NATIONAL TRUST MAGAZINE Autumn 2024 NUMBER 163

SYCAMORE GAP:
ONE YEAR ON
NATURE, BEAUTY, HISTORY. FOR EVERYONE, FOR EVER.

Crossing borders to Historic regional Ghostly tales from

5 054795 177138 tackle climate change recipes to try around the Trust
Autumn 2024 £6.50
 Contact us
General enquiries,
including changing
membership details:
WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR
0344 800 1895
enquiries@[Link]
Membership Department
PO Box 574, Manvers,
Rotherham, S63 3FH
Open 9am–5.30pm weekdays,
9am–4pm weekends and

W
bank holidays.

For the magazine team

Heelis, Kemble Drive,
Swindon, SN2 2NA hen the sycamore

Stay to
magazine@[Link] tree by Hadrian’s Wall
We promise not to share your details in Northumberland was felled a
outside the Trust without permission.
year ago, there was an international
outpouring of emotion. Local people Visiting the ‘twin’ of Blickling,
Norfolk. See page 36.
LEAVE A LASTING GIFT and visitors alike wrote in to share their
Gifts in wills are vital to help us care for the memories of the tree. They remembered it as a familiar

explore
places you love, from beautiful landscapes
and coastline to historic properties. Every gift, backdrop to their lives, or with a sense of achievement
no matter the size, makes a lasting difference at the end of a long walk, or as somewhere to celebrate
in helping look after nature, beauty and history
for future generations to enjoy. an anniversary or engagement. Some had never actually
Find out how to write or update your will using visited, but recalled it from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
our free guide at [Link]/ A year on, the tree’s legacy of joy and optimism kindled in
gifts-in-wills
so many hearts lives on. See page 28.
Also this issue: turn to page 36 to find out about a
twinning project that’s transcending national borders
to tackle the challenges of climate change, and page 50
for six spooky tales from National Trust places. Do
look out for the letter you’ll have received with your

Cover: National Trust Images. This page: Katherine Shingler

magazine to explain how you can vote in this year’s
This magazine is AGM on 2 November. And if you’d like to receive the
available on CD for next issue of your magazine digitally instead of in print,
visually impaired readers, visit [Link]/my-account-info to opt in.
and also in a large print
Whether you plan to fill your holiday with action or relaxation, our cottages and format. Email businesslink
campsites offer the perfect backdrop to the memories you’ll make together. @[Link] or call
01733 375370.
Choose your stay at [Link]/mag-holidays For all other enquiries please
call 0344 800 1895. Sally Palmer, Editor
Bwthyn Mai cottage is set in the foothills of Eryri (Snowdonia), with mountain views, waterfalls and woodland on the doorstep.
© National Trust 2024. Registered charity no. 205846. © National Trust Images/Mike Henton/Annapurna Mellor. [Link] 3
 IN YOUR FEATURES
For Your Tomorrow .................................. 6 In good spirits ............................................. 50
A poignant art installation at Stowe,
Buckinghamshire, commemorates
As the nights draw in, embrace the
darkness with six spooky tales from

AUTUMN
80 years since the D-Day landings National Trust places

The price of nature ................................. 25 A year of wonder ....................................... 54

This issue’s ‘Balancing Act’ debates the Learn how Isaac Newton’s ‘lockdown’
value of putting a price tag on nature inspired some of his greatest discoveries

ISSUE
Sycamore Gap: one year on .......... 28 Damsons for dementia ....................... 60
ON THE COVER Reflecting on the iconic Peckover in Cambridgeshire offers a safe
tree, and planting the seeds of its future space for people living with dementia
and their carers
Saved from destruction ................... 34
Stay at one of the Trust’s three Historic Traditional with a twist ...................... 62
House Hotels, saved after their donor Five delicious regional recipes with
was inspired by a landmark exhibition historic links to Trust places

28 Beyond borders ......................................... 36 Meet ... Andrea Meanwell .................. 82

Six heritage organisations working across Teacher turned hill farmer Andrea

EVERY ISSUE continents to withstand climate change

At Munstead Wood ................................ 47

supports current and future generations
of farmers.
62
Behind the scenes of the work to restore
Out & about ...................................................... 9 Just for you .................................................... 68
Gertrude Jekyll’s influential garden
Autumn colour walks, stargazing spots Sneak peeks, expert tips and things
and other seasonal adventures to win – special treats to thank you for
your support
My ... Killerton ............................................. 14
University student Isabel and her friends Children’s zone ............................................. 74

Illustration: Sue Gent. Images: Jonathan Cole, National Trust Images, National Trust Images/Steve Sayers, Iason Athanasiadis
share their highlights of Killerton, Devon Meet some of the creatures that come
out after dark and find out how to give
News ........................................................................... 17 hedgehogs a helping hand
All the latest from around the Trust,
including a new National Nature Reserve From you ............................................................ 76
and the launch of your digital magazine Your letters and pictures, and hear
from volunteer Jenny, who cleans the
From the Director-General ........... 20 historic shell collection at Cragside,
Hilary McGrady celebrates 30 years of Northumberland.
Heritage Open Days

36
On the cover
The much-loved
sycamore stands
proud in its gap at
Hadrian’s Wall before

54 50 its felling a year ago.

See page 28.

4 [Link] [Link] 5
IN THE PICTURE

For Your Tomorrow

Eighty years after the D-Day landings, hundreds of total of 1,475 silhouettes from recycled metals under
soldier silhouettes stand silently in the Georgian the direction of Standing with Giants, a charity
landscape garden of Stowe, in Buckinghamshire, that creates large-scale outdoor remembrance art
shrouded in early morning mist that almost makes installations. There’s one for each fallen soldier who
them appear to breathe. died under British command on D-Day. Together,
‘Stowe has deep layers of military history,’ says they form the installation For Your Tomorrow.
General Manager Tanya Brittain. ‘It acted as an army The figures arrive at Stowe direct from the
base during the Second World War, and there are meadows of the British Normandy Memorial in
still air raid shelters on the south front. One of our France, where they’ve been part of wider 80th
Jules & Bean Photography

volunteers came here as a 6-year-old evacuee from anniversary D-Day commemorations. You can
London’s East End, and stayed. He’s now a tour guide.’ see them from 30 September to 11 November in
This picture shows the 200 soldier figures that Stowe’s Grecian Valley.
surrounded Stowe’s Octagon Lake last autumn. Since
then, volunteer community groups have handmade a [Link]/stowe

6 [Link] [Link] 7
 VISIT

OUT & ABOUT Find more to do near you

[Link]/visit

Under starry skies

2
1

Illustration: National Trust Images/Olivia Waller

stargazing at [Link].
uk/stargazing

Do check property websites or call the property for the latest information before you visit.
Please book events online at [Link]/whats-on unless otherwise stated.

[Link] 9
 VISIT

OCTOBER Find more to do near you

[Link]/visit NOVEMBER Find more to do near you
[Link]/visit

BLACK HISTORIES Autumn colour walks

Celebrate Black History Month with stories
of Black heritage from Trust places Flatford, Suffolk
Constable country walk: 7 miles (11.2km)
The Flatford area was immortalised
by 18th-century landscape artist John
Constable, who grew up here. Take an
Art and exhibitions autumn stroll along ancient paths and
see the landscape in a different colour palette.
Beningbrough, Lacock, Wiltshire [Link]/constable-country-walk
North Yorkshire International
The Botanical World Photography The Argory, County Armagh
of Mary Delany Exhibition Lime tree walk: 2 miles (3.2km)
Open days between Until April 2025
As the year winds down, the lime trees
Halloween 10 Sept and 25 March
Mary Delany was an
In collaboration with
the Royal Photographic
along The Argory’s avenue begin to
turn, and soon you’ll find yourself
Dunstable Downs, Canons Ashby, 18th-century artist, best Society, the work of strolling underneath a sea of golden
Bedfordshire Northamptonshire known for her botanical 37 contemporary leaves. And then perhaps explore the riverside
Late Night Special Creepy Creatures Trail drawings. This exhibition photographers will be woods. [Link]/argory-lime-walk
31 October 26 October–3 November celebrates her work and on show, displaying
Children can wear their scariest Pick up a Creepy Creatures other women artists different techniques
Borrowdale, Lake District
outfits for a costume contest, Trail and have a hoot with from Trust collections. and a range of subjects.
Walla Crag walk: 4.5 miles (7.2km)
while the whole family can your herd. Keep an eye out
Borrowdale is one of the most
try a broomstick-making for the pumpkins, owls, bats
wooded valleys in the Lake District,

B
workshop, buy witches’ brew and more that have been orn in Jamaica when slavery was still legal, Mary Sarah
and spooky snacks in the café, hidden around the grounds, Oates (1833–1925) was the daughter of Margaret Cross,
a ‘free woman of colour’, and George Hibbert Oates,
DIWALI CELEBRATIONS and looks spectacular in autumn. This
climb to the top of Walla Crag and
or join a candlelit walk to and learn all about the
down to Ashness Bridge offers sweeping views over
discover the dark side of amazing creatures you might a British plantation manager. Mary was sent to live with her Kedleston, Derbyshire the valley. [Link]/walla-crag-walk
Dunstable’s history. Booking see here in the colder months. paternal grandmother and aunt in Bath, where she attended 19 October–10 November
essential, £6 per person. Feel free to dress up in your school. Mary later married the executor of her aunt’s estate, Come and see the Hall
best Halloween outfit, and Rev. Wynter Thomas Blathwayt. They moved to Dyrham Park, Boscastle, Cornwall
transformed by light
don’t forget to pick up your South Gloucestershire, when he inherited the estate in 1899 Valency Valley walk: 4 miles (6.4km)
Seaton Delaval Hall, projections and traditional
Northumberland prize for completing the trail. – making Mary the lady of the house. Starting at the picturesque Boscastle
rangoli floor art. Rooms

National Trust Images x8, Alamy, The Trustees of the British Museum
Bewitched £4 per trail. Tailor George Saunders (1935–2015) moved to the UK Harbour, this circular trail heads
will also be festooned with
26 October–3 November from the Caribbean in 1958 as part of the Windrush generation. inland along the meandering Valency
hand-crafted marigold
Despite being fully qualified, he was faced with a hostile River before looping back through
Venture into the basement decorations.
reception and initially struggled to find work. Over time he 400-year-old Minster Wood. [Link].
and find yourself immersed in
managed to build his reputation, and in 1974 he took over uk/valency-valley-walk
myths and legends about the Bateman’s, East East Riddlesden Hall,
57 Hurst Street, now part of the Birmingham Back to Backs.
witches of the North East. For Sussex West Yorkshire
a spooky experience, join in
After he retired in 2001, he worked with the Trust to preserve Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
his shop and equipment (pictured above). 1–3 November 2–19 November Henrhyd Falls walk: 3.5 miles (5.6km)
with one of five special ‘After
Kenyan-born poet and author Khadambi Asalache See Bateman’s See the Hall lit up, with This walk is particularly impressive
Dark’ evenings, complete
(1935–2006) settled here in 1960 and later became a civil transformed with vibrant decorations by local after heavy rains when the waterfall is
with actors, soundscapes,
servant. In 1981 he bought 575 Wandsworth Road, London, bursts of colour and community groups. Join a in full flow. The trail leads you into the
illuminations inside and out
and spent 19 years decorating its inspirational interiors with enjoy a new short film of Bollywood party on the wooded Nant Llech gorge, where you’ll
and a live DJ set. Booking
hand-carved fretwork and painted motifs. Indian storytelling and last weekend complete pass under a russet and yellow canopy of trees.
essential for ‘After Dark’
sitar playing by Emily with a dance lesson and [Link]/henrhyd-falls-walk
events, adult £10, child £8.
Explore more connections to Black heritage at Hennessey and musician refreshments. See prices
[Link]/black-histories Sheema Mukherjee. and book on the website. Explore walking trails near you: [Link]/walking

10 [Link] [Link] 11
 VISIT

DECEMBER Find more to do near you

[Link]/visit JANUARY Find more to do near you
[Link]/visit

Festive crafts WASSAIL Cosy pub walks

GIVE A HOOT EVENTS Nothing rounds off a bracing wintry walk better than
Stourhead, Wiltshire Learn where and how to spot the
a tasty pub meal or warming drink beside the fire.
Christmas wreath workshop UK’s four native owl species with
Here are some top walks with historic pubs en route
30 November, our handy guide
1, 4, 5 December Killerton, Devon
Get into the Christmas spirit with Barn Broadclyst walk: 6 miles (9.6km)
a wreath-making workshop. Tools Starting from Killerton, this
Barn owls have a heart-shaped
and greenery are provided. trail takes you to Broadclyst
Booking essential, £65. Wallington, Northumberland face, beige back and wings and
– a pretty village of yellow
Craft workshops pure white underparts. Their
thatched cottages. The
Knole, Kent Dates throughout December distinctive call, which sounds
inging at fruit trees may seem like an odd pastime for a village’s Red Lion Inn makes a welcome
Christmas fused-glass Make your own Christmas gifts. more like a screech, can often
cold winter’s day, but it’s part of a centuries-old tradition pit stop with its cosy woodburner.
workshop Workshops include wreath and be heard at dusk on Penbryn
known as wassailing. The idea was to ward off bad spirits [Link]/broadclyst-walk
22 November garland making as well as book Beach, Ceredigion.
from orchards by making a lot of noise, while also blessing
Make your own festive glass tile or folding, decorations and gift
the fruit trees to ensure a bountiful harvest later in the year. Hardwick, Derbyshire
piece of jewellery. £60, includes making. Booking essential,
prices from £20.
Long-eared Wassailing ceremonies vary, but they’ll often start with revellers Estate walk: 5.7 miles (9.12km)
materials and refreshments. gathering for a noisy procession to the orchard. The group then
Despite the name, this owl’s ears This route explores some of
are quite small – the tufts on places pieces of toast in the tree branches to entice robins, believed
the lesser-visited parts of the
their heads are actually feathers to be the orchard’s guardians. The crowd will also serenade the
estate and will help you work
which rise when it’s alarmed. trees and taste the wassail drink, which is usually a local ale or cider
up an appetite by the time you
Long-eared owls often nest in the blended with honey and spices.
get back to the pub. The historic Hardwick
Austrian pine near Keel Point at Try a wassail near you at [Link]/wassail-events
Inn is by the Hall’s south gate. national
Murlough National Nature [Link]/hardwick-estate-walk
Mottisfont, Hampshire Reserve, County Down.
The Nutcracker Christmas
Birling Gap, East Sussex
23 November–5 January
Short-eared SNOWDROP SPOTS Tiger Inn walk: 3 miles (4.8km)
Experience the timeless magic
These owls have speckled dark The Tiger Inn has been serving
of The Nutcracker at Mottisfont
brown bodies, pale undersides smugglers and soldiers since the
this Christmas. Follow Clara
and yellow eyes. They’re usually 15th century, but now mainly
and her Nutcracker Prince into a Anglesey Abbey,
found in areas of moorland welcomes hikers. It marks both
frosty wonderland with swirling Cambridgeshire Rowallane
and rough grassland such as the start and end of this route, perfect for a
Christmas snowflakes. Outside, check out the
Nutcracker family trail (£3 per child).
the landscape at Marsden You’ll find more than 500
snowdrop varieties here. Look
Garden, County Down
Take a stroll around the
warming meal after a hike over the downs.
[Link]/tiger-inn-walk
crackers Moor, West Yorkshire.
out for the ‘snowdrop hotspot’ garden and see how many
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire signs and the new accessible different varieties of
Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd
Blickling Estate, Norfolk Christmas celebrations Tawny display planted in raised beds. snowdrops you can spot.
Marine trail: 2.5 miles (4km)
Christmas journey to the stars 22 November–5 January Tawny owls have dark eyes, Dunham Massey, Newark Park, The Tŷ Coch Inn can only be
30 November–5 January See the spectacular ‘Creatures reddish-brown back feathers Cheshire Gloucestershire reached by foot, but it’s well
National Trust Images x10, Alamy x2

This year’s decorations are inspired of Dinefwr’ Christmas tree, meet and are paler underneath.
The Winter Garden puts on Several woodland walking worth the effort. The route
by Andreas Cellarius’ Celestial Atlas Father Christmas in his grotto, or Males generally make the
a spectacular display at this trails are lined with drifts of itself offers sweeping views in
from Blickling’s library. Take a sing along with community carols. famous ‘twoo’ hoot, while the
time of year, thanks in part to snowdrops and aconites in all directions, while the pub provides a cosy
wintry journey through the clouds And why not join in with the Yuletide female call is usually ‘ke-wick’.
its swathes of snowdrops. late winter. atmosphere and hearty food. nationaltrust.
into the starry skies above as you tradition of Mari Lwyd? See website The woods at Penrose,
[Link]/porthdinllaen-marine-trail
explore inside the Hall. for specific dates. Cornwall, are home to several
Seek out more snowdrop swathes at
breeding pairs.
[Link]/snowdrops Find more walks with refreshment stops in our book
Join seasonal celebrations near you at [Link]/christmas 100 Great Pub Walks (£12.99). [Link]/shop

12 [Link] [Link] 13
 VISIT

Open views
AT A GLANCE
MY...
‘Killerton brings together
a fabulous, homely pink Pick up the pace Expanded in: 1779
house, gorgeously
‘Every Saturday my friends and Taken into Trust care: 1944

KILLERTON
cultivated gardens and
enormous parkland. One I do the Killerton parkrun, a free Style: Neo-classical, with Victorian and
of my favourite walks is 5km (3.1 mile) running event. Arts and Crafts additions.
along the western edge Hundreds of people take part and
Architect: Unknown
of the pleasure grounds. there’s a lovely community feel.
When you run through the wider Potted history: Killerton was home to
Walk uphill past the Celtic
landscape you experience things prominent Devon family the Aclands from
cross for views across
you might not be able to see the 17th century. The family had a knack for
Devon. It’s such an open,
if you just visit for an afternoon. making advantageous marriages, gradually
hopeful landscape.’
We all sit together afterwards to increasing their wealth to become landed
make the most of the gardens.’ gentry. Many of the Acland men pursued
careers in politics, often supporting liberal
causes. In the 1920s, as the family home of
Liberal MP Sir Francis Acland and his wife
Eleanor, a noted feminist, Killerton was
often used as a party house for Liberal
gatherings. Their son, Sir Richard Acland,
had misgivings about becoming a landowner,
so he passed Killerton on to the Trust in 1944.
He and his wife Anne returned as wardens in
the 1960s when Killerton became a Hall of
‘I’m Isabel Dally. I have
Residence for St Luke’s College of Education,
fond childhood memories where Sir Richard worked as a lecturer.
of visiting Trust places Seeing red Look out for: The thatched summer house
with my family, so when I in the gardens known as the Bear’s Hut,
‘Visit Killerton Chapel on a
moved away for university which was built in 1808 as a surprise
bright day and a stunning mix wedding present for Lady Lydia Acland.
I got a young person’s of pinks, purples and reds Behind it is the ice house which once
membership. Today, I’ve wash over you as you walk in. supplied ice for chilling bottles and making
picked some highlights Turn around and you realise desserts like ice cream. Today, it’s a winter
that it’s from a beautiful rose
Second-hand reads
from Killerton in Devon, roost for lesser and greater horseshoe bats.
stained-glass window.’ ‘One of my favourite things to do
a place I often cycle to when I was studying was to cycle to
with friends.’ Killerton and browse the second-
hand bookshop for something
completely new and different to
IF YOU HAVE ...
read. The gardens offer great An hour: Take in the latest fashion
reading spots with a view.’ exhibition – the current one on childhood
and dress runs until 3 November.
A day: After exploring the house and
garden, take in parkland, woods and

National Trust/Steve Haywood, National Trust Images x3

farmland on a walk around Killerton’s estate.
Making music
‘The Music Room has a
Style through time A weekend: Half an hour north you’ll find
Knightshayes, a lavish Gothic Revival country
huge organ in the centre, ‘Most of the upstairs is used
house with turrets and gargoyles.
and two pianos. I can for special exhibitions from
imagine the Acland family Killerton’s Fashion Collection.
coming together in the At the moment, there’s an
Plan your visit at
Interview by Helen Beer

evenings and making an exhibition on childhood and

absolute racket with all dress. My friends and I enjoyed [Link]/killerton
the different instruments. looking around and discussing
One of the pianos and the whether our parents kept our Would you like to share your favourite Trust place
organ can be played too.’ first shoes.’ in the magazine? Write to us using the details on
page 76. If we can feature it, we’ll be in touch.

