Family picnic in the Tower, 30th November
A night time picnic to celebrate a birthday - what fun.
The night was clear and the moon was bright- very special
Folly on BBC2, 17th November 2009
Lovely views and shots of the Folly on Escape to the Country - 17th November episode.
We're trying to get a clip to include here
Halloween 2009
Halloween was once again a great success.
With 362 visitors (200 adults and 162 children) we had 58% more visitors than last year.
Thank you to everybody who visited the tower this year.
Thanks also to Peter White of Faringdon Electrical Services for installing the Searchlight to scan the skies from the top of the Tower and to Ade North of Starsound Express Disco (www.findadisco.com ) for the providing lights inside the tower and the outside display above the door (plus Rod Green for the loan of 2 of the LED Stage Blinders, the bright coloured lights that shone out of the windows in the Belvedere Room - Rod is well known for supplying the band lighting for local events in Faringdon)
18th October. Romance in the Tower
What is it about the Folly Tower that encourages romance?
On Sunday 18th October Simon Brimfield proposed to Charlotte Bulbeck at the top of the Folly Tower.
Their visit was a surprise for Charlotte, who lived in Faringdon until she was 5 year's old and now lives near Guildford. She climbed the Tower then and has been back almost every year to visit Folly Hill - but not managed to be there when the Tower was open.
Charlotte said, " Folly Hill is a magical place, so peaceful and my bit of heaven. It is such a nice spot and I go there to think.... Everyone is so friendly."
Simon, a Surveyor, arranged for a surprise private visit even though he suffers from Vertigo, so climbing the tower was a real challenge for him!
Simon proposed to Charlotte on the viewing platform at the top of the Folly Tower and thankfully she accepted.
They stayed at Sudbury House for a few days where they enjoyed a special romantic dinner arranged by the staff
6th September 2009- oldest person to climb the tower?
Valerie Scott, age 89, of Southrop climbed to the top of the tower. Last recorded age of someone to do this was 82
What a woman!!
5th September 2009
Private Opening of the tower
26th May 2009- BBC at the tower
BBC TV hired the tower to set up 17th Century star gazing equipment for a History of Science programme next year. The astronomer was Dr Allan Chapman and the presenter Michael Mosley.
The programme is something about Tycho Brahe, a Danish Astronomer 14/12/1546 - 24/10/1601. More information about him can be found on http://www.nada.kth.se/~fred/tycho/index.html
12th May 2009- BBC Escape to the country
BBC film crew filmed the tower for a forthcoming programme
16th April 2009 - Live Interview with Eddie Williams on BBC Radio Oxford Breakfast show
Thursday morning at 8:30am Eddie Williams was interviewed live in BBC Radio Oxford Breakfast show.
The interview was done from the top of the tower by Andy Gordon.
After the radio interview, BBC Oxford also took some video footage and another view with Eddie which was subsequently shown on BBC Oxford News at 6:30pm on BBC1.
To listen again to the interview on BBC Oxford Radio, click here
Folly Friends achievements over the Winter
- Thinning and Pruning of the trees and some shrubs
- Bramble cutting and removal
- Clean the tower ready for opening
- New Union Flag
- Entrance hall redecorated, rug purchased
- Repaired the stairs
- Painted the benches
- Risk assessment and safety procedures established
- New website design (nearly ready to go live)
- Grants for woodland work awarded
- Woodland Plan completed
- Bulb planting
- Opening and closing proceures established
- Folly Rota for 2009 season filled
Easter Sunday 2009
About 50 people attended a Sunrise service around the tower to celebrate Easter Sunday. Led by Father Leslie Adams and arranged by Churches together
15th March 2009
A group of about 15 volunteers spent a sunny Sunday morning, cleaning the tower from top to bottom and clearing brambles in the woodland.
A great job, done well
12th February 2009
Friends of the Folly AGM, Bowling Club (off Gravel Walk), 7pm
Everyone welcome
January 2009
Friends of the Folly volunteers have painted the walls of the entrance room, as a beginning to make the room inviting and comfortable, and in readiness for the first opening day on 5th April.
The benches are being painted and repaired, and daffodils have been planted around them.
Have a look here at the before and after photos of the benches
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