Llewelyn
Walk -125th Anniversary
13th August 2009
A hot sunny day, with a fine cooling breeze, welcomed us to East
Chaldon this year, in marked contract to the squally rain we had
enjoyed for the last walk. So it was particularly pleasant to
sit out in the sunshine outside the Sailor’s Return and
greet old friends as they gradually arrived. In the event nine
of us eventually assembled for a lazy lunch in the shady bar,
although only eight later undertook the walk to the memorial
stone, which is a little fewer than in recent years, despite the
excellent weather. We were particularly pleased to welcome John
Batten back once again; and Richard Burleigh was also able to
join us for lunch, although pressing responsibilities prevented
him from joining us for the walk itself. Time slipped quickly by
in pleasant conversation, and it was already 2 o’clock before
the traditional toast to Llewelyn’s health was proposed and
drunk, along with a few words in recollection of absent friends,
on this the 125th anniversary of his birth – and the 70th
anniversary of his untimely death in Switzerland in 1939.
Before heading up the track towards Chydyok this year we walked
round to the nearby churchyard, where a small plaque has
recently been placed to honour Janet Machen, close to that
commemorating Sylvia Townsend Warner and Valentine Ackland, and
near to Katie Powys’s cross, which felt entirely appropriate.
This was also a very good opportunity to remember Janet, who had
been both a great friend and keen supporter of the Llewelyn Walk
since its instigation. She is now very sadly missed, and we all
had vivid personal recollections of her to share.
Setting off up the track at last, we were soon at Chydyok, where
we paused once again, and Chris Gostick gave a short reading
from Sylvia Townsend Warner’s Diary for 1 June 1961, which
recalls an eventful night she spent with Janet at Chydyok during
a tremendous thunderstorm. This was shortly after Janet had
taken over the lease of the cottage in 1959, so it was in her
hands for almost 50 years, and it is particularly sad that her
son Matthew has been unable to keep it on after her death.
However, we later learned that the lease has been taken over by
the family next door, in the larger house where Gertrude and
Katie once lived. The Weld Estate is first doing some necessary
renovations, including a new roof, but it is planned to keep
these to a minimum in order to retain the unique atmosphere of
the cottage, which will then be available for short lettings on
a regular basis.
Continuing up the hill we finally arrived at the cliff top,
where for once there was a glorious view out over the English
Channel and across to Portland Bill, in the bright sunshine.
Once at the stone the traditional wreath of Llewelyn and Alyse’s
wedding flowers was laid on the stone by Honor Timlin, and Neil
Lee then read a passage from towards the end of Love and
Death, which concluded with a suitable rallying cry to us
all on such a wonderful summer’s day:
"At the most the years left to me would not be as many as the
autumn apples in an orchard sack. Let me then with the utmost
deliberation treasure and measure out the days that still
remained, holding myself aloof from the crowd's illusions, and
let me be, at need, more strictly controlled than the most
starched moralist; that is, though able to give myself utterly
to every indulgence when chance offered, able, no less, to be
master of myself at a moment's notice when such discipline was
called for; emulating not only the luxurious extravagances of
Nature, but her austerity, her chastity also." [Love and
Death Chapter 30]
It was so pleasant up on the high cliff that we lingered by the
stone for much longer than usual, before finally heading back
again, with St Aldham’s Head clearly visible in the far
distance, and it was well after 5 o’clock before we all finally
got back to the Sailor’s Return, and as much in need of
an invigorating cup of tea as was Wolf Solent at the end of
JCP’s novel! The afternoon was voted a great success by all who
took part, and we shall be meeting again on the 13 August next
year – whatever the weather! – so do join us if you can.
Everyone will be made most welcome.
Chris Gostick
From The Powys Society Newsletter, No 68, November 2009
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