Henley Society

THE Henley Society now has almost 1,700 followers on Instagram and Facebook combined, up 72 per cent so far this year. As a result, we have also started to post to LinkedIn where, we are told, we will find a whole new audience. We will see.

This month we are pleased to welcome new members Dr Lilian Pearson-Bishop, Raelene Clarke, Rosie Bowden and Paul Barker.

Members will doubtless have noticed that the bollard at the bottom of Gravel Hill, on the south-west corner of the town hall, which was damaged in May, has still not been replaced. We are lobbying Oxfordshire County Council to get the work completed.

Our first autumn talk, held on Thursday, was given by Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, at the Eyot Centre.

Our next talk will take place on Thursday, November 13 at the same time and venue. The speaker will be Richard Pinches, chairman of the Henley branch of the Royal British Legion. His subject “Henley during the Civil War” ties in nicely with our recent unveiling of the plaque commemorating the birthplace of Speaker William Lenthall and the planting of the Rupert’s Elm.

Members will doubtless have read that in the recent Muddy Stilettos vote Henley came out as the best Oxfordshire town in which to live. A feather in the town’s cap!

Fast on the heels of that news comes the information that Henley has been awarded a Gold Medal in the Thames and Chiltern in Bloom award ceremony. This is a tremendous achievement since the town has not entered this competition since 2019, and reflects the efforts of many of the town’s institutions and, in particular, the Henley in Bloom committee chaired by Councillor Kellie Hinton. Well done to all concerned.

Plans are well advanced for our Christmas lunch and as soon as they are finalised we will circulate members.

The Executive
Committee