THE Friends OF CROOME PARK 3 1

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N Photos: John Hodson M U

T John Hodson Wildlife Trust

U Something in the water... A any visitors to that arable crops do. Nature Reserve in Redditch.

the park this When any one of these At Croome they were first Msummer will factors disappear the algae seen at Snape Wetland on have noticed the large dies off; its presence this 8th August followed by huge

R amount of algae on the year doesn’t mean it will numbers on the Croome lake and river. occur in such profusion River. The species was

E Algae occur in many forms again. Trying to remove it by observed along the entire and are present in most hand would be futile and soul length of the river and the water bodies - becoming destroying as it is capable of population was estimated to T obvious when ideal growth multiplying faster than it can be in excess of 200. Egg conditions simultaneously be removed. laying was observed and it is

T occur. All is not doom and gloom hoped they survive to Most of us have forgotten as this year the lake hosted emerge next year. The last

E the hot dry spring and early an extremely rare insect: sightings were on the lake on summer that helped trigger small red-eyed damselflies 12th Sept.

L the algal growth. Algae thrive spend a lot of time sitting on Another notable insect in in sunlit, warm shallow water; floating vegetation, the form of a bumble bee

S you may have noticed that in especially algal mats. (Bombus ruderatus), first the shade of overhanging First found in Britain on the recorded in Worcestershire trees the water was free of Essex coast in 1999, they this year, was observed in algal mats and the water was were locally abundant in the good numbers in the hay

W extremely clear. southeast by 2002 and have meadow south of Westfield A major factor in its rapid since spread west and north. Lane feeding on the

E growth is agricultural runoff, The first Worcestershire abundance of red clover. something Brown couldn’t record occurred in 2006 at contemplate when planning a Ryall when up to 8

N reflecting lake. Algae uses individuals were found. chemicals such as nitrogen Nothing much was then seen and phosphorous (in artificial until this year when a few fertilisers) in the same way were seen at Ipsley Alders £1 where sold www.friendsofcroomepark.org.uk Pg 1 WELCOME Chairman’s Note Welcome to your Autumn 2010 s I write in mid- ASeptember we are newsletter. looking back on a rather disappointing summer as far Thanks to all of as the weather is concerned, you who have but Friends’ enthusiasm is too robust to be affected by the contributed to very “British” weather and this latest there have been some good edition. There’s days when the sun has shone on Croome. One of these so much going on days was Sunday, 8th August, Our Patron & President at the at Croome at the when Michael led a walk Rising Stars concert in June around the outer eye- moment - and so catchers. You can read more enterprise was launched over the many memories to about this in Paul Stanley’s account August Bank Holiday weekend. be shared. I on page 9. With the help of a band of willing hope you’ll enjoy The Park was the setting for a Friends volunteers, a second-hand highly informative walk in April with bookstall made a modest but this latest edition Katherine, the Garden and Park significant profit which encourages - and perhaps put Manager. In May Nigel Matthews us to look forward to a more pen to paper to gave Friends the benefit of his permanent “shop” where we can knowledge of “A Changing extend what Croome has to offer share some of Landscape”. A very enjoyable May visitors while at the same time your own in holiday in Kent and a visit to raising funds to assist the work of the property. future issues. Compton Verney in July gave members the opportunity to explore The Croome we enjoy today is further afield and to compare other Happy reading! largely the outcome of the properties with Croome. inspiration and imagination, above Wendy Our President, Sir Roy Strong, all, of the 6th Earl, ‘Capability’ spoke to Friends at the reception Brown and Robert Adam and their before a successful “Rising Stars” ability to see Croome in the round concert in late June. We’re also while set in a wider landscape. Just Your Committee: grateful to Sir Roy for agreeing to as Brown no doubt looked out to the be one of the speakers at an Malvern Hills, for example, and saw Chair: important National Trust fundraising beyond the Park he was to create, Eric Jones dinner to be held in the Court in so I hope we can follow his eyes and vision, seeing the British Vice-Chair: November. We are fortunate to have a distinguished President who countryside we are blessed with in John Henderson is so willing to support the Friends a rounded and holistic way; our and the Trust. National Parks need to be Treasurer: safeguarded, our wildlife and our Alan Lee We look forward to other Friends coastline protected and the rural events to come, including the Secretary: way of life understood and annual and very popular visit to the appreciated. Croome, which is Tony Perfect Walled Garden, a quiz evening in cared for so lovingly, should remind October and, in November, a talk by us of all that is part of our precious Membership: Leonard Edwards, “The Croome I Diana Skeys national heritage and is beyond the grew up with”. We hope that property’s confines but deserves Leonard and future speakers will the same care and appreciation. Officers: have the assistance in the Christine Adams acoustically difficult Canteen of a Eric H. Jones Wendy Carter new PA System which the Friends Eileen Clement intend to purchase. Chairman, Friends of Croome Park Graham Evans The Oral History Project continues September 2010 Nigel Matthews to flourish and a new and different Geoff Sherwood Jill Tovey Patron: George Coventry (13th Earl of Coventry) President:Sir Roy Strong

