorpe, and moved  to Bishops Waltham, next to the Knollys' (Cmdr. Hugh and Curly and parents of Willow). Curly was an artist and became a close friend, while Hugh's attentions were less welcome.  The house became a magnet for parties while her artistic talents came to the fore and she painted and made things and wrote interesting plays. There were no children so Annie and Stu adopted Toby and Barney but soon divorced and Annie moved to Wales in 1979.

Annie painting children at Fuff's farm, Castell Howell in 1980



Annie met Geoff in 1978 and became a couple in 1981. In 1986 Annie decided to go to university and later graduated with a degree in classics, which became her passion (after Geoff, who was the love of her life!). Annie married Geoff in 1990 and in the same year became Grannie Annie for the first time when Laura (Geoff's daughter) had her first son. In 1991 Annie and Geoff moved to Panteg Farm, which was owned by the writer Hammond Innes. Here they started to breed Pedigree Highland Cattle and Welsh Mountain Sheep. Whilst enjoying a very hands on role at the farm Annie also taught Classics at the University in Lampeter. Her teaching brought her into contact with many mature students. Several declared that Annie's positive approach and clarity of presentation had changed their lives.  Over the next few years The May Fold of Highland Cattle developed and Annie loved showing the cattle at local shows and had much success. The height of her success in the show ring was winning Champion Male and Reserve Overall Champion with a home breed heifer 'Dora Mina 3^rd of the May'.

In 1998 Ralph Hammond Innes died and left Annie and Geoff the farm ‘for all their kindness and in admiration of the achievements at Panteg'. Later that year they bought Gilfachwen which became the home that Annie loved. She was a fabulous cook and adored entertaining in the house which was often full of laughter – created by the quantities of food, drink and company!She even wrote a cook-book, 'Take a Sharp Knife'. 

Annie used to come to London a least once a year and gave lunches for her friends at at her club, the University Womens' Club in Mayfair, usually accompanied by her very well-behaved collie, Pansy. 

In 2009, she and Geoff came to a party in Droxford which I organised for my family (she was my son Edward's godmother) following a Christmas and New Year spent in Ireland and as always lit up the room.  

Such was her energy and love of teaching that she started a young person's drama club - the Lampeter Youth Theatre (LYTss), that became enormously popular and successful.

Annie became ill in March 2014 and in July was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer. Annie decided that she would enjoy her 70^th birthday at home as already planned. The party was on a glorious warm weekend at the end of August with 30 of her best and oldest friends and despite being uncomfortable she was on marvelous form.  The photograph of her at the end of this piece was taken by Belin Martin at that time. She also decided to go ahead with the holiday she and Geoff had planned on a widebeam on the  Kennet and Avon canal with her much loved dogs, before embarking on her treatment in September. Sadly Annie lost her  battle in December only three months into her treatment. Never once did she make any fuss or want any sympathy, she was brave and strong to the end.

A couple of her posts from Facebook capture her true farming spirit and love of nature: 

'That was very lucky! Had quite a chase through the snow to get the cattle into the box. Total white-out as we left grazing ground. The weight of the cattle box made steering very difficult. No shopping, of course, but home for tea and hot buttered toast absolutely, triumphantly, exhausted!'

'Been on the road feeding stock since after breakfast. It's heavenly out there! You can see the Brecon Beacons from the Mountain as if they we across the road not 40 miles away! And the air's like wine! Just footling on FB while I wait to change for dinner!'

Annie was interested in everybody and everything and looked for the best in everyone. She was also a wonderful listener. Consequently she always hugely interesting to talk to. Laura - who Annie loved dearly as the daughter she never had - spoke movingly at her funeral - said that she could always talk to her about anything. She was full of generosity and fun and there was always laughter wherever she was. Her death has left Geoff , Toby and Barney, Laura and her family and many friends deeply saddened but also with an inextinguishable memory of a bright and beautiful light. 

