District National

Trust Association

Newsletter

Spring 2019, Number 75

In support of

1

Welcome

The Tenterden and District National Trust Association was founded in 1994. It aims, through a varied programme of activities, to enable its members to:

• make new friends and acquaintances with similar interests;

• go on outings to varied places of interest in the company of compatible companions;

• enjoy well organised short break holidays, mainly in the UK;

• meet at sociable gatherings in beautiful environments.

Follow us on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tdntassocation/

Twitter: TenterdenNTA@NtaTenterden

Our website: tenterdenanddistrictnationaltrustassociation.wordpress.com

Information on events and activities are available on the website. Contributions to the website are welcome, photographs or articles.

Newsletter Distribution co-ordinator:

Mrs Ann Stevens, 1, Pierce Lane, Tenterden, TN30 6FE.

Telephone: 07749 415061

E.mail: [email protected]

Front cover photograph: Whitby

Editor: Susan Hatt

2

Contents

Welcome 2

Contents 3

Chairman’s Musings 4-6

Membership Update 6

Treasurer’s Report 7

Editorial 7

Cavell Van 8

School visit - Estate 9 - 11

Lecture Programme 12 - 13

Events to book 13 - 18

Members’ Reports on Holidays and Events 18- 32

Booking Forms 29 , 31, 33, 35

Guidance on Outings and Events 34

Committee Members 36

3

Chairman’s address AGM 2018

So you can get to the enjoyable part of the evening as quickly as possible. I will keep my address short and succinct and not go into detail on matters which have been well publicised in the Newsletters.

Last year I concluded my address by identifying three challenges for this year, so I will start today by reviewing how we have fared.

First Challenge - Need to increase membership.

No matter how hard I try to massage the figures, we have NOT increased membership overall during the year! At the last AGM we had 364 members whilst today we have 355 members, a loss of 9 members.

If we look back to the period between the EGM held in June 2017 and today, when we agreed to open membership to non-National Trust Members, there is some better news. In that seventeen month period we gained fifty new members of which fifteen, or 30%, were not National Trust members.

We are still keeping up the pressure to encourage new members by various means, including our sales leaflet, lecture posters, social media and supporting a new initiative by the local Churches, Rotary and the Town Council, who jointly are producing a welcome pack of information for all new residents.

At recent networking meetings of NT associations, chairmen and officers, it was agreed that the most successful way to boost membership proved to be by personal introduction of members’ own contacts.

4

Second Challenge - To communicate more effectively and cheaply.

Here, I believe, we have been more successful, although there is more to be done.

We have saved significant postage costs by distributing the majority of the Newsletters etc, by hand. We are also regularly using email to keep you posted on events and activities.

We have started to embrace the social media more actively. For example, the visit to House was put on Facebook and achieved 68 hits. On Twitter we have 35 followers. Doesn’t sound much does it, but it is a start and does show there are people out there following us, some of whom might be potential members. Other National Trust Associations are finding that using social media is beneficial and helping with recruitment, so we must keep trying to capture more attention through the media.

For a trial period, over the next two months, there will be weekly posts on Twitter, Facebook and the Website advertising what we are doing, including forthcoming events and reflections on past ones. We will then assess the results of this campaign and decide the best way forward.

We really would welcome your help with making a success of our efforts to promote ourselves through social media, by sending Sue Hatt details of any interesting places or events you have been to, and also any interesting photographs. We have produced a “Communication Card” for you, which you will have found on your chair, to enable you to follow us on the social media.

Third Challenge - Re-thinking some of the Social Activities.

I am very happy to report that this year has had more varied and successful events. Three local events were well attended:

 The snowy Coffee Morning in the barn at Iden

5

 The evening themed visit to the Tenterden Museum  The half day visit to Godinton House.

We hope to arrange more of this type of local event next year.

The outings to Standen House, Sackville Alms Houses, and St Peter’s village were very successful, as was the three day visit to York. I am awaiting feedback on the recent trip to the Royal Mail Museum and expect it to be very positive as well.

So the challenges that I see for the forthcoming year are to:  continue to strive to increase membership,  embrace Social Media,  review constantly our social activities.

I have left until last mention of the Committee. Every single member of your committee is dedicated to ensuring that this excellent organisation not only survives but goes from strength to strength for future generations to enjoy. To achieve this will be not be easy and will require us to constantly and critically look at what we are doing and not to be afraid of embracing new ideas. Please help us by giving us your thoughts and feedback.

On your behalf I would like to thank and congratulate our Committee for their hard work, enthusiasm, support, commitment and for making this such a successful and enjoyable year.

Tony Pearlman

6

Membership Secretary

We have 244 memberships (111 family) making 355 in total.

New members since our last newsletter are:

Mrs M. K. Barrett, Mr R. Fairchild and Mrs B.R. Snow.

We extend a warm welcome to you all and hope you enjoy your membership to the full.

If you have any queries regarding your membership, please contact Mrs Ann Stevens on 01580 764443 and do not forget to let me know if you change your address.

Please note that if your subscription is not renewed within 60 days of 2nd January, 2019 your membership will be deemed to have lapsed and your name will be removed from the membership list.

Ann Stevens Treasurer’s Notes

Set out below is a summary of the Accounts for the year to 30th September, 2018 as presented to the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 8th November.