Pg 2 Nick George Spring Break Friends of Croome Park member

his year’s spring holiday was a very happy affair, well arranged by Connie with her usual Tthoroughness. We visited eight properties from very grand houses and castles to beautiful gardens, many of which were owned by the National Trust. We all had opinions as to which we liked most - they all had different things to admire and were very interesting. Our hotel was on the hillside above Maidstone - the evening breeze was very welcome as the temperatures during the day were in the upper 20s! The accommodation was very good and the staff most helpful. This is the second holiday I’ve been on with the Friends and I look forward to others in the future. The holidays are really enjoyable so why not come discovering new places and joining a group of people with similar interests?

Events - join in!

A reminder of our autumn events ... Dates for your New Year diary (booking forms available from Wed 20th Oct, 7.15pm - 1940s Canteen mid-November) ... Quiz evening with Paul Stanley Tue 18th Jan 2011 Wed 10th Nov, 7.15pm - 1940s Canteen Festive meal “The Croome I grew up with” talk by Leonard Edwards whose father was caretaker at Croome Wed 16th Feb, 7.15pm - 1940s Canteen “The Story So Far” (followed by finger buffet) talk by Sarah Kay, Project Curator,

Sat 26th & Sun 27th Feb Tour of Croome Court with Michael Smith

Thur 24th Mar AGM

Pg 3 Membership renewals Alan Lee Treasurer, Friends of Croome Park

number of friends have asked if it is Direct Bank Transfers are available. Apossible to renew membership directly into the Friends bank account, avoiding the use of Any Friend wishing to use either method can cash or cheques. contact me ALAN LEE on 01386 750498 or email deffordalan62 @tiscali.co.uk . Well the simple answer is YES. If you prefer to continue to use cash or Both Standing Orders and cheques please remember both will still be available.

Sarah Kay Getting into a scrape... Project Curator, Croome Court

nnabelle Monaghan, a Both standpoints are valid about jumping to premature Apainting conservator, is and whichever camp you fall conclusions because paint coming to Croome in the next into, what is certain is that the layers can vary in different few months to open up some room’s current paintwork areas. For example... Did the paint 'windows' in the Dining provides a useful and painter happen to clean off his Room. stimulating talking point, brush on a particular patch of This involves, in a limited causing some heated and wall and in so doing put more and controlled way, carefully passionate debates. This is paint on it? Was this part and gradually removing great and goes to show how touched-up when it got marked successive layers of paint right much people care about or damaged? Did they test out back to the substrate of wood Croome and how fascinating, different colours on this area? or plaster to see, literally, how and important, its story is. So we try to select protected many layers and colours there We already know from or higher-up areas for are. documentary sources that examining the layers, where there is a long history of green they are less likely to have The aim is to help us been interfered with. But we understand, in a very physical in the room. In the 1930 Inventory on the death of the also of course want them to be and visual way, the evolution visible to our visitors. of the Dining Room’s 9th Earl of Coventry, it was decorative schemes. But we referred to as The Green We are planning this also want to use the work as a Dining Room and an early exercise as a taster of the kind visitor engagement opportunity 1900s reference describes ‘the of work we will be doing more and to whet people's appetite lovely dining room with its extensively throughout the for what this exercise can exquisite garlands and flowers Court in view of visitors once reveal about the evolution of on pale green walls’. we get underway with our the Court’s decoration. As a result of Annabelle’s funding for restoration and investigations we hope to gain conservation work. There’ll We have chosen the Dining hopefully be lots more Room to start with because it a much better understanding of what the room looked like fascinating investigation to is of course the space where come… we are encouraging visitors to historically, certainly in paint have the debate with us about terms. We can bring together the notion of ‘Taste’ and, in the physical clues with the particular, what it might mean documentary evidence and in relation to the present Hare build up the historical picture. Krishna picking-out of the 18th If we take things a step further century Rococo plasterwork. we can examine cross- Some people feel this is a sections of the layers under a travesty and is ruining what is microscope, identifying arguably the best Vassalli pigments and layers of dirt plasterwork in the house. and attributing dates to those Others find it pretty, fun and a layers. perfectly relevant part of the However, Annabelle’s Court’s long and varied history. present work will only be a 20th century (By all accounts, the Hare beginning. She will be opening layers of paint Krishnas undertook the work up her paint windows in a few in the Dining ‘with great sincerity and selected areas, not the whole Room respect). room. We have to be careful Pg 4 Sheila Harris Pirate ancestry Friends of Croome Park member

