MAY 2026
At the beginning of Summer in May, we welcomed a group of over thirty UK based Asian women who held their Retreat here. They were from all over UK. They spent a lot of time in personal and group mediation, walking meditation and Yoga. The weather was very pleasant and our garden was at its peak. They also enjoyed a variety of India dishes specially created for them.
In June, we welcomed our Roman Catholic Retreat Group mainly from London. It was an intensely spiritual Retreat where they spent time in group input sessions, but also in individual spiritual exercises, journaling and personal prayer. They were able to use our Main Chapel, the Oratory and also the grounds. They expressed their gratitude of how much they had benefited from their time together.
We do hope that they are able to return to Park Place to deepen the spiritual bond that they have created during this Retreat. We wish them every blessing.
June was also a time when the Anglican Diocese of Winchester held a Retreat for the Ordination of Priests and Deacons. It was a very enriching experience for all of them and we hope to see the Deacons next year when they come for the preparation of the Retreat in preparation for their Ordination.
The month of August arrived with pleasant surprises. We were told that Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrao from Goa, India was visiting UK. So we tried to contact his secretary to find out if there was a slim chance of him visiting us as he usually has a very busy schedule. To our great surprise we were told that he could join us for lunch on 6th August – the Feast of the Transfiguration. Our joy knew no bounds and it was a real privilege to have him and some of the priests from Swindon.
Catholic School children from England were with us for a week to learn Latin. The group consisted of varied ages from the youngest who was five to the oldest who was sisteen.
They had a very busy Programme throughout the day, studying Latin. They followed all instructions in Latin including the Celebration of the Mass which was all in Latin.
It was a pleasure to have them and we were very much impressed by their behaviour. They were very respectful and meticulously carried out all the instructions that were given to them.
They had some fun time together too. At the end of their stay they re-enacted some scenes from the Bible.
The Icon of Mary arrived at Park Place on 15th of August, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption, a fitting Feast to welcome the Icon in our midst. It remained with us for a week and then was taken by the TOS members to its next destination. During the week, we held special Franciscan prayers, hymns and readings from the writings of St. Francis. We also prayed for all people around the world and for creation. It was a real privilege and honour for us as Franciscans to welcome the Icon of Mary, Queen of the Franciscan Order.
Highlights typically include:
So instead of hiring a stall in the Wickham Square, we set up a couple of stalls in front of the Manor as our grounds were used as a Parking Site. On one stall we sold home-made cakes, cookies, chutneys and pickles. While on the second stall Martyn Scott sold his hand-crafted clocks. The proceeds from the sale of all products were sent to Tanzania for the education of under- privileged children.
The audience enjoyed the music as well as home-made samosas, cakes and pastries.
Our Friends of Park Place headed by Rosie Scott were all out to volunteer for the evening. Martyn Scott and Geoff Page were there to make sure that the wine and beer were flowing freely.
Hillary Wilson conducted the Hand-crafted Cards-Weekend. It was a special time for all participants, because it offered something that mass-produced cards cannot:
OUR NEXT EVENT IS: THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH
ON SUNDAY 6TH DECEMBER 2026. PLEASE CHECK OUR EVENTS’ PAGE.
