More reasons to visit more often - Across the East of England we are - The Royal Oak Foundation
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News and events for spring 2019
Bedfordshire | Cambridgeshire | Essex
Hertfordshire | Norfolk | Suffolk
More reasons to
visit more often
A
cross the East of England we are and start to sing. Blow away the cobwebs with Wimpole Hall will be open every day, so why To celebrate 80 years since George Bernard Shaw
lucky to have such a rich display of an exhilarating walk across Dunstable Downs not join our knowledgeable team of staff and won his Oscar for Pygmalion, we will be opening
nature on our doorsteps and there to enjoy a view across five counties, or breathe volunteers on a Dust and Discover or Basement our doors at Shaw’s Corner earlier than ever
really is nothing quite like going on a in the bracing sea air at Dunwich Heath. and Picture tour? Both give you a fascinating before so you and the family can join us celebrate
brisk walk to explore our landscapes. So whether view into the important conservation work that over February half-term. Also, over in the Norfolk
it is a gentle stroll around a beautiful garden or Of course no good winter walk is complete takes place throughout the winter. Blickling Broads, Horsey Windpump will be reopening in
a hike in the open countryside, with fresh air in without a hot cuppa and a slice of cake to Estate will also be offering a behind the scenes March after a major restoration project.
your lungs there is no better antidote to the round it off, and we are pretty good at those too! conservation experience on Tuesdays and
excess of Christmas. Thursdays and we’re looking forward to
The quieter months provide the perfect Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea,
Whatever the British weather has to throw at opportunity to delve deeper into the 50th anniversary exhibition. All this is only possible thanks
you, you can be ready for the great outdoors. fascinating stories and unique collections of to your continued support.
Wrap up warm in your woolly socks and winter our special places and thanks to your support, At Ickworth, head to the servants quarters to There’s so much more to see at
scarf and pull on your trusty wellies to get ready many of our properties are now able to open discover the living history team hard at work on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/eastofeng
to explore. for longer. Our teams will be busy cleaning, winter housekeeping, or venture outdoors on a land
protecting and conserving our beautiful houses guided walk through the beautiful displays of
Relax amongst the stillness of Wicken Fen to and collections, so come and enjoy watching snowdrops. If snowdrops take your fancy, visit
see hen harriers before they fly north for the this vital work in action. Anglesey Abbey for a tour of their iconic
summer, and hear migrating warblers arrive collection of the seasonal flower.
Did you know you can share your pictures Facebook.com/EastofEnglandNT
with us? If you use social media, you can find
Twitter: @East_England_NT
us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, where
you can share your favourite spots. instagram.com/eastofenglandnt
Make more of your membership – join your local centre, association or volunteer group. Call 01284 747500.
News in Brief
Friends Riverlands Welcome to Wimpole
and Family
In July last year, we announced our We’re excited to start work this
commitment to one of our most year on our ‘Welcome to Wimpole’
ambitious waterways restoration project which will bring the house,
projects: Riverlands. The £10 million gardens, parkland, farm and wider
One of the things that I love most pound project, in partnership with the landscape together for you to enjoy
about working for the National Trust Environment Agency, will see five of through a brand new gateway into the
is the people. I work with some the UKs most precious rivers restored. estate. We’re updating and expanding
brilliant individuals who are experts As one of only 200 chalk streams much needed facilities for our growing
in everything from archaeology to globally, the River Bure in Norfolk was number of visitors. We’re also
Zenobias (a type of flower called chosen as part of the national scheme conserving and protecting this much
Honeycup in English). However,
it’s not their expertise that I love the
most, but their passion. I am lucky to
Welcome to Wimpole due to its unique characteristics.
