2007 BERESFORD INTERNATIONAL GATHERING (2-13 MAY 2007): This Gathering, held every ten years, was our third. Over 120 members were involved in the various parts of the programme, some travelling from as far as Canada, Australia and USA.
The first phase was based in Buxton, Derbyshire with visits to places with Beresford connections. These included the impressive Chatsworth House and a visit to Crich church to see the armour-suited tomb of Godfrey Beresford (the son of Thomas & Agnes's eldest son Adam) who died in 1513. We also had a ride on the nearby Tram Museum track, our tram having the original destination 'Beresford Square'.
On the following morning we visited Tissington Hall, the home of Sir Richard FitzHerbert, for an interesting tour of the house and gardens. In the afternoon we travelled to the Beresford Estate for a picnic lunch hosted by Jenny Waters. This was held by the imposing Tower overlooking the River Dove, after which we visited the fishing lodge made famous by the fishing classic The Complete Angler.
On the Sunday, a family service was held in St Edmund's Church, Fenny Bentley, led by our Chaplain, Rev Christopher Harrison. Members were able to see the tomb of Thomas and Agnes Beresford together with the beautiful stained glass windows and memorials depicting Beresfords who had worshipped here for generations.
The second phase of the programme took us to Manchester for a flight to Dublin and a coach journey to stay in the ancient Viking city of Waterford. The next day we visited Curraghmore House, the stately home of our President, the Marquis of Waterford, and were entertained to lunch in the Dining Room by Lady Waterford.
We were also shown round Clonegam Church, built in 1741. Inside is the memorial to Sir Marcus Beresford, Earl of Tyrone and Countess Katherine, by whose marriage the Beresford and de Poer families were united. In the grounds of the church are the tombs of twenty ancestors of the Beresford and de Poer families. We also toured the extensive gardens with rhododendrons in full flower and the famous shell house, before returning to Waterford for a Gala Dinner to host our President and Lady Waterford.
On the following day we went on two local tours. The first was to see the famous Waterford Glass being produced in all its many fascinating shapes and then etched and decorated. The second visit was to the spectacular Congreve Gardens, which were a blaze of colour.
On the following day we flew back to Manchester and then travelled by coach to our London hotel by Lancaster Gate for two days visiting the sights of the city. We began with the London Eye, the world's highest observation wheel. From here we visited Westminster Abbey, the Cabinet War Rooms (the wartime underground bunker from which WWII was directed) and the award winning Churchill Museum. The next stop was St Paul's Cathedral where we found the memorial to Admiral Lord Charles Beresford close to Nelson's tomb in the crypt. From here we went to Tower Hill to walk alongside the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge to St Katherine's Dock, the city's hidden marina.
On the last day of the Gathering, we travelled by underground to the financial and commercial centre of Docklands, built on the totally destroyed bombed area of London's docks. After a ride on the elevated Docklands Light Railway we spent the day at Greenwich, a World Heritage Site, with its former Naval College, Observatory, Queens House and Maritime Museum. Finally we enjoyed a one hour river cruise back up the Thames to Westminster.
Our final evening was spent in the Palace of Westminster, preceded by tours of both Houses of Parliament and Westminster Hall before enjoying our Farewell Dinner in the Churchill Room hosted by Sir Paul Beresford MP.
Although we enjoyed the busy programme visiting such a wide variety of places, the main feature of BIG2007 was the unique opportunity it gave us all to meet many old and new Beresfords . We all had a fantastic time together.
26th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, DINNER AND VISIT TO CHESTER: Few ancient cities can match the 2000-year old history of the City of Chester, with the rectangular outline of the original Roman walls built in 79 AD, the Roman amphitheatre, the castle started by Hugh Lupus, the Civil War and the black and white timber buildings of Bridge Street and Eastgate.
On the Saturday, members were able to enjoy open-top bus tours of the city's highlights, visit the Cathedral, stroll beside the sunny river Dee, and walk round the Roman walls, before enjoying our annual Dinner.
The AGM was held on the Sunday. In his report, the Chairman, Peter R Beresford, commented on the importance of the website, which had brought in 47 new members during the year. The elected Officers and Council members are shown under 'Contacts', with two new members Iris Beresford and Reg Beresford volunteering to join the Council. The finances are sound, producing a small surplus of income over expenditure of £107, but rising costs due mainly to insurance and new postage rates will force an increase in the subscription (which has been held at £12 for six years) to £15 next year. The popular quarterly magazine had produced its 100th edition during the year. Our research teams continue to make steady progress in linking members' current pedigrees and also in unravelling the origins of the word Beresford from Norman and Viking times.
Wanted - An auditor: After 20 years service, our Auditor Harry Millins has retired and the Society is seeking a volunteer to take his place. Offers please to the Secretary.
2006 SPRING GATHERING, BERESFORD DALE, 20th May: A number of members enjoyed a visit to the Craft Fair at Fenny Bentley before joining others for a magnificent buffet lunch in the village hall at Alstonefield (which has won the award ten times for the best kept village in Staffordshire). This was followed by a visit to the Beresford estate for tempting tea and cakes followed by visits to Beresford Tower and the fishing lodge made famous in 'The Compleat Angler' by Izaak Walton and Charles Cotton. On the following day, members attended a family service at St Edmunds, Fenny Bentley, which contains the 15th century tomb of Thomas and Agnes, plus the stained glass and other tablets commemorating their descendants. The weekend ended with a buffet lunch at the Bluebell Inn near Ashbourne.
2005 AGM & DINNER, MELTON MOWBRAY & HOBY: Apart from its famous pork pies and cheeses, Melton Mowbray is connected with the infamous antics of the 3rd Marquis of Waterford and his friends, who actually painted the town red! The weekend included a very interesting visit to the Church of All Saints and the village of Hoby, which has many Beresford connections.
2004 ANNUAL DINNER, PALACE OF WESTMINSTER, LONDON: Sponsored by Sir Paul Beresford MP, this prestigious Gala Dinner was very well attended and was preceded by a very interesting tour of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
OTHER VENUES & VISITS: Other Society events in recent years have included visits to Warwick Castle; the Heritage Motor Centre & Museum at Gaydon; Bedgebury Park in Kent; Waterford Glass in Ireland; Tissington Hall in Derbyshire; Squerryes Court at Westerham; the City of Coventry and canal trip; Chatsworth House in Derbyshire; Charlecote Hall in Warwickshire and Curraghmore House in Co. Waterford.
