Master’s Break in North Hampshire and Surrey – 17 to 19 June 2025
The Master and Mistress were delighted to host 35 Members of the Livery and their partners to a 3 day / 2 night break between 17 and 19 June 2025, the object for which was to show case that part of north Hampshire where they live as well as the Master’s great love of target shooting.
We met on the Tuesday afternoon at his Bisley Club, the North London Rifle Club, who hosted us to a buffet lunch and afterwards for tea. The UK’s National Shooting Centre at Bisley in Surrey is a Victorian oasis that houses most of the shooting disciplines from 20 to 1,200 yards that are shot at Olympic, Commonwealth and World Games. The wooden timbered buildings, that were moved from the previous shooting ranges on Wimbledon Common in 1890, have remained the same since and are preserved by the National Rifle Association or by Clubs who still use them. We learnt about the origins of the Volunteer Regiments who were created in the Victorian era to prepare for a French invasion and who went on to form the NRA in 1860.
Nick Mace firing at 1000 yards
We split into 3 groups, and in turn had a short walking tour of the Camp to see the buildings and learn about their history, had a guided tour of the NRA Museum, and watched colleagues of Charles shooting target rifle at 1,000 yards, learning what the Master gets up at weekends! Special thanks to our hosts, Tony de Launay and his team at the Museum, Tim Price the walking encyclopaedia, and Nick and Lucy Mace who looked after us on the 1,000 yard range.
The Elvetham Hotel at Hartley Wintney was our base for two nights, and on the first night the weather held, and we had a BBQ outside, during which one of the Managers gave us an interesting and amusing short talk about the history of the site. The Elvetham Estate has experienced centuries of English history. It’s the site where, amongst other historical events, King Henry VIII fell in love with Jane Seymour, his third wife and mother of his longed-for male heir.
Gilbert White’s House: from the meadow
Gilbert White’s House: Group 1 Garden tour inspecting the vegetables
Gilbert White’s House: Group 2 on the Garden tour taking a rest! Michael Cooper, our Gardener host, Kathy Adams, Felicity Cooper, Sheila Sofaer, Penny Malik and Sue Nash
Gilbert White’s House: Group 2 on the Garden tour: David Adams, Kathy Adams, Michael Curzon Lewis, Nick Frost (hidden), Penny Malik, Simon Malik, Christine Curzon Lewis, Michael Cooper, Clive Sofaer, Sheila Sofaer, Damon Reynolds, Sue Nash and Felicity Cooper
On the Wednesday we visited Gilbert White’s House and Gardens in Selbourne and Chawton House near Alton. For Gilbert White’s House, we again split in to 3 groups, and enjoyed a tour of the gardens with their experienced gardeners, a self-guided tour of the House with an introductory talk about its historical significance and a visit to the Brewery and Tap Room. It is now a micro-brewery making extremely good beers and lagers , including one using Gilbert White’s ingredients and formula from almost 200 years ago! The House contains fascinating exhibitions on the Oates family – Frank Oates, the African explorer and Captain Lawrence Oates (of the saying “I may be some time” fame), on the Scott Expedition to the Antarctic.
Gilbert White’s House: Beer tasting: Charles Brooks, David Adams and Nick Frost
Chawton House: the front elevation
An excellent buffet lunch was taken in the café and then it was off to Chawton. How could we be in that part of Hampshire and not visit Chawton House where the Village was celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austin’s birth. We had a free flow tour of the ‘Great House’ referred to in her letters, and where she would have carried out some of her writing. The House has been sensitively restored. One of the curators gave us a brilliantly informative introductory talk, following which we were able to see the site of the Plumbers’ Company Hall in Chequer Yard on the ancient map of London.
That evening we had the traditional Plumbers’ black tie dinner in the Library of The Elvetham, at which we were delighted to be joined by the Master’s mentor PM Rodney and Anna Cartwright.
The Elvetham Library – Black Tie Dinner: Master Charles Brooks, Debbie Gale, Lvy Simon Malik, Anna Cartwright, PM Nick Gale, Lvy Penny Malik and PM Rodney Cartwright
The Elvetham Library – Black Tie Dinner: Lvy Clive Sofaer, Felicity Cooper, Lvy Ian Raine, Kala Jones, Sheila Sofaer, Snr Asst Michael Cooper, Std Patty Grant, PM Nick Jones and Upper Warden Sandra Raine
The next day saw us take a relaxing boat trip on the Basingstoke Canal aboard the John Pinkerton Canal Boat to the ruins of the historical King John’s Castle. We learnt about the history of the Canal and the Castle situated in the old Deer Parks and Hunting Grounds of the Normans. Lunch was taken at the Bel and The Dragon, the old coaching inn in Odiham Hight Street, a few yards from the Master’s home, before the Master took us on a short visit to the historical part of Odiham, comprising the High Street, the Bury, the Stocks and All Saints’ Church.
The Basingstoke Canal – ready for embarkation on teh John Pinkerton from Odiham Wharf: Lvy Kim Howell, Lvy Carol Joseph, Jane Hodkinson and PM Steve Hodkinson
The Master and the Mistress at Odiham Castle
The Basingstoke Canal – The crew of the John Pinkerton prepare for the return journey
We were blessed with marvellous weather over the three days and we much look forward to next year’s Master’s Break in the North East of England.
The Master, Charles Brooks