Thanks to your support and our
partnerships with Norfolk Ponds
loved estate for future generations. Find
out more and follow our progress at
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-
Spring Sensations
of 2,000 years ago
spend my working life with kindred Project and the Pond Restoration estate
spirits who share the same goal of Research Group at University College The start of a new year brings many through a winter wonderland, head At Anglesey Abbey, spring bulbs bring Spring arrivals come in feathered and
looking after special places and London, we have already successfully Ickworth uncovered things and not least amongst them back and see its spring finery too. new colour, with pretty tulips nestling furry forms too. Keep your eyes and
sharing them with others. restored three previously in-filled is the promise that spring is around underneath the silver birch trees. ears focused on marsh harriers and
Were you lucky enough to visit almost 300 metal objects including one of only two figures of this deity ‘Ghost Ponds’ and created three new The largest conservation project to the corner. For early colour you can’t beat Konik pony foals at Wicken Fen,
We are ultimately social animals and Wimpole last summer and see the coins, cosmetic implements, horse ever found. To me, he’s more than this ponds on our Felbrigg Estate. As a take place at Ickworth since the daffodils, and at Ickworth, you’ll see If you want to be bewitched by swallows and terns arriving at
when I go around our places I can see hive of activity taking place by a team harness fittings, Roman military deity though, he is the enigmatic face result of this, it won’t be long before National Trust acquired it in 1956 will If winter walking means frosty swathes of historic daffodils coming bluebells, head out on a four mile Blakeney Point and booming
that a key reason that people visit is of archaeologists? If not, don’t worry uniform fittings, a spearhead, an axe, of the people living in the landscape wildlife inhabits this area to thrive be moving forward later this year. landscapes, wrapping up warm and into bloom throughout the pleasure walk in Blickling’s Great Wood to bitterns at Dunwich Heath.
to spend quality time with friends as we caught up with Shannon key handles, brooches, a ring as well some 2000 years ago.” once more and researchers will be able Ickworth Uncovered is a multi-million enjoying the countryside laid bare, grounds, with varieties dating back to enjoy carpets of blooms, or set your
and family. My local National Trust Hogan, our very own archaeologist, as scrap lead and a number of iron to learn how local wildlilfe responds to pound restoration project that will see then spring is the time to lose some the 15th century, together with course to Flatford, where the aptly If lambs are on your essential spring
property is Ickworth and it holds a to explain what they found. nails and other utilitarian objects. pond restoration. specialists attend to the iconic rotunda of the layers and see those wintery primroses and oxlips. named ‘purple trail’ will take you watch list, we’ve got you covered at
place in my heart that is both as they re-tile the entire roof. On top of landscapes start to stretch their limbs through Orvis Wood, a bluebell-rich Wimpole Home Farm, Ickworth,
Georgian masterpiece and the place “Archaeologists from the National We’re not sure yet if the site was at this, other minor renovations will also and embrace the new season. Over at Melford Hall, discover a range woodland. You’ll also find bluebells at Felbrigg and Orford Ness.
where my daughter learnt to ride her Trust and Oxford Archaeology East one time occupied by retired Roman Sutton Hoo be happening inside the rotunda, of spring bulbs everywhere from Sheringham Park – if you can take
bike without stabilisers. Our places are got a rare chance to carry out a dig on military or if the native people living prompting the movement of over Your National Trust membership daffodils in the North Moat to spring your eyes away from the As always, the hardest question
the perfect spot to unwind, talk, play the estate, ahead of the development here were trading in these items for Work is now well underway on a 2,500 items into storage to allow the means that seeing landscapes and bulbs in Lord Somerset’s residence - rhododendrons of course. will be where you visit first.
and bond – especially in the spring – of a whole new arrival to Wimpole, personal use and adornment or if transformational project at Sutton work to happen. gardens whatever the season is easy. an intriguing area of informal
so make a date to spend time with including a new car park, visitor these items were intended as votive Hoo. The £4million project started on Keep an eye out for more news about So if you’ve enjoyed a wander woodland in a formal lawned garden.
a loved one soon. welcome building and conservation offerings to a nearby shrine. We hope site in the autumn, with Sutton Hoo some special new ways you can
of the parkland. to resolve this as further work on the closing to visitors whilst we deliver experience Ickworth once the work
Getting together with other Trust finds gets underway. ambitious plans to create an gets underway.