Income Subscriptions £ 2,435 Educational lectures £ 1,238 Fund raising £ 1,306 Holiday £ 1,276 Compensation, donations and bank interest £ 153 £ 6,408

7

Expenditure Charitable donations in lieu of fees for lectures £ 200 Printing, stationery etc. £ 1,754 Other expenditure £ 778 £ 2,732

Surplus for the year £ 3,676 Assets brought forward £10,221 Assets as at 30th September, 2018 £13,897

Tony Buttler

Editorial

The Committee is delighted with the response on social media to Vic Grigg’s article on the Cavell Van. Vic handed the article to Tony Pearlman at the AGM and asked if it could be published in the Newsletter. We were thrilled to be given the article and to be given permission to post it on Facebook. The posting was of such interest to people in Tenterden and elsewhere that it has been viewed 6,931 times.

There is a great amount of interest in history, natural history, the environment, conservation and heritage as shown by Vic Grigg’s article on the Cavell Van.

It would be wonderful to post on the website and social media your photographs of our heritage as they do provide insights, and sometimes timely reminders, of places and things to see during that season. Do please send in articles and photographs (as JPEGs, please) that you think may be of interest to [email protected].

A fellow winter visitor to Sissinghurst Gardens

8

The Cavell Van

I am a Station Master on the K.E.S.Railway at Station. One of my duties is to explain the relevance of the Cavell Van to the First World War for visitors from around the World.

The Cavell Van was used to bring back from Belgium and France the exhumed remains of Nurse ; ; and Captain . Their bodies were transported by the Royal Navy to then by Rail to . The history of all three Heroes was researched by pupils of and this information is on display in the interior of the Cavell Van.

The Van was found on the Hoo Peninsular slowly rotting away and it was when tracing the history of the Van that its significance was revealed. It was restored at Tenterden Carriage and Wagon Depot and Bodiam Station and was loaned to the “Step Short” Society, and their Council displayed it at the Arm in October to commemorate 100 years of signing the Armistice to end the First World War.

Whilst stewarding there, I had the privilege of meeting four Chelsea Pensioners and explaining the History of the Van and the part played by K.E.S.Railway in preserving it and its maintenance.

Vic Grigg

9

School Visit to Sissinghurst The Chris Welfare Trust School Visit for the Academic Year 2018 - 2019. Every year our National Trust Association arranges a school visit to encourage and engage school children in conservation and heritage activities.

Friday, October 12th, was a bright windy day and a very special day because Primary School’s year five and six were booked to visit Sissinghurst Estate. Tenterden District National Trust Association funded the School’s visit and Mrs Thomas, the Deputy Head of the School, organised with Peter Dear, Head Ranger at Sissinghurst, a programme of events for the day.

As soon as the bus arrived, the mood for the day was set. Peter Dear and Peter Coles were there to welcome the party. In great high spirits we all progressed to the park where the first activity was to measure the trees and estimate their ages. The pupils learnt to measure using tape measures and also body-based measures. The oaks that were measured were about forty-five years old, quite young trees. It was fascinating to learn the extent of the trees’ root systems - about twice the height of the tree - and how the roots only went down about 60 centimetres, as that is the maximum depth that earthworms are able to work the soil. Trees rely on the help of earthworms.

The next stage of the adventure was to walk across a tree trunk that had fallen across a ditch. The children were magnificent. Some overcame worries about the risk of falling off the tree, some were super cool and walked backwards, one young person even executed a cartwheel across the trunk. Once all had crossed the trunk, there was an opportunity for a group photo before they all jumped off the log.

10

Peter advised the TDNTA members of the group – Jenny Webb (who was instrumental in establishing the Chris Welfare Trust with Rosemary Francis), and Sally Klemen, both of whom had kindly come as supporters for the day – that we could take a less bendy route than the children. It was quite an adventure. The Rangers had worked so hard to construct a safe yet challenging course through the woods which included weaving between tree roots, walking across a stream over a log that had steps carved into it and a handrail made of rope. We ended up being reunited with Jenny and Sally at a bog. Whilst we were walking, Peter D gave a short talk about dragonflies.

Suspended over the bog was a tape, securely fastened to two trees and a rope to hold on to. The task, ably demonstrated by Peter Dear, was to cross the bog using the tape and the rope. Stationed in the bog was Peter C, the other Ranger, who was positioned ready to prevent anybody falling into the bog. The first to cross was Mrs Thomas who was encouraged by the children and then each child crossed the bog to the same encouraging chant and applause when they finished.

Our next focus was learning about camouflage. Peter D chose three children to be camouflaged whilst the remainder of the group went with Peter C and learnt about how different animals camouflaged themselves from predators. Once the call was given that the children who were being camouflaged were hidden, the others looked for them. It was great fun – the memories will linger for a long time. Peter D had one ghillie suit for one of the children to use

11 which was so successful that two pupils went undetected even though other children passed close by. One of the boys was only found because another child stepped on him.

Lunch was enjoyed in the woods and children had free time to play hide and seek and explore. In the afternoon there was a little more information about camouflage and its evolutionary basis. Then came the scavenger hunt.

It was a brilliant day. Much learning, much enjoyment and much kindness. The day ended with the class and their teachers looking at the play of light across the lake at Sissinghurst – a scene of serene beauty, of light, life and learning.

Thanks are due to Tenterden District National Trust Association for funding the visit; the wonderful Sissinghurst Rangers – the two Peters; Jenny and Sally for their assured and benevolent presence, and support and encouragement of the children; Mrs Thomas, for her vision in planning the visit with Peter so that the children connected with nature and benefited from spending time with each other, resolving puzzles and overcoming obstacles; the teaching assistants, Roisin Golan and Rosie Storr, for helping to make the day flow so smoothly; and the children for their kindness to one another and their enthusiasm.

Tenterden District National Trust Association and Rolvenden Primary School support Lost Words Kent and the campaign to connect children with nature.

Sue Hatt

12

2019 Lecture Programme

Guest speakers give educational lectures or talks on the second Thursday of every month, except December. Important notice - change of Venue

We have decided to hold all lectures at St. Mildred's Hall from January 2019 onwards. The January, February and March ones will continue to be in the afternoon at 2.30pm, thereafter they will revert to the evenings at 7.30pm as usual.

There is ample parking in the close vicinity, including the car parks at Waitrose, the White Lion, Bridewell Lane, and Station Road. These, and roadside parking, are free from 6pm.

This decision has been taken after careful consideration by your Committee to ensure greater continuity of venue over the lecture year. It is also easier to manage the provision of refreshments at the Church Hall as there is a dedicated kitchen area. Lectures 2019

Thursday, January 10th: Imogen Corrigan, ‘The Siren Sea’

Our very popular historian will tell us about Mediaeval Mariners.

Thursday, 14th February: Simon Charlesworth, “A World of Lavender”

The owner of award winning Downderry Lavender Nursery will tell us of the great diversity of lavender. There will be plants for sale.

Thursday, 14th March: David Clarke: ‘3 Castles and an Ironmaster’s House’

A new speaker will give us an account of a walk between four National Trust properties that explores the industrial past of the High .

Thursday, 11th April: Andy Putland, ‘My career to date in Silversmithing’

A new speaker talking about a local small industry making bespoke silver items - from cufflinks to chandeliers for some prestigious customers.

13

Thursday, 9th May: Gilly Halcrow, ‘Knole and its £20 million project’

A popular speaker will tell us about the most expensive building project the National Trust has undertaken.

Thursday, 13th June: Peter Griffiths, ‘A life in aviation with a fear of heights’

Peter started flying for BOAC in1967 and will tell us about the early days of flying and the rich and famous he flew around the globe.

Thursday, 11th July: Peter Mellor, ‘Churchill’s Secret Army’

From 1940 to 1944 quiet and resolute men and women became the Auxiliary Units all over the country. Peter will tell us about the formation and activities in the Tenterden area.

Thursday, 8th August: Ian Bevan, ‘What the Victorians did for us’

A return of our popular speaker and London Blue Badge Guide.

Thursday, 12th September: Mary Smith, ‘A Schoolgirl’s War’

Ex-Headteacher of Grammar School, Mary Smith, will tell us about a recently revealed series of exquisite drawings and paintings. They were made during WW2 by an art teacher. The story is enhanced by former pupils.

Thursday, 10th October: Mark Lewis, ‘Smuggling in Kent’

Mark Lewis will tell us the amazing story of smuggling in the 18th and 19th century which took place on our doorstep.

Thursday, 14th November: Speaker to be arranged.

14

Events

Tuesday, 12th February at 12.30 pm

PARTY TIME!

AN AFTERNOON OF FUN - MUSIC, SINGING AND DINING at Montalbano, Tenterden on Tuesday, 12th February at 12.30 pm at Montalbano, Tenterden on Tuesday, 12th February at 12.30 pm

Invite friends and family. If coming alone you will be well looked after.

Don’t delay, apply today!

The restaurant is reserved for our exclusive use.

We will be entertained by the very talented entertainer Salvatore De Concilis, Pianist, Singer, Composer. Welcome drink on arrival, specially selected multi-choice 3 course lunch and

15

tea or coffee plus a glass of Limoncello (see over for menu choices) £33 per person (Excluding other drinks and service, to be settled direct to Montalbano)

Menu Antipasti Minestrone di verdure (v) Traditional Italian homemade vegetable soup Insalata di anatra Smoked duck breast, green salad & wholegrain mustard dressing Burrata (v) A pouch of mozzarella engulfing stracciatella creamy cheese, beef tomato & rocket salad Guazzetto del pescatore Fresh Scottish mussels, clams & king prawns in white wine, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, garlic & touch of chilli, toasted bread on side

Secondi Stinco di agnello brasato Slow cooked shank of lamb, red wine jus, mashed potatoes & seasonal vegetables Fegato burro & salvia Pan-fried calf’s liver, butter sage & white wine, mashed potatoes & seasonal vegetables Sogliola alla mugnaia Pan-roasted lemon sole fillets in a butter & lemon sauce, mashed potatoes & seasonal vegetables Risotto La Reine Italian style risotto with chicken, mushrooms & bacon Ravioli di patata viola e stracchino (v) Ravioli egg pasta filled with purple potato & stracchino cheese, cream of butternut squash, parmesan shavings Dolci Tiramisu Traditional homemade Italian sponge cake soaked in coffee with powdered chocolate, zabaglione & mascarpone cheese Panettone Farcito Panettone bread & butter pudding served with homemade vanilla custard Formaggi Trio of Dolcelatte, Caciocavallo, Pecorino cheeses & biscuits

16

Gelati & Sorbetti A selection of homemade Italian ice creams & sorbets Tea & Coffee

Spring Holiday – London’s Hidden Interiors Tuesday, 26th March to Thursday, 28th March, 2019 Price: £339.00

Join us for three days in the capital for an exciting opportunity to explore some of London’s less well-known interiors in comfort, some of which are not normally open to the public. Accompanied by our blue-badge guide, we intend to explore a lot with as little walking as possible.

After meeting our guide on the first day, we will explore some secrets of Hatton Garden and the London Silver Vaults before enjoying a fish and chip lunch (included). After lunch we will have a guided tour of the 14th century London Charterhouse before travelling to Blackheath to check in at our hotel.

The Clarendon is a highly regarded 3* hotel that overlooks genteel Blackheath Village and occupies a row of handsome Georgian residences originally built for city merchants and seafarers. It has commanding views over Blackheath Common to the front, and secluded walled gardens to the rear.

The following day we travel to William Waldorf Astor’s 2 Temple Place for a guided tour of the remarkable interior. This is not normally open to the public except during three months of the winter when they host an exhibition. For 2019 the exhibition marks the bi-centenary of the birth of John Ruskin.

After free time to buy a light lunch (not included) in Covent Garden, we will embark on a “Capital Curios” coach tour before arriving at the Freemasons’ Grand Lodge for a guided

17 tour of the remarkable interiors, including the astonishing Grand Temple. We then say goodbye to our blue-badge guide and return to the hotel with time for a well-earned rest before dinner.

On the last day we check out of our hotel and travel to King’s Cross for a guided tour of the dramatic St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, one of John Betjeman’s favourite buildings. Originally built in the 1860s as the Midland Railway’s Grand Hotel to an extravagantly expensive design by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it finally closed as a hotel in 1935 being too costly to maintain. For the next sixty years it was used as offices before being abandoned in 1995. It then lay empty until purchased by the Renaissance Hotel group, which has lovingly restored and updated it and brought it back into use.

We then have time to buy lunch locally (not included), with the option of a visit to the British Library, before we depart for home.

The price for this 3-day holiday is £339 per person, inclusive of 2 nights, 3-course dinner, bed and breakfast, fish and chip lunch on the first day, all entrance fees and two days with a blue-badge guide. There are no single supplements for the first 20 rooms; thereafter a £40 supplement applies. A deposit of £100 pp is required: the balance by 25th January.

For further information please telephone Gill Wood, 01797 280208 (please leave a message if no answer), or email [email protected], and a brochure and booking form will be sent to you.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed This Photo by Unknown Author is under CC BY-SA-NC licensed under CC BY-SA

18

A traditional Fish and Chip Lunch at the Pilot Inn, Dungeness followed by a visit to Lamb House, Rye. Tuesday, 16th April, 2019.

We will arrive at midday to enjoy a lunch of traditionally battered cod, chips and peas with bread and butter, followed by tea or coffee at the Pilot Inn at Dungeness. Desserts and drinks can be ordered from the menu, but are not included in the price. The Pilot Inn is the famous family run pub-restaurant, situated a stone’s throw away from the sea, in the heart of the stunning Dungeness National Nature Reserve.

From Dungeness we will make our way to Lamb House, a National Trust property in the heart of Rye, very close to St Mary’s Church. Lamb House is the Georgian home of writers, Henry James, 1897-1914, and later of E. F. Benson, who depicted the property in the Mapp and Lucia stories. The house reopened in June 2018 after being redesigned to give visitors more access to the house, the stories it contains and the writing it has inspired. Part of this exciting project involved the opening of previously closed rooms and spaces for visitors to explore and enjoy. The garden, covering one acre, one of the largest gardens in the old town of Rye, has a calm and peaceful atmosphere and is planted with colourful flower borders, shrubs and climbing plants. The kitchen garden, once producing prize winning vegetables, has been divided into four to grow soft fruit, cut flowers and vegetables. There is also a tea room, which is accessible from the garden and is open for visitors to enjoy tea, coffee and cakes.

We will be given an introductory talk in the garden on our arrival and then will be free to roam freely throughout the house and This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC gardens. BY-SA

19

Please send your reservation forms, cheques and stamped addressed envelopes to Carola Gostling. Visit to Knole Thursday 20th June, 2019

Knole at needs little introduction. Building started in the mid-fifteenth century, as did the design of the garden, in the time of Archbishop Thomas Bourchier. After his death, Knole passed through other hands but came into the possession of Thomas Sackville in 1603.

Under the Sackvilles and then Sackville–Wests the house has evolved into the magnificent place we see today. Twenty million pounds have been spent recently and we hope to have a splendid day there.

In addition, on Thursday, 9th May our evening NT lecture is on Knole by historian Gilly Halcrow – please put both dates in your diary!

Sue Harvey

20

Members’ Reports on Past Events Lectures Thursday, 13th September, 2018. Wildlife of Rye Harbour: Ian Rumsley Dawson

Ian returned for his 12th visit to our Association having last visited four years ago to tell us about the Wildlife of Patagonia. This evening we were much closer to home. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is 2½ miles from the town and the metalled road leads from the Harbour’s large car park and facilities to a very significant Nature Reserve that has developed dramatically since the early “Seventies.”

Throughout history the long shore drift of shingle has blocked off the historical, short lived, man-made port closer to Winchelsea and enhanced the “nose” at Dungeness (from the French - dangerous nose!). Camber Castle stands on the foreshore of what is known as Castle Water. This area has now been incorporated within the Reserve to dramatically increase the holding for us all to enjoy. Much silting up and land reclamation (after gravel extraction etc.) has developed the coastline as we now know it across to . Defences and a wall were put in place during WW1 and WW2. These helped secure the wetlands and lagoons we now enjoy from further erosion but the Environment Agency continue to build up shingle defences from the river mouth to Fairlight most winters. To date, £15 million has been spent over the years to achieve this.

All this expense and activity has generated, probably, the best and largest Nature Reserve in Europe containing almost ten miles of footpaths, many of which are accessible to wheelchairs. Saline lagoons, freshwater scrapes and pools, saltmarsh and reedbeds are an important site for birds, plants and invertebrates. Five birdwatching hides, some with wheelchair access, are dotted around the

21 landscape providing free access to visitors.

Ian then showed us slides of the many different breeds of wild-fowl and explained the camouflaged plumage of the females and the need to remain “hidden” from predators – many being seagulls – compared to the more colourful males.

The Reserve has become a sanctuary for migrating birds from around the World with large flocks actually flying at night – listening to the sound of whistling wings to help them follow the “squadron” in the case of the Widgeons. Ringing of birds and tiny micro- transmitters have allowed ornithologists to track birds as far as South America, Africa, West Coast of the USA and even SE Asia/Australia.

The Reserve provides a much safer rest, recuperation and breeding ground for so many species using the many lagoons and muddy, worm rich, creeks to sustain them, so much so that more unusual birds are now arriving to enjoy these benefits as “word gets around.”

Lime Kiln Cottage – beside the road – is due for investment and updating to encourage more school parties to stay, visit and understand nature in a natural environment.

If you haven’t yet explored Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, it’s well worth a visit during any season of the year. Ian’s enthusiasm and dedication to this unique environment should inspire us all to take a trip down to Rye and see for ourselves.

Many thanks to Ian and Liz for yet another fascinating insight to life on our doorstep. Why not join The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve – a registered charity www.rhnrfriends.co.uk ?

Anthony Marfleet

(The Photos by Unknown Authors are licensed under CC BY-NC-ND)

22

Thursday, 8th November, 2018 Helen Arnold: ‘Who’d Play the Harp?’

After our AGM we were entertained by Helen Arnold, an accomplished and well known harpist. What a wonderful time it was. Looking around at the faces everyone was quite enraptured by the wonderful music.

Helen began by playing an ‘Andante for violins’ from a cantata by Bach. She told us that at the age of four she had a tin box with pennies in it, her first fund for a harp. She actually began playing on a small beginners harp at the age of 14 and warned anyone with children that harps grow as the children progress and become more and more difficult to transport.

She explained that a harpist uses thumb and three fingers to play and never the little finger Also, what I hadn't realised, a harp has seven pedals, four for right foot and three for the left which change each string from flat to natural to sharp. Talk about multi-tasking! It is also held firmly between the knees and only rests on the shoulder. The volume depends on the pressure put on the string by the fingers.

Helen then played us ‘David of the White Rock’, ‘The Skye Boat Song’, and the ‘Londonderry Air’. She then played two beautiful preludes to demonstrate glissando.

Helen turned professional at the age of 16 and was a member of the National Youth Orchestra. She took a music degree at Guildford University where she met her husband.

23

We were then treated to a piece from ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and a composition by John Thomas called ‘Watching the Wheat’. Between the pieces Helen told us many anecdotes of travelling with a harp, including that several men are needed to lift one in a packing case and needing to buy a whole row of seat tickets to accommodate a harp on a plane as one cannot go into the hold!

We were then treated to ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin. The concert finished with ‘Great Day’ by Nancy Gustavson which has glissando galore! Thank you so much, Helen, for a wonderful evening; we could have sat and listened for hours.

What a shame the fire alarm went off and brought everything to an abrupt halt, just when we were enjoying a chat and a glass of wine!

Gail Pain

York and the Yorkshire Dales 16th - 19th September, 2018 Mini Holiday in Yorkshire

Location, the single most important consideration when booking a hotel for a National Trust Association mini holiday – or so I learnt from my mentor, Mrs Christine Standen, who is well known to most of you. I am a relatively new committee member and I agreed to help Mrs Standen put together this holiday and to assist in running it.

On the way up, we stopped at the Thurrock Services after sailing through the Tunnel and were serenaded by a convoy of old American vehicles, mostly lorries, horns blasting as they left. We later learned that they were doing a lap of the M25 in memory of Burt Reynolds who died on 6th September, 2018 - raising money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

24

Our first port of call was the Greetham Valley Golf Club, nestling in the rolling Rutland countryside, where we had a warm welcome and a pre-arranged lunch.

On arrival in the city of York, our driver, who was trying to navigate his way through the busy streets, was flummoxed as the street where the hotel is situated seemed to be barred to vehicles. After a quick phone call, a smartly dressed porter ran down the street to rescue us and was applauded as he stepped on board to show us the way. We stayed in the Dean Court Hotel, a beautiful historic Victorian building with the finest location - within a short walking distance of the many attractions of the city and in the ancient heart of York, opposite the Minster. On the first night we had a dinner together, an opportunity to get to know each other or to reconnect.