14 [Link] [Link] 15
PARTNERSHIP FEATURE NEWS

NEWS
Restore Nature Now
Presenter and activist
From the Director-General
Hilary McGrady considers
Need to know
Important information
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT.
Here’s what the Trust
has been doing
this season
Chris Packham reflects on the power of heritage about this year’s AGM
the march in London p19 to connect p20 and how to vote p23

Peat Bright lights at

Lindisfarne Castle

power Local photographer and Trust member Jim

Scott took this impressive picture of the
aurora borealis, or northern lights, at 10.20pm
on the night of 10 May.
‘I’ve seen the northern lights a few times
over Northumberland, but nothing could have
prepared me for what I saw over Lindisfarne
Starling Bank is helping the Trust to
that night,’ he recalls. ‘The lights were
fund vital peatland restoration projects breathtaking and encircled the sky.’
It’s unusual to spot the northern lights in
the UK, with sightings usually limited to the
far north of Scotland, but a strong geomagnetic

W
e’re a year into the a stretch of hawthorn and birch saplings storm paired with clear skies meant they were
Trust’s three-year to make way for fenland plants to flourish. visible as far south as Kent this time.
partnership with They’ve also helped reinstate a 300m (984ft) Here’s a link to six places where you could
Starling Bank, to help historic ditch to improve the habitat for look out for the northern lights next time:
more people access insects and water voles, and have contributed [Link]/northern-lights
nature now and in the future, and they’ve towards the cost of monitoring technology
already donated funding for eight separate to help manage the fen’s water levels.
National Trust peatland restoration projects. In The Mournes, County Down, we’ve
They’re helping the Trust towards our installed 30m (98ft) of timber dams, with
ambition to restore 5,360 hectares (13,245 more planned for later on in the project.
acres) of peatland by 2025 – equivalent to The dams help control the water level in Top A team from Starling recently
volunteered at Wicken Fen National
nearly 8,000 football pitches. ditches, directing water back to where it’s Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire.
Just three per cent of the Earth’s surface needed within the bog. Above Starling is supporting the Trust with
our ambition to restore UK peatland.
is peatland, but peat absorbs more carbon ‘We’re committed to changing
than all of the world’s rainforests put banking for good, and doing the right
together. It also helps to reduce flooding, thing when it comes to sustainability too,’
with sphagnum moss and other vegetation says Kerri Beevers, of Starling Bank.
slowing the flow of water over the surface. ‘We’re branchless, paperless, and all four
National Trust Images, Starling Bank

However, when peatland dries out it of our UK offices run on renewable energy.
releases rather than absorbs carbon – and Our newest office in Manchester is also a
80 per cent of the UK’s peatland is currently hive of activity and is home to 80,000 Search ‘Starling Bank’
online for more
in poor condition. That’s why, at Wicken Fen worker bees on the roof. There’s a way
information, and scan
National Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire, to go, but through partnerships like this,
the QR code to see what
we’ve been restoring 225 hectares (556 acres) and the initiatives we’re part of, we hope Starling Bank got up to
Jim Scott

of peatland. Starling staff have been to be able to make a positive impact for at Wicken Fen.
volunteering here, helping rangers to clear generations to come.’

16 [Link] [Link] 17
NEWS

NATURE UPDATE

Right as rain The Pathway will inspire more people to enjoy the outdoors
Borrowdale, an ancient temperate
rainforest in the Lake District, has
Stepping out
been given National Nature Reserve
status. Rich in woodland, mosses
and ferns, Borrowdale – though
The Walk Together Pathway is a new project to help Q&A
A royal round-up cooler – experiences as much rain as
a tropical rainforest. nationaltrust.
more people to access nature. Specialists have begun
training 100 new walking leaders from groups who are
often under-represented in the outdoors, giving them
On 22 June, the Trust marched alongside presenter
and activist Chris Packham and other conservation
[Link]/borrowdale-nnr the skills and confidence to lead hikes in their local
We’re delighted to announce King Charles III will continue charities at the UK’s largest demonstration to date
area. The aim of this project is to help as many people
his support of the National Trust, as our Patron. His as possible to feel supported to enjoy the outdoor
for nature and climate, ‘Restore Nature Now’
Majesty has been the Trust’s President since 2003. space around them and want to look after it.
‘For decades, His Majesty has been a dedicated champion of Top King Charles III, [Link]/walk-together-pathway What was the atmosphere like and we’re going to be far better
the natural world, an ambassador for the countryside and rural the National Trust’s
Patron, with D-G during the demonstration? at addressing that if we can be
communities, and a passionate advocate for heritage buildings, Hilary McGrady. It was very positive. At points, it tolerant and patient and kind to
skills and crafts,’ says Director-General Hilary McGrady. ‘We are Inset An avid reader, was almost euphoric. There were one another. The writing is on
immensely grateful for his continued support as our Patron.’ Queen Camilla
championed the
so many people from different the wall – we’re all witnessing a
In May, staff and volunteers welcomed Queen Camilla to Lamb importance of backgrounds, and lots of young biodiversity loss in our backyards,
House in Rye, once home to literary figures such as Henry James literacy on a recent
visit to Lamb House,
Moor trees people. The banners, placards and scientists are telling us that
and E. F. Benson. As an avid reader, Her Majesty is interested in and fancy-dress costumes were we have very little time left to
East Sussex. We’ve planted 65,000 native trees
shining a spotlight on the importance of literacy. She joined a tour fantastic, and it was really address climate breakdown.
on Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire
of the house and attended a garden reception which included a colourful. It was the largest Everyone coming together like
as part of the Landscapes for Water
reading from E. F. Benson’s Mapp and Lucia novels. environmental protest on the this was important.
programme. Over the next four
years, we’ll plant around 300,000 streets of our capital to date,
trees in the South Pennines to act as and it sent a clear message that Was the demonstration a success?
natural flood defences. national those marching had a desire to I think it was. Over 12,000 people
Happy 30th, [Link]/landscapes-for-water protect life, the environment attended The People’s Walk for

National Lottery! Head for heights and our future on this planet. Wildlife march that I organised in
2018, and I wanted to improve upon
For the first time in a century, the Jacobean ceiling More than 400 environmental that. Over 60,000 people marched
Since the first draw in 1994, the Trust has
at Lanhydrock in Cornwall has been undergoing full charities and organisations, at Restore Nature Now. Everyone
received £145m from the National Lottery,
conservation and repair. including the National Trust, was together in the same place
which we’ve used to support over

National Trust Images x8, Mark Chilvers, Jo Charlesworth

The barrel-vaulted ceiling in the 17th-century marched to Parliament Square at the same time, and they were
200 projects. These include £20m for
Long Gallery is 35m (115ft) long. Made up of 24 during the demonstration. smiling. I hope that a moment spent
Tyntesfield, North Somerset, and £1.8m
panels of plasterwork, it features detailed scenes Why was this significant? marching together in the sunshine
towards ‘Releasing the Sutton Hoo Story’
from the Bible and hundreds of animal species, as I think people attending the gives more people the impetus to
in Suffolk, with its 17m-tall viewing tower.
‘We’ve received grants from four key Hedge your bets well as moulded plants and mythical beasts. march felt a collective want to drive change.
Specialists have spent months cleaning away empowerment and appreciated
bodies: the National Lottery Heritage Volunteers and staff at Golden Cap
centuries of dirt. They’ve also been moulding missing that all the participating
Fund; the Arts Councils; Sport England, in Dorset have planted two new
parts and reapplying a layer of white distemper. organisations had come together
Wales and NI; and the National Lottery hedgerows to help to absorb carbon
Visitors with a head for heights can watch the and found common ground. It For more about the
Community Fund,’ says Co-head of and act as wildlife corridors. The
conservators at work up close until 3 November by showed maturity. We’ve all got Restore Nature Now march
Grants Becky Sejournant. ‘We thank 5,000 trees will provide food and
climbing a purpose-built scaffold. to admit that nature is in trouble see [Link]
them for their generous support and shelter for animals, birds and insects
wish them a happy 30th birthday.’ The viewing tower at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk – as well as a spring blossom display. [Link]/lanhydrock
[Link]/golden-cap Above Banners aplenty at the march.

18 [Link] [Link] 19
 NEWS

NICE TO KNOW
Patrick Grant at Quarry Bank
Quarry Bank in Cheshire was once
one of the world’s largest cotton mills.
Now The Great British Sewing Bee judge
Patrick Grant is making use of its excess
fabrics as part of his new range of
women’s dresses, shirts and tote bags
for Community Clothing.
[Link]/quarry-bank

Access in Northern Ireland

We’re improving accessibility at Trust

From the places across Northern Ireland, thanks to

a generous gift left in a will. This gift has
been used across 26 different projects,

Director-General including a quiet room and a four-seater

buggy at Castle Ward, a changing place
on Divis and the Black Mountain, and

Autumn 2024
accessible doors and toilets at Mount A strategy update
Stewart – all in County Down.
A huge thank you to the more than 70,000
members who have taken part in the

I
am so fortunate in my role as Director-General across three decades and nearly two-thirds of Top & top left Dancing Pooch passports consultation to help shape our new strategy,
to visit a fascinating array of heritage buildings, visitors say it has led them to visit heritage sites to the beat of a reggae
band playing as part of This autumn, over 100 Trust places invite along with staff, volunteers, members of the
some cared for by us, some by others. From tiny more often. It also adds an estimated £8.9m to
the Heritage Open Days you to pick up a free Pooch Passport. public and organisations we work with. Some
boltholes to grand country houses, I’m forever local economies each year. festival at Wightwick From 1 September 2024 to 28 Feburary particularly strong themes have emerged,
amazed at the extent of conservation work and I’ve always believed in the power of heritage Manor, West Midlands.
2025, you can collect six stamps from including improving access for all; inspiring
research going on and I always enjoy encountering a to connect communities. Heritage Open Days Inset Hilary believes in
visits with your dog and receive treats action to protect nature, beauty and history;
secret door or passageway. Just when you think you inspires a sense of local pride and gives people a the power of heritage to
connect communities. from Forthglade’s National Trust natural and tackling the nature crisis. We are continuing
know a place, you discover something new. platform to stand up for the places they care about
pet food range. work to develop the strategy and we hope to
Every day at the Trust we try to show visitors as – particularly the thousands of volunteers who run
[Link]/pooch-passports share it fully with members in early 2025.
much history and heritage as we possibly can. If you the events, and, of course, they wouldn’t happen
watched the BBC television series Hidden Treasures without them. I’m sure this year’s festival will be
of the National Trust earlier this year, you’ll have had more popular than ever.
a real behind-the-scenes look at our places. (If you On the theme of coming together, I’m looking
missed it, you can still watch it on catch-up.) But once forward to our Annual General Meeting in
a year, we and many other heritage organisations go
a step further. We open some of those more hidden
November, which this time takes place in
Newcastle. I hope that lots of you will be joining us,
A bug’s life
places up to the public and invite everyone to get either virtually or in person. Don’t forget to use Gardeners and volunteers at Erddig in Wrexham have
involved in a big celebration of local history. your right to vote as a member in our elections. built a small-scale replica of the 17th-century house in the
The Heritage Open Days festival takes place early You’ll find all the details over the page and in the hope of enticing some new insect residents. The 168cm

x National Trust/Lois York

each September, so depending on when you received letter that came with your magazine. (66in) wide ‘bug hall’ reuses timber from the estate. It’s
your magazine you might just catch the end of it this been filled with garden waste, including offcuts from the
year. If not, do look out for it next year. It’s hosted by garden’s iconic lime and apple trees.
Do you have a question
the Trust but lots of venues across England take part, Gardener Sarah Green paid particular attention to
you’d like to ask Hilary?
from cinemas to breweries and stately homes. Erddig’s façade and spent hours carving details onto tiny
Please send it to the
National Trust Images x6,

It began as a weekend dedicated to revealing roof tiles, and creating butterfly and insect motifs inspired
email or postal address
buildings that were closed to the public, but is now by the Hall’s 18th-century fabrics and furnishings.
on page 76, titled
a 10-day festival of events, tours, concerts and The team hopes the bijou bug residence will increase
‘Question for the D-G’.
cultural celebrations. Best of all, it’s completely free. the garden’s biodiversity, attracting pollinators and
She’ll answer questions
This year marks 30 years since the festival first predators to help manage garden pests.
in future issues.
started. There have been over 39 million free visits Hilary McGrady [Link]/erddig Gardeners hope their magnificent ‘bug hall’ will attract pollinators

20 [Link] [Link] 21
 NEWS

Open the NEED TO KNOW

AGM – HAVE YOUR SAY
door to more
How to take part
In the summer magazine, we updated
you that your AGM booklet would
be shared with you digitally rather
than being posted with your autumn
magazine. This change will save costs
and make the AGM more sustainable.

If you’re happy to access the

AGM booklet online and
vote and/or register to attend online,
you will find all the information you
need on our website nationaltrust.
[Link]/agm

The lead person for your

As a member, you have the right to vote in your membership can add
National Trust Council elections and Annual General Find out more their email address to My Account to
Meeting. By using your vote, you directly influence about the AGM, receive email updates. nationaltrust.
how we operate and can make a difference to our [Link]/my-account-info
vote and register
work to protect nature, beauty and history. to attend at If you prefer to vote and/or
Your AGM this year takes place on 2 November
nationaltrust. register to attend by post, you
£15
2024 at 10am at the Civic Centre in Newcastle [Link]/agm will need to request a paper AGM
upon Tyne. To attend the AGM it is essential to booklet (including voting papers) by
register in advance. You can also join online. You’ll 5pm on 11 October. You can request
have the opportunity to hear from other members, this via [Link]/agm or
ask questions, find out what we’ve achieved with by telephoning 0333 234 3508.
Free £15 your support over the last year, and learn about our
gift card plans for the future.
Give the gift of You’ll find all the information you need on our
DON’T FORGET!
National Trust membership website. Our digital AGM booklet includes all the
members’ resolutions, the Board of Trustees’ opinion Your new digital
on each one, and information on the Appointing magazine is now
Bodies and candidates standing in the Council elections. here! From this
autumn issue,
If you pay for gift membership by annual Direct Debit, we’ll send you You don’t need to attend the AGM in order to vote. you’ll be able
a £15 gift card to use in National Trust shops and cafés or on holidays. To vote in the elections, and in advance on the AGM to choose
resolutions, you’ll need to vote by 11.59pm on Friday whether you’d
Use the code AUTMAG24 to claim.* 25 October. You can vote online, or by post if you like to receive your
have requested this (see more above right). If you’re National Trust Magazine
Visit [Link]/mag-gift-membership or call 0344 800 1895. Scan the QR code
attending the AGM, you can vote on resolutions on
National Trust Images x2

in print, as you do now, or if you’d prefer it

the day but you’ll still need to cast your election votes digitally instead. The digital issue contains
Tredegar House, Newport, Wales. © National Trust 2024. Registered charity no. 205846. © National Trust Images/Aled Llywelyn. in advance. all the content of the print magazine, plus
*Junior memberships are not eligible for the gift card offer. Please allow up to 21 days to receive your membership card and gift card. This offer is to encourage new members of the additional interactive features. For all the
National Trust and is not open to existing members. Offer closes 31 December 2024. National Trust gift card terms and conditions. The gift card will expire either 24 months after the date For more information, please see the letter that details visit [Link]/
of issue or 24 months from the last transaction (whichever comes later). Any balance is cancelled on expiry. Gift cards can be redeemed at most National Trust properties (in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland), in our shops (including our online shop), cafes, at admission points for entry, or towards a new membership. They can also be used for National Trust holiday bookings arrived with your magazine. my-account-info
when made by telephone, or towards a stay at a Historic House Hotel. The cards cannot be used for other telephone or online purchases. They cannot be accepted at certain sites, or outlets
not operated by the National Trust. For more information, visit [Link]/features/gift-cards. ‘Free National Trust gift card’ is a limited offer and we reserve the right to withdraw
it at any time before a member joins. In your first year of membership, the Gift Aid claimed for your membership will be equivalent to your subscription less the value of the gift card.
[Link] 23
 BALANCING ACT

THE PRICE Each issue, we take a look

into an area of nature, history or
beauty where the Trust has an
interest. We curate respectful

OF NATURE
discussion among selected
experts with a range of views, and
explain the Trust’s approach. In
this issue, as the nature and
climate emergencies become
increasingly urgent,
conservationists are turning to
hard economics to make the
case for repairing Britain’s
battered ecosystems.
But will that be effective, or
could it be a mistake to put a
price tag on the natural world?
Vincent Crump investigates

H
ow much do you value your local
park? Maybe you sometimes
exercise there, take time out for
rest and reflection on a busy
day, visit with your children to
play, or go to enjoy nature. But
precisely how much is it worth
to you – and how much would
your community lose if it was closed or
concreted over for housing? Could you
put a price tag on that?
If you live in Plymouth, the National
Trust can help with an answer. In 2019, the
Trust commissioned a report on the value
of urban green space across eight UK cities,
measuring their worth for recreation, public
health and carbon absorption. The results
were startling. For Plymouth alone, the total
value in cash terms totted up to £215 million
per year – or £23 for every trip to the park
that residents made.
National Trust Images

Such calculations use what’s called

‘natural capital accounting’ – complex
scientific metrics developed to give green
places, whether in town or countryside, an
economic value. The analysis can embrace