aria Gunning, the Irish Maria's bloodline to Grace history. He was knighted by Mbeauty who married the O'Malley is traced through her James 1 in 1603 and created 6th Earl of Coventry, had an mother Bridget's line who was Viscount Mayo by Charles I in illustrious pedigree as she was the daughter of the 6th 1627. directly descended from the Viscount Mayo, Theobald A best-selling biographer of powerful and formidable 16th Bourke. He inherited a title that both Tibbott and Grace century Irish Pirate Queen, had been passed down from O’Malley is historian Anne Grace O'Malley (b1530 in Co his great great grandfather Chambers who has written Mayo). Grace became a Tibbott Bourke. Tibbott (b1567) extremely detailed accounts of legend in Irish history with was the third son of Grace, their lives in the restless, poems, ballads, a musical and born on a galley on the high turbulent times in which they many books written about her. seas, who became as famous lived. as his mother in political Irish

Eileen Clement Oral History ... life on the base Oral History Co-ordinator

trip to Bhaktivedanta could do in those days fairly close to the Marble Arch. Manor, the Hare Krishna because there was always a A “This Saturday night a crowd headquarters, in June this year fire in the waiting room. I put of us went to this Monkey was fascinating and led to my kit down on a bench seat in House just to try the cider, several more contacts with this empty waiting room and green stuff it was in those days devotees who were at dozed off. I was awoken and from there on we decided Croome. Interesting memories through the night and the to go to the Oak and have a of this period will emerge in place was full of ex game of darts and I play the due course. Recordings made servicemen or servicemen piano as well and we had a since 2007 are being edited going here, there and nice sing song. We all had our and further excerpts will be everywhere. About five or six bicycles supplied by the Air available by the end of this the train, which was still Ministry and, of course, we year. delivering the milk, came and I had to cart these bikes back got on it and arrived at As RAF Defford celebrates up the fields about eleven Railway Station. From there I its 70th Anniversary I thought it o’clock with cider and beer was taken in one of the Air appropriate to recall one or inside us and we had to get up Ministry vehicles to the RAF two of Ken Ashenden’s early in the morning on station at Croome. The billets reminiscences of his time as Sunday for church parade. where we slept and ate were an electrician at Defford in When I woke up in the 1947/48: morning I looked at my uniform “There were snow drifts of and it had got cow muck all six foot at Boscombe Down on over it! either side of the road and it “Static pools, they called was one of the worst winters I them, were built all over the can remember. I got on the place as a reserve fire fighting train for Worcester, hopefully source of water where there to arrive at Defford, but it didn’t wouldn’t otherwise be any. go any further than This one was about fifty yards Cheltenham. I was stuck at from the Officers’ Mess and, Cheltenham in the evening in occasionally, if the weather full kit wondering what to do. I was right and we fancied it we slept in the waiting room at the had a dip in there.” railway station, which you Pg 5 RAF Defford at 70 The annual RAF Defford Reunion took place in Croome Court on Saturday July 17th, as part of the National Trust’s “RAF Defford at 70” themed weekend (July 17th and 18th) at Croome Park. The occasion also served as a public launch for The Defford Airfield Heritage Group..