Swapping ballet shoes for wellies
enthusiasts, members and volunteer What we found over the summer has experience that is more immersive
card holders who feel passionate been incredible - we’ve witnessed For me, the star discovery was a small than ever before. Thanks to a grant
about the same things is priceless. another chapter of Wimpole’s rich copper alloy figurine representing the from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Wimpole History
The National Trusts Supporter and ancient history. Celtic god of fertility, Cernnunos. generous donations from you, our Festival Returns
Groups are ideal for sharing unique We rarely find human figurines in members and supporters, we’ll be Emma shares her story from her first “I explained my predicament during taking care of the newly born lambs.
experiences and finding out more The Late Iron Age to Early Roman archaeological excavations so he’s very taking you on a journey through one Thousands gathered at Wimpole steps in professional ballet shoes to a chance encounter with a volunteer I loved joining the team on their
about the places you care about. (c.100BC – 150 AD) occupation of special, even more so as one of the of the most significant archaeological last summer to enjoy the second a chance encounter which helped from Wimpole. I quickly found myself rounds to check on the ewes and
From listening to expert talks and Lamp Hill at Wimpole has revealed finds specialists believes this may be discoveries of all time. From new Wimpole History Festival which her on her way to walking in vet on some trial days with the farm team lambs and helped to herd them into
going on behind-the-scenes tours walking routes to help you discover delighted and captivated visitors student’s muddy wellies. and I was invited back to help out at the right fields when they were ready.
to taking relaxing holidays, you’ll be how King Rædwald’s ship was dragged of all ages. Together with the lambing time.
part of something amazing. Our local from the River Deben to the site that Cambridge Literary Festival, the “I was having doubts about “Lambing at Wimpole helped me
Getting greener in the East
groups promote our work within their would eventually become the Royal National Trust is set to bring you continuing with my professional “My time at lambing was incredible. achieve my dream of becoming a vet
local area and raise money for Burial Ground, to a viewing tower to another incredible festival this year dancing career but had no idea how It gave me a real insight into the huge - in September I started at Bristol
conservation and development let you see the mounds in a whole new (21-23 June). Wimpole shares to start my dream of becoming a vet. amount of work that farm teams do Vet School and am looking forward
projects through all kinds of events. way, to exciting new presentations in fascinating stories of the past and I visited Wimpole in 2016 and was and I got to learn so many different to my first placement (more
As part of the National Trust’s wider pump save over 67,000 litres of oil saving of around £20,000 a year the exhibition hall and Tranmer House, to come and see history brought to amazed at how visitors get to see aspects of lambing a flock. It was a lambing!) in Easter.”
For further information about ambition to source 50% of our and 97 tonnes of carbon emissions in fuel costs (nearly half a million we’re confident you’ll want to come life, whether through the amazing lambing time up close. It made me really intense learning experience;
your local supporter group visit: energy needs from renewable per year. pounds over both of the pump’s back again and again as we release the programme of authors and historians realise how much I wanted to work from cleaning pens, feeding and Why not find a volunteer
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/ sources by 2020, both Anglesey 20 year life expectancy), allowing us story of the Anglo Saxons who chose or living history, it shows the power with animals and get on the other side watering the animals to monitoring opportunity that takes
supporter-groups-in-the-east-of- Abbey and Wimpole Estate are our Support from our visitors, whether to reinvest money into conservation Sutton Hoo as the place to bury their and relevance of history – plus it’s a of the pens! the ewes due to lamb for any signs of your fancy?
england latest places to get greener in the that has been from buying a cup of work, the properties collections and king. Keep up to date with the project fantastic day out for all the family. giving birth, to mixing formula and www.nationaltrust.org.
