Experience Henley heritage open days - by Natalie Aldred

HENLEY QUAKERS are raising awareness of climate change with an exhibition called “Whatever the weather — from frost fairs to global warming” this month.

The Quaker movement was founded in the 17th century by George Fox, who believed that the presence of God was within people rather than in churches. As the group started to meet in Henley, Britain experienced a big freeze that was seen as a “Little Ice Age”. The winters were so harsh that the River Thames froze over and people held frost fairs on the ice. Four centuries on, the country faces a different set of climate extremes. Henley Friends will host the exhibition with 17th century games and authentic home-baked biscuits and cakes at the Friends Meeting House, 45 Northfield End, Henley, RG9 2JJ on Saturday, September 14 from 2pm to 5pm.

Visitors will be able to explore the garden and original Quaker burial ground, which is situated behind old brick and flint walls. People can learn how early Quakers lived and survived the cold. There will be tips and suggestions on how to save energy and money and live a simpler lifestyle in the way of modern Quakers. The event is free and is being held as part of Heritage Open Days 2024. For more information, go to midthamesquakers.org.uk


Other venues that are participating in include St Mary’s Church in Hart Street, the River & Rowing Museum in Mill Meadows, the Henley Masonic Centre at Thames Lodge in Reading Road, Greys Court, near Rotherfield Greys, and Nuffield Place in Huntercombe.

ST MARY’S CHURCH will be open from Friday, September 6 to Sunday, September 15, from 10am to 4pm with “From the Garden of Eden to Paradise, a journey in stained glass”. The church has stained-glass windows featuring many scenes and personalities from the Bible, including Adam and Eve and Mary, Queen of Heaven. Binoculars will enable visitors to see some of the detail in higher windows. There will be activities for children and self-guided tours and talks for all. The church will also be open for prayer and worship. On Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15, from 10am to 4pm,

The RIVER & ROWING MUSEUM will be free to visit. Talks will run throughout the day and the River, Rowing and Henley galleries will be open along with the Piper Gallery and the Wind in the Willows experience. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to talk about this year’s theme of “Routes, networks and connections”, such as the history of Henley Bridge, dating from the 18th century, and the sculptor behind its capstones, Anne Seymour-Damer.

Also on Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15, there will be a chance to see THAMES LODGE, incorporating the HENLEY MASONIC CENTRE, in Reading Road from 10am to 4pm. Established in 1881, the Masonic order was given a site by Freemason W D Makenzie and the purpose-built hall was created. The building is owned by members. The building is used for meetings, rehearsals, social activities, Pilates classes and civic events throughout the year.

GREYS COURT will be open from Friday, September 6 to Sunday, September 15. The building has evolved through history, incorporating medieval, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian and 20th century elements, internally and externally. The 16th century mansion was home to the Brunner family until it was gifted to the National Trust in 1969. It has a 14th century great tower and a Tudor donkey wheel, which was used up until the early 20th century. The garden and shop are open from 10am to 5pm, the house is open from 11am to 4pm and the tea room is open from 10am to 4.30pm.

NUFFIELD PLACE in Huntercombe, which also belongs to the National Trust, will be open from Friday to Sunday, September 6 to 8 and on Wednesday and Thursday, September 11 and 12, and Sunday, September 15. This was the home of the late William Morris, who founded the Morris Motor Company, and his wife, Elizabeth, and the minutiae of their lives has been preserved. Lord Nuffield was a philanthropist who lived there the last 30 years of his life and visitors can see his sitting room with black and white television, his bedroom with a secret built-in workshop and even a jar containing his appendix. The garden and shop are open from 10am to 5pm and the house is open from 10.30am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk