February 14th brought no romance to the ladies of Oakley and Deane WI at their meeting! However the Rev Michael Kenning delighted us with a very comprehensive account of the life and work of Jane Austen. She had lived as our neighbour in Steventon for 25 years. Plenty of romance in her writings –
6 novels completed, letters, poems and prayers. Her clever father as Rector had 8 children so Jane had good company. Steventon was the cradle of Jane’s genius, but when her father died, the family were forced to move to Bath and then Southampton . Happiness came again when her fortunate brother was able to offer them a home at Chawton, near his house which his adoptive parents had provided. Then followed her most productive writing until illness caused her to die at Winchester in 1805. Members brought in some Jane Austen related items, for an interesting exhibition.
We started the year with 3 walks in January, one in Oakley, one in Whitchurch and one in Rooksdown with coffee at St Michael's Hospice. There were also 3 walks in February, Overton where we saw the Laverstoke Buffalo Herd, Basingstoke's War Memorial and Eastrop parks and a litter pick around Oakley. Some pictures are below.