Bob Shaw Friends of Croome Park member

he veterans who had served Tat Defford, with their families and friends, gathered for the Reunion in The Tapestry Room at Croome Court to enjoy the event which was organised principally by Graham Evans (Chairman of the Defford Airfield Heritage Group, DAHG) and Albert Shorrock of the RAF Defford Reunion Association. Albert himself is a true veteran of RAF Defford having served at Defford from 1942. A splendid lunch was prepared and served by Sylvia Evans and her team. The Tapestry Room housed a Submarine” episode so to Christian Walker of the fine series of display boards by memorably described by Frank National Trust for safe keeping Mike Dean of the Purbeck Griffiths in his book “Angel and permanent display by The Museum Trust on the Visits”. National Trust at Croome. Mike development of aviation radar Elsewhere, Albert Shorrock’s spoke movingly of his father’s during and after World War Two, scale model of RAF Defford was time as C/O of Defford and his together with a display of World on display in the marquee on the very hands-on approach to the War radar equipment restored by South Lawn, where Antony dangerous work of piloting the the Electronics Restoration Trust Whitehead and Dennis Williams great variety of aircraft used for and shown by DAHG member of DAHG displayed a variety of radar trials and development at Tony Waller. Other wall displays fascinating relics recovered from the Telecommunications Flying included an introduction to the the Defford Airfield site. These Unit (TFU) at Defford. establishment of DAHG. included Antony’s latest prize A second presentation then Guests attending the Reunion discovery - an almost intact followed when Bill Sleigh, mingled with National Trust thought to be from a formerly Head of Engineering at visitors who were also able to Barracuda. Outside the marquee TFU Defford, presented to the see a fine display in the Dining was the star of the show; the National Trust a Roll of Honour of Room by Graham Evans of Merlin engine recovered from the those who gave their lives on photographs of the glory days of crash site of Spitfire EN915 service at RAF Defford, together RAF Defford. Also on display which Group Captain J.A. with a reproduction of the were three paintings presented to McDonald was forced to Memorial Window at Goodrich the DAHG for safe keeping and abandon near Defford in 1945 Castle in memory of the tragic display by Lloyd Griffiths, son of when the rudder jammed. crash of Halifax V9977 in 1942, Group Captain Frank Griffiths, In a ceremony after lunch in the which killed the gifted scientist illustrating “The Walrus and the Saloon, Mike with all eleven McDonald, the son of scientists and aircrew on board. Group Captain In presenting the framed displays McDonald, presented a to Christian Walker, representing framed copy of the The National Trust, Bill Sleigh superb David Shepherd was accompanied by Nic Shelley painting of Spitfire who served at Defford and whose EN915. Ths was brother is among the names accepted by Albert listed on the Roll of Honour, Shorrock on behalf of which The National Trust the Reunion accepted to put on permanent Michael McDonald & Albert Shorrock Association and passed display. Pg 6 Room in The Long Gallery of the Altogether a great day and a Court and an amplified group with great weekend. Thanks to the rather good lead singer who National Trust who were performed Songs from the 1940s supported all the way by DAHG on the South Terrace. and by the Reunion Association and all the volunteers who worked The weather for the event, with so hard to ensure a successful a southerly breeze, sunshine and event. Christian Walker, Nic Shelley high clouds, was perfect for the & Bill Sleigh occasion. The only disappointment was the non- The displays for the Reunion, appearance of the scheduled mostly organised or planned by fly-past by the Lancaster, perhaps members of DAHG, remained on coupled with earlier show to the public for the whole of disappointment that Lloyd Griffiths the “RAF Defford at 70” weekend. was not able to arrive, as had The event also included a display been hoped, in his autogiro which of WW2 vehicles, a brass band in was out of commission – like The Temple Greenhouse, a re- Spitfire EN915 it had lost its Albert Shorrock, Graham Evans & Lloyd Griffiths enactment of an RAF Operations rudder! The Defford Airfield Heritage Group The Defford Airfield Heritage Group (DAHG) Activities of the DAHG include: seeks to research, preserve and record the history 1. Recording – new written accounts, oral of Defford Airfield, working in full support of the history, and airfield archaeology National Trust, in partnership with the RAF Defford 2. Research – using existing documentary, Reunion Association and co-operating with The cartographic and photographic sources Friends of Croome Park. 3. Archiving – accessing, cataloguing and preserving historical material The site of RAF Defford was requisitioned from 4. Display – of information and artefacts the Earl of Coventry in 1940, and the airfield was 5. Publications – articles, books and website built on part of Croome Park to the east of the 6. Support and encouragement of restoration Coventry family’s Croome Court home, with of early Radar equipment for display and runways on Defford Common. demonstration, by the Electronics Restoration Trust RAF Defford became the main airfield in Britain Contacts at DAHG are: for the development of radar during and after • Chair: Graham Evans (tel: 01684 295327) WWII. The airfield housed the Telecommunications • History, Archives, Archaeology: Dr. Dennis Flying Unit (TFU), the flying side of the Williams (tel.: 01886 830295) Telecommunications Research Establishment • Secretary: Dr. Bob Shaw (tel.: 01386 (TRE) which moved from Swanage to Malvern in 852059) May 1942. The experiments and developments in radar carried out at Defford were of great The activities of the Group are steered by the significance, playing a vital part in helping the Allies twelve Founder Members: to win the war and paving the way for many Phil Butler, Clive Davies, Graham Evans, Mike electronic applications which we now take for Freer, Ron Henry, Stephen Reglar, Bob Shaw, granted. Peter Trevett, Tony Waller, Dennis Williams, Antony The airfield closed in 1957 when it was decided Whitehead, Roger Wintle. the runways were too short for modern jet Most of the members of DAHG are members of the bombers, and the unit transferred to nearby RAF National Trust and of The Friends of Croome Park. Pershore. However, a variety of ground-based radar experiments and activities continued on part The DAHGis closely associated with The RAF of the airfield site up to the present day. Defford Reunion Association, membership open to those who served or were employed at RAF The Aims and Objectives mission statement of Defford, their family members and associates. the DAHG includes a commitment to research, record and preserve the history of Defford Airfield, Contact:Albert Shorrock, 68 Charles Road, especially the work of the Telecommunications Halesowen, B63 4DD Flying Unit in the development of Radar. Pg 7 FRiends Forum “The Old Flower Gardens” - a puzzle solved! John Ralph Friends of Croome Park member