[Link] 25
BALANCING ACT

applying hard economics to the challenge. Previous page

Exploring the
‘In the past, decisions about land use have Castlefield Viaduct, a
mostly been made with a single goal,’ he ‘sky park’ in the heart
says. ‘Perhaps you want to achieve higher of Manchester.
wheat production from a landscape or Opposite Making the
encourage more birdlife. To do so, you most of urban green
spaces in London.
might boost farm subsidies or create
Left It’s hard to put a
ponds. But that’s very crude, because
price on the positive
it doesn’t consider all the knock-on benefits that green
consequences for society.’ spaces and waterways
What the natural capital approach looks bring for people and
wildlife alike.
to do, he explains, is ascribe value to all
the effects of a change and use that fuller
picture to reach more holistic decisions.
‘This approach gives the ecological value of
our planet the attention it deserves, when
traditionally it was largely ignored. And
while money is a far from perfect means of
weighing these competing outcomes, it’s
the “least bad” measure we have.’
While he supports putting a monetary
value on the wider benefits of enhancing
nature and habitats, Ian stresses that he
doesn’t advocate doing the same for
wildlife itself, because ‘the benefits anyway.” Given the depth of the crisis we term was roughly four times that. The Trust says. ‘Or take Yorkshire Water, the Trust’s
The race is on to make the case for our biodiversity brings are too poorly
understood.’ Nonetheless, not everyone
face, we need properly funded action to
reverse the degeneration of our natural
has pledged to balance our own carbon
emissions by 2030, and all the benefits of
partner on the Landscapes for Water
project. They have grown wise to the fact
damaged ecosystems and find new who cares about the environment thinks
putting financial numbers on the benefits
world, not small amounts that come from
the proceeds of more destruction.’
our work are devoted to that goal.’
Patrick Begg, Director of Outdoors and
that building ever-bigger concrete flood
defences isn’t sustainable in an age of
ways to bankroll their repair of nature is a good idea. For Paul de Zylva, As evidence of the potential Natural Resources, is in charge of navigating accelerating climate change.
Senior Nature Campaigner with Friends of shortcomings of natural capital accounting, these murky waters for the Trust. Patrick ‘It’s not only cheaper and more
the Earth, the rationale is flawed on both Paul points to recent controversies over expresses ‘selective optimism’ about the adaptable to create forests and revive
ethical and practical grounds. ‘We should ‘carbon credits’ – the system whereby economic approach – with two caveats. It dried-out peatlands to absorb heavy rains
everything from tourism to timber to A UK-wide study followed, modelling the value the natural world for its own sake,’ he businesses can mitigate their climate- must come with serious targets to enhance – those measures also bring many extra
jobs, and the approach has been gaining impact of creating new parks in nature- says. ‘Why are we only moved to restore damaging emissions by purchasing ‘units’ nature, not merely to offset damage benefits for wildlife, air quality and carbon
ground in the UK since 2012, when the deprived urban neighbourhoods and our rivers, meadows and moors if it can be of environmental work, perhaps through elsewhere; and the impact of schemes capture. But companies and policymakers
Government set up a think-tank called the upgrading existing ones. It revealed that shown to benefit us humans, who damaged tree-planting or peatland restoration. must be properly regulated and policed. do expect hard numbers to back all this up
Natural Capital Committee to explore over 30 years, a £5.5 billion cash investment them in the first place?’ While this sounds noble, investigations by ‘We are facing a cliff-edge on both – which is where nature capital can help us
its full potential. would deliver a £204 billion return in He also claims some of the calculations The Guardian and the BBC’s Panorama have biodiversity and climate change,’ Patrick get everyone on board.’
The Trust’s 2019 report was part of a improved health and wellbeing alone, employed are suspect – mostly a best guess recently revealed much of that money is says. ‘Given the state of UK finances, public
broader £14 million Future Parks Accelerator as well as 6,300 permanent jobs. That’s – which means the value of biodiversity will not necessarily flowing into meaningful money is unlikely to grow over this critical
programme, supported by the National without including the added value of almost inevitably be sold short. ‘Nature is conservation projects on the ground. decade ahead. It would therefore be Vincent Crump is a journalist, writer,
Lottery and designed to explore new ways improved air quality, carbon capture and complex and interconnected,’ he says. The Trust’s Jo Heath agrees that the irresponsible not to explore how private editor and editorial consultant.
to fund Britain’s neglected urban green biodiversity. ‘It showed how natural capital ‘Different species and habitats depend narrative around carbon trading has funding can be drawn in – and naive to think
space. The aim, explains the project’s can be a powerful tool for advocacy, to entirely on each other.’ become tarnished. In 2022, she oversaw a corporate bodies will invest in our cause
delivery director Victoria Bradford-Keegan, help persuade policymakers to invest,’ While he concedes the calculations Defra-funded study to assess the merits of unless we speak the language of the balance Ian Bateman OBE
was to help change the narrative about says Victoria. could provide an opportunity to attract selling the carbon absorbed by the Trust’s sheet, measuring a baseline and showing is Professor of Environmental Economics at
the value of parks for people. ‘Historically, It’s not just parks that are facing the funds from natural capital accounting, he Landscapes for Water initiative – an how we’ll deliver quantifiable benefits.’ the Land, Environment, Economics and Policy
councils have seen them as a financial drain,’ pinch. In 2021, researchers identified a £56 worries about how this thinking is being ambitious new partnership to plant 350 Patrick takes hope from the fact that Institute at the University of Exeter, and
she says. ‘They rarely bring in revenue, billion ‘finance gap’ in UK nature funding applied in the context of impact offsetting. hectares (865 acres) of native woodland companies are now looking at environmental served on the Government’s Natural Capital
Committee from 2012 to 2020.
National Trust Images x3

so they are vulnerable to cuts. Our report over the next decade, so the race is on to ‘Until now, governments and industry have across the nature-poor uplands of the degradation and seeing big threats to their
brought to light their many unseen make the case for our damaged ecosystems tended to put a financial value on nature so North Pennines. ‘The price that businesses own business if they don’t act. ‘The brewer
Paul de Zylva
benefits, proving they are a huge economic and find new ways to bankroll their repair. that it can be traded away for development. can buy carbon credits for on the open Heineken is investing tens of millions of
is Senior Nature Campaigner at
asset – and the bit that hit us between the Ian Bateman of Exeter University, who It’s tantamount to saying, “If you’ve got a market hovers around £20 per tonne,’ she pounds per year in nature-based solutions
Friends of the Earth.
eyes was their enormous value for health served on the Natural Capital Committee big enough chequebook, you can trump explains. ‘But we found that the true cost of that create the cleaner rivers that will make
and wellbeing.’ for eight years, is a leading advocate of our price and trash that bit of countryside creating the habitat and maintaining it long their operations more viable long term,’ he

26 [Link] [Link] 27
NATURE

SYCAMORE GAP:
W
‘ hen great trees fall, rocks on
distant hills shudder,’ wrote

ONE YEAR ON
Maya Angelou in an 1987 poem
reflecting on the death of her
friend, fellow writer and activist
James Baldwin. And when an
ancient sycamore tree in Northumberland was felled
overnight on 27 September last year, shock waves
were felt not just in the UK but in ‘distant hills’
When the tree by Hadrian’s Wall was felled last year, across the world.
the international outpouring of emotion reached far Long known and loved by locals and hikers, the
200-year-old tree attracted new fans from all over
beyond Northumberland’s county borders the world when it starred in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,
By Freya Parr with Kevin Costner in the title role, in 1991. Beyond its
Hollywood fame, the tree has been the backdrop to
celebrations and sorrows, marriage proposals and
commemorations, and when it was felled, its loss was
felt even by those who’d never seen it in person.
The tree and this area of land sits in Northumberland
National Park and have been in Trust care since the
1940s. Hadrian’s Wall General Manager Andrew
Poad has spent 32 years working for the Trust here.
‘I remember the tree before its Hollywood career,’ he
says. ‘Later, with the advent of social media, it became
a symbol that everyone wanted to capture for their
Instagram moment.’ The tree’s perfect positioning in
the dramatic symmetrical dip in the landscape made it
an ideal stopping-off point for walkers in the area.
Andrew was the first Trust person to get the call
on 28 September with news of the tree’s felling, when
a member of the National Park team spotted it was
missing. ‘You slip into crisis mode,’ he says. ‘It was only
when I got home in the evening that it really hit me.’
The story spread quickly across the media. ‘There’s
a hill just to the south of the Gap that one of our team
referred to as Henman Hill, because all the media sat on
it watching the scene,’ recalls ranger Luke Straszewski.
Andrew, Luke and other Trust rangers joined
colleagues from the Northumberland National Park
team, who share responsibility for the site. Their
thoughts immediately turned to the best way to
protect what remained of the tree and the site from
further damage. ‘The tree had fallen onto Hadrian’s
Wall itself, which is a World Heritage Site, so we needed
National Trust Images

to immediately preserve that,’ explains Andrew. ‘We

brought in a crane to winch the tree carefully off the
Wall. It was a tense few hours. We had archaeologists
from Historic England on site with us because we didn’t
want to do any further damage to the area.’

28 [Link] [Link] 29
NATURE

YOUR
After the tree had been safely removed from the Previous page Walkers In the wake of the felling, the pub launched a Just
Wall, discussions turned to its legacy. The Trust made arriving at Sycamore Giving campaign. ‘We had pensioners in Essex sending
Gap, Northumberland.
a public call-out for photographs and memories of the cheques for £5, £100 donations from lots of people,
Below left A view from

MEMORIES
Sycamore Gap. Over 2,000 people sent tributes, sharing the path leading down
and one large donation that took us over our target,’
their stories of the tree and its resonance in their lives. to the lone sycamore says pub manager Steven Blair. ‘Together, we’ve
‘It was a place for quiet contemplation,’ remembers near Hadrian’s Wall. raised over £10,000 to help the Trust with the costs
Kevin Robson, who runs guided walks, tours and outdoor Below right Local of removing the tree and to put towards propagating
education walks in the area. ‘I’ve found it quite hard to artist Shona Branigan new saplings so it can live on in another form.’ Many people shared their
with one of five
return there now the tree’s no longer there, but I’ve had detailed prints she has
The propagation has been taking place at a memories of the tree, in all
some amazing conversations with people in the last made from a slice of top-secret location in Devon, the Trust’s Plant
year about its importance and what it means to them.’ the sycamore’s trunk. Conservation Centre (PCC). What began life as a
seasons and times of day
Local artist Shona Branigan was given a disc of the single desk in 1982 is now a purpose-built facility
trunk. She has made five unique wood prints from it, that has been propagating from our most significant
tying together themes of landscape, history, science, plants for over 40 years. Centre manager Chris
spirituality and identity, all in corresponding colours. Trimmer and his team care for a wide range of
Her work was shown at local venues including Carlisle plants from across the Trust and around the world,
Library, Hexham Abbey, and Hadrian’s Wall and nurturing some for as long as 20 years before they’re
Housesteads Fort Visitor Centre, and is on display ready to be planted out.
at the Queen’s Hall in Hexham until mid-October. Naturally, it was Chris’s team who stepped in after
‘When I was working in my studio, I heard people the tree was felled. Having been granted a licence
talking about the Sycamore Gap and it felt like I was from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, they
picking up people’s emotions through the wood,’ she requested materials from the site be delivered to It was a very foggy day. I captured this amazing shot of the Sycamore Gap
says. ‘It took me about 10 hours to sand the disc to the PCC. They propagated the seedlings – and then tree emerging from the mist.
remove any marks or ridges that were made when it was began the process of saving the rest of the tree. Kyle Sulkiewicz, Cumbria
cut from the stump. When it’s printed, the wood has a
fine grain and is incredibly detailed, almost like lace. The
cross-section is in the shape of a heart and mirrors the I first visited Sycamore Gap in June 1973, then Seven-year-old
landscape of the dip where the tree stood. Trees last Sycamore Gap will remain a aged 11, with my father. It was one of several Charlotte’s winning
much longer than our lifetimes, which means they’re a visits which he and I made in the 70s as we poem and picture meant
continuity between generations, and a shared memory.’ place people visit for reflection walked from Housesteads to Steel Rigg,
including in the memorable snow of June 1975.
she got to meet Dame
Judi Dench and the
People visiting the tree often stopped at local pub
the Twice Brewed Inn, on the main road near the Gap. and contemplation I last visited in September 2023 (you do the
arithmetic on age!) – on Saturday 23rd, with
Sycamore Gap sapling at
Chelsea Flower Show
my best friend from school days as we both earlier this year.
celebrated retirement by walking Hadrian’s
Wall from east to west over six days. It was a
lovely afternoon after a wet morning and I
took this photograph then. Like so many
others that day and before us, we rested
awhile at Sycamore Gap, admiring the tree’s
shapely tenacity and vigour.
James Cross, London
National Trust Images, Jonny Walton

Here’s the beautiful Sycamore Gap in the snow.

Jonathan Cole, Sunderland

30 [Link] [Link] 31
NATURE NATURE

Right A seedling from

the Sycamore Gap tree
at the Trust’s Plant
Conservation Centre
in Devon.
Far right Dame Judi
Dench and 7-year-old
Charlotte placing one
of the precious
seedlings into The
Octavia Hill Garden at
Chelsea Flower Show
in May.

My companion John Barrow and I This area held special importance to

were halfway through our Hadrian’s us as it was under the famous tree
Wall walk when we reached where I popped the question to my
Sycamore Gap at around 5.30pm wife Joanne (she said yes!). It was a
on 27 September. We stopped to glorious spring day in May 2020.
take photos before heading to the The weather was shining and the I took this photo on a crispy cold night. The
Twice Brewed Inn, where we stayed sycamore tree helped shade us ground crunched beneath my feet, the air was
very still, the sky was cloudless. The only company ‘Time was of the essence,’ says Chris. ‘Once material all over the world,’ says Louise, her mother. ‘When
the night. Next morning it dawned from the sun.
I was aware of was an owl out hunting. Its hoot has been cut off a tree, it is dying, so we needed to get in we drove along that road, it was always something
on us that we must have taken Nathan Chubb, Northumberland
was quite haunting in the dark. there as soon as possible to do our work.’ Chris and his we looked out for,’ adds Andrew, her father.
some of the last photos of the tree
Lee Forsyth, Northumberland team planted seeds gathered from the tree and made After Chelsea, the seedling returned to
standing. Here’s my photo of John by
‘clones’ that they grafted by splicing together material quarantine before rejoining the other seedlings to
the tree at 5.26pm on 27 September.
from the original tree and two-year-old seedling acer continue to grow. The main part of the original trunk,
Mike Bode, Cheshire
trees. Horticulturalists have since been nurturing the meanwhile, is to be displayed close to Sycamore Gap
resulting 100 seedlings and nine clones. It’s not yet clear at The Sill – the UK’s National Landscape Discovery
when these saplings will be ready to plant out – they Centre – from September. At the Gap itself, rangers SYCAMORE GAP:
cannot be rushed – but once they are, some will go to are continuing to keep a close eye on the stump. ONE YEAR ON –
local communities, schools and organisations, with While there is no sign of regrowth yet, the team is THE PODCAST
others assigned to create new woodland and nature still hopeful that next year it may spring into life.
areas. Our Patron and long-time environmentalist While neither the old stump nor the new saplings Hear more recollections
King Charles III is to receive one of the first. His sapling can replace the old tree, Sycamore Gap will remain a and follow the
will be planted in Windsor Great Park when it’s matured. place people visit for reflection and contemplation. Sycamore Gap story on
From 28 September, there will be opportunities for other ‘It’s going to have an enduring legacy,’ says Andrew. the National Trust
communities and organisations to apply for a tree. ‘Even now, a year on, it’s still dominating our lives.’ Podcast. It’s released
A week after two men were charged with criminal The felling may have ended the life of the tree on 28 September to
damage to the Sycamore Gap tree and Hadrian’s Wall, as we knew it, but it has launched a whole new coincide with the first
one of the seedlings had its first outing from the PCC. chapter in the Sycamore Gap story. People continue anniversary, but we’ve
It formed part of The Octavia Hill Garden by Blue to make memories here, as they have done for so made this episode
Diamond with the National Trust, at Chelsea Flower many years. ‘Whatever happens, there will always available early,
Show. Dame Judi Dench and 7-year-old Charlotte be a tree at Sycamore Gap in one shape or another,’ especially for
Crowe placed it ceremonially into the garden. says Andrew. members. Scan the QR
Charlotte won her opportunity through a code or listen at
I took this photo in August 2023. We had gone competition organised by the Trust at her primary Freya Parr is Deputy Editor of National [Link]/
to Northumberland for a break while my wife school, Henshaw CE Primary, which is the closest Trust Magazine. NTP138-mag
was awaiting her cancer diagnosis. Now, with school to Sycamore Gap. Pupils were invited to draw
National Trust Images x2

the tree gone, I’m watching my wife lose her a picture of the tree and write a short poem about
hair but knowing it will grow back. Hoping I have a few pics of the tree, but my best is this one, taken with an infra-red what it meant to them.
that the tree will come back some day too. camera. We hope it grows again to be as splendid as it once was. As local residents, Charlotte’s parents were
Scott Liddell, Edinburgh Billy Davies, South Tyneside surprised by their own sadness at the felling, let alone Please consider donating to essential ongoing
the international response. ‘It’s strange how a tree in nature conservation work at Hadrian’s Wall.
Northumberland has made such an impact on people [Link]/hadrians-wall-appeal

32 [Link] [Link] 33
 PROMOTION

Saved from People can experience what

it would have been like to stay in a
Unlike the lost houses commemorated by the V&A
exhibition, these three country houses have a new
lease of life. ‘Every inch of the places is used, from the
laundry to the kitchens – in fact they’re probably more

destruction country house during its heyday fully staffed and active than they ever were as private
houses,’ says Richard. ‘But the important thing is that
they’re still here, serving the purpose for which they
were built – or something close to it.’

