Reports and Photos from the Weekend

Post updated May 10 2015

 

 

 

Please click on dates on top right side of this page to access other posts in the Blog.(Events,Genealogy List,Numbered Tee Shirts,Centenary Book Summary,News and Anecdotes).

 

If you would like to make any comments or buy a copy of

 

1)The Programme/Guide  (£8)           

          2)The Centenary History Book (£10)          

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Centenary Easter 2013 on the Island

 

Reminiscences/Reports from Will Joy,Michael Crawley,James Corsan,Catherine Heseltine,Ann Spokes Symonds,Catherine Boyd and Addie Pinkster below the photo gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminiscenses of the Weekend from

Will Joy (P1221).

 

What I will say though, is that the weekend; including events, locations, food, drink and atmosphere, all provided by the Garnetts on their home ground was absolutely brilliant and in my opinion, all involved with the organisation and hosting can undoubtedly be seen as the 'big guns'!... Fabulous, wonderful & thank you :)
A couple of points from my reminiscences:
...The rock star guns were definitely the Poultons: Hugh Poulton, Chris and my Poulton cousins (Zak & Joe & supporting Matt) who lead the way on Saturday night with a great couple of songs, culminating with a brilliant performance of 'Rock the Casbah' .... given half a chance, they would have taken over the Island that night!
Finally....The young guns (again Poultons) were my youngest sister (Abigail Royston) and her partner, Javi who elegantly thrashed any and all opposition with eloquent style at the Edwardian Tennis tournament - superb to watch... I saw all of their games!
So, as you can see, I'm a little biased to the Poultons.... but... what's wrong with a little hereditary bias! ?

 

 

The Memorabilia Exhibition.

by Ann Spokes Symonds P52*

 

This took place at Helen's house for a few hours on the Friday and Saturday afternoons and thanks must go not only to Helen but to the many family members who kindly brought their precious items for display. The tragedy of the First World War was reflected in the number of items relating to Ronald (Ronnie) Poulton Palmer and Kenneth Garnett MC, both great sportsmen, who lost their lives in that conflict. Ronald, one of the greatest rugger players of all time, understandably had many mementoes and pictures on display, including one large bound scrapbook containing obituaries from all round the world. However, just as important were the caps and blazer of Kenneth Garnett who rowed in the winning 1914 Cambridge crew.

 

David Symonds kindly brought for display an excellent collection of the army medals and medals of honour awarded to his father and grandfather, Sir Charles Symonds CB, KBE and Ronald Symonds CB.

 

Interest, was understandably shown in the gold locket given by EBP to Emily during their long engagement. There was a lovely little cameo of Peter Garnett, Peggy's older brother, who tragically died at the age of three. There were numerous photographs of family groups and some memorable pictures of places on the island where the families stayed. 

 

Of great interest were the original of the beautiful portrait of Janet and Ronald and a copy of the one of Margaert and Hilda by the well-known Pre-Raphaelite painter, Thomas Cooper Gotch. Other items included a silver dressing table set, family necklaces and a copper kettle which belonged to Emily Poulton.

 

The Centenary Easter Egg Hunt

 from Catherine Heseltine (P5131)

On Friday afternoon, having hidden nearly 200 little chocolate eggs in Helen's lovely garden overlooking the sea, we gathered the children and the hunt began. The hunters ranged from 1 year-olds right up to the bigger children, with the top of the garden reserved for the under-5s, while the older ones searched for the eggs that we'd hidden away in some less obvious locations. With about 30 participants it still took more than half an hour to find all the shiny eggs dotted amongst the clumps of long grass and primroses, tucked into the garden wall and dotted around the paths and flowerbeds. Thankfully the weather was bright if still chilly, and it was great to see so many cousins (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th cousins!) taking part together. All the children seemed to enjoy the hunting and of course the chocolate!

 

Weekend Testemonial from James Corsan

author 'For Poulton and England'!

I greatly enjoyed my opportunity to become a temporary 'insider' at what must rank as one of the extended family gatherings of recent times. Although I was only present for one of four full days, my involvement was more than enough to 'register' and enjoy the closeness and variety of relations taking part. Since last weekend, I have been testifying at family and social functions to my sense of awe at both the effort involved in setting it all up and the willingness of all branches of 'The Family' to respond to the rallying call. I can think of very few dynasties who could achieved similar with quite the panache that was on display over Easter on the Isle of Wight.

Easter Centenary Edwardian Tennis Tournament

 

 from the organizer Michael Crawley (G61*)

What sheer suspense and excitement we all experienced over this three day event!  Out of the blue had come a Spanish Number One.  “He’s 585^th in the world”.  “No, 680^th”.  “I heard he was 285^th”.  Whatever his current ranking Javir Ramos, sporting wooden racket, and his beautiful, and properly (Edwardian style) attired partner, Abigail Royston, were a joy to watch as they glided effortlessly into the Final in exceptionally gentlemanly fashion.  Not that Tabby Bowman and Adam Jay (late sub. for Mark; mmm forgot to request sight of that ‘sicky’ note!) didn’t put up a tenacious fight.  You could have heard a George V florin drop among the 60 strong crowd during their 9 game contest.

Good cheer and sportsmanship abounded, and sheer enjoyment. Only one injury. Ben Hunt’s memory lapse was more than offset by a breathless arrival straight from organ practice whacking his way through the brambles with help of wooden racket in jaunty cap and shorts and sweater. Note for Crawleys: in future we must get the court cleared of moss and ready for use by Easter.

 The Buffet/Cabaret Evening by
Catherine Boyd G24

    

The buffet evening was a very jolly affair with 150 people enjoying the beautiful new drawing room and a delicious supper of tagine (still frozen after 2 days in the back of my car...that's how cold it was) and couscous salad and green salad (prepared and served by Sandra and Martin ) Thanks to Lilla and Camilla for massive defrosting job, Robert Simpson for running the bar (outdoors!) and the baby boomers (us lot) for generously supporting the event. William provided champagne which was perfectly chilled from its resting place in the loggia.

The party goers queued through the new door/access to the kitchen and then out through the hall which worked well; a perfect house for a party. Before supper we thanked William, Susannah and Helen and Peter said a few words about 'Our Island Story' Thanks to Susannah for letting us take over her almost finished kitchen and for her valiant attempts to make all the new ovens etc work. After brownies, N African pastries and cheese everyone was ready for the cabaret that followed            

 

   


                            Ode to Helen
                               Contributed to the Blog by Addie (G523)

Hurrah for maestro Pennant-Ray

And her tribute to Ted P and Aunt Peg Jay.

Throats and muscles are now aching

With the memories we've been making.

And I'll no longer get 3 emails a day.

Hurray! The irrespressible HPR

Gathering folk from near and afar.

We've become (re)acquainted,

Orangised fun til we've fainted,

And got thumped by a 600-ranked tennis star.

Three cheers for the mother of five

Who's kept Ronald's spirit alive.

It's been worth her hard slog,

For e'en without the legendary blog,

More generations will surely now thrive.

By a grateful & exhausted G523, aged 30 and three quarters.