Rowbarton’s Weekend away at Brunel Manor

Published Wednesday 1st July 2015

On Friday June 12th sixteen friends from Rowbarton along with one from Lisieux Way made their way down to Brunel Manor for Rowbarton’s annual weekend away. Isambard Kingdom Brunel spent twelve years creating his Watcombe estate near Torquay and planning


On Friday June 12th sixteen friends from Rowbarton along with one from Lisieux Way made their way down to Brunel Manor for Rowbarton’s annual weekend away. Isambard Kingdom Brunel spent twelve years creating his Watcombe estate near Torquay and planning his magnificent house. His Watcombe venture involved Brunel personally in more time and money than any of his engineering exploits but sadly he died in 1859 aged 53; so he never lived there. In the 1950s the house at Watcombe became known as Brunel Manor and since 1962 has been owned by the Woodlands House of Prayer Trust and is run as a Christian Holiday and Conference Centre. This was our fourth visit to this delightful venue.

The subject for weekend was ‘Encountering Jesus', with a particular focus on Mark's gospel. Mark wrote his gospel in a quick punchy way and so here is an account of our weekend in the same manner!

As we arrived we were greeted by Sheila and immediately offered tea and cakes. Then we were given our rooms and set off to unpack. Down to the lounge to chat and wait for dinner. All the meals were of a very high standard and much enjoyed by us all.

Immediately after dinner we started our sessions led by Deborah. We considered the question ‘Who am I?’ This gave us much to think about. Margaret led night prayer before everyone retired for what for some was an early night!

Next morning we met in the dining room for breakfast and for some it was the rare treat of a cooked breakfast. Then we gathered in the chapel for Morning Prayer led by Merlyn and immediately adjourned to the lounge for our second session ‘The Jesus Story’. Then it was coffee followed by Session three ‘Mark’s Jesus’.

Lunch followed, and a free afternoon. Some stayed at Brunel, others drove off to be nearer the sea, whilst others walked along the coast path and through the Brunel woods. For those who wanted it there was a fourth session that involved craft and a prayer walk. Several people decorated a candle using applique wax. The prayer walk was around the lovely grounds and included nine stops that Deborah had designed for us.

Next we went into dinner and immediately afterwards had some fun devised by Jean trying to identify in which books of the Bible various women could be found. Jean had found very obscure women: would you know where to find Triphena, or Atheliah or Hephzibah? Dot taught us a word game but by now the evening was late and many of us failed miserably and quickly. Janet led the final evening prayers.

Next morning after breakfast we vacated our rooms, packed the cars and returned to the lounge for our final session, ‘Encountering Jesus’. But first, we thought about plans for next year. It was unanimous that we returned in 2016 but most weekends were already booked. After much debate it was agreed to come mid week and most paid their deposit there and then. We shall return from Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th June. Places are limited and not many left but if you would like to join us for a fun few days mixed with some serious discussion then contact Sheila Day.

A big thank you to Sheila for all hard work ensuring the weekend happened and to Deborah for planning the activities so sensitively and thoughtfully.