espite living many miles from suggested that this seemed to The aviary was at about the DCroome I have been a match the “The Old Flower location of the pond and was “Friend” for several years, having Gardens” pretty well. I was surrounded by rhododendrons I joined soon after taking part in the excited when I saw the map and recall. Oral History Project. Eileen feel sure Ashley was right. Even The trees either side of the Clement interviewed my aunty the outline shape is right- that’s narrow path to the south and near Marge Hemming and me and how the cottage was when I took the cottage were mostly yews or makes reference to such in the this 1955 similar evergreens while those booklet summarising her work. photo.The closer to the High Green road The photograph on page three of house has were not climbable (by me!) and the booklet (that’s me!) was taken been more widely spread. I distinctly in 1939 at about the time I was extended remember collecting chestnuts sent from Hornchurch, Essex, to and from a large tree on the Pirton live with my grandparents at “The altered by road side of Old Flower Gardens, Croome”. the the wood and The latter address has long owners of the property since my sometimes intrigued my grandparent’s family grandparents left in the 1970s. congregating and their descendants but recent The grounds are now landscaped with friends events at Croome are revealing not cultivated with root crops and around a the origins of the place. fruit trees which my grandfather stocky was so proud of. The photo My grandfather, James multiple shows him in typical spare time Hemming, was a Forester on the trunked tree mode and gran tending to her Croome Estate for some forty that stood on chickens. years and lived at Croome for a the corner of significant part of that time with Snape’s plan of the Flower the High his wife Emily and their family. Gardens indicates that the latter Green / Pirton extended as far as the High road junction. My sister Janet was born at the Green road and that a large house in 1943 and we both have My most recent visit to Croome ornamental pond was in place at fond memories of the area. We was in November 2009 when I the time as well as several always felt that the old cottage was rather shocked to see that buildings in addition to the was linked in some way to the the majority of the cottage. During the time I lived at grand Court House a mile or so aforementioned trees had been Croome the areas to the North away but no one seemed to know removed. I now know why but it’s and South of the house were how. Now it seems the mystery is still sad to see yet another piece densely wooded. I regularly being solved. of the landscape of my childhood played in the woods; climbing the memories disappear along with I was contacted a few months trees to get good views of the such things as the iron bridge, the ago by Ashley Ryall who wanted surrounding countryside, funeral gates and the wide open to know if I had any knowledge of including Defford Airfield when it North Field where I flew my Croome that might add to his became model aeroplanes. research into the origins of the operational. area in which I had roamed far The only It’s about time I introduced and wide in my early years. I set structure I myself to the current owners of down what I could and received a ever came the house; my sister did just this letter of thanks along with a copy across was quite a few years ago and of the 1796 “Snape” plan which an aviary in received a very warm welcome. was also reproduced in Issue 12 which Mr In the meantime I look forward of The Friends Newsletter. Denly, the to receiving future Newsletters Ashley drew my attention to the gamekeeper, and seeing how the National location of a building in the North raised Trust’s Croome Project unfolds. West corner of the map and pheasants. Pg 8 A guided walk to the outer eye-catchers Paul Stanley Friends of Croome Park member

