Afternoon Tea

8. Afternoon tea at Creake Abbey Farm

Creake Abbey Farm

Home of the North Creake

branch of the Powditch family

from c1674-c1771

(Photo © Pat Powditch 2004-2007)

Although some family members

walked around to the front door

and then into the house, the majority remained with our host

and walked around the

cloistered garden.

Since we were last there in

2004, the Bean Tree (apparently

planted in 1953 - Coronation

Year) had been removed, due to

its not being in good condition,

and it was amazing to see how

much larger and lighter that area now looked (to see what the tree looked like in 2004, click here).

After Diana had showed us around the garden, so ably assisted by young Arthur, we went through

a side door and into the living room, where not only were several family members already

relaxing, but also where a lovely fire was crackling in the grate - a reminder of our being

there in 2004, on another cold day, not unlike this afternoon - and as equally welcome and

welcoming in 2006 as it had been two years earlier.

That members of the Powditch family had lived in Creake Abbey Farm between 1670 and 1771 was of great interest and pride to our present-day family although as we are all aware, much has happened during the past 235 years since the last Powditch actually lived in the house.
Limited edition etched glass by Langham Glass to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Creake Abbey 2006. (Photo © John C Algar 2006-2007)	Once everyone had sat down and had managed to settle in to the room and its warmth and company, Diana gave us all a really lovely welcome to her home and she also spoke of how 2006 was the 800th anniversary of the founding of Creake Abbey, and that a special glass had been designed and engraved by Langham Glass to mark the occasion. (For further details re Langham Glass please click Here)
Furthermore, Diana advised us that several of the glasses were available from her, and that she was selling them to both highlight the anniversary, as well as to raise much needed money for English Heritage for restoration work to the ruin.

After family members had had a chance to look at the Glasses, and had bought some, Diana invited

us to come through to a side room for our afternoon tea, and when we entered the room, a veritable feast awaited us; the table absolutely 'groaning with food. Having returned to the living room,

everyone sat down and proceeded to munch their way through the food, and having a good chat

about the house, adjacent abbey and our ancestors and the time they lived here.

Whilst the modern-day family ate, John recounted the story of what had happened when Joc

Wingfield had first made contact with Diana (in 2003) and how she had agreed (literally just after

signing the contract for the purchase of the property) that the Powditch's could return to their

ancestral home (for a visit), all of which, both then and now, was and is very much appreciated.

Not long afterwards, it was with regret (from both himself and ourselves) that Bryan Harman had to

take his leave of us, as he had to drive back to Great Yarmouth (where he lives) and he wanted to

get home before it got dark. He (and we) had all had a super day, but before he left however, John

gave our host a very big thank you on behalf of the Powditch Family for not only allowing us to return

to her home, to share in the warmth of herself, her family and the lovely fire, but especially for the

scrumptious afternoon tea she had so kindly provided for us.

Still later, and perhaps a little later than we'd intended to stay there, we all left Creake Abbey Farm,

with many thanks and much gratitude to Diana, as we headed back to our Coach.

As we walked along the path, we were surprised at how little water there was in the large pond, until

Diana said how due to the very dry weather of summer 2006, the water level had dropped

everywhere, and besides the pond itself having little water, apparently the streams too had almost

dried up; a worry to them as well as to many more of their neighbours.

Back at the Coach, we all trooped back on board, heads were counted, farewells were said to

Diana and to Coach for the PFG2006 provided by Sanders Coaches of Holt, Norfolk.
(Photo copyright John C Algar 2006-2007)

Arthur (who seemed to be very interested in the Coach until the engine started up!)

and then we were on our way, back to

Morston, and the end of the Coach journey

for the day.

That Roger was with us all day, not only

driving but also was invited to join us when

we visited and went round places was as

enjoyable for him as it was for us, especially

as it helped to make the day more interesting for him, and so it was that when he finally took his leave

of us at Morston, he was wishing that he could have known about the Gathering before today, as he

would have liked to have been with us on the Saturday as well !

After the Coach had gone, everyone went back to their digs etc to have a rest before the evening began again at Morston, where we were treated to an excellent Presentation on the Salthouse

(buried) Parish Register.

Please click Here to go to the next part of our Journey.