A landmark exhibition at the V&A 50 years ago Fifty years on, the exhibition remains a touchstone for Middlethorpe Hall, which had spent the last decade Above A breakfast
table laid for two with
For more information or to book a stay, please
many people involved in heritage conservation – but serving as Brummels nightclub. ‘We took possession on visit [Link] or call:
inspired Richard Broyd CBE to rescue three for philanthropist and businessman Richard Broyd, Friday 13 June, and spent a lot of that evening repelling
a view over the garden
at Middlethorpe Hall. Bodysgallen Hall, North Wales: 01492 584466
historic houses from the wrecking ball and it motivated him to action. ‘I’ve been interested in would-be revellers who didn’t know that the nightclub Above right Hartwell Hartwell House, Vale of Aylesbury: 01296 747444
transform them into luxurious hotels architecture and history since childhood,’ he explains. had closed,’ says Richard. ‘Then it started pouring House was once home Middlethorpe Hall, York: 01904 641241
‘I grew up in Sevenoaks in Kent, and my parents often with rain – inside as well as outside – so I spent the to King Louis XVIII
of France.
took me to visit nearby historic houses such as Knole, next morning roped to a chimney stack, clearing the

I
n October 1974, a landmark exhibition opened Above left Guests Ightham Mote and Sissinghurst. When I visited the gutters. That was all within 15 hours of arriving.’
at Hartwell House, REA
OFF DER
at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. exhibition and saw the terrible record of lost heritage, In the end Bodysgallen took just under a year to
Buckinghamshire, can
‘The Destruction of the Country House 1875–1975’, it was something of a catalyst. It set me thinking about restore, while Middlethorpe and Hartwell took three years
commissioned by V&A Director Roy Strong,
dine to the uplifting
music of a baby grand. what I could do to help.’ each. Richard’s teams were able to recover some of the Come and stay ER
was created to expose the widespread loss of the Above centre The answer he landed upon was to seek out and houses’ historic contents that had been sold or otherwise We look forward to welcoming you to a Historic House Hotel.
UK’s built heritage, as houses that proved too Bodysgallen Hall in restore three dilapidated country houses, give them a dispersed, including pieces of furniture and portraits of
North Wales has Bodysgallen Hall in North Wales and Middlethorpe Hall in York
expensive to maintain were abandoned or demolished. new purpose and donate them to the National Trust. former residents. The rest of the period furnishings have
stunning views of both start from £135 per person per night, to include accommodation
As the 20th century progressed, the trickle of Eryri (Snowdonia). He acquired Bodysgallen Hall in North Wales and been selected in keeping with the houses’ ambience.
for two people in a classic double or twin-bedded room, cooked
demolitions became a flood, and by 1955 approximately Inset ‘The Destruction Middlethorpe Hall near York in 1980, followed by All three hotels offer visitors the chance to discover
breakfast and use of the health spa, plus a £25 allowance each towards

Text by Immy Tinkler. National Trust Images x4, SAVE

one historic house was being lost every five days. of the Country House’ Hartwell House in Buckinghamshire in 1986. intriguing stories of former residents. At Hartwell, for
dinner food in the hotel restaurant and a £20 voucher each towards
Researchers have suggested that at least 1,200 were exhibition at the V&A Today all three are thriving hotels whose profits example, guests will find themselves walking in the
in 1974. pre-booked spa treatments.
demolished in England alone between 1900 and 1970. have helped to support the Trust’s work since Richard footsteps of King Louis XVIII, who lived here with his
Although some country-house demolitions donated them in 2008. ‘It occurred to me that wife and courtiers for five years while in exile from Or stay at Hartwell House in the Vale of Aylesbury from £139.50 per
attracted large crowds, the scale of the loss went converting the houses into hotels would be an ideal fit, France. During this time a few enterprising courtiers person per night, to include £25 allowance each towards dinner food
largely unnoticed by the public until the V&A exhibition being rather similar to their original uses,’ says Richard. maintained a miniature farm on the roof, complete with in the hotel restaurant and a £15 voucher each towards pre-booked
brought it to the fore. Its centrepiece was the ‘Hall ‘Bodysgallen had been owned by the Mostyn family birds, rabbits and vegetables grown in pots. Those with spa treatments.
of Destruction’, an immersive space depicting a since the 16th century, but after they sold up in 1970 a sweet tooth might like to stay at Middlethorpe Hall, You’ll also receive a free walking map of the local area.
Neo-classical portico crumbling under the impact it became a bed and breakfast, which kept the roof which boasts connections to the ‘Chocolate Orange’ Please note a supplement for single occupancy will apply to all hotels.
of a wrecker’s ball. Sounds of burning timbers and on for 10 critical years. Hartwell House had been used Terry family. Please quote NTMAG24 when booking.
collapsing buildings accompanied the scene of as a girls’ finishing school, so it was full of desks and ‘Our aim is that the hotels allow people to Terms and conditions: This offer is valid for stays Sunday to Thursday from 1 October 2024
destruction, overlaid by a voice reciting the names blackboards, with double swing doors and lino floors.’ experience what it would have been like to actually stay to 31 March 2025, excluding 23 December–2nd January, 14 February.
of lost historic homes. Perhaps the most daunting renovation was that of in a country house during its heyday,’ says Richard.

34 [Link] [Link] 35
CLIMATE CHANGE

BEYOND
BORDERS
The effects of climate change
transcend national borders.
That’s why the National Trust
has embarked on an exciting
knowledge and skill-sharing
twinning programme with

National Trust Images/Steve Sayers, Iason Athanasiadis

five international heritage
organisations in the Middle
East and East Africa
By Sally Palmer

36 [Link] [Link] 37
 CLIMATE CHANGE

community and welcomes hundreds of thousands of influenced by Victorian ‘Egyptomania’ and feature
visitors each year. For many years it belonged to the Egyptian plants and animals.
Boleyn family and it’s widely considered the birthplace Both were happy family homes owned for centuries by
of Anne Boleyn. It was largely rebuilt for James I’s Chief people who were significant figures in their communities
Justice Sir Henry Hobart in the 17th century, though and who cared about their historic buildings. ‘There’s a
its dry moat dates back to Tudor times. ‘Hobart was mid‑17th‑century moment when both places were coming
very innovative,’ says Heather. ‘He ran a self‑sufficient to life under their two owners – Henry Hobart at Blickling

C
estate where agriculture, nature and buildings worked and Khalil Agha at Bayt al‑Razzaz,’ says Heather.
together in harmony to support the house.’ More fundamentally, both properties are facing
In the 1740s a later Hobart, Sir John, had Blickling’s the challenges of today’s changing climate. That’s
Long Gallery converted into one of the country’s why they have been ‘twinned’ as part of an innovative
most significant libraries, boasting a collection of over three‑year Withstanding Change programme that
12,000 books. Blickling was left to the Trust in 1940 began in 2022. It’s led by the International National
by Philip Kerr, Lord Lothian, who was the driving force Trusts Organisation (INTO), with the National Trust
behind the National Trust Act of 1937 and the creation a key partner, and funded by the British Council’s
of the scheme to donate country houses to the Trust. Cultural Protection Fund in partnership with the
Today’s estate comprises over 1,860 hectares (4,600 Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
acres), and the house is Grade I listed. The programme links five National Trust places with
So far, so different, but scratch at the surface five heritage organisations in the Middle East and East
just a little and similarities emerge. Coincidentally, Africa. The international colleagues have been meeting
their interiors share common elements, including to share knowledge and visiting each others’ sites,
ornate ceilings, canvas wall and ceiling coverings virtually and in person. ‘We’re all grappling with how
and decorative window constructions. Some of best to adapt the historic places in our care to a
Blickling’s later wall murals are likely to have been changing climate while opening them to the public and
helping them benefit their local communities,’ says
Heather. ‘There’s truth in that old adage “a problem
shared is a problem halved”.’
airo is awake. The traffic, Previous page The At first, Bayt al-Razzaz and Blickling seem to have When Omniya showed Heather around Bayt
which had lessened main courtyard of little in common. Bayt al-Razzaz was constructed al‑Razzaz earlier this year, Heather was immediately
Bayt al-Razzaz, a
overnight, has picked former medieval in the second half of the 15th century and its stonework drawn to some of the long‑established Egyptian
up again and horns blare palace in Cairo. and turned wood windows with stained glass are building techniques for dealing with extreme heat.
incessantly. Street dogs Inset: Blickling Hall, characteristic of Egypt’s Mamluk period. It was one ‘We have some beautiful historic leaded windows
Norfolk.
and cats slip between of the houses built in the city by Sultan Qaytbay, who at Blickling,’ she says. ‘Lead becomes softer at high
legs and wheels and smoke hangs heavy in the air, Above The street ruled Egypt for almost three decades. Later, in the temperatures, which can cause the glass panes to fall
outside Bayt
mingling with voices drifting upwards and the scent al-Razzaz, 17th century, Khalil Agha was gifted the house after out. In Bayt al‑Razzaz, where temperatures regularly
of strong coffee and sweet, heavy cakes. decorated for successfully collecting taxes from rice farmers, and his approach 40°C in the summer, they’ve used gypsum
Architect and historian Omniya Abdel Barr from the Ramadan, in Cairo’s family was subsequently called al-Razzaz, which means to hold the panes instead of lead. The stone has been
historic quarter.
Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation is heading to her ‘of rice’. His grandson Ahmad Katkhuda al-Razzaz lived carved in such a way that it holds the glass panes gently
Right Heather (left)
office at Bayt al-Razzaz, a former medieval palace and here with his family. Ahmad married his neighbour and but firmly – and of course it doesn’t soften in the heat.
and Omniya under
family home in the south of Cairo’s historic quarter. She the canvas ceiling in brought their two homes together into one dwelling, While this technique might not be suitable for Blickling,
turns off a narrow street and down a short passage into the Brown Drawing linked by their courtyards. we do need to start thinking differently and looking at
a modest-sized courtyard garden. The city fades behind Room at Blickling. Since 1951, Bayt al-Razzaz has been a listed solutions that are working elsewhere.’
Bayt al-Razzaz also
the thick walls and is replaced by the trill of birds in the monument and owned by Egypt’s Supreme Council On her recent return visit to Blickling, Omniya was
has canvas ceilings
single central palm tree and the Islamic call to prayer, to protect. of Antiquities. Parts have recently been restored intrigued by the complex pipe system the Victorians

National Trust Images/Steve Sayers, Omniya Abdel Barr

the adhan, as it floats across from the nearby minaret. enough for the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation installed to manage water coming from the River Bure
Omniya’s office is in a ‘loggia’ – an outdoor corridor to have offices here and host small events in the eastern and its tributaries through to the lake. ‘The Hall was
with a roof, its outer wall open to the elements. ‘It’s so courtyard. But the sanitation facilities are basic, and built on a flood plain, so they’ve always had to deal
much fun,’ she says. ‘I sit there and I feel I can do good much of the 64-room property remains derelict. with the risk of water coming in,’ she says. ‘It’s been
work. I’m surrounded by good walls.’ Blickling, meanwhile, has close connections to its local interesting to see how they developed efficient water
Three and a half thousand miles away, General management systems hundreds of years ago.’
Manager Heather Jermy is also arriving at work. She In both buildings, however, the changing climate
unlocks the great iron gates of Blickling Hall in Norfolk means tactics that have worked for centuries are
and swings them wide. There’s birdsong here, too, and We’re all grappling with how starting to fail. Egypt’s historic buildings are well
the tyres of an occasional car swish through the light adapted to hot, dry summers, but less so to recent
rain on the small road in front of the Hall. Someone best to adapt the historic places heavy storms. ‘Cairo is seeing very intense bursts of
tugs on a rope at the little nearby church and the peal rainfall and flash floods,’ says Omniya. ‘Four years ago,
of its single bell ripples into the morning air. in our care to a changing climate there was a particularly big storm which caused the

38 [Link] [Link] 39
CLIMATE CHANGE

The Sultan’s inscription

on the courtyard entrance
refers to Bayt al-Razzaz as
‘this blessed place’

Some of Blickling’s
later wall murals are likely

National Trust Images, Iason Athanasiadis

to have been influenced by
Victorian ‘Egyptomania’

40 [Link] [Link] 41
 CLIMATE CHANGE

THE OTHER TWINS FOR COMMUNITIES

Bayt al-Jaghbeer cultural hub
in As-Salt, Jordan, is a newly
HISTORIC ROSES accredited UNESCO World
Heritage Site, in the care of Petra
Tsegereda Gardens at the National Trust. It’s twinned with
University of Addis Ababa, the Buscot and Coleshill Estate,
Ethiopia, is in the care of Heritage home of the Heritage and Rural
Watch Ethiopia. It’s twinned Skills Centre in Oxfordshire.
with Mottisfont in Hampshire,
home to the national collection Bayt al-Jaghbeer is home to Al Khader Organisation,
of old-fashioned roses, and which focuses on female entrepreneurship through crafts.
supported by nearby Hinton We’re restoring the hub to become an active cultural space
Ampner, where the garden is divided into a series of ‘rooms’. for the community and developing climate workshops to
raise awareness among young people. We’re arranging
Tsegereda Gardens were once part of the residence an online Youth Heritage Leaders exchange programme
of my grandfather, Ethiopia’s Crown Prince Asfa Wossen. between youth groups in Oxfordshire and As-Salt.’
“Tsegereda” means “rose”. We are restoring the historic Zeina Khashashneh, Project Manager, Petra National Trust
rose gardens here, and we have planted climate-resilient
species to withstand both drought and severe flooding.
It’s been great to share experiences. We’ve been looking
at each others’ collections, and exploring how we can help
BUILDINGS AND COLLECTIONS
roses adapt to climate change.’ The Semei Kakungulu Lwakirenzi
Blickling too has been seeing have to be willing to be bold, to use new technologies if
old techniques are no longer effective. We have to think

Heritage Watch Ethiopia, Petra National Trust, Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society, The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda
Esther Sellassie Antohin, heritage site, near Mbale in
Founder and Executive Director, Heritage Watch Ethiopia eastern Uganda, is in the care of
The Cross-Cultural Foundation
the impact of hotter summers about the whole estate holistically, not just focus on
what immediately needs attention, so we’re addressing

COASTAL CHANGES
of Uganda. It’s twinned with the
Palladian house and world-famous
and bigger dumps of rain the wider cause when something’s failing. And we
have to work out how we’ll prioritise when it seems
landscape garden at Stourhead everything needs fixing at once and we’ve limited funds.’
The Old Customs House in Stone in Wiltshire. neighbouring corner building to collapse, which Previous page The Imogen Wood is Senior National Consultant for
in turn caused serious structural damage to Bayt 19th-century wall Heritage and Climate for the Trust, working with the
Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania, is in mural frieze in the
the care of Zanzibar Stone Town Statesman Semei Kakungulu played a key role in al-Razzaz. Rain has been leaking in ever since, Long Gallery at team behind INTO’s Withstanding Change programme.
Heritage Society. It’s twinned Uganda’s complex colonial history in the late 19th century. damaging the ornate painted ceilings and decorative Blickling. Inset: Sultan ‘My job involves helping colleagues consider how to
Our site includes his private residence and mausoleum, cornices. We’ve just rebuilt the corner building, but Qaytbay’s inscription adapt historic places to become more resilient to
with 19th-century Penrhyn Castle at Bayt al-Razzaz’s
and the wild and windswept Llŷn which are suffering damage from increasing temperature now we’re trying to get funds together to repair Bayt climate change,’ she says. ‘Here at Blickling, the team
courtyard entrance.
Peninsula, in Gwynedd. changes and extreme rainfall. We’re addressing issues of al-Razzaz before it becomes too bad to fix.’ understands how the UK is exposed to different climate
Above The River Bure,
soil erosion and flooding and restoring the natural landscape. Blickling too has been seeing the impact of hotter a chalk stream which hazards, what impact these might have and why it’s
The team at Stourhead has been sharing knowledge of summers and bigger dumps of rain between dry runs through the important to keep thorough records. We can use this
Stone Town is a Swahili trading town, with Arab, building and collections management. We’ve been seeing periods. ‘The changes are putting more stresses onto Blickling Estate, work to help other places likely to face similar issues.’
Indian and European influences in the buildings here. The has recently been
how they’re monitoring the building to understand how the building,’ says Heather. ‘Repairs that worked in the Imogen points to a crack on the wall with markers
‘rewiggled’ to slow
Old Customs House on Zanzibar’s northern seafront is an climate change is affecting it. We want to better monitor past don’t last as long. The collection is at risk when the set along it to monitor how rapidly it is growing. The
its flow and help to
Omani mansion built in 1865. Similar to many sites along our own site, and I’m enjoying working together. house leaks and floods, and damaging pests such as combat flooding. team thinks the crack could be caused by what’s known
the Llŷn Peninsula, it’s continually exposed to heavy rain, We want to build a centre here where researchers and silverfish thrive in the warm, humid conditions. Outside, as shrink-swell – a condition that properties built on
strong winds and salt spray, causing the building to erode. students can come to learn. We also want to integrate and it’s more difficult for gardeners to keep our significant clay soil, like Blickling, increasingly are forced to
Although we are on different continents, we have a lot share our indigenous knowledge, because we know that plant collections healthy and presentable, and more consider. ‘The plasticity of clay means it will shrink
to learn from each other about the best ways to adapt our our people used to know how to adapt to climate change.’ strong winds are causing roof tiles to slip off and trees when there’s drought and then expand in wetter
coastal heritage to help it become more resilient. We have to be blown over. We can’t risk endangering people so periods,’ Imogen explains. ‘London and the South East
Simon Musasizi, Program Manager, The Cross-Cultural
made a short YouTube video with the North Wales team when that happens we have to close.’ are clay-bed heavy, so a lot of places here might be
Foundation of Uganda
National Trust Images

about our shared climate experiences. They have been Addressing the challenges, Heather feels, demands susceptible to the risk of shrink-swell in the future. The
interested in our work making the most of the knowledge a methodical approach. ‘First, we need to really monitoring should confirm whether shrink-swell is the
of local people with traditional heritage building skills.’ Find out more about all the partners and watch the understand what’s happening, so we can plan well. cause of the problems at Blickling or if it’s something else.’
Makame Juma, CEO, Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society Stone Town/North Wales video: We have to keep our buildings in good repair, using At all of the twinned properties, some of the
[Link]/withstanding-change-project like-for-like repair techniques when we can, but we also programme’s funding is being used to help

42 [Link] [Link] 43
CLIMATE CHANGE

communities to find out more about how a changing of the twinning funds to arrange a residency in Above left Omniya
climate is affecting the places they love in their local mid-October for one of Bayt al-Razzaz’s local artisans, (left) and other INTO
partners in one of the
area, and inspire them to want to help. ‘In Egypt, we Nesreen Sharara. A talented woodworker who specialises restored rooms at Bayt
mostly deal with antiquities like the pyramids, where in a form of decorative work known as arabesque, al-Razzaz.
you come and look at them and then leave,’ says Nesreen has recently been running youth and children’s Above Heather (left)
Omniya. ‘The approach with historic buildings is often projects at Bayt al-Razzaz. Blickling’s visitors will be and Omniya examining
water damage to the
the same – they’re given official protection and then able to watch her at work, and she’ll be meeting with
plaster ceiling in the
left untouched. But once a building is isolated, it starts the volunteering team to share more of what she’s been Long Gallery, Blickling.
to deteriorate. The idea of putting on a programme, doing with the community at Bayt al-Razzaz.
making use of the spaces, considering how the house ‘Places should be welcoming if they’re to have
can be impactful in its neighbourhood – this is new here.’ meaning for people, and they need to adapt if they’re to
Omniya is full of plans for Bayt al-Razzaz. She wants to survive for the future,’ says Heather. ‘Our founders had GARDEN BUILDING COLLECTION
establish a residency programme and a technical archive this vision that everyone could enjoy history, heritage
focused on Cairo’s traditional crafts, along with a café and nature and find beauty in it. We want to get as Inspired by timeless designs and modern techniques, our beautiful
Be first to hear sheds and summerhouses are perfect for discerning customers with
serving local coffee and a gift shop selling artisan-made many young people involved as we can and inspire the
more from classic tastes.
woodwork and inlay –a decorative technique where next generation of general managers and gardeners.’
Heather, Omniya
mother-of-pearl or metal is embedded in wood to form The Withstanding Change programme officially
and others in a
intricate patterns. She talks animatedly about community runs until early next year, but for Heather and Omniya
new National
coffee mornings and a recent event in the courtyard it’s been the start of an enduring friendship. ‘The
Trust podcast
where children planted seedlings in pots to take home. project has formed a community linked by people
that’s specially
‘The house has friends who come together for who care about heritage far beyond our borders,’
linked with this
fundraising projects,’ she says. ‘Kahhal Looms, one of says Heather. ‘Our relationships will outlast the
article. It’s due for
Egypt’s oldest carpet-makers, is collaborating with four programme and extend well into the future.’
wider release in
prominent designers to create four carpets inspired ‘The twinning programme is bringing hope,’ adds
November, but
10% OFF
National Trust Images/Steve Sayers, INTO/Jacqui Sealy

by the house and auctioning them off to help us raise Omniya. ‘The entrance portal in the courtyard at Bayt
we’ve made it National Trust
funds to restore the ceiling of the main reception room. al-Razzaz has an inscription where, after his name, the
available early for Summerhouses*
And we want local children to understand the history of Sultan refers to the house as “this blessed place”. I feel
members. Scan
the house, so we’ve been creating a graphic novel about he’s speaking to me and I have a responsibility to care
the QR code or
Bayt al-Razzaz, with beautiful illustrations to help tell for this house, where so many people have lived happy
visit [Link].
its story. These are the people who become friends and lives. Climate change will be a challenge, but we will
com/NTP143- Scan to browse
supporters, first of Bayt al-Razzaz and then of Cairo overcome it. It’s what we have to do.’ the collection
mag
more widely, and who want to help protect it.’
Heather is keen to adapt some of Omniya’s Sally Palmer is Editor of National Trust Magazine.
initiatives for Blickling’s local community. She’s
particularly interested in ideas to help local young Did you know you can use your National Trust [Link] | 01760 444229
people to understand and care about the impacts of membership card if you visit INTO partner sites? *Promotion valid for purchases made before 31 December 2024.
climate change. She’s used some of Blickling’s share [Link]/into Quote "NT-MAG-10" to our sales team to claim.