t 10.30am on a bright August Leaving the Court behind us the attraction for visitors over many Amorning a group of 45 group proceeded along the river years to come. And intrepid walkers departed the to the Park Seat (or Owl's Nest congratulations to Monty, who RAF Canteen on a leisurely walk as it is known to some), before became the first dog up the tower around the Croome Estate, under crossing wheat fields and joining in many a long year! the leadership of Michael Smith - the road to Dunstall Castle. The who optimistically announced, to restoration work at the castle is Already behind schedule we raised eyebrows from those who very impressive and it was decided to take a short cut back. know him, that we'd be back by wonderful to see the towers Unfortunately the route of choice, 3.30 at the latest! restored to their former glory. which comprised fallow fields From there it was a short walk to earlier in the year, turned out to During the past two years walks Dunstall House where the packed be fully cropped and impassable have taken place in both lunches awaited us in the in August! Plan B was rapidly torrential rain and in blistering beautiful gardens of the Clemas implemented, and we all sunshine, so it was refreshing to family's lovely home. eventually arrived back safe and have a pleasant mixture of sun sound around 4.30! and cloud and temperatures Fully refuelled and refreshed we around 22 degrees this time wandered down lane, up hill and A wonderful day was had by all, round. across field to the Panorama thanks to the enthusiastic and Tower. This for me was the informative Michael Smith; the The first part of the walk took us highlight of the day, as we Friends of Croome Park to the Ice-House (nice to see it climbed to the top of the tower to organisers; Mike & Janet Clemas; fully restored, with it's superb take in the wonderful views of the the Canteen staff who provided thatched roof), after which we surrounding countryside. It was a the lunches; and last but not least followed the old path through the delight to see how near to all those who participated in the trees adjacent to the Walled completion this project now is walk. Hopefully even more of you Garden onto the Rotunda. A treat and it is sure to be a star will be able to join us next time awaited us here as we were around. given a sneak preview inside the building. Whilst much work remains to be done it is clear that, once the intricate plasterwork has been fully restored, this former 'entertainment area' will be a delight for all Croome visitors. From the Rotunda we wandered our way round the back of the private residences down to the southern entrance of Croome Court. We understand that it is hoped to open this route up to all visitors next year, thereby providing a new circular Photo: Mike Clemas walk from Reception to the Court.

Whether you want to share a visit to Croome, write to your Committee members, send in a photograph or feedback on an event you’ve attended we’d love to hear your thoughts. Please email [email protected] or write to: Wendy Carter Friends of Croome Newsletter Editor c/o The National Trust Builders’ Yard High Green Severn Stoke Worcestershire WR8 9JS The deadline for the next issue of the magazine is 6th March 2011 Pg 9 Garden and Park Update

