With no Club meetings in August Barbara from the Club’s People Team and Helen from the Planet Team arranged two super walks for people to join if they were around.
On Wednesday 20 August Barbara, Sarah and Jane explored Leavesden Country Park. The Country Park itself, was home to the ‘Leavesden Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles’ built in 1867. They walked up to East Lane Cemetery quietly remembering those who had died in the asylum. Across the other side of Leavesden road they viewed the many different sculptures on the “Heritage Trail” recognising the history of the area, including aircraft engineering, the film industry and the mental institution. Click here for more about the park https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/leisure-parks-culture/parks-open-spaces/leavesden-country-park and click on the tabs for History and Restoration and the Heritage Trail. There is an excellent indoor café there so the three Soroptimists were well refreshed before and after the walk! They are pictured in front of the intricate carving depicting two aviation crew shaking hands, the “Leavesden Spirit”. There is a poem carved into the base which tells the evocative story of the closing of the Rolls Royce Factory.
A week later, Helen, Anna, Janet and Jane enjoyed a walk around Woodoaks organic farm at Maple Cross – there is lots of information on their website https://woodoaksfarm.com/. The 
public are encouraged to walk the paths the fields and explore the farm. With a lovely café there too it is perfect for visitors. The group decided to have lunch first at the Cricket Pavilion Café in Chorleywood which is run by Mission Employable a social enterprise charity. They have a team of interns with learning disabilities and give them the skills and confidence to find paid work https://www.missionemployable.co.uk/cafe.php . A great place to eat with delicious food, dog-friendly with lots of beautiful walks nearby – well worth a visit.