We headed off to Castle Howard on Monday 17th September, a damp grey day, but it didn’t dampen our enthusiasm to explore the magnificent house and grounds of one of Britain’s finest historic houses. We toured individually, meeting up later in the restaurant, where they served ‘huge’ sausage rolls and pies! Chatting to the ‘impeccably dressed’ guides we learnt that the beautiful flower arrangements in all the state rooms came from the gardens and were picked and arranged daily by the resident male florist.

25

Fortunately, the weather improved late morning, just in time for us to enjoy the grounds and gardens in the sunshine. Also, the magnificent Atlas Fountain which was dry in the morning, but started gushing at midday for a limited time only. We were told that the water has to be conserved as it comes from the lake and the level was low due to a water shortage after the dry summer.

We arrived at Pickering Station on Tuesday, 18th September in plenty of time to catch the noon train to Whitby. There were notices displayed, informing us that Channel 5 were filming and to inform the station staff if any individuals did not want to appear in the documentary. Disappointingly, we didn’t witness any cameras or crew, so our chance to be TV stars never materialised! We did meet an interesting ticket collector, by the name of Martin Trent, who used to live at – it’s a small world! He told us about a party of school children on the train one day, who were getting a bit fractious. A farmer

26 sitting nearby said to them, “We count sheep a different way in Yorkshire. We count their legs and divide by four!” It took the children a few minutes to work that one out.

At the end of the line, Whitby was exceedingly busy as locals and holidaymakers were enjoying the delights of an English seaside at the end of the season.

The weather forecast for Wednesday, 19th, was for strong winds and we were notified that our trip to Fountains Abbey had to be abandoned. We sorted out another NT house – Belton House, near Grantham, but that too was closed due to high winds, so we found ourselves back at Greetham Valley Golf Club.

In conclusion, the most important part of the holiday for me, was the camaraderie of the whole group. Tony Pearlman led the trip, his first as Association member and chairman, so we were in it together! Junior, our coach driver, was quite a personality with a ferocious appetite and an enquiring mind. We had an author amongst us who has hidden her light under a bushel – more from her in later editions, we hope! A lady who had worked for Churchill – more from her too, we hope! Such a group of interesting people who made the holiday so enjoyable. Thank you so much for your company, your good humour and for allowing us to get to know you better. Finally, our grateful thanks to Mrs Christine Standen who was the lead in arranging this holiday, but wasn’t able to join us. She made the whole thing work so well and taught me such a lot, especially about location!

Carola Gostling

27

Focus on Castle Howard Castle Howard belongs to and is occupied by the Howard family and was designed by Vanbrugh. There was a disastrous fire in 1941 but the damage was repaired in the same style.

The most impressive start is via the Great Hall but if you are on a guided tour you are first shown several rooms. There is a vast number of stairs in the Great Hall but there is also a very much out of character stair lift where one is seated on a platform while accompanied by an attendant walking up the stairs alongside. The hall is crowned by a magnificent dome beautifully decorated. The dome is the only one in a private home.

Having reached the top, the first thing to see is a china cabinet with over 300 pieces. The tour is then continued on the first floor. All the rooms are magnificent with beautiful furniture and pictures.

If you have seen Brideshead Revisited, you will have seen much of Castle Howard as it was filmed there.

The grounds are most impressive, divided into many gardens and contain temples, fillies, terraces, farms and lakes. There is also a mausoleum which we did not manage to see. Michael Payne

Day 3: Trip on North Yorkshire Railway from Pickering to Whitby The journey from Pickering to Whitby on the North Yorkshire Moors railway was an adventure in itself. Travelling by steam train, the chug, chug of the wheels, the floating steam and the whistle blowing conjured memories of earlier days. As we passed through

28 the valley we saw mixed forestation, the bracken, sloping fields and nearing Whitby we went under the Larpool Viaduct which, before it closed in 1965, carried trains from Middlesbrough to Scarborough. All this whilst we dug into a substantial packed lunch provided by the station.

Arriving in Whitby, we were greeted by high winds and learned that Whitby was always windy. What to see during the two hours we were there? Should it be the shops which sold beautiful jet jewellery – mined only in Whitby and a favourite of Queen Victoria? Maybe, if we felt fit, we could climb the 199 steps up to St Mary’s Church and see an ear trumpet, which a vicar in the past, had placed in a pew below the pulpit in order that his wife could hear his sermons! Having climbed so high, we could go further and inspect the ruins of the Abbey. When passing Maggie’s famous fish and chip shop, would we have room for more food? Probably not! However, we finally decided that the harbour and the sea were our priorities.

Captain James Cook was a Yorkshire man and began his maritime career in Whitby. Recently, a replica of his ship, the Endeavour, was moored in Whitby Harbour and should, later this year, be opened as a museum. We went along to the local Cook Museum and understood, from one of our party, that the crew of the Endeavour were allowed a gallon of ale a day. A wonder they even got to Australia! We sat in the peaceful courtyard of the Museum, overlooking the harbour, and could see the magnificent Endeavour among the other boats. Finally we found a cosy tea room and had a good old cup of Yorkshire tea.

Our return journey to York was in our coach which took us along a high ridge and gave us great views of the countryside. We then drove through moorland where we spotted the building which is a radar base and also part of the ballistic missile early warning system.