Katherine Alker Garden and Park Manager

fter a very dry June and Fleece Folly AJuly, the rain we had in Cider and Perry. August was very welcome in In some the garden – although other respects it’s the departments at Croome may ‘calm before the feel differently about the wet storm’ for us as a Thursday volunteers fencing weather! The farmers lot of our major in the parkland managed to get in their projects take harvests in good time and now place over the the fields are greening up well. huge white ‘golf balls’ on the winter; this winter we’ll be West Mercia Police site. It is The river is also ‘topped up’ to planting more trees in the a more normal level. currently arable land, but by Arboretum and more the end of the planting season Recent tasks for the garden herbaceous plants in the next March we’ll have planted team have included hedge Evergreen Shrubbery. I’m also 5000 trees (hopefully)! pruning and weeding, tidying in hopeful that we’ll get the Listed the garden, fencing in the Building Consent needed to It’s thanks to the hard work of parkland, apple picking and replace the sash windows of the garden volunteers and strimming. There was also the Temple Greenhouse. staff, along with support in terms of donations from groups perry pear picking at a certain The largest planting project Friend of Croome – Dr Eric such as the Friends of this winter will be the re- Croome, that we can continue Jones’ - house. The apples establishment of ‘Old Wood’, and pears are taken by the to restore the garden and park an area to the east of NT land, at Croome to such a high Fleece Inn (NT owned pub at between South Park and the Bretforton) and made into standard.

Christine Adams Walled Garden visit Friends of Croome Committee Member hank you to the enthusiasm Tand generous hospitality of Chris and Karen Cronin who welcomed 67 Friends into their walled garden in September. Some members had the pleasure of visiting for the first time while others had the excitement and joy of seeing the fabulous progress made on the restoration. This year’s ‘wow’ factor was the preparation of the Rose Garden with the restored Adam sundial and stone seats, some bought with donations from the Friends. We are now greedily looking forward to seeing the roses Photo by Tadijo Szczepanik (see www.croome.fotopic.net for more) planted and in bloom!

Newsletter Distribution... Can you help us to keep down our newsletter costs? If you would like to collect your copy of the newsletter from the Croome offices or receive it by email, please let us know. We’ll need your email address to notify you that it’s available. Please contact our membership officer, Diana Skeys at [email protected]

Pg 10 Recollections of a Land Agent - part 2

John Henderson Vice Chairman, Friends of Croome Park Committee

was overawed frankly by the the Trustees that they should from an evening do in IAgent, David Meyrick, who I appoint a Firm of Land Agents Pershore and on the turn to suppose was only ten or fifteen to manage Croome as this Croome the sky was again lit years older than me. He had would be more cost effective up, this time by a Dutch Barn been in the post for eight years than employing a Resident fire at another Estate property, and had really begun to bring Agent. Allesborough Farm. I round the Estate's fortunes, There were times when the witnessed yet another casualty implementing phased repair Trustees did not take their of a fire raiser. I only gathered and improvement Agent's advice! Fortunately for later that the Police had been programmes, preparing long me Mr Meyrick told me to read enquiring as to my identity. I term plans for farm the files and take over as had been seen at both fires; a amalgamations and instituting Acting Agent when he left in secret luxury enjoyed, I gather, regular Farm rent reviews. He September 1967. If it hadn't by pyromaniacs! had coped with the resulting been for the patience and help I think it was the summer of Tenants' Revolt, construction of of Mr Hartland, Mrs Fothergill '68, when a woman called at the M5 smack through the and all the rest the Trustees the Estate Office. She lived at middle of the Estate and much might well have regretted their Deerhurst, Gloucestershire, more. decision to give me a go. The just south of Tewkesbury, His secretary was Mrs senior Trustee was Colonel where there was a lovely Fothergill and the Estate Clerk Osbert Walter Dudley-Smith. Estate farm, to enquire why all was Mr Hartland, who handled He was my daily mentor, a the elm trees were dying. I all the wages, financial much loved and respected rather pooh-poohed the idea records, tax returns, mapping man, whose late mother, the but, on inspection, found that and other records. Not a daunting Lady Barbara was the she was right. computer or calculator in sight, eldest daughter of the 9th Earl This was the beginning of the of course, just mental of Coventry. elm disease outbreak which arithmetic, an adding machine I hadn't long been in charge swept through from the west and, occasionally, a ready when, one night, gravel was country killing elms, whether reckoner! There was the thrown up at our bedroom young saplings or majestic Forestry Department and quite window by a neighbour telling mature trees. The elm was a big Building Department, me that one of the Pirton known as the Worcestershire headed by the Clerk of Works, Church Farm Barns was on weed. It was the main species George Kingdom with Malcolm fire. I quickly got dressed and in most of the old woodland Walford as his Clerk - and rushed there but the firemen and it also provided massive there was me. could do nothing to save the screens where it had taken I had married Cara in March timber barn range. Soon after, over hedgerows. The loss of 1968 and we went to live in an Cara and I were coming home wonderful timber was a Estate house, Mount tragedy and instead of a Pleasant, Pirton; charming growing capital asset, it and happy but, in the actually cost money to winter, the coldest house I clear; but as the dead trees have ever known! I had were gradually removed, been Assistant for only new vistas began to open. nine months but really You could at last knew nothing of the appreciate better the rolling business of the Estate; Mr Croome landscape and the Meyrick had kept this very purpose of the eye-catcher much to himself. One features that had long morning, he called me into been lost. his Office. I wondered as usual what I had done In the next issue...John wrong; he had that effect discovers archives and on me! He told me that he was finishing as Agent inventories and realises he’ll and going to manage his never make it in the world of father's estate in Wales. interior design. He had recommended to