East. Both properties are now reliant tea and cake on a visit, membership in our visitor facilities. and its development at Tickets due to go on sale from April, so uk/volunteer
on energy from heat pumps that or through a donation, has allowed us www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ be quick! Stay tuned for more at
were installed over the summer of to make this dream a reality. Not only Other places in the region already sutton-hoo. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-
2018. Collectively, the water heat
pump at Anglesey and Wimpole’s
closed loop ground source heat
are we able to reduce our carbon
footprint as a result of these heat
pumps, but we are also making a
generating renewable energy include
Ickworth, Sutton Hoo, Sheringham
Park and Blickling. New panoramic
estate
The perfect pair
views at Wicken Fen A new chapter at Blickling
For identical twins Geoff and Stan, Reunited again on Anglesey’s
Home to Highland cattle, Konik Blickling Estate was host to the 2018 wearing matching outfits exceeded grounds, the brothers revealed
ponies, dozens of bird species and a Trust New Art installation that John childhood. The pair now wear their their favourite parts of working at
variety of invertebrates, Wicken Fen is Orna-Ornstein, Director of Curation volunteering uniform, side by side, Anglesey Abbey. Stan shared that
an important wildlife haven for us to and Experience for the National as gardeners at Anglesey Abbey: he “enjoys being able to walk into
preserve. As part of our ‘Resting the Trust, called a “bold, creative and Stan for just over six years and the grounds away from hectic
Sedge Fen Project’ and as a result of really thought-provoking way to Geoff just over three. exterior life, into the calm.” He
your membership support, we have bring Blickling’s historic library to life added that “even on a busy day you
been able to construct a temporary for visitors.” For 2019, Blickling will Their ties with Anglesey began at the are sure to find a quiet spot.” Geoff’s
viewing tower situated close to the once again be home to a new age of three when their family moved favourite part of working on the
boardwalk. The tower will allow the installation in support of the to Rose Cottage, situated near Lord estate relates to his love of trees. He
delicate peat soils along the Lode five-year long library restoration Fairhaven’s home. As a keen gardener said: “Sharing a love for trees with
Bank to recover, while visitors enjoy project. Joan Gabie and Neville himself, their father passed down his Lord Fairhaven makes this an ideal
panoramic views of the fen and the Gabie, artist-in-residence at the 2012 hobby to his sons, which led to a place to volunteer. I especially love
sight of harriers and corvids coming Olympic Games, will be drawing childhood curiosity about the going to Pilgrims Lawn in autumn.”
in to roost on the Sedge Fen. Plans to inspiration from four book titles that gardens that lay behind the walls of
make the viewing tower a permanent reside in the Blickling collection to the Abbey. Pursuing careers of their Working as part of a wider team
structure will hopefully become a create an exhibition that highlights own in mechanical engineering at the that collectively looks after 2019 marks 21 years since the possible by your support when you
reality later in the year. the importance of books. age of 16, the pair both worked at Anglesey’s 114 acres of land; Winter Garden was opened and visit, eat or buy a something from
Pye’s in nearby Cambridge, until Stan both brothers play a vital role in the this year the pair will be involved our shop or plant centre.
‘The Edge of Things’ opens in May and moved on to work in the gardens of important conservation work that in the start of a three year plan to
will run until the end of October. the city’s university. goes on all year round. revitalise the planting, made
2 Spring 2019 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/eastofengland www.nationaltrust.org.uk/eastofengland Spring 2019 7
Trust us, it all
began 120 years ago
This year is a big one for Britain’s oldest nature reserve, Wicken Fen. We’re
celebrating two anniversaries; 120 years since the National Trust purchased
its first piece of land at Wicken Fen, and 20 years since the launch of the
Wicken Fen Vision.
The Wicken Fen Vision is a 100 year 800 hectares, wildlife is thriving in the Our Big Vision Weekend is going to
plan to create a diverse landscape for mosaic of different habitats across the be a great opportunity to share our
wildlife and people over an area of 53 reserve, and people are able to access success so far, and our future plans
square kilometres. By expanding the the wider areas of Wicken Fen, with you. We’ll be starting bright
reserve we’ll create a healthy, natural enjoying its peace and tranquillity. and early on Saturday 4 May with
For the full programme please visit:
and beautiful environment that gives our Dawn Chorus Walk, and continuing
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wicken-fen-
people space to breathe, think and Throughout the month of May we’ll throughout the bank holiday weekend
nature-reserve/features/wicken-fen-
explore; and wildlife the diverse and be inviting you to take part in our with a series of walks, talks,
big-vision-weekend
extensive landscape it needs to thrive. ‘Big Vision Treasure Hunt’, which will demonstrations and activities.