29

We arrived in York in the early evening, tired but happy!

Beryl White

Day 4: Homeward Bound

We were due to depart York at 9am to visit Fountains Abbey, have lunch then travel home. Alas, the weather dictated otherwise, gusting winds to 50mph had closed the venue. In spite of Tony’s best endeavours to book us in elsewhere all other NT properties were also closed. The day was saved due entirely to the successful efforts of Tony, arranging at very short notice lunch at a Golf Club in beautiful countryside near the village of Greetham. An excellent meal in convivial surroundings was enjoyed by all concerned.

The day was concluded with some warm and well deserved compliments delivered on our behalf by Bernard. Thanking Tony for his most impressive management throughout our four day visit to York and most ably supported by Carola. Also our grateful thanks to Junior for his safe driving and all his help.

It is our sincere hope that Chris Standen will take great satisfaction from the fact that we were unanimous in our praise for a most memorable trip.

30

Friday, 2nd November, 2018 Visit to Dr Johnson’s House and the Postal Museum

Very early on a sunny, frosty morning we set out by coach for London. Our first stop was Dr Johnson’s House in Gough Square close to Fleet Street. This was a charming Georgian House in a quiet square in the city of London. The house was four storeys high and climbing the stairs to the top floor was challenging but well worth it. We were able to read about his travels to Scotland and Wales, learn about his many books including his famous dictionary with fascinating word definitions. Did you know that a feuterer is a dog keeper: perhaps the cleaner of the kennel? Or that torrefaction - is the act of drying by the fire? This house was a quiet gem hidden away from the bustle and noise of the city.

We then went to the Postal Museum which opened last year and was celebrating its first birthday. The postal service was first introduced by Henry VIII to not only deliver letters but also to help spy on the senders of the letters. He also introduced mail boats between Dover and Calais which then belonged to . We learnt about the post boys who delivered mail on horseback, a dangerous occupation - they were often robbed.

The first post boxes were introduced on Jersey and were red; however, when they were introduced to rest of Britain, they were green to make them unobtrusive but had to be changed to red because people could not find them. There have been various designs over the years and one important introduction was the sloping chute inside to stop letters getting caught on the top of the box. In 1930 blue boxes were introduced for airmail. The highlight for me was the 15 minute ride in the underground tunnels which used driverless trains to move the mail round London. It was thought at the time that

31 this system would free the streets of London from delivery vans! These delivery trains ceased operating in 2003. There was plenty of time to have some lunch and see all the exhibits before we set out for the coach journey back to Kent. A very enjoyable and interesting day.

Elva Bains

Christmas Lunch Friday, 14th December, 2018

On Friday 14th December a group of 78 of our members enjoyed a festive lunch at Chart Hills Golf Club. The food and company were excellent and a good time was had by all. The raffle prizes were, as usual, abundant. The proceeds from the raffle will go towards projects at local National Trust properties .

32

33

Guidance on Outings and Events

1. Outings and events are run for Association members. Members may also purchase tickets for their guests if sufficient tickets are available. Generally there will be a surcharge on tickets for non-Association members. Members should encourage regular guests to join the Association.

2. Requests for tickets should be made by post, using the booking form distributed with the Association’s Newsletter or downloaded from the website. Occasionally, tickets may also be purchased at lecture meetings.

3. Booking forms must be accompanied by payment in full and a stamped addressed envelope. Cheques should be made payable to “Tenterden District National Trust Association”.

4. Should all tickets be sold, a waiting list will be kept in case tickets become available through cancellation.

5. The organisers reserve the right to cancel any outing. Should this be necessary, a full refund will be made.

6. Ticket-holders who wish to cancel their booking should inform the organiser as soon as possible. No refund can be made unless the vacancy can be filled from the waiting list. If there is no waiting list, ticket-holders will be responsible for reselling their ticket(s) and for letting the organiser have details of the new holder(s).

7. If, on the day of the outing, ticket-holders are unable to participate, they should inform the organiser so that the coach is not delayed.

8. Coaches will not wait for late arrivals more than five minutes after the scheduled departure time.

9. Unless otherwise stated, lunches and light snacks may be obtained at the places visited but are not included in the ticket price. The ticket price normally includes an appropriate tip for the coach driver and any guides, etc.

10. National Trust members and volunteers should take their membership or volunteer cards on all visits to Trust properties. Guests who are not members or volunteers of the National Trust must pay any admission fees.

11. Some events may be strenuous and members may wish to enquire of the organiser as to the amount of walking and climbing of stairs that may be involved and whether suitable facilities, such as a lift, buggy or wheelchair, are available.

12. Neither the Association nor the National Trust accept responsibility for damage caused by or to any person, or for any injury sustained whilst at a meeting, on a holiday, outing or fund-raising event.

Tony Buttler

34

TENTERDEN DISTRICT NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION Tuesday 12th February 2019 at 12.30 pm Montalbano, Tenterden High Street

Price: £33 each

Name/s: 1......

2......

Address: ......

......

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

E.mail address: ......

Contact telephone number: ......

Mobile phone number: ….………………………………………………………………………………. Please advise details of any food allergies: …………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Please return this form plus a cheque, made payable to Tenterden District NT Association, together with a SAE, to:

Tony Pearlman, 89 High Street, Tenterden, TN30 6LB.