Pg 11 The ‘Real’ 6th Earl Jill Tovey Croome Estate Archivist

So who was this man who perfect wife (he created the ‘Croome’ we all know addressed her ‘My and love today? What was he like dearest life’), they a husband, a friend, a brother, a liked the same things father? and she was beautiful too. They had three As archivist, having got to know children and she was him through twenty-five years of a devoted step-mother contact with all he left behind (and to Maria’s children and importantly, what he didn’t leave they perhaps needed behind), I’ve formed certain ideas some love, because about what he was like – inside; they seem to have got the first and foremost being that little from their father he was an uncompromising after they reached perfectionist, constantly striving to adulthood. achieve an ideal that was in his Croome that his perfectionism own head. In this we perhaps get Sadly Maria’s children fell far turned into obsession. He an insight into George William as short of their father’s ideals when controlled every aspect of it, even a brother and a younger one at they all got into various ‘social when working with potentially that, his grief at the death of scandals’, so he cut them off powerful men like Brown and Thomas was huge, they were so completely. Even when his son Adam, he ‘called the shots’. Every close that he said he felt he had was blinded at the age of about bill for the work passed through been severed into two. They had 20, he would not change his mind his hands for approval and, been classical scholars at Oxford and never spoke to him for the thankfully for us, was filed and together, so both were men of rest of his life. It seems, then, kept. His plant collection was high intellect and probably that he wasn’t a very loving second only to that at Kew; there discussed the burgeoning move father; but this also throws some are six hundred bills from London to towards classicism, becoming light on his attitude to Barbara, nurseries in the archive, including to be seen in the mid-18th century because his son wrote letters to some first introductions to Britain. as a perfect ideal. It was possibly her for years, pleading that she He had to have the best of his striving to bring to fruition his intervene in the dispute and one everything and through this brother’s ideas that was at the must assume that she tried, but became a real leader of fashion of root of his perfectionism, which all to no avail, maybe because of the time; though of course, having went on to colour all his life. his utter disappointment in them. enough money helped a lot. It’s hard for a man who can So – he was a devoted, adoring control the perfection of material The man I know as the 6th Earl brother. But what sort of husband things when he sees no such of Coventry then is an intelligent, was this perfectionist? He perfection in his offspring. His handsome, rather obsessive undoubtedly loved both his wives, devotion to Barbara, therefore, perfectionist, powerful because of no marriage of convenience for had its limits – he was always in his wealth and position in life. But him. The first, Maria, was at the charge and she knew her place; there are some things we shall time ‘the most beautiful woman in perhaps that’s why the marriage never know about him – did he London’, perfect you might say, worked. laugh much, could he be ‘fun’, so George William had to have could he be gentle and kind? her and what man wouldn’t be As a friend, we know little of him Would I have liked beguiled by her? But, sadly, she – he kept almost no personal him?...... Probably – in close up didn’t match him in intellect and correspondence, perhaps aware there is a certain softness about after bearing him four children, that posterity might make the face in the portrait, so I think she died at the age of 29, judgements; but we judge anyway the man inside was sensitive as possibly from consumption, her and ask why? Just a very private well as proud and certainly, if his constitution weakened by the use man, perhaps. portrait is anything to go by, he of white lead make-up. Four It was in his attitude to the could have made me go weak at years later he married again and creation of the idyllic ideal of the knees ! Barbara was very much his Pg 12