We can’t wait to see you there.
take you through the nature reserve
We’re making great progress with our and experience some of the Vision
plan. We have increased the size of area highlights.
the landscape from 358 to nearly
Libraries lost
and found…
Peckover’s lost library Saving Blickling’s library
A new exhibition is set to open at Lord Peckover wasn’t the only avid
Peckover House in March 2019 that will collector of books. With more than
celebrate an avid collector and his lost 12,500 volumes, Blickling’s library
library, returning lost treasures to the makes up the largest and oldest
house for the first time in over 50 years. book collection in our care. Here you’ll
find the first complete bible printed in
When Peckover came into the care English, as well as first editions of Jane
of the National Trust in 1948, it was Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Pride
without its contents. Amongst the and Prejudice and Emma. However,
most precious items to have been sold investigations have revealed that the
at auction, was Lord Peckover’s book books are under threat from mould
collection. As we mark 100 and death watch beetle. It’s not
years since his death, we wanted unusual for leaks or pest damage to
to celebrate Lord Peckover’s life by appear in historic buildings, but
Norfolk landmark
searching for the lost volumes and without the essential work to stop
bringing those we could back under them in their tracks, the potential
one roof for this centenary year. damage would be irreversible.
Lord Peckover’s collection included
rare and early bibles, medieval
manuscripts, atlases and literature,
So starting this January, work
begins on an ambitious conservation
project to secure the library’s future,
restored to former glory
which reflected his Quaker faith repairing leaks and creating the right For the first time in 75 years, Horsey and conserved the cap, re-made
and philanthropic interests. Many environmental conditions that the Windpump is once again standing the sails to a historic pattern and
of his books were bought by private collection needs. proud in the Norfolk Broads. repaired both the brickwork and inner
collectors and museums, and There was once a network of 250 workings of the building. However,
dispersed around the country. For those interested in finding out windpumps that used wind power it’s not been a breeze, as windy
Now, thanks to National Lottery more, look out for our new guided to pump water from lower to higher weather and wet ground conditions
players and a Heritage Lottery Fund tours in 2019. ground in the Broads. Following the have posed their challenges as
grant, a number of them will return on completion of a three year restoration work progressed.
loan, housed in the library that Lord project, Horsey Windpump is now one
Peckover himself added to the house. of the remaining few in working order. Now final preparations are being made
to re-open in March, when you’ll be
A true survivor, Horsey Windpump able to witness the sails turning for the
has stood for more than a century first time in 75 years. Weather
despite severe floods, a lightning permitting the sails will be in operation
strike, a collapse, storms and gale on special days throughout the year,
force winds. Thanks to your support, directed into the prevailing winds by
back in 2015 we began an ambitious turning the newly restored cap. You’ll
project to secure the future of this also be able to explore the five storey
building. The restoration was building and discover its fascinating
significant and required the specialist past thanks to new interpretation.
help of millwright, Tim Whiting, who
luckily has a head for heights. Why not visit in 2019? And if you’re
Using the same tools and techniques interested in helping to keep Horsey’s
that helped build the windpump in sails turning as a volunteer, we’d love
1912, Tim and his team have repaired to hear from you horseywindpump@
nationaltrust.org.uk
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For alternative formats, please call us on 01284 747500 Editor Communications and Marketing team
Design Fiona Gowen Design and Illustration
Photography: © NT Images Joe Cornish / Rod Edwards / Steve Haydon / Derek Hatton /
Ross Hoddinott / Chris Lacey / Emma Laister / David Levenson / John Millar / Justin Minns /
or email eoenews@nationaltrust.org.uk 60% recycled paper. Please recycle after use.
Printed by Wyndeham Group
MMGI/Marianne Majerus / Clive Nichols / Oxford East Archaeology / Stephen Robson /
Claire Sargent / Steve Sayers / Arnhel de Serra / Ben Selway / Rob Stothard / Megan Taylor /
Kayley Wilcockson / Jennie Woodcock Registered Charity No. 205846
8 Spring 2019 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/eastofengland
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