44 [Link]
 HISTORY

AT

MUNSTEAD
WOOD Curator Caroline Ikin says the newly
acquired Munstead Wood in Surrey,
while not yet open to visitors, is
already yielding tantalising insights
into the life and work of its former
owner, influential Arts and Crafts
gardener Gertrude Jekyll
Interview by Freya Parr

I
think it’s no exaggeration to say that
Munstead Wood, near Godalming in
Surrey, is the birthplace of modern
gardening. It’s the former home of one
of Britain’s most influential gardeners,
Gertrude Jekyll, who lived here from
1897 until her death in 1932, so when it
came on the market there was an instant
buzz among curators at the National
Trust. It was obvious to me from the outset that
the Trust could do something amazing with this
remarkable place.
We carefully considered our options, and the
Trust finally acquired Munstead Wood in April
2023. We were keen to safeguard it and make
it more accessible so people can come and be

Treasured. inspired by the garden and get a real sense of the

history and continuing beauty of Jekyll’s home.
Jekyll had an intellectual approach to
Bring your stories to life with a beautiful CEWE PHOTOBOOK.
gardening and knew how to plant deliberately
National Trust supporters get an exclusive 15% off all CEWE photo products. so the plants she loved are given their proper
National Trust Images

place to shine. She used common plants and

cottage garden favourites, as well as new
species introduced from abroad. By observing
[Link]/nationaltrust the way plants grew, she was able to show
them to their best advantage.

47
 HISTORY

Munstead Wood has dry, sandy soil. Jekyll wrote Previous page The
about how she couldn’t get certain plants to grow
and had to use lots of manure and compost, and chose
door through the
summer flower AT A GLANCE
border leading to
other plants to suit her particular conditions. We find her the Spring Garden.
Built: 1896 – about 13 years after the garden.
observations helpful when we’re considering how we Right Jekyll designed Taken into Trust care: April 2023
can garden differently today in a changing climate. the long border at
Munstead Wood, Style: Munstead Wood is an Arts and Crafts
It’s not just the garden that’s significant. Jekyll’s house
Surrey, with cool house made of local Bargate stone with a 4.45ha
was built for her by Edwin Lutyens, one of the UK’s colours at the edges (11-acre) garden laid out by Gertrude Jekyll.
most inventive and influential architects. Twenty years giving way to hot
his senior, Jekyll was well-connected in the world of art tones in the centre. Potted history: After Jekyll bought Munstead
and design and was able to use her contacts to bring in Far right The south Wood in the early 1880s, she began laying out her
front of Munstead woodland and ornamental gardens and created a
commissions for the two of them, after a chance meeting
Wood, designed by
in 1889 brought them together. Jekyll had lived across kitchen garden and plant nursery. Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens in
the lane from Munstead Wood, in Munstead House, the first of many designed the Hut (a cottage in the grounds) and
with her widowed mother since 1878 and bought the collaborations with then the main house, which Jekyll moved into
Gertrude Jekyll. in 1897. Munstead Wood was the first of over
6-hectare (15-acre) plot in the early 1880s with plans to
Below Jekyll with 70 significant collaborations in house and
create her dream garden – and a house of her own.
one of her cats in the
Munstead Wood is a fusion of architectural and garden design between Jekyll and Lutyens.
Spring Garden in 1923.
garden design. It’s one of Lutyens’ earliest designs and Fun fact: Jekyll asked Lutyens to include an
embodies Arts and Crafts characteristics of simplicity, Owl House in the roof – and was delighted
utility and beauty, featuring local materials and when an owl moved in!
employing local craftspeople in its construction. Much
of the house’s details are still intact – bespoke ironwork
door handles and latches, carved wooden balustrades
repoussé, woodcarving, embroidery and collage. She A lot of her archive material ended up at the University
and finials and beautiful fire surrounds.
Jekyll was an independent woman with a strong You’ll see Jekyll’s influence seems to have become accomplished in every branch of California in Berkeley, and I was given funding from a
sense of purpose. She designed many gardens and of the decorative arts, and there’s a workshop in the private donor to go over there for a week and go through
established a nursery at Munstead Wood to supply everywhere – but Munstead house where she honed her craft skills. She was also a it all. It’s given me real insight into her working methods
thousands of plants. She was hugely influential in self-taught photographer and had her own dark room and provided essential details for our restoration work.
shaping modern gardening practices, in her writing Wood is where it all began and at Munstead Wood. We think she was one of the first
women to take photographs specifically for publication,
Jekyll took hundreds of photographs, and even the
ones of people and cats are surprisingly helpful because
as well as her work here. She was a prolific writer,
spreading her ideas through her 14 books and hundreds where she focused on colour theory and she illustrated her books with her own photos.
Since Jekyll’s death in 1932, there have been three
there’s often a detail in the background that shows part
of the garden, such as the original design of the summer
Caroline Ikin
private owners, all of whom cared for Munstead Wood house. It was later rebuilt as a pool house, and the
is a Trust curator
of articles for the gardening press, newspapers and and made relatively few changes. The first owners photos mean we now have the evidence to reinstate specialising in the
magazines. Even in the year of her death, aged 89, lawned over some of the planted areas, and later a the original design. We’ve surveyed the house and history of designed
she published four articles and over 20 garden notes. swimming pool was added. Fortunately, there was garden walls because we found some metal staples, landscapes. She has

Gertrude Jekyll at Munstead Wood (Pimpernel Press), by Judith Tankard and Martin Wood
Many gardeners follow Jekyll’s principles in their enough left of Jekyll’s original layout for a restoration which Jekyll used to tie her plants to the walls. We’re worked at Nymans
own gardens even if they’ve never heard of her. The in the 1990s, when the owners began to research, mapping their locations, so we can see exactly where and Standen in
drifts of colour in the main flower borders at Munstead restore and reinstate some of the original planting, her plants grew. These little details might not seem West Sussex and
Wood look just like the herbaceous borders we see in pathways and edgings. While some of Jekyll’s planting significant, but they’re all important so we can achieve is now based at
gardens today. You’ll see her influence everywhere – still remains, parts of the garden were simplified, with an authentic restoration. Munstead Wood.
but Munstead Wood is where it all began and where she subsequent owners overlaying their own tastes. We’re It’ll be some time before we’re ready to welcome
really focused on colour theory to dramatic effect. assessing each area of the garden and reintroducing visitors. First, we need to fundraise over £10 million to
What’s really striking about the garden at Munstead Jekyll’s planting where possible. Where it’s not, we’re cover the restoration, conservation and development
Wood is Jekyll’s emphasis on seasonality. Here, you can gardening in the spirit of Jekyll, using her colour work, in addition to an endowment fund for its
see the garden develop throughout the year, with one schemes and her favourite plants and adopting her long-term care. Once we’re open, we’ll limit the size of
section shining before it hands over to another. First gardening philosophy. We’re hoping to restore the tours, as it’s a small place and we want people to be
there’s the Primrose Garden, which comes into flower glasshouses, which are still in use but in a poor state. able to experience the garden as Jekyll did. For many
in April. The special Munstead Wood variety of yellow This will allow us to propagate more of our own plants gardeners, coming here will be a pilgrimage, and
primroses look stunning for about two weeks as they on site, just as Jekyll herself did. we’ve got so many stories to tell – not just what we’ve
glow through the trees, but for the rest of the year Since Munstead Wood came into our care, I’ve spent discovered, but also the journey of how we got there.
National Trust Images x2

they’re just green. Then the azaleas and rhododendrons a lot of time in the archives researching its history. It’s
bloom in the woodland from May, with the herbaceous been a fascinating voyage of discovery, and there’s so
borders flowering over summer. She has September much more still to uncover. We’re taking our time with
and October borders full of Michaelmas daisies. the restoration, making sure we know exactly what If you’d like to find out more or contribute to the
Jekyll trained as an artist, exhibited paintings, things looked like in Jekyll’s time and understanding restoration of Munstead Wood, please go to
and later turned her artistic hand to inlay work, silver her approach to gardening. [Link]/munstead-wood

48 [Link] [Link] 49
HISTORY

Blickling Hall, Norfolk Blickling later passed to Sir Henry Hobart

In good spirits
(1657–98). He was allegedly a quarrelsome
The mansion you see at Blickling today
man, which might explain how he ended
dates from the Jacobean era, but it
up getting fatally wounded in a duel. He’s
was built on the ruins of a grand Tudor
thought to be the inspiration for a local
house once owned by the Boleyn family.
legend about the ‘wicked gentleman of
Although there’s no written evidence, it’s
Blickling’ whose death caused ripples in
widely believed that Anne Boleyn, second
the area after multiple attempts to bury
Before electric lights and televisions, people often passed wife of Henry VIII, was born here, and the
him failed, as his body kept resurfacing.
lack of a birth certificate certainly hasn’t
long winter nights gathered around the fire to share spooky dissuaded the paranormalists. According
People also began reporting sightings of a
ghostly black dog, known in Norfolk folklore
stories. So grab a pillow to hide behind and listen well to legend, her ghost reappears at Blickling
as Black Shuck. Supposedly possessed
every year on the night of 19 May – the
to six supernatural tales from Trust places, inspired anniversary of her execution in 1536 – in a
by Hobart’s spirit, the dog terrorised the
community until a famous wizard was
by new book Britain’s Ghosts. True? You decide … carriage drawn by four headless horses
brought in to banish him. If you pay a visit
and driven by a headless horseman. She
Illustrations by Sue Gent to Blickling this Halloween, you might spy
clutches her head in her lap until she steps
Shuck prowling the grounds as part of a
down from the carriage, entering the Hall
spooky family-friendly trail – and if you
to while away the hours until daybreak
visit next May, look out for Anne ….
wandering through its rooms.

Buckland Abbey, Devon

In 1580, Elizabethan naval hero Francis
Drake bought the Abbey, founded by
Cistercian monks in the 13th century, to be
his family home. His success at sea had
brought him some detractors, who claimed
he’d signed a pact with the devil. According
to local legend, Drake’s ghost was
therefore condemned to haunt the wild
Dartmoor landscape around Buckland
Abbey, riding in a coach pulled by four
headless horses and followed by a pack of
baying black hell hounds. Drake died of
dysentery in 1596 while attempting a raid
on Panama, but shortly before, he sent his
ship’s drum back to Buckland. It echoes
through the Abbey’s halls during times
of war to summon Drake’s spirit back to
defend his country. You can see a replica of

Text by Immy Tinkler

Drake’s drum here today – the original
is on display at The Box, Plymouth.

50 51
HISTORY

Crom, County Fermanagh Scotney Castle, Kent

Crom’s vast estate lies on the shores of Lough In the early 18th century, Scotney Castle was
Erne and is closely linked to tales of the Lady owned by Arthur Darrell, who was said to be
of the Lake, a famous figure in local folklore a smuggler. He reputedly died abroad in 1720,
who is said to appear gliding across the lake. but at his funeral mourners reported a figure
Some believe her to be the spirit of the in a long black cloak who whispered, ‘That is
mythical Princess Erne, who was fleeing from me they think they are burying!’. Moments Wicken Fen,
a giant with her maidens when they later the figure vanished – and Darrell’s coffin
fell into a river and drowned, their bodies was later found to be filled with rocks. The
Cambridgeshire
dissolving to create the lough that now bears revenue officer in charge suspected a ruse Before the 19th century, East Anglia’s
her name. Crom’s ancient landscape has been and visited the castle to investigate further. fenlands were much wilder and
inhabited for over 6,000 years, as one couple The story goes that he discovered Arthur in were ever-changing, disorientating
discovered during a visit in 1992. Exploring the castle grounds and attempted to arrest and full of dangers. In East Anglian
the lake in a rowing boat, they stopped on the him, but in the ensuing fight Arthur killed folk tales, the Lantern Man was a
island of Inishfendra. The husband lay down the officer and threw his body into the moat. haunting figure who lurks on the fens
for a nap at the water’s edge. Moments later, Ever since, there have been reports of a ready to chase unwary travellers. The light
he was surrounded by bare-chested men bedraggled figure that staggers out of the he carries is said to be an attempt to lure
wearing roughly woven trousers. Fleeing to moat, dripping with weeds and water. It lost travellers closer, but to those with more
the visitor centre, they learnt moves slowly toward the old castle, where, experience, it’s a warning. He is attracted to
that the spot was a ‘votive stone’, where Celts having knocked soundlessly upon the door, whistling, so to outwit him you could traverse
would have made offerings to their gods. it melts away into thin air. the marsh with a companion, keeping some
distance between you and taking it in turns
to whistle to lure the Lantern Man back and
forth until you’ve both made it safely across.
Another suggested strategy is to fall to the
ground, bury your face in the mud and hold
your breath until he retreats – though this
may come with its own dangers.

Treasurer’s House, York

Treasurer’s House is home to the Trust’s
oldest-known ghosts: a legion of Roman
soldiers. The most infamous sighting dates
from 1953, when plumber Harry Martindale
was working in the cellar. Out of nowhere,
he heard the blast of a trumpet as 20 Roman
soldiers marched through the wall towards
him. Later excavations revealed Treasurer’s
House had been built on top of a major
Roman road, Via Decumana.
The cellar isn’t open to visitors, but you
might encounter the spirit of Frank Green,
who bought Treasurer’s House in 1897 and
restored it. Green was meticulous about the Britain’s Ghosts
presentation of the house. He donated it to Searching for more spooky stories?
the Trust in the 1930s, with a warning that You’ll find plenty more Trust spooks
he would haunt the place if anything was in Britain’s Ghosts by Anna Groves
done that wasn’t to his liking. Wafts of cigar (£12.99), including a bibliophile
smoke have been attributed to Green’s ghost squire who regularly returns to his library at
checking up on things. Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk, and many a ‘lady in white’.
Turn to page 69 for your chance to win a copy.
Or you can pick one up from 12 September
from your local Trust shop or online at
[Link]/shop

52 53
 HISTORY

Find out how a year in lockdown

inspired Isaac Newton’s greatest
scientific discoveries, and meet
the next generation of big thinkers
inspired by his legacy
By Immy Tinkler

National Trust Images

54 [Link] [Link] 55
 HISTORY

undergraduate exams, because he hadn’t learnt what Below An etching under the shade of some apple trees, when Isaac said
depicting Newton
was on the curriculum and the examiners didn’t think he ‘was in just the same situation’ back in his garden at
demonstrating
to ask him about Galileo or Descartes or anything he that white light is Woolsthorpe ‘when the notion of gravitation came into
actually knew about.’ composed of seven his mind ... occasion’d by the fall of an apple...’.
Nonetheless, Newton graduated with a BA in 1665, visible colours. ‘It wasn’t quite the eureka moment that later versions
and was planning to continue his studies when the of the story suggest, where he came up with the whole
plague hit Cambridge. As things turned out, being idea of gravity in an instant,’ clarifies David. ‘The falling
stuck at home offered him two key advantages: time apple was the germ of the idea, and Newton expanded
and space to think and experiment. It was here, while from there – devising theories and then testing them
experimenting with a prism in his bedroom-cum-study, with calculations, experiments and observations, until
that he realised that sunlight is actually made up of over many years he realised how it all fitted together.’
a spectrum of different colours – a discovery that laid Newton benefited from the time and space he spent
the foundations for further breakthroughs in physics, in isolation at Woolsthorpe. According to the Trust’s
chemistry and optics. recent research, young people found their creativity
Some of Newton’s experiments were downright also prevailed during the Covid lockdowns. Out of
dangerous, and definitely should not be tried. He once 2,000 16- to 25-year-olds surveyed, half said they felt
blinded himself for three days by staring at the sun in lockdown had made them more creative, and wider
an attempt to understand why prolonged exposure to research found that 3 million young people reported
bright light causes us to see ‘afterimages’, and on that they’d had an idea for a project during the pandemic.
another occasion decided to stick a blunt needle into They identified three key requirements to unlocking
his eye socket ‘betwixt the eye and the bone’ until he that creativity – time, physical and psychological space,

I
n the summer of 1665, Isaac Newton started seeing coloured circles – apparently in an and inspiration from relevant people or places.
unexpectedly returned to his family home, attempt to understand how vision works.
Woolsthorpe Manor, a sheep farm tucked Outside his window, his famous tree still stands. It’s
away in a quiet corner of rural Lincolnshire. a gnarled old apple, encircled by a low willow fence. It’s
He was 22 years old and had been studying what’s known as a phoenix tree – the original specimen Newton benefited from the
for a Master’s degree at Cambridge blew down in around 1815, but regrew from the remaining
University when – in a now strangely roots. The story of its part in his understanding of time and space he spent in
relatable turn of events – a sudden gravity appears to have come from Newton himself.
outbreak of plague forced him to leave Stukeley recorded that they were sitting together isolation at Woolsthorpe
his classes behind and retreat home. Previous page Isaac childhood home and a less austere, more personal
The time he spent in lockdown at Newton’s bedroom at Newton emerges – an introverted, highly observant
Woolsthorpe Manor,
Woolsthorpe later became known as his ‘year of Lincolnshire, where young boy. ‘He was just in wonder of the world,’
wonders’. It’s when he made discoveries about gravity, he sketched out ideas explains volunteer guide David Bray. ‘To most
motion, calculus and optics that would go on to and experimented people, an apple falling from a branch is just a normal,
with a prism.
change our understanding of the universe. unimportant event. But to see something in that, to
Almost 360 years later, Newton’s ‘lockdown’ Above Clockwise from look deeper and ask, “Why?” – that was his trademark.
top left Newton’s coat
experiences inspired the National Trust to launch of arms above the He was relentlessly curious.’
the Time + Space Award. The award offered young manor door; the Hall, Newton’s curiosity is etched into Woolsthorpe’s
people aged 16 to 25 the opportunity to explore their the hub of the house; very fabric. William Stukeley, Newton’s friend and
and Newton’s famous
own big idea in one of four areas: science; art and biographer, recorded that the walls where Isaac once
apple tree protected
culture; society; and nature and climate. We’ve by a willow fence. lodged were ‘full of drawings, which [Isaac] had made
recently announced the four winners, who will each with charcoal. There were birds, beasts, men, ships,
receive support and resources worth £5,000, including plants, mathematical figures, circles, & triangles.’
mentoring from relevant experts, to help them realise Today any charcoal sketches he might have made at
their own ‘year of wonder’. They’ll also have the chance Woolsthorpe are gone, but you can still see windmills,
to showcase their idea at Woolsthorpe in 2025. geometrical designs and even a peacock scratched into
Woolsthorpe is a neat, unassuming house with a the walls, which are believed to be Newton’s handiwork.
small orchard – an unexpected place to have catalysed Newton wasn’t supposed to be a scientist. His
remarkable discoveries. But then, Isaac himself was mother Hannah expected him to eventually take over
National Trust Images x3, Alamy

never expected to achieve as much as he did. He was managing the family farm, but she sent him to the local
born, premature, into a family of prosperous but grammar school in Grantham for a few years first.
uneducated yeoman farmers, and initially no one ‘People are often surprised to hear that Newton wasn’t
thought he would survive. a very good student,’ says David. ‘He started at the
Yet survive he did, growing up to become the bottom of his school year, and only improved when he
leading light of London’s intellectual scene, President got into an argument with another boy and wanted to
of the Royal Society and Master of the Mint. Visit his best him academically. He also did quite badly in his