For more photos of Annie, click here

    

Magna Carta 800th Anniversary 2015

King John signing Magna Carta at Runnymede 15th June 2015

I have been enjoying Melvyn Bragg's discussions about Magna Carta, which was signed 800 years ago this year. Although most of its 63 clauses in Latin are irrelevant today, its key provision served to put the everyone in the land, including the monarch, under the law. Article 39 read:

'No Freeman shall be taken or imprisoned, or be disseised [dispossessed] of his Freehold, or Liberties, or free Customs, or be outlawed, or exiled, or any other wise destroyed; nor will We not pass upon him, nor condemn him, but by lawful judgment of his Peers, or by the Law of the land. We will sell to no man, we will not deny or defer to any man either Justice or Right'.

At Runnymede, at Runnymede,
Your rights were won at Runnymede!
No freeman shall be fined or bound,
Or dispossessed of freehold ground,
Except by lawful judgment found
And passed upon him by his peers.
Forget not, after all these years,
The Charter Signed at Runnymede.

And still when Mob or Monarch lays
Too rude a hand on English ways,
The whisper wakes, the shudder plays,
Across the reeds at Runnymede.
And Thames, that knows the moods of kings,
And crowds and priests and suchlike things,
Rolls deep and dreadful as he brings
Their warning down from Runnymede!

Rudyard Kipling - 'The Reeds of Runnymede'


“Magna Carta is the greatest constitutional document of all times—the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot.” - Lord Denning

Favourite Poetry - The North Ship

I saw three ships go sailing by,
Over the sea, the lifting sea,
And the wind rose in the morning sky,
And one was rigged for a long journey.

The first ship turned towards the west,
Over the sea, the running sea,
And by the wind was all possessed
And carried to a rich country.

The second ship turned towards the east,
Over the sea, the quaking sea,
And the wind hunted it like a beast
To anchor in captivity.

The third ship drove towards the north,
Over the sea, the darkening sea,
But no breath of wind came forth,
And the decks shone frostily.

The northern sky rose high and black
Over the proud unfruitful sea,
East and west the ships came back
Happily or unhappily:

But the third went wide and far
Into an unforgiving sea
Under a fire-spilling star,
And it was rigged for a long journey.


Philip Larkin

Stockbridge Christmas Shopping Evening

Stockbridge has a wonderful late-night Christmas shopping evening in December and this year's was even better organised and attended. The cold and drizzle failed to dampen spirits as the shops served mulled wine and prosecco, sausages and hot dogs while the the Christmas Tree lights were switched on by Alex Lewis. A carol service was held in St Peter's Church.

For more photos, click here

Wellbeing of Women Christmas Fair at the Drapers' Hall 2014

The now annual Christmas Fair organised by Wellbeing of Women at the Drapers' Hall on 1st December was so well attended that at certain times numbers being allowed into the principal rooms had to be limited. The stalls were even more varied and interesting than in previous years and much early Christmas shopping was done. But the crowds made it more difficult to take photos so photos are limited.

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Remembrance Sunday 2014

Uncle Capt Michael Pugh, killed at Anzio near the end of WWII

     

A war poem written by Michael Pugh

The incredible installation of myriads of poppies at the Tower of London


See also War Memorials for some more memorable war poetry

Old Swan House Garden in Summer and Autumn 2014

Some views of the garden in summer and autumn

Favourite Poems - Dirge Without Music

So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:

Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. 

Crowned with lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.

Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.

Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.

A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,

A formula, a phrase remains,—but the best is lost.

The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,

—They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses. 

Elegant and curled is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. 

But I do not approve.

More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave

Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;

Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.

I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned. 

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.

Dirge Without Music

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Grave Threat to Stockbridge and Longstock from Developers 2014

Latest News: The Test Valley Northern Planning Committee voted to refuse permission for this development at their meeting on 13th November 2014. A splendid result, but not necessarily the end of the matter. 

Stockbridge High St. The site of the the proposed development is the green field above the trees at the far end of the street.

The representation of visual effect of the proposed building of 46 houses above Stockbridge and Longstock, as seen from the Down

Stockbridge and the linked village of Longstock lie in the Test River valley, in some of the most picturesque and unspoilt countryside in Hampshire. The town of Stockbridge has a long and interesting history, having developed from its Roman origins as a key causeway across the river into a thriving centre for fishing and country sports, and is particularly famed for its unusual range of independent shops which flank the broad high street. At either end there is downland and open countryside, and on either side lie a fine grazing marsh and water meadows. 

