Anthony Powell Society 25th Anniversary Celebrations
West Country Weekend, 7-8 June
Following the Lunch in London on Friday 6 June, members can join a weekend visit to Anthony Powell’s Somerset home, The Chantry, and to other local places of interest. This will be based in Frome, which has various accommodation possibilities and a railway station with a service to London. The proposed itinerary is:
Saturday Afternoon, 7 June: A visit to The Chantry. John Powell has kindly agreed to welcome a group to The Chantry. For Anthony Powell devotees this is a wonderful opportunity – especially for anyone who has not visited previously. We will meet at The Chantry at 14:00 – conveniently for those wishing to travel on the day. A tour of the house and grounds will be followed by tea – served in the Library and Dining Room.
Saturday Evening: Dinner in Frome. Dinner for the group will be arranged at a restaurant in Frome.
Sunday Morning, 8 June: A visit to Westwood Manor. Described by Pevsner as a Perfect Wiltshire Manor House, Westwood is a lovely 15th-century house built of golden stone. With mediaeval Gothic and Jacobean windows, and beautiful plasterwork decoration, it is an outstanding example of mediaeval and Tudor architecture, with wonderful topiary, set in idyllic countryside. Parts date back to the 14th century, but it is mainly Elizabethan and Jacobean which, given AP’s literary tastes, make it a most appropriate destination.
Westwood is owned by the National Trust, but is also the private home of the tenants, Jonathan and Emily Azis, who have very kindly agreed to our visit when the house is closed to the public.
Emily Azis is the daughter of the literary agent and author Isabel Colegate. She and Anthony Powell were friends and admired each other’s writing. Denys Sutton, the art critic and editor of Apollo, lived at Westwood Manor until 1983, and he too was a friend of AP and Lady Violet. They visited and lunched at Westwood on several occasions – AP noting that the wine was always excellent [Journals 1982-1986].
Transport will be provided from Frome, returning in the afternoon.
Sunday Lunch at The New Inn, Westwood. Following the visit to Westwood Manor the party can enjoy Sunday Lunch at the New Inn, a traditional pub in the village of Westwood, and only a short distance from the Manor.
The cost for the weekend is £185 and includes:
- A visit to The Chantry, including Afternoon Tea
- Dinner on Saturday night, at a restaurant in Frome
- Transport to and from Westwood on Sunday
- Admission, and a private tour, of Westwood Manor
- Sunday Lunch at the New Inn in Westwood
NB: Transport to and from The Chantry is not included.
Members who wish to book for the West Country Weekend should email John Blaxter, johnblaxter49@gmail.com, requesting to be added to the provisional list, and indicating whether they have previously visited The Chantry. Places will be confirmed in early May, with preference being given to those who have not been to The Chantry before.