56 [Link] [Link] 57
 HISTORY

Right Young visitors Abi’s plans include a mentoring scheme, where students Many of Newton’s own contributions still serve as
exploring the hands-
AT A GLANCE on Science Centre at
Woolsthorpe Manor.
who have missed classes, face difficulties with laboratory
work or are otherwise struggling can be paired with an
foundations of modern science, and his legacy at his
childhood home is also far-reaching. Woolsthorpe has
Potted history: Sir Isaac Newton’s grandfather, older VI or blind buddy in STEM to help fill any gaps. become a place of scientific pilgrimage, and today’s
Robert Newton, purchased Woolsthorpe Manor ‘I can’t express how much this opportunity means visitors will find themselves walking in the footsteps of
in 1623. He later settled the estate on his son, also to me,’ says Abi. ‘I’m looking forward to creating great Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Queen guitarist-
called Isaac, as a wedding dowry. mentoring connections and memorable STEM events, turned-astrophysicist Brian May – not to mention
Isaac Sr married Hannah Ayscough in April and can’t wait to bring my ideas to life!’ Dame Maggie. Grafts from Newton’s apple tree have
1642, but died on 6 October that year, just Like Abi, Maggie enjoys helping young people taken root in universities and science centres around
two months before his only son was born at overcome barriers in pursuit of their dreams. It was a the world, and in 2015 astronaut Tim Peake took some
Woolsthorpe on Christmas Day 1642. challenge she faced in her own career. ‘My parents of its pips to the International Space Station as part of
Hannah remarried when Isaac Jr was 3 years old split up when I was young so I had quite a chequered his ‘Principia’ mission, which was named after Newton’s
and moved to North Witham, two miles (3.2km) education – I went to 13 different schools,’ she says. ‘I also most famous published work.
away, with her new husband. Isaac was brought up have dyslexia, but I wasn’t diagnosed until I was in my Yet just as scientists today cite Newton’s lasting
at Woolsthorpe by his grandparents until 1653, 40s. I spent a lot of my time at school wondering why influence on their lives and work, so Isaac himself
when his mother was widowed for a second time. I found everything much harder than everyone else.’ credited the work of earlier natural philosophers such
She returned to Woolsthorpe with Isaac’s three Despite her difficulties, Maggie’s love of space gave as Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo. Standing beside
half-siblings, and remained there for the rest her the motivation to keep working towards her goals. Newton’s tree, David has one last thing to share. ‘All the
of her life. ‘I was born a year before the 1969 moon landings, so volunteers at Woolsthorpe walk around with a £2 coin
Newton rarely returned to Woolsthorpe after I grew up in that bubble of excitement about space in their pocket,’ he says, pulling one out and tilting it to
his mother died in 1679, but he retained ownership travel. And then I fell in love with The Clangers on TV, reveal the inscription on the edge. It’s the last six words
of the estate. When he died in 1727 the estate and wanted to go out to the moon to meet them!’ of Newton’s famous quote: ‘If I have seen further than
passed to his uncle’s great-grandson, John Newton. Her enthusiasm eventually led to a degree in physics others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.’
In 1732 John sold Woolsthorpe to the Turnor and a PhD in mechanical engineering, and her work It’s time for the next generation to clamber on up.
family, who installed a plaque commemorating
Newton’s birth. They let the farm to the Woolertons
Maggie enjoys helping young Below Dame Maggie
Aderin-Pocock, one
of the judges for the
has since included making scientific instruments for the
Immy Tinkler is an Assistant Editor of
Gemini telescope in Chile and the James Webb Space
who remained here for the next 200 years, often
welcoming visitors keen to see Newton’s tree.
people overcome barriers in Time + Space Award,
in Newton’s bedroom
Telescope. She also co-hosts BBC programme The Sky
National Trust Magazine.
at Night, and has spoken with more than 550,000
In 1942 the Pilgrim Trust and the Royal Society
acquired the manor and donated it to the Trust.
pursuit of their dreams at Woolsthorpe.
people across the world, mainly schoolchildren, to
share her love of science. Meet the winners of the Time + Space Award and
‘Science can be a great equaliser,’ she says. ‘It read about their big ideas at [Link]/
Fun fact: Newton’s apple tree is a rare ‘Flower of doesn’t matter where you come from or what your time-and-space. Woolsthorpe Manor is open
Space scientist and educator Dame Maggie Aderin-
Kent’ variety. background is – if you have the curiosity and the Thursday–Monday until 3 November 2024, then
Pocock was one of the judges for the Time + Space
Award. ‘I spend a lot of time speaking to young people passion to explore, you can make a contribution.’ closed until February 2025.
and they have so many ideas, but I often find they’re

IF YOU HAVE… unsure how to translate those ideas into reality,’ she
says. ‘The Time + Space Award is all about nurturing that
an hour: Take a tour of the house and orchard, led potential, which is why I wanted to get involved.’
by one of Woolsthorpe’s knowledgeable volunteer Each judge posed a key question for entrants to
guides (see website for dates). You can also visit answer through their proposed idea. Maggie asked
the special 2024 exhibition on light and colour, them to suggest ways of making science more
celebrating 320 years since Newton published accessible for everyone.
his work on Opticks. ‘I chose that question because we need more
people in the UK who want to work in STEM – science,
technology, engineering and maths,’ she says. ‘We also
WIN!
an afternoon: Get hands-on with demonstrations
National Trust Images, National Trust/Fabio De Paola

For the chance to

of Newton’s laws of motion, gravity and optics in need to be able to draw on people from different
win a guided tour of
Woolsthorpe’s Science Centre, then walk in his backgrounds and with different experiences, because
Woolsthorpe and a
footsteps by taking a short stroll to his parish when we have that diversity of thought, we’re able to
pen hand-crafted
church, St John the Baptist in Colsterworth. come up with more creative solutions.’
out of wood from
The winner of the science category is 21-year-old
Newton’s tree,
a weekend: Head 20 minutes north to Belton, product design engineering student Abi Way. ‘My idea
plus a bundle of
a 17th-century house, gardens and parkland is to set up an organisation to encourage and support
goodies inspired
that played a vital role as a First World War young visually impaired (VI) and blind people to work in
by his interest in
training camp. There’s a Trust holiday cottage – STEM,’ she says. ‘It’s something I’m passionate about,
astronomy, turn to
No. 1 Belton – in the local village. as I’ve always had a huge interest in STEM, but I also
page 70.
[Link]/holidays have experience of how difficult it can be to navigate
those subjects in school with visual impairment.’

58 [Link] [Link] 59
 COMMUNITY

DAMSONS
The Reed Barn at Peckover is home share ideas and problems – and have a good laugh
to Damsons, a space tailor‑made together when necessary.’
With a supportive and knowledgeable team on hand,
for people living with dementia
it means the carers can also enjoy a moment of respite.
and their carers, where they can ‘One carer has said that Damsons is his lifesaver, because

FOR enjoy nature, heritage and craft.

In the two years since the project
launched, it has become a lifeline
for one day a week, he gets some free time knowing that
other people are there looking out for his wife,’ says Sarah.
Damsons takes its name from the fruit trees in

DEMENTIA for its growing community Peckover’s gardens, but it’s also a hat tip to the memory
of one of the house’s beloved former resident cats. The
By Freya Parr
name of the group is specific to Peckover, but there are
plans to apply the concept to projects at other Trust
places, and Dementia Adventure has created a resource
of similar ideas to be used at other Trust places.
‘While they might not all look like Damsons, we’re
keen to introduce more dementia-inclusive experiences
wherever we can,’ says the Trust’s Inclusion and
Belonging Officer Hannah Burton. There are already

O
several under way. The Back to Backs in Birmingham
hosts regular reminiscence sessions, using old photos
and household objects to start conversations. Knole in
n Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Peckover Kent hosts Forget-me-not Cafés every month, offering
House in Cambridgeshire falls quiet. companionship for those living with memory loss.
But just next door, its 17th‑century ‘Damsons has made and cemented some wonderful
threshing barn is full of voices and friendships,’ says Sarah. ‘Some people regularly go on
laughter. People come together at holiday together to the coast, and lots of them meet
the Reed Barn to play music, chat,
make craft projects, offer each other support and
At Damsons, you choose up before the sessions at a farm shop, or they’ll go for
coffee afterwards because they’re just not ready to go
enjoy Peckover’s stunning grounds. They’re all part
of Damsons, a community hub set up by the Trust for
what you want to do and the home. They get a full day out of the house.’
It’s estimated that half of us will be affected by
people living with dementia and their carers.
Sarah Collins is the Senior Programming and group helps to make it happen dementia in our lifetime, either experiencing it ourselves
or caring for someone with it. Projects like Damsons
Partnerships Officer at Peckover and has been involved offer those living with dementia and their carers a way to
with Damsons since it began in 2022. ‘Peckover is in the access Trust places, meet new people and live well with
Fens, where there’s a lot of social isolation,’ she says. to promote conversation and for us to support one Left A Damsons the syndrome. ‘Someone came in and said she couldn’t
‘Some people only leave their houses once a week to another,’ she says. group chatting over
a brew in the garden
tell who was living with dementia, who was a carer, or
come to Damsons, so it’s really important we make it People can walk freely into the secure walled who was a member of staff or volunteer,’ says Sarah.
at Peckover House,
fun. We set up transportation from the local villages, garden, where the Peckover team has added raised Cambridgeshire. ‘That’s the best compliment anyone could ever pay us.’
organise group trips to other Trust places and pay beds for the Damsons group to work on. ‘I love seeing Above People living
local artists to visit the group.’ the gardens change with the seasons,’ says Vivien. with dementia and Freya Parr is Deputy Editor of National Trust
The Damsons concept is based on the Dutch Damsons has made a profound impact on members their carers can Magazine.
come together in the
Odensehuis model, a casual and homely drop‑in centre of Peckover’s local community. ‘One man calls us his
Reed Barn where
for people living with dementia and their caregivers. second family, because he says his wife is like a different friendships are made.
It works on the premise that empowering and offering person when she comes,’ says Sarah. ‘At home, she just
choice helps people with dementia remain independent sits and looks out of the window – but when she comes Find out more about Damsons at
for longer and reduces isolation and loneliness. here, she lights up and laughs. She might forget what [Link]/damsons-project
People with dementia and their carers share they’ve done, but the feeling remains. Feelings are Family carers or professionals can find free
responsibilities and help coordinate activities, one of the last remaining senses.’ advice or support at [Link]
supported by staff and volunteers. If music is playing, While people may not remember having come along
for example, it’s been selected by the participants. the previous week, there are visual prompts to help
‘At Damsons, you choose what you want to do and them. Doors are kept open on cupboards so everyone Initially funded by the Monument Trust and the
National Trust Images x2

the group helps to make it happen. That’s what makes can see what’s inside and participants can help EU Regional Development Fund, Damsons is
it so special,’ says Gordon Malcolm from Dementia themselves to paints or books. A local Men’s Shed currently supported by the Association of
Adventure, a partner in the Damsons project. has made signs and bird feeders to go in the garden. Independent Museums Connected Communities,
Amanda Buzzing is carer to her mother, Vivien, Damsons is for carers too, many of whom funded by DCMS Know Your Neighbourhood
who comes along to Damsons every week. ‘There’s no experience their own challenges. ‘I find the opportunity Fund via Arts Council England.
pressure to join in, but the activities have been designed to meet other carers invaluable,’ says Amanda. ‘We’ll

60 [Link] [Link] 61
 FOOD

TRADITIONAL
WITH A TWIST
Regional recipes are often passed down through generations
LADY ARUNDEL’S MANCHET
Petworth, West Sussex

A manchet is a flavoursome yeast-leavened bun

enriched with butter, eggs and milk. Historically
of cooks. This delicious selection of five has historic links to manchets were enjoyed only by the wealthy,
gracing the tables of Henry VIII’s court – and
Trust places and is drawn from all over the UK. Try making them of Petworth House, where they were served to
at home – and look out for them in ‘their’ Trust cafés the 9th Earl of Northumberland for breakfast.
Compiled by Sophie Kershaw. Photography by Steve Sayers
One renowned manchet recipe comes
from the 1653 anthology A True Gentlewomans
Delight, which was compiled by Elizabeth Grey,
the Countess of Kent. It was attributed to
Elizabeth’s sister Alethea Howard, Countess of
Arundel, and included a huge quantity of butter
and eggs, plus the addition of ‘barm’ – brewer’s
yeast skimmed from a cask of fermenting ale.
Our recipe is somewhat simpler and is especially
tasty when served with butter and jam.

Makes 12
Ingredients
900g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 5. Make a well in the centre of the flour and
14g (two sachets) of fast-acting yeast add the pre-ferment, plus 300ml of warmed
5g caster sugar milk. Bring together into a rough dough and
560ml milk, warmed to body temperature
50g cold butter, cut into cubes
then tip onto a well-floured worktop. Start to
knead the mix by folding it with your hands.
TOP TIP
20g salt Add the remaining warmed milk and continue This manchet recipe
1 egg, lightly beaten to knead until the dough comes together into can be used as a base
a smooth ball. for your own flavour
Method 6. If the dough feels too sticky, dust with a combinations. For
1. First, make a pre-ferment for the dough. little additional flour, before cutting into sweet rolls, try folding
Place 100g of the flour into a bowl, add the 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball through dried fruit,
dried yeast, caster sugar and 160ml of the and then flatten with the palm of your hand. chocolate or citrus
warmed milk. Stir well, cover with a clean tea Transfer the manchets to a lined baking tray zest. Or for savoury,
towel, and leave in a warm place for about an and score a diamond pattern into the top add chopped herbs or
hour. When the mixture is ready, it should be using a sharp knife. You will need to cut nearly grated cheese.
bubbling and doubled in size. all the way through the dough.

National Trust Images/Steve Sayers

2. Place the remaining flour in a large bowl and 7. Cover the tray with a clean tea towel and
add the cubes of cold butter. Rub the butter leave in a warm place for around 30–40
into the flour using your fingertips until well minutes, or until the manchets have doubled
dispersed, then stir through the salt. in size.
3. When the pre-ferment is ready, add the 8. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15–17
beaten egg and mix well. minutes, or until the manchets are golden.
4. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas
mark 6.

62 [Link] [Link] 63
FOOD

NORFOLK SHORTCAKE
Horsey Windpump, Norfolk

YORKSHIRE PARKIN It’s said that every grandmother in Norfolk has

her own recipe for this East Anglian classic, which
Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire originated as a way to use up leftover pastry by
re-rolling it with lard, sugar and dried fruit. This
A deliciously sticky and spicy teatime treat, modern imagining is more akin to a flaky biscuit. It’s
Yorkshire parkin is often enjoyed as part of filled with plump sultanas and is perfect enjoyed
Bonfire Night celebrations. Dating back to the with a cup of tea in the café at Horsey Windpump.
18th century, parkin was made during the first
week in November to coincide with the oat Makes 5
harvest. Its traditional links with Guy Fawkes LAMB CAWL Method
1. Place a large, heavy bottomed saucepan over a Ingredients
Night are murkier, but in Yorkshire, 5 November is Stackpole, Pembrokeshire
sometimes referred to as ‘Parkin Day’. This recipe medium/high heat and add the oil. Once hot, add
the diced lamb in small batches and fry until sealed
110g cold butter
225g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
TOP TIP
is taken from the café at Fountains Abbey. This wholesome stew is as important to Wales
as haggis is to Scotland. Dating back to the 14th on all sides. Remove and put to one side. Repeat 3–4 tbsp cold water For a hit of flavour and
Serves 8–10 century, cawl is made by gently simmering meat until all the lamb is browned. 75g sultanas crunch, try seasoning

Ingredients TOP TIP and vegetables until meltingly sweet and tender. 2. Add the onions to the pan with a pinch of salt
and sauté gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
30g caster sugar
1 egg, beaten
the dough with orange
or lemon zest, and
It’s thought that the name ‘cawl’ comes from the
110g butter Parkin gets stickier and Latin word caulis, meaning the stalk of a cabbage – 3. Add the sliced carrots, chopped swede and leeks. sprinkling a little
110g soft dark brown sugar more flavoursome with Stir well and leave to sauté for a further 10 minutes. Method demerara sugar over
which might historically have been a key component
55g black treacle time. Once baked, leave it of this peasant dish. Though cawl was traditionally 4. Add the browned lamb, plus any juices, back into 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6. before baking.
200g golden syrup in an airtight container made with beef or salted bacon, the recipe the pan and stir. 2. Cut the cold butter into cubes and rub into the
225g oats for a day or two before sometimes served at the Stackpole tea-room 5. Add enough warm stock to the pan to cover the flour with your fingertips until the mixture
110g self-raising flour enjoying it spread with champions Welsh lamb and leeks. meat and vegetables; you may not need it all. resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the cold water, a
2 tsp ground ginger salted butter or warmed Increase the heat to bring the mixture to the boil. tbsp at a time, and bring the mixture together into
1 tsp mixed ground spice with custard. 6. Reduce the cawl to a gentle simmer and cover a dough using a cutlery knife. Form the dough into
2 eggs, lightly beaten Serves 4 with a close-fitting lid. Simmer for 1 to 1 ½ hours. a ball, wrap and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
20ml milk 7. Add the potatoes and simmer the cawl for a 3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to
Ingredients
further 20 minutes – or until the potatoes are a 30x15cm rectangle, 6mm thick, using a rolling pin.
Method A glug of olive oil cooked and the lamb is meltingly tender. 4. Scatter the sultanas lengthways along the
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/gas mark 3 500g diced lamb – ideally neck or shoulder 8. Season to taste and serve sprinkled with bottom half of the dough, ensuring to cover the
and line a 2lb (900g) loaf tin with baking parchment. 2 medium onions, peeled and sliced chopped parsley and a slice of crusty bread. edges and corners, and sprinkle over the caster
2. Place a saucepan over a medium heat and gently 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced sugar, reserving a little for the topping.
National Trust Images/Steve Sayers

melt together the butter, sugar, black treacle and ½ a swede, peeled and chopped into cubes 5. Brush the plain half of the dough with a little
golden syrup. Leave to one side to cool. 3 medium leeks, washed and sliced beaten egg, and fold over the half of the dough
3. Combine the oats, flour, ginger and mixed spice 1 litre of vegetable stock covered with fruit. Press gently using a rolling pin.
2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
in a large bowl. Stir in the cooled syrup mixture,
into cubes
TOP TIP 6. Trim the edges of the dough with a sharp knife,
followed by the beaten eggs and milk. and then cut into five slices. Brush each with more
4. Pour the mixture into the lined loaf tin and bake 1 small bunch parsley, finely chopped For a vegetarian or vegan take on cawl, you beaten egg and sprinkle over the reserved sugar.
for 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the Salt and pepper, to season can substitute the lamb for hearty 7. Transfer shortcakes to a lined baking tray and
centre of the cake comes out clean. butterbeans or chickpeas. bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown.

