SOUTH WEST
ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHILL FELLOWS
Under the auspices of the
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
Registered Charity No. 313952
Our visit to Blenheim Palace May 2015
Upon hearing the news that an invitation was being extended to all Fellows' to visit Blenheim Palace
in May 2015 it occurred to me that we in the South West should mark the occasion by presenting the
Duke of Marlborough with a tree to be planted in the Palace gardens. Knowing that a Plymouth pear
tree (pyrus cordata) had been presented to Her Majesty the Queen by Plymouth resident and keen
gardner Arthur Watson I researched the matter and found that it was given to mark the Queen's
Diamond Jubilee and is planted in the gardens at Buckingham Palace.
I managed to source a Plymouth pear tree, one of Britain's rarest plants, through Northhayes Nursery
in Devon and wrote to the Duke of Marlborough in October 2014 offering the tree only to hear the
sad news that my letter had arrived the day that he died. Some weeks later however I was delighted
to receive a letter from the 12th Duke accepting the offer of the tree to mark the 50th anniversary of
Sir Winston Churchill's death which would take place in 2015.
On Wednesday 27 May 2015 my wife and I joined the throng of Fellows' and others entering the
gates of Blenheim Palace with a small tree extending through the sun roof of our car. Later that day it
was presented to Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill on the Palace steps within the Great Court. A
good number of South West Fellows' were also present. I understand that the tree will be planted in
the Pleasure Gardens
The weather was glorious and after viewing the many impressive posters displayed by Fellows' we
were able to hear interesting talks before entering the Palace to learn more of the history of the
Churchill family. Unfortunately our very own Matt Little F/2013 was unable to attend and give his
talk owing to a wisdom tooth extraction but he has made a full recovery.
We were then called for afternoon tea in the Orangery after which there was time for a stroll in the
Formal Gardens and Park and back to the Palace to view 'The Untold Story'. The life like figures that
appeared to be speaking to you through a mirror were quite breathtaking and informative.
The day ended with a Spitfire display and Beating Retreat by the British Military Imperial Band.
Who could fail to have been impressed with all that took place throughout the day. Congratulations
to all concerned.
 We hope to arrange a Fellows' Day in the delightful North Somerset village of Churchill on
Saturday 28 November 2015 when not only will there be talks by Fellows' but we are
endeavoring to obtain permission to plant one of 50 oak trees as part of a project to mark the
50th anniversary being driven by Graham Burgess of the South Association.
 My thanks to all those who donated money towards the above mentioned Plymouth pear tree.
As there was a surplus, £34-00 will be paid to the Children's Hospice South West. There is
also a further £34-00 that will remain in our Association bank account as some Fellows'
requested any surplus be retained by the Association.
 Hopefully you will all be able to make use of your annual pass to visit Blenheim Palace yet
again.
 Please take every opportunity to spread the word regarding the Travelling Fellowships as the
categories for travel in 2016 are now available.
Thanks to all of you who have been able to support our events and we look forward to welcoming
everyone in the future. The invitation is of course extended to any Fellow whether or not they are
from the South West. Hopefully you will see from this report, and others before it, that our events are
extremely interesting. If you have a suggestion for a visit then please communicate it to Bill
Nicholson email address SouthWest@wcmt.org.uk
Best wishes
Bill Nicholson
Secretary South West Association - 2 June 2015