Tel. 01580 766642, e-mail [email protected]

You can also make payment by BACS to Tenterden District National Trust Association.

Sort Code: 20-02-62 Account Number: 10978566 adding your name as reference so we know who the payment is from. Please indicate on this form if you have paid by BACS.

35

TENTERDEN DISTRICT NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION Tuesday, 16th April 2019 Late Morning and Afternoon Outing to the Pilot at Dungeness and to Lamb House at Rye, to include a lunch of Cod, Chips & Peas, followed by tea or coffee.

Price: Members £32 Non-members £33.50

Name/s 1......

2......

Address: ......

......

E.mail address: ......

Contact telephone number: ......

Mobile phone number: ….………………………………………………………………………………….

Number of tickets: …………………………………

Please make cheques payable to ‘Tenterden District National Trust Association’

The completed booking form should be sent to Mrs Carola Gostling, The Spinney, Ashford Road, , Ashford. Kent TN26 2EA with an SAE.

Please do not forget to take your National Trust membership card with you on the trip. Non National Trust members will be required to pay the entrance fee for Lamb House which is £6.15.

Mobility: Please note that the drop-off point for Lamb House will be the railway station in Rye, as the steep, narrow roads through the town are unsuitable for coach access. Walking from the station to Lamb House will be uphill.

Pick up times: Cranbrook Post Office 10.45am Village Hall 10.55am Tenterden Coach Park 11.05am Homewood School 11.10am The Crown, St Michaels 11.15am We will leave Rye at 4.30pm for our return journey.

36

TENTERDEN DISTRICT NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION Wednesday, 22nd May, 2019 Day Excursion to Suffolk: Dedham Vale, Flatford Mill and Munnings’ Museum

Price: £32 each

Name/s: 1......

2......

Address: ......

......

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

E.mail address: ......

Contact telephone number: ......

Mobile phone number: ….………………………………………………………………………………….

Number of tickets: …………………………………

Please make cheques payable to ‘Tenterden District National Trust Association’

The completed booking form should be sent to Mrs Christine Standen, Greycoats, The Hill, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3AH with an SAE.

Please do not forget to take your National Trust membership card with you on the trip.

Pick up: The Crown, St. Michaels 8.00 a.m. Homewood School 8.05 a.m. The Coach Park, Tenterden 8.10 a.m. Benenden Village Hall 8.20 a.m. Cranbrook Post Office 8.30 a.m.

37

TENTERDEN DISTRICT NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION Thursday, 20th June, 2019 Visit to Knole, Sevenoaks

Price: Members £18.50 Non-members £20.00

Name/s: 1......

2......

Address: ......

......

E.mail address: ......

Contact telephone number: ......

Mobile phone number: ….………………………………………………………………………………….

Number of tickets: …………………………………

Please make cheques payable to ‘Tenterden District National Trust Association’

The completed booking form should be sent to Mrs Sue Harvey, 3 Eastgate Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7AH with an SAE.

Please would all National Trust Members remember to bring their membership cards for free entry.

Pick up times: The Crown, St Michaels 9.45am Homewood School 9.50am Tenterden Coach Park 9.55am Benenden Village Hall 10.05am Cranbrook Post Office 10.15am

We intend to return from Knole leaving at about 4pm, depending on the weather on the day.

38

Association Committee Officers

Mr. Tony Pearlman, Chairman: Tel. 01580 766642/Mobile 07775755130. E.mail [email protected]

Mr. Jim Wood, Vice Chairman/White Cliffs/South Foreland Lighthouse Ambassador/Equipment): Tel. 01797 280208. E.mail [email protected]

Mr. Tony Buttler, Hon Treasurer: Tel 01580 763970, Mobile 07709907783. E.mail [email protected]

Mrs. Gil Springett, Hon Secretary*: Tel. 01580 763406/Mobile 0780 393 5566. E.mail [email protected]

Committee Members

Mr. Bernard Beardsmore, Chairman of Events Committee*: Tel. 01580 713293. E.mail [email protected]

Dr. Jack Gillett (Publicity and Archivist): Tel. 01580 762087. E.mail [email protected]

Mrs Carola Gostling*: Tel. 01233 732318/Mobile 07598 487948. E.mail [email protected]

Mr. Rupert Harvey (Bodiam Castle Ambassador): Tel: 01580 441006, Mobile 07876315771. E.mail [email protected]

Miss Sue Hatt (Newsletter Editor and Website and Schools Liaison): Tel: 01580 241661. E.mail [email protected]

Mrs. Sally Klemen (Smallhythe Ambassador): Tel. 01580 762170, Mobile 07840 354197. E.mail [email protected]

Mrs. Christine Standen (Educational Lectures Secretary)* : Tel. 01580 713627, Mobile 07580 572177. E.mail [email protected]

Mrs. Ann Stevens (Membership Secretary): Tel. 01580 764443, Mobile 07749 415061. E.mail [email protected]

Mrs. Jenny Webb*: Tel. 01580 765721, Mobile 07986 964343. E.mail [email protected]

Events’ Committee (see also those marked with * above)

Mrs. Sue Harvey: Tel: 01580 441006, Mobile 07876315771. E.mail [email protected]

Mrs. Gill Wood: Tel. 01797 280208. E.mail [email protected]

39