64 [Link] [Link] 65
FOOD

FIDGETY PIE Method

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas
mark 6.
Recipes for fidget or fidgety pie vary throughout 2. Roll out half of the shortcrust pastry to the
the Midlands, but there’s always one common thickness of a pound coin and line the base of a
theme – the celebration of autumnal ingredients. 28cm rectangular pie dish, leaving an overhang.
Made using layers of potato, apple, onion and 3. Place half of the sliced potatoes in a layer in the
smoked bacon wrapped in shortcrust pastry, bottom of the dish, then add all the onion as
fidgety pie was intended for harvest workers with another layer, followed by the apple. Sprinkle
hearty appetites. While some believe the name over the chopped sage, and season with salt
comes from the Anglo-Saxon word fitched, meaning and pepper.
five-sided, others think it may be a variant of fitchet, 4. Pour over enough of the cooled vegetable stock
the old dialect name for a polecat – which may to half-fill the pie dish. You may not need it all. TOP TIP
reference the pie’s golden-brown colour. This dish 5. Layer the pieces of streaky bacon on top and Make use of any
is occasionally served at the Calke Abbey café. sprinkle over the sultanas, before covering with a leftover stock or
final layer of sliced potatoes. chopped onions by
6. Roll out the remaining shortcrust pastry to the making a flavoursome
Serves 4
same thickness as the base and lay over the top of onion gravy to serve
Ingredients the pie. Trim the edges using a sharp knife and with your pie.
500g block of pre-made shortcrust pastry decoratively crimp or press down using the tines
4 medium potatoes (around 700g), peeled of a fork.
and sliced 7. Brush the top of the pie with beaten egg, make
2 medium onions, peeled and sliced a small hole for the steam to escape, and bake in a
National Trust Images/Steve Sayers

1 medium eating apple, peeled, cored and sliced moderate oven for 1½ hours or until the pastry is
1 small bunch chopped sage golden and the potatoes are soft. If the pastry is
Salt and pepper, to season getting too dark, you can cover it with a sheet of
500ml vegetable stock, left to cool kitchen foil for the remainder of the cooking time.
5–6 rashers of smoked streaky bacon, 8. Serve with steamed winter greens and gravy,
roughly chopped if you like.
30g sultanas
1 egg, beaten

66 [Link]
 JUST FOR YOU

JUST FOR YOU READER OFFERS

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in the autumn for a glorious display next year. beautiful woodlands, coastlines, rolling
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in a wide range of habitats. to win an autumn foraging experience, Please include your name, postcode discounts or offers. win@[Link],
2 to 6 miles (3.2 to 9.6km), each featuring
Meanwhile, the latest season of the exclusively for Trust members. The and membership number. or post it to National Trust
a clear map and comprehensive directions.
main National Trust Podcast continues to prize is a three-night stay at Chirk For more exclusive competitions CJ Wildlife There’s also information on whether and
Magazine, Heelis, Kemble
reveal the mysteries of Trust places. This Home Farm Cottage near Wrexham, Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA.
and content, sign up to our member Look after local wildlife where a lead is needed and suggestions
Halloween, a team of experts try to unravel to be taken 22–25 November 2024. Please include your
emails at [Link]/my- this winter with our for dog-friendly refreshment stops and
what happened on 18 March 978, when a It includes an expert-led foraging and address and email or
account-info or call 0344 800 1895. collection of high- accommodation nearby. The book includes
murder took place at Corfe Castle, Dorset. campfire cooking experience in the phone number.
Closes at 23.59 on 27 October 2024. You quality wildlife foods, tips to help make sure that you, your dog
Listen at [Link]/podcasts grounds of Chirk Castle, along with a must be a Trust member to enter. One entry feeders, nest boxes, and anyone you meet can all enjoy outdoor The competition will close at
£500 voucher from Craghoppers, a per member. Full T&Cs at nationaltrust. habitats and more, all adventures safely. 23.59 on 27 October 2024.
copy of the Trust’s book The First-Time [Link]/foraging-competition Entrants must be 18 or over.
created in collaboration with leading wildlife The competition is not open
specialists CJ Wildlife. Readers receive Great British Walkies (£14.99) is available to National Trust employees.
WATCH One entry per person. Full
15% off purchases online at [Link]/ from your local Trust shop, or online at
T&Cs on page 81.
My Lady Jane nt-members [Link]/shop
WIN!

Alamy, Jonathan Prime/Prime Video, Harper Collins x2, National Trust Images x2
Valid until 3 January 2025. Cannot be used in
conjunction with other discounts or offers.
A festive prize bundle
One reader will win a bundle of prizes from
Craghoppers WIN! Intrigued by the tales of the spirits that
Inspired by landscapes haunt Trust places (page 50)? Five readers
our new Christmas range, including a luxury
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100 Great Pub Walks and Book of Cakes – plus a
One for fans of The Great, this is Lady Jane outdoor collection Tudor queen haunts Blickling Hall. Email
£150 National Trust gift card to buy presents
Grey as you’ve never seen her before. includes everything your answer, titled ‘Ghosts competition’, to
or to treat yourself! To enter, tell us the
Set in a fantasy Tudor world, My Lady Jane from waterproof jackets to active legwear, win@[Link], or post it to
species of the felt nativity. Email your answer,
reimagines the story of the ‘Nine Days so you can get outside whatever the weather. National Trust Magazine, Heelis, Kemble
titled ‘Festive bundle’, to win@nationaltrust.
Queen’ as a tale in which the damsel in Readers get 15% off in Craghoppers stores Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA. Include your
[Link], or post to National Trust Magazine,
distress saves herself – with plenty of and online, when spending £85 or more, address and email or phone number.
Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA.
swashbuckling action and saucy language using code CRAGHOPPERS15.
Include your address and contact details. Entries will close at 23.59 on 27 October 2024.
along the way. Keep an eye out for scenes
The competition will close at 23.59 on 27 October 2024. Valid until 31 December 2024. Code valid for a single Entrants must be 18 or over. National Trust staff
filmed at Great Chalfield Manor, Wiltshire, use only and cannot be used in conjunction with any may not enter. One entry per person. Full T&Cs
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which stood in for Jane’s house. Catch up enter. One entry per person. Full T&Cs on page 81. other offer codes. on page 81.
with My Lady Jane now on Prime Video.

68 [Link] [Link] 69
 JUST FOR YOU

TRUST TOP TIPS JUST FOR FUN

STARGAZING FOR BEGINNERS
WIN!
A Newtonian tour
and prize bundle
Did you catch our deep dive into the
history of Woolsthorpe Manor in Send us a photo of your
Lincolnshire, where Isaac Newton creation and we might This object is part of the
was born (page 54)? In celebration feature it in a future
collection at Treasurer’s
of his scientific genius, we’re ‘From you’ page
offering one reader the chance to
win a guided tour of Woolsthorpe
HOW TO … House in York, but can you
guess what it is?
Find out next issue – or visit
Manor for four people, followed by Make a festive gingerbread house [Link]/
a cream tea in the café. The winner
guess-the-object
will also receive a limited-edition The longer nights of autumn Gingerbread has been around for
TIP 3 3. Lightly beat the eggs and golden
pen worth £300, handcrafted out and winter can offer the perfect hundreds of years. Little Moreton Hall in syrup together. Add to the dry mix and
of wood pruned from Newton’s opportunity to spot planets, Let your eyes adapt Cheshire has a recipe for ‘gyngerbrede’ continue to mix until it forms a dough.
apple tree, along with a ‘stargazing constellations, and maybe even a Once you’ve found an observation spot, dated 1591, made with breadcrumbs 4. Roll the dough to 4mm thickness on
backpack’ inspired by his interest in meteor or two. Here, space scientist you’ll need to give your eyes time to get soaked in red wine and honey, then mixed a sheet of greaseproof paper to avoid it
Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock used to the darkness, which takes about with spices to form a stiff paste and dried.
astronomy. The backpack includes sticking to the work surface.
shares her top tips to make the most 20 to 30 minutes. Turn off all lights and It was also known to aid digestion, so was 5. Plan out the shape of your house
binoculars, an insulated mug, a picnic
blanket and two stargazing books.
of a night under the stars avoid using your phone, or download or
enable a red-light filter on your screen.
often served at the end of meals. The and draw all the pieces you need on FROM LAST ISSUE
tradition of making Christmas gingerbread paper. Cut them out and use them as a
houses is said to have started in Germany template for cutting your gingerbread.
To enter, tell us the variety of Newton’s In the summer 24 issue (page 71), we
famous apple tree. Email your answer, TIP 1 TIP 4 between the 16th and 18th centuries; by 6. Place the templates on the dough, asked if you could identify another
the 19th it was a festive pastime in the UK. and cut around them. Repeat until you
titled ‘Newton competition’, to Plan ahead Learn what to look for curious item from the collection at
win@[Link], or post it to have all the wall, roof and door pieces Nostell in West Yorkshire. It’s a tongue
Look at the forecast and choose a clear, Learning to identify constellations is a
National Trust Magazine, Heelis, Kemble you need, and you’ve used all the scraper, which was included inside a
cloudless evening. Moonless nights work good place to start. Orion is one of the
Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA. Please include To make one small gingerbread house: dough. You may need to reroll the dressing table that furniture-maker
better. Astronomy calendars, like the one easiest to spot in winter. Planets such as
your address and email or phone number. 1kg plain flour 3 tsp ground ginger dough. Don’t forget to cut out doors Thomas Chippendale supplied to Sir
on the Greenwich Observatory website, Venus and Jupiter are often visible too,
500g butter 1 tsp ground and windows. Rowland Winn in 1769. Tongue scrapers
list celestial events to look out for, appearing as very bright stars. In a dark
Entries will close at 23.59 on 27 October 2024. 3 tsp bicarbonate cinnamon 7. Place your dough shapes onto baking
Entrants must be 18 or over. National Trust staff including meteor showers (such as the place, you might even spot the Milky Way, are still used in many cultures to remove
of soda 4 eggs trays and bake for 12–15 minutes. food debris, dead cells and bacteria
may not enter. One entry per person. The guided Geminids in December) and supermoons. which looks like a band across the sky.
tour and cream tea must be taken after 3 March 250g light brown 200g golden Remove from the oven and allow that could cause bad breath.
2025 and before 17 October 2025 (inclusive) – date sugar syrup to cool. Metal versions such as this
to be agreed by the winner and Woolsthorpe. TIP 2 TIP 5 8. Use royal icing, caramel or chocolate one became popular in
The tour will last approximately one hour. The
winner may bring up to 3 guests. Any dietary Find a good spot Do your research 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan/ to stick the gingerbread pieces together. England in the 18th century, when
requirements must be shared with Woolsthorpe Several places in the UK, including some There are lots of astronomy books that gas mark 4) and line a shallow 25cm x Prop the house up while you wait for sugar consumption was rapidly
in advance. The winner and guests may each 22cm baking tin. your ‘glue’ to set.
request an alternative drink and baked good of those on page 9, have been designated will teach you the basics of stargazing. increasing and dental care was
2. Put the flour, butter and bicarbonate 9. Get creative decorating your house.
National Trust Images x5

from the café’s menu, up to the value of a cream as ‘Dark Sky Discovery Sites’. This means You can also download planetarium apps inaccessible for many people.
tea, subject to advance notice. Travel to and from they have a good view of the sky and are such as Stellarium (iOS/Android) for your of soda into a bowl, rub into Try roof tiles made of sweets, flaked Rowland and his wife Sabine took
Woolsthorpe isn’t included. The winner must breadcrumbs, then add the sugar and almonds or rose petals, add sprigs of
accessible at night. If you can’t make phone to help you navigate the night sky. an interest in medicines and
make their own travel arrangements. We won’t be
it to a special site, then aim to avoid light Scope Nights (iOS only) uses Met Office spices and mix. This can be done by herbs as a miniature vegetable garden, health, and remedies for bad
responsible for any transport or accommodation
costs incurred in the acceptance or fulfilment of pollution. Always take warm layers, stay data to forecast clear night skies and hand or in your mixer. or pipe details on using royal icing. breath and toothache have been
the prize. Full T&Cs on page 81. safe and tell someone where you’re going. shows light-pollution levels. found in the Nostell archives.

70 [Link] [Link] 71
 JUST FOR YOU

CROSSWORD
WIN! A LITTLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

GREENE INTERIOR 8

DESIGN PACKAGE 9 10

WORTH £345

Wrapped Spruce up your home with help

from our friends at Little Greene.
Two lucky readers will each win
an hour-long video consultation
11

14
12

15
13

16 17

up in worth £95 with one of Little 18

joy
Greene’s colour consultants, TO ENTER BY EMAIL 19 20
along with £250 to put towards
Decipher the prize word,
high-quality paints or wallpapers
revealed in the shaded
from any of their collections.
squares, and email it to 21 22 23
Little Greene’s eco-friendly win@[Link],
paints are made at their factory with the subject line
in Eryri (Snowdonia), and their ‘Crossword No. 72’. Please
24 25
wallpapers are responsibly include your name, address
sourced from sustainable forests and telephone number.
and printed with non-toxic ink.
TO ENTER BY POST PRIZE WORD
Their National Trust collections
are inspired by places such as Write to us, including the Clue: A good place to go stargazing
Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire, prize word and your contact
information, to Crossword ACROSS DOWN
where their Book Room Green 1 Lady Arundel’s ------- was a breakfast
No. 72, National Trust 1 -------- Wood, the home of Gertrude
paint shade originated, while the Jekyll, is widely considered the birthplace treat for the inhabitants of Petworth
Bamboo Floral print comes from Magazine, Heelis, Kemble of modern gardening (8) House (7)
Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA. 5 Estate on the shore of Lough Erne said to 2 The --- Walk is a feature of Gertrude
fragments of Chinese wallpaper Jekyll’s garden at 1 across (3)
be haunted by a local spirit known as the
found at Kingston Lacy in Dorset. Entries for this competition Lady of the Lake (4) 3 Enjoy a walk along the Gower coast to
will close at 23.59 on 9 ------- capital accounting is a methodology view the beaches of spectacular -----
[Link]/ 27 October 2024. used to give green places a financial value (7) Cliffs Bay (5)
national-trust 10 Architect ----- Lutyens designed 4 Killerton was home to the ------ family
Gertrude Jekyll’s Arts and Crafts-style from the 17th century to 1944 (6)
house at 1 across (5) 6 The Autumn Plant Fair marks the
Terms and conditions Entrants must be 18 or over and UK residents (including the 11 Prehistoric circular or oval earthen changing of the seasons at this beautiful
Channel Islands). The competition is not open to employees of the National Trust, or enclosure seen at several Trust sites, garden in County Down (9)
employees (and their immediate families) of Little Greene. There is a limit of one entry notably Avebury (5) 7 ----’- House in East Sussex was the home
per person, regardless of method of entry. The first correct email entry and first correct 13 The ------- Old and New Battery is a of Leonard and Virginia Woolf (5)
Warm their spirits as well as their homes this season. postal entry drawn will each win £250 to spend on Little Greene products, plus an
hour-long Video Colour Consultancy. The Consultancy appointment must be taken by
Victorian coastal defence and secret 8 The Perseids ------ shower lights up the
rocket testing site on the Isle of Wight (7) night sky in mid-August (6)
When you choose a gift from our shops, you’re 27 October 2025 (inclusive) – exact date and time to be agreed between the winner and
Little Greene (appointments are available on working days between the hours of 9am
14 Tackle the short steep hike up ------ 12 The later part of the Stone Age,
Cloud in Dovedale for spectacular views characterised by the use of polished
helping to care for nature, beauty and history too. and 5pm). The prize is non-refundable, non-transferable and not for resale. There is no
cash alternative. The prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers,
of the Peak District (6) stone tools (9)
16 ------ Crag is one of the most scenic 15 Ringed, golden and grey are all
promotions or discounts. The Trust will share the winners’ personal details with the examples of this family of wading birds
spots for stargazing in the Lake District (6)
prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling the prize. The draw is final and no that migrate to our shores in autumn (6)
19 The blue-black fruits of Prunus ------- , or
Discover more in store or online at correspondence will be entered into. For full competition T&Cs, see page 81.

Crossword by Nicky Trevett. Little Greene

blackthorn, can be used to make sloe gin (7) 17 Spot autumn wildlife on a walk through
20 The distinctive plaque found at all Brancaster ------- in Norfolk (7)
[Link] Crossword solutions (from last issue)
Across 1 Chedworth 6 Loe 8 Organic 9 Naval 10 Ox-eye 11 Clandon
Trust sites is known as the ----- sign (5) 18 This autumn the Grecian ------ at Stowe
21 A yellowish-orange natural earth plays host to a remarkable art installation
Let them choose with a Scan the QR code
13 Fossil 15 Drones 18 Shingle 19 Fleur 21 Adder 23 Lorrain 24 Eye
25 Tsegereda Down 1 Cook Off 2 Eagle 3 Wandering 4 Rococo 5 Hen
pigment used in paints and dyes (5) commemorating D-Day (6)
19 Penrhyn Castle and the Llŷn Peninsula
22 The National Coastwatch Institution
National Trust gift card, 6 Lyveden 7 Ellen 12 Aira Force 14 Spindle 16 Syringa 17 Nellie 18 Spade ------- is a highlight of a walk around are twinned with the Old Customs House
in Zanzibar’s historic ----- Town (5)
20 Edale 22 Rot Prize word Studland St Agnes Head in Cornwall (7)
available in stores and online. 24 Jan van ---- was an influential Flemish 20 Daphne ----- is a fragrant shrub that
brightens the winter garden (5)
painter active in 15th-century Bruges (4)
Congratulations to the winners of crossword no. 71 in our summer 25 The Trust is working with the 23 Hughenden was one of several grants
issue. Prue Bramwell-Davis from London and Sue Davies from Northumberland National Park Authority to of land to William the Conqueror’s
Gloucestershire each won a stay in a National Trust holiday cottage. memorialise the fallen tree of -------- Gap (8) half-brother Bishop --- of Bayeux (3)
© National Trust 2024. Registered charity no. 205846. © National Trust Images/James Dobson.
[Link] 73
 FOR FAMILIES

CHILDREN’S ZONE BE SAFE!

