| Date | Hare | Scribe |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 2023 | Keith | Kathy |
I’m really very fond of Uffington: that quintessential, Betjeman-infused, haphazard, sleepy English village, steeped in local history – and I find something new to admire every time I visit. I always enjoy the journey over, and today was no exception… the gentle wandering approach, the benign enveloping hills, “that” iconic white horse (due for a face-lift soon Annie tells me), and the pretty village itself. So, pinch me! Because sometimes it’s right to remind ourselves what a magical, mystical landscape we so fortunately have on our doorstep.
I love Uffington’s warm and welcoming, ancient, red stone St Mary’s Church. This solid, quirkily-shaped House of God dominates the village – a beautiful, benevolent, reassuring presence in these ever-uncertain times. That this village continues to thrive is in many ways thanks to some imaginative fund-raising initiatives, taking place both in the village hall and within the church itself, and the villagers strive to keep up a range of activities to attract both young and old. Hard work – certainly never easy – but hopefully long may it last. The Fox & Hounds pub, too, does its best to keep residents and visitors entertained with a range of additional leisure attractions and the village always seems to have a happy “buzz” about it.
On top of all that – every Sunday from June until the end of September – St Mary’s provides really splendid and beautifully presented afternoon teas, offering a wonderful array of delicious home-made cakes. There’s even a live pianist to enhance the delightful experience (as opposed to the nuisance of having to provide a dead one.). Enthusiastic and very friendly – not to mention talented – village ladies work tirelessly every year to make the events a much-anticipated success (it’s always the ladies isn’t it?). They are to be admired, appreciated and congratulated for their huge efforts. These charming teas are redolent of a great bygone age – totally suited to this unique village – and what a great way to end a summer’s afternoon.
Uffington’s quirky cottages and stocky chalk stone houses, its attractive well-stocked village store & café, the quiet pretty lanes and higgledy piggledy layout (I did check the spelling!), and its well-used green open spaces, conceal a thriving and prosperous community. And let’s not forget the quaint Tom Brown’s Museum housed in that iconic old building on the corner. It does a brilliant job in clarifying so much about local history, and is staffed by such cheerful well-informed volunteers – very well done!
Today began with a telling mist and a stillness in the air, and we enjoyed unexpectedly glorious end-of-summer weather for our Uffington hash – our fifth from this location. Anticipation was therefore palpable, and a very enjoyable walker’s trail, which meandered all around this interesting village, was meticulously laid by our ever-reliable hare, Keith. It was unusually short (about 2.6 miles), hot, flat (for a welcome change…!), mostly stile & hazard-free, faithfully floured, and included plenty of arrows. What’s not to love? This was my kind of hash, as I find it much more fascinating to be up close to a variety of striking architecture than to trudge across muddy fields!
There was an add-on (of course) of a further three miles or so for the benefit of the few stalwart runners who also turned up today, plus some of the hardier walkers, but this was virtually without incident and we all got back to the Fox Hounds unscathed.
We then all grouped lazily outside drinking, mingling and gossiping for a while, enjoying what seemed to be the best summer weather so far this year, and it was very relaxing indeed. Keith – and Kay – were thanked for an unexpectedly “kind” hash and an altogether splendid day out. (Even if Keith was meanly teased about the paucity of flour in his dots because, as he later pointed out, we did see them, didn’t we? so they did their job.).
Ten of us – scribe included – stayed for the Fox & Hounds’ Sunday lunch. Most of us found the meal very tasty, but the food could have been a lot hotter. The staff didn’t do themselves any favours either by getting very confused about some of our bookings – goodness only knows why, as we couldn’t have been clearer – but hey, you can’t win ‘em all. Everyone at our table – except scribe – discussed the merits of different air fryers… at some considerable length. They kindly nudged me awake when the food arrived.
Finally, as the hash slowly wound down and the gorgeous sunshine continued, some of us gently strolled back to the church for “afters”, and I noticed how so many of the properties proudly boasted newly-painted walls and gleaming woodwork. As the sun shone through the leaves, highlighting fresh new autumnal colours, I smilingly thought to myself …. Uffington has put on her Sunday best! On on!