For the past year the town has been under threat from plans for a completely inappropriate development initiated by a well-connected local councillor seeking personally to benefit from the sale of the proposed site. Apart from the fact that having a councillor who is not able to represent his constituents on an important local issue (as he has to declare an interest and absent himself from any discussion), natural justice requires that our elected councillors should not be able to benefit from large-scale development in areas they represent. 

Currently the developers, David Wilson Homes, have resubmitted their plans for consideration by Test Valley Borough Council before any decision has been taken, as the result of initial fierce local opposition. However, the revised plans do nothing at all to change the basic objections, and have been soundly condemned by many, including the National Trust.  There is no doubt that the development itself would have a dramatic adverse visual impact on the town of Stockbridge and change its aspect and character forever. 

The basic objections to the plans can be summarised as follows:

£  This urban style development is still far too large; it is not suited to its rural location and will only serve to encourage further inappropriate development in the countryside surrounding Stockbridge. 

*Contrary to Chap 7, Policy E1 & Policy E2 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan and Longstock & Stockbridge VDS.

£  In the revised plans David Wilson Homes (DWH) admit that the proposed development of 46 houses and flats will be visually intrusive in this area of open countryside.  The suggested tree planting will do little to address visibility, day or night.  The proposal will significantly change the appearance of the area and have no relationship with the established character and development pattern of the surrounding villages.  It will appear as a sporadic urban development that is out of character and context with this part of the Test Valley.  This site will permanently compromise and irrefutably erode this rural area, irrevocably damaging the character of Stockbridge. 

*Contrary to Chap 7, Policy E1 & Policy E2 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan, Longstock & Stockbridge VDS and Chap 11 & 12 of the NPPF.

£  The affordable housing offered in this development still does not meet actual need for all three parishes.  Current housing figures as at August 2014 show a total requirement for 35 properties;

	1 Bed	2 Bed	3 Bed	4 Bed	Total
Actual Need	31	3	1	0	35
Proposed	3	11	3	1	18

It is clear that the affordable housing offered in this development will not be filled by people with a local connection to the three parishes, contrary to principles of rural affordable housing.   These 18 affordable properties are simply being used to justify building 28 market value houses in undeveloped countryside outside of the defined settlement boundary. 

*Contrary Policy E2 and COM 8 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan and Para 7 and Chap 9 of NPPF.

£   The site is not sustainable.  There is limited employment in Stockbridge and the surrounding villages which will result in residents from this development commuting.  There is only a very limited bus service - no other public transport exists and roads are unsuitable for cyclists.  The site is too far away from the nearest towns to encourage walking.  This will result in an environmentally unacceptable increase in traffic through Stockbridge.  The economic benefits offered by this proposal are overstated and would duplicated if this development were placed anywhere within the Test valley.  Stockbridge cannot cope with such a significant increase in population, it will overwhelm existing infrastructure and result in an unacceptable reduction in service to its current residents. 

*Contrary to Chap 4 Para 4.1 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan, Para 7 and Chap 3 & 4 of NPPF.

£  The development site already experiences problems with rain water runoff which will be exacerbated once built upon.  DWH are using run off statistics collated in 2012 prior to last winter’s flooding**.  Siting a development of this size above a flood plain fails to safeguard existing residents from future flooding.   

*Contrary to Policy E7 of the emerging TVBC Local Plan and Chap 10 & 11 of NPPF.

** See how close Stockbridge came to being flooded in February 2014.  

The local planning officer hearing the case is Mr Jason Owen of Test Valley Borough Council. He can be contacted on planning@testvalley.gov.uk or an online form exists for objection to be filed by 14th October

Favourite Photos: Kei's Photos of China

I have been to China many times, but sadly have hardly done any sightseeing. My daughter Kei is making a trip there now, and her photos of the Yellow Mountains and Mount Huanshan in particular are so spectacular that I am reproducing them here.