Make sure you go with a grown-up.
Dress warmly and take a fully
charged phone and a torch –
RAINY DAY CORNER
Grab your grown-up and see Under though be careful not to shine
what you can spot out after 11 ¾ torches directly at animals, as night
WHAT CAN YOU SPOT?
creatures have sensitive eyes.
dark this autumn only!
Can you find these autumn
objects and creatures?
Nature at night WORD WHEEL
How many words with two
Bat letters or more can you make
using the letters below?
Town or country? Both. You can use the letters in
Fun facts Look for bats before any order. Can you find the
November, especially if there’s a hidden 9-letter word as well?
pond or river nearby, as you might
see them flying over the surface
at dusk searching for insects to
eat. You’re most likely to see a
A R
common pipistrelle, which weighs H B
about the same as a 20p coin.
Did you know? Despite the
saying, bats are not blind, though
E E
Fox it’s true they don’t have good night
vision. They use sound rather N T
Town or country? Both. Tawny owl than light to find their way around. I
Fun facts Foxes are scavengers, Town or country? Mainly
eating whatever food they can country.
Hidden word: Hibernate
find. Look for them snuffling up
Fun facts Tawny owls hunt
beetles or worms in a garden, or
for mice and voles at night.
COLOUR ME IN!
perhaps food from a rubbish bag Hedgehog
They mainly live in woods and
or bin. You might also hear them
give an eerie ‘scream’ at night.
farmland, but if you’re lucky you Town or country? Both. WRITE IN!
might see or hear one in a park
Did you know? Foxes have a Fun facts In autumn at dusk you Have you explored
with large trees or even a garden.
special layer in their eyes called can sometimes spot hedgehogs somewhere in nature
Did you know? The ‘twit-twoo’ getting ready to hibernate. They
a tapetum lucidum – like cats – recently, at home or at a
sound is made by two birds calling often live in suburban areas. They
which helps them to see Trust place? Please write
to each other. One makes the have a great sense of smell and
in the dark. in and tell us all about it.
‘ke-wick’ (twit) sound, and the can sniff out beetles under the
other, the ‘hoo-hoo’ (twoo). soil to gobble up. Please include your name, age and
where you’re from, what you did, what
Did you know? Hedgehogs get was special about it, and a photo of you
their name because they often doing your activity.

National Trust Images x 2, Alamy x3, AdobeStock x3

live under hedges, and make We’ll also need your parent or
guardian’s name and email address,
snuffling noises like a hog. and their written permission for us to
HELP OUT publish your words and picture.
The magazine team reads every one
Do you have a space in a garden at home or at school and chooses which we’ll print. We
No. where a hedgehog might sleep safely this winter? You securely store anything we don’t use for
12 months from the date we receive it,

40 could build a wooden hedgehog house, or simply leave

a pile of leaves and twigs in a quiet corner for them,
so we can consider it for a future issue,
then delete it.
Please write to us at magazine@
where they won’t be disturbed. Ask a grown-up if they
Go on a nature [Link] or to the address
could make a small ‘hedgehog hole’ at the bottom of
walk at night on page 76. We promise not to use your
fences to help hedgehogs travel between gardens. contact details for anything else.

74 [Link] [Link] 75
 FROM YOU

FROM YOU Q&A

WHY THE IVY?
Michael Black from
We love to hear from you Cambridgeshire asks:
I live in Ely and regularly visit
The Editor, National Trust Magazine, /nationaltrust We welcome your letters and read every one. We’ll assume you intend three National Trust sites near me:
Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, us to consider your letter for publication unless you state otherwise.
@nationaltrust We reserve the right to edit and condense the letters we print. We store Anglesey Abbey and Wimpole Hall in
Wiltshire, SN2 2NA @nationaltrust all correspondence securely for 24 months from date of receipt and Cambridgeshire and Ickworth Estate in
then delete it or dispose of it securely. We promise not to share your
magazine@[Link] @nationaltrust details outside the Trust. Suffolk. At all these sites I’ve noticed
lovely trees being destroyed by ivy. I’ve
also spotted ivy starting to grow on
younger trees. I’ve been told that the
National Trust does not believe that ivy
is a threat. Could the Trust encourage

S TA R gardeners at their properties to routinely Passing on the love

remove ivy from the base of trees?
LETTER For several years, we have enjoyed frequent places remains. Equipped with a new young
Tom Hill, Trees and Woodland National Trust visits thanks to a family person’s membership, she recently returned
Adviser, replies: membership. Most often, we would head home and spent a day exploring Charlecote
to our local Charlecote Park, Warwickshire, independently. She even sketched the
The presence and management of ivy for weekend walks around the grounds. iconic gatehouse and ancient yews.
Giving and receiving on trees has long been debated. We
generally tend to leave it because it’s a
The familiar paths, beautiful scenery and
roaming deer became an important part
Thank you for creating these spaces for
us to share, and enabling the appreciation
I’m relatively new to volunteering, crucial indigenous plant that supports of our children’s lives. of nature and history to pass from one
but thought my story might be nesting birds, bats, bees and butterflies Though our daughter Leila recently left generation to the next.
worth sharing. – many of which are in steep decline for university, her love for these special Paul Dowson, Warwickshire
I was an antiques dealer from the Making marks nationally. There is currently no scientific
early 1960s and built a successful evidence to suggest the presence of ivy
I was fascinated by the ‘Balancing Act’
business with many prestigious clients. on trees has any kind of parasitic or
article on graffiti (‘Drawing the line’,
One of those was George Harrison, of summer 24). This ‘human desire to leave
detrimental impact, so at Trust places One for the album
the Beatles, whom I got to know well. In we’ll only remove it if individual
a mark’ was brilliantly captured in this This photo was originally submitted
the 1990s, my retail business declined so I applied, and I am now a room circumstances require it, because of the
recent brief Welsh-language poem. It was by my late mother, Peggy. It shows four
and I moved into insurance and probate steward at my local Trust property, many wider wildlife benefits it offers.
written by Gwyn M. Lloyd, of Llanfair PG generations enjoying a day out on
valuations. Instead of keeping large Hatchlands Park, in Surrey. I love it. I’m (yes: Llanfair PG – the small village with the Brownsea Island, Dorset. The oldest was
amounts of expensive stock, all the back in the world of art and antiques, big name!) in Ynys Môn (Anglesey). It is in my mum, aged 94, and the youngest was
tools of my trade were in my head. and I so enjoy telling the public all the ‘englyn’ form, which is a classic of Welsh her great-granddaughter, aged 18 months.
Then, in the 2000s, my daughter about the special things in the rooms. poetry: four lines, all on the same rhyme, This photo is a fitting tribute to a lifelong
Kelly spotted an ad in the Antiques Trade Hatchlands is known for its musical and with exactly 30 syllables. lover and supporter of the National Trust.
Gazette asking for antique valuers for instruments, especially keyboards,
Jo Jeffrey, Dorset
a new ITV programme and applied so I have, in turn, learnt a lot. The Nid er mwyn eu difwyno – y rhof air
on my behalf. I went for an interview instruments are occasionally played ar furiau, ond ceisio
and became one of the first valuers on – to hear Chopin’s piano being played dweud yr wyf, un dydd, ryw dro,
the new Dickinson’s Real Deal, a show is a rare privilege. am ennyd, mi fûm yno. Creative collage
I subsequently did for many years I was even asked to be Father
Having read a recent copy of National Trust Magazine
along with another ITV show called Christmas this year (above), another It is not for crude defacing – that I put a word I decided that, rather than putting it in the recycling
Secret Dealers. first for me (but don’t tell the children),
National Trust Images x 2

on the walls; no, I’m trying bin, I would get creative instead. Here’s my resulting
Ill health forced me to stop work and I occasionally get recognised to say that one day, some time, Pink Lady collage, created using the pages from the
but I missed the world of antiques. from my TV days, which does my ego for a moment, I was there. Attingham Park feature (spring 24). I think she looks
My wife Nicky suggested I should start no end of good.
rather glamorous!
volunteering for the National Trust, David Ford, Surrey Dafydd Morris, Flintshire Teresa Levien, Staffordshire
Above Graffiti at Lyveden, Northamptonshire An ivy-encased tree, Newtown NNR, Isle of Wight.

76 [Link] [Link] 77
FROM YOU

YOUR
PICTURES
Favourite moments
from your days out

1. Strangford sunset
The sun setting over Strangford Lough from 4
the Mount Stewart property car park.
Ian Wallace, Visitor Experience Volunteer
at Mount Stewart, County Down

2. Seb’s dream day out

Seb (aged 2½) enjoyed exploring Bodiam Castle,
East Sussex.
Lucy Potter, Worcestershire

3. Costume drama
I used the props at Tredegar House, Gwent, 5 6
to create this rather wonderful self-portrait!
Monica Hawkins, Buckinghamshire

4. Jumping for joy

Sienna (aged 4) loved her visit to Plas Newydd,
Anglesey. It was a day full of adventure and play.
Christopher Sonczak, Derbyshire

5. A photographer’s paradise
We were surrounded by puffins and other birds
on a visit to the Farne Islands, Northumberland.
Jessica Crumpton, Glamorgan 1 7 8

6. Dunham’s deer
I saw a lovely doe at Dunham Massey, Cheshire.
Linda Baker, Lancashire

7. Soft light, long shadows

I couldn’t believe how wonderful the lighting
was on Ranmore Common, Surrey.
Sandra Cassidy, Surrey

8. Perfect pose
Our dog Bobby posing on a tree stump in the
lovely woodland at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk.
Ian Patterson, Norfolk

9. A Nymans giant
We had a lovely walk in the woods and around
the gardens at Nymans, West Sussex.
Nikki Ward, West Sussex

10. Window on the world 2 3 9 10

A view of Dunster Castle, Somerset.
Ian Rees, Essex

78 [Link] [Link] 79
 The National Trust
Nature, beauty, history. For everyone, for ever.
The Trust protects and cares for places so people and nature
can thrive. We look after the nation’s coastline, historic sites,
countryside and green spaces, ensuring everyone benefits.
With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we are
the biggest conservation charity in Europe.
Patron His Majesty The King
Colour me in! Director-General Hilary McGrady
Chair René Olivieri
[Link]
Editorial
Editor Sally Palmer
Deputy Editor Freya Parr
Digital Magazine Project Manager Karen Gregory

KIDS’ Assistant Editors Sophie Kershaw, Immy Tinkler,

Grace Vowden
Senior Picture Researcher Drew Hill

CORNER Sub-editor Wendy Smith

Proofreader Anthony Lambert

‘WHY I VOLUNTEER’ I visited Kingston Lacy,

Dorset, and enjoyed
Production
Print Manager Helen Linning-Innes
Design Steers McGillan Eves
Calliope (age 4) doing the great Halloween Digital Magazine Design Hamilton-Brown
Jenny Beaumont cleans the historic shell Colour reproduction ec2i Ltd.
Above left Cragside, some of the recommended pumpkin display.
collection at Cragside, Northumberland dressed for a cosy, Printing Mohn Media Mohndruck GmbH
puddle-splashing at Finley, Dorset printed on Perlen Value 57gsm
traditional Christmas.
– and in her spare time creates a magical Cliveden – well before Cover R4 Chorus Satin 130gsm
Above Part of
Christmas for visitors to enjoy the extensive she turns 11¾! Copyright © National Trust 2024. Charity number 205846.
Please pass on or recycle this magazine once
shell collection in Jason, Berkshire
you’ve finished it.
the Gallery.

I
first came to Cragside on my honeymoon in 1999 It took Gleniss and I two years to clean all the shells
and fell in love with the place. A few years later, we once, working one afternoon a week. Unfortunately, Inset Jenny making
Christmas crackers
relocated from London to Northumberland, only a Gleniss is unable to volunteer at the moment, so
with William Morris My husband and I
few miles away from Cragside. I thought volunteering I finished them for the second time on my own in paper for Cragside’s visited The Workhouse,
would be a good way to meet people and I became a June 2023, and I’ll start cleaning them again later this Victorian Christmas.
Nottinghamshire, with
House Experience Volunteer. year. I think Lord and Lady Armstrong would love that
In 2009, I began cleaning Cragside’s collection of we’re still looking after them for people to enjoy.
our granddaughters. Competitions
Here are nurses Our full terms and conditions
5,000 shells. Lord and Lady Armstrong built up the When I’m not working on the shells, I help to All competitions in this issue of National Trust Magazine will
Hermione and Matilda, Our twins Molly and
collection in the 19th century. They were keen on care for the huge collection. This includes cleaning close at 23.59 on 27 October 2024. Entrants must be 18 or
plus Doctor Alice, Grace (age 11) posing over. Proof of age may be requested. The competitions are
natural history and gave a large sum of money to help ceramics, metalwork and delicate textiles. I’m also part
having fun in the Firbeck as impressive gargoyles not open to employees of the National Trust, or employees
set up what is now the Great North Museum: Hancock. of the ‘Christmas Creators’ team. We make lots of the (and their immediate families) of any other companies
I had so much fun at Infirmary. I don’t at Barrington Court,
As a thank-you gift, two of the museum’s founders, decorations by hand, including paper baubles for the connected to the competitions. There is a limit of one entry
Dunham Massey. I saw think Matron would Somerset – too scary! per person per competition. Duplicate entries will be
local naturalists John and Albany Hancock, gave the tree, painted festive banners and crackers using William
deer, geese, ducks and be amused! We spent the whole disqualified. Responsibility cannot be taken for entries that
Armstrongs a small shell collection in 1844. Later, they Morris paper. We take inspiration from the Victorians’ are incomplete, mislaid or corrupted. Winning entries for
ducklings. I can’t wait to Bernadette, County afternoon, with our
asked Albany to gather more shells for them on his travels. love of bringing the outdoors in to create elaborate each competition will be drawn at random from all eligible
go back again! Durham dog Flora, laughing entries. The winners will be notified within 30 days of the
The shells need to be repeatedly cleaned to help foliage displays for the house, using pines, firs and holly
Agnes, Manchester and learning. closing date by phone or email, and must claim their prize
reduce the spread of Byne’s disease, also known as foraged from the grounds, and dried flowers supplied within 30 days of notification. In the event that a winner
Bynesian decay. It’s caused when calcium carbonate by the gardeners. The staff and volunteers work Sarah, Dorset does not claim their prize within 30 days, another winner
in the shells reacts with the mahogany in the historic together to create a wonderful, festive experience will be drawn at random. No cash alternative or refund will
be given. Events may occur that render the competitions
cases Lord Armstong commissioned to house the for visitors to enjoy. or the awarding of prizes impossible for reasons beyond
shells. If left, it could destroy the whole collection. Cragside is a magical place. Everyone who our control and we may vary or amend the promotions
I enjoyed being trained to clean the shells. I learned volunteers here is passionate about it. I think it’s so accordingly. We will do what we reasonably can to ensure
that participants receive prizes of at least equal value.
how to make swabs for cleaning and how to handle the special because it has everything. I’ve forged so many
delicate shells. Some of them are as tiny as a grain of rice. friendships through volunteering over the years. WIN! A gift card Any personal data you provide in the course of these
competitions will be held and used only by National Trust or
its agents and suppliers to administer the competition, and
For many years I cleaned the shells with a
longstanding volunteer, Gleniss. She really took me
Jenny Beaumont, Conservation Volunteer, Cragside worth £150 will be processed as per our privacy policy nationaltrust.
[Link]/privacy. The surname and county of the winners will
National Trust Images x2

under her wing and became a good friend. We cleaned Fill in our online survey about your be made available on request. If you object to your details
in the Gallery. Visitors loved seeing how it’s done and autumn magazine by 27 October 2024 being available, or wish to reduce the amount of data shared,
There are hundreds of different ways you can please state this in your entry or contact us at magazine@
asked lots of questions. Some of them saw us on the volunteer for the National Trust, with roles to for the chance to win a National Trust gift [Link]. By entering any competition in this
first series of the BBC’s Hidden Treasures of the National suit a wide range of skills, interests and availability. card. Enjoy a spending spree in our shops, tuck in at one of our issue, you are agreeing to these T&Cs. These Terms are
Trust. I was quite nervous beforehand, but the people cafés, or why not put it towards a holiday cottage stay? governed by English law, and the parties submit to the
Visit [Link]/volunteer nonexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
who did the filming were great at putting us at our ease. [Link]/nationaltrustmagautumn2024

80 [Link] [Link] 81
INTERVIEW

MEET...
Teacher turned hill farmer Andrea Meanwell works with groups in
Cumbria to support the next generation of Trust tenant farmers

There are two things I particularly enjoy about my

Trust work. One is our group of female farmers, called
Ladies with Livestock, which came about during the first
Covid lockdown. Two friends emailed on the same day
to tell me they were lonely on their farms. During Covid,
farming was particularly isolating for women at home
for long hours, often with young children, while their
partners were out with livestock. We started an online
support community in response, and it really helped.

The group has just blossomed and snowballed

since we’ve been able to meet in person as well. We
choose a particular topic and visit a good example –
anything from creating wood pasture to renting out
shepherd huts. We always take food to share – just eating
together can be a highlight if you’ve been on your own on
your farm all week. I think it’s a real boost to wellbeing, and
we’ve built such a supportive network. Although it started
as a ladies’ group, men sometimes come along too.

Interview by Grace Vowden. Bill Robertson, National Trust/Andrea Meanwell, National Trust Images/Stuart Walker
I also really love the part of my work that’s about
helping young people into farming. We’ve got 109
I didn’t plan to be a farmer. My uncle was a hill farmer, Above left Andrea people in our New Entrants group, and I’m responsible for
and sometimes I used to help him out, but I trained helping to show a helping link the right person with the right opportunity for
tenant’s Herdwick sheep their future. It’s really satisfying. I think there’s perhaps
as a teacher. The change came when I was assigned at an agricultural show.
a mentor while I was preparing to apply for a headship, a perception that young people don’t want to farm, but
and she asked what I’d consider to be a success at the
Top Ladies with
Livestock on a site visit.
that’s just not true. I know so many who have great ideas We’ve got the kit to get you there
end of my career. I said, ‘I just want a really good flock of and ambition. They’re just looking for the opportunity.
Above Herdwick and
sheep.’ She said, ‘I think you’re in the wrong job!’ From Swaledale sheep on
that point onwards I never actually went back to full-time Seatoller Farm. It’s inspiring for them to see where other new
teaching and I started to build up a farm of my own. entrants have created wonderful businesses.
Recently, we took them to visit somebody with a very
I started with two sheep on two acres, and things traditional upland farm who has turned their barn into a
grew from there. I have an upland farm, with areas in wedding venue, and they met another farmer who caters
both the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National for events and weddings using their own meat products.
Park. I farm it with my son and we have a native flock
of sheep and a herd of pedigree Belted Galloway cows. And they’ll need ways to diversify their income,
because farming is challenging at the moment. It’s
Alongside my farm, I also work for the Trust as the going through a lot of change, including to the way
Lakes Future Farming Partnership Manager. I help tenant payment schemes operate. The next generation of
farmers develop their businesses in a nature-friendly Trust farmers will need to secure their farm’s future
way, and I support and train people who’d like to in a way that helps protect nature and the cultural
become tenants. The Trust looks after more than heritage of the Lake District, and the way to do that
a fifth of the Lake District National Park, and I think is to farm in a nature-friendly way.
it’s crucial to have somebody in this role who’s also
[Link]/farming-lake-district
a farmer and understands all it entails.

82 [Link]
Return Address
National Trust
Unit 2
The Washington Centre
Halesowen Road
Netherton
Dudley
DY2 9RE