Welcome back! Raby gears up for reopening with an exciting Summer programme Sustainable Forestry Plus Read how Raby Estates Curlew Habitat and woodlands are sustainably Population Project managed under long term Restoration, forestry plans Restoration, Restoration – work begins to restore iconic properties

Image credit: David Grey History | Nature |Holiday | Property Spring 2021 Each year during the winter months, In 1900 the post was held by a Mr Raby many historic buildings close their Thomas Barker. His Annual Salary doors to visitors. Raby Castle is no was £75, making him the highest paid gears up for exception and after a busy festive member of staff in the household. The period, the castle closes before average wage in the UK at the time was Welcome reopening, with opening again in the spring. just over £42 per annum. new spaces on While the doors have been closed, this As the most senior servant in the period has been anything but quiet for household, Mr Barker was responsible show for the the castle team, as work to care for and for the management of the male maintain the collection has continued servants and for overseeing the behind the scenes. Traditionally, these smooth day-to-day running of the first time. months see the winter deep clean house. His job centred around a daily back! with conservation work and collection meeting with the Henry de Vere checks taking place, as the castle Vane 9th where he prepares to welcome visitors in the took the orders for the day and then year ahead. saw that they were carried out by his team of footmen as well as the Some of the furniture originally Housekeeper and female servants. supplied for the Octagon Drawing He advised Lord Barnard on wines Room by the Bond Street company G. and spirits and he kept a meticulous J. Morant has been returned to display record of the valuable contents of the after being rested for a couple of years. wine cellar, selecting the appropriate It is a reminder of how the room would accompaniments to the dishes being have looked, and how it would have prepared in the kitchen. been used in the past. Mr Barker’s role was very visible, he A new beautiful gilt and gesso mirror would announce dinner and carry in has also been installed in the Small the first dish. He would be on-hand Drawing Room. Dating from around throughout the meal to attend to the 1865, this lovely piece decorated with family and their guests. The Butler scrolls and leaves shows the room also held special responsibility for the at it’s finest. Positioned opposite valuable china and silver. He would another fine mirror means that the ensure that cutlery was polished reflection creates the optical illusion of before laying the perfect table, and infinity – an endless line of sparkling that there were no finger prints on chandeliers. the sparkling crystal glassware. After New for Raby Castle in 2021, the castle use, he would check that every piece team are delighted to open the doors was accounted for before it was locked of The Butler’s Pantry which has been away for the night. recreated in the original setting. The Butler’s Pantry at Raby Castle The Butler’s Pantry was the personal includes the original knife cleaning office space of Raby Castle’s Butler. machine, the bell system by which A hub of activity, it was from here members of the family or their guests that the Butler managed different could summon the servants and aspects of the household, rather like the original Butler’s desk, used by a a conductor keeping an orchestra in generation of men who kept the castle perfect time. working like a well-oiled machine.

The Castle reopens on Wednesday 19th May – visit www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle to book tickets.

To subscribe to the Raby Newsletter visit www.raby.co.uk Spotlight Restoration of Spring Hill and Unthank Cottage

Work has begun to carefully restore one of Upper ’s landmark properties, Unthank in Harwood. Unthank overlooks spectacular scenery across the dale, with views down Harwood Beck and the .

The renovation is one of the biggest residential The teams’ skills and dedication have already seen refurbishment projects in the estate’s history and the successful renovation of another property it is hoped the completed three-bedroom property in Upper Teesdale, Spring Hill Cottage, another will be available for let next spring. previously derelict property with impressive views across the dale. Spring Hill Cottage has undergone The derelict farmhouse has been undisturbed for complete renovation with new timbers, plasterwork over 40 years and we have been working closely and interiors. It has been a fantastic experience for with an ecologist to protect the wildlife habitats our whole team, including our apprentice who is in the area. A barn owl box has been put in place learning his trade in a unique and very rewarding in one of the barns for nesting, and great care is environment. being taken to minimise disruption to the natural environment. At Spring Hill our challenge was to retain the original character of the building whilst Local artist reimagines introducing modern infrastructure to the property. Compliance was a major part of the refurbishment rural locations at Raby work, and rather than installing traditional methods for heating and hot water we fitted an Over the last 12 months The project included transformation of air source heat pump as a sustainable renewable two sites on the Raby Estate into unique energy alternative. Air source heat pumps local artist Steve Messam visual landmarks. Bespoke and unique have been fitted to four other estate property has been working on a tensile textile forms were used to fill refurbishments currently underway. new project, The Architect and wrap the structures, adding form and colour that imagines them in new The roof timbers and floor joists will be replaced, The refurbishment of Spring Hill Cottage also of Ruins, where site- ways, and were photographed to capture having been exposed to the elements for many included the conversion of an adjoining byre to the moment when the landscape was years, and there is currently no mains drainage or create a full height living space with a vaulted specific installations were changed by their presence. Images of electricity. The task ahead is significant, but it is ceiling. This beautiful property is now the home to undertaken in Teesdale and the installations will be featured in an one that our small in-house project team feels very our High Force managers Andrew and George, who Weardale, including on the outdoor exhibition at Ushaw College privileged to be tasked with. moved there in April. Raby Estate. until early July. Karl Hankey, Compliance Manager

To subscribe to the Raby Newsletter visit www.raby.co.uk Update Update Raby recruits for an Estate Ranger Restoration of Gainford Hall

In Upper Teesdale, situated in the Sharing these incredible landscapes with visitors is Gainford Hall on the outskirts of Gainford in County Durham, is a real privilege. We take our social and community North AONB, (Area of responsibilities very seriously, and as part of our an impressive Elizabethan manor house, built between 1600 and Outstanding Natural Beauty), Raby commitment to safeguarding these spaces we are 1603 for the Rev John Cradock, vicar of Gainford. This striking Estate manages some truly unique recruiting an Estate Ranger to join us working in Grade I listed building has a double-pile plan form (two rooms this spectacular area. The newly created Estate landscapes. Ranger position will help enhance the experience deep) and is believed to be one of the earliest examples of this for visitors, providing information, support and At the heart of this area of the estate is High Force type of building in the North East. guidance to help people experience and appreciate Hotel and Waterfall. The waterfall attracts tens the natural environments in Upper Teesdale safely Gainford Hall has not seen any major Gainford Hall recently came back under the of thousands of visitors each year, and is one of and respectfully. This is a community customer restoration for over 100 years and as a result, management of Raby Estates and its removal the most natural, iconic visitor attractions in the focused role, and as well as monitoring and has fallen into a state of disrepair. Gainford from the at-risk register is a priority for the North of . Raby Estate also manages the maintaining the local environment the post holder Hall is on Historic England’s Heritage at-risk Estate. The repair and renovation of this surrounding areas on the North banks of the River will also lead guided walks, educating the public register, reflecting its need for significant remarkable building will begin in the coming Tees, including the falls at Low Force, which are about this unique area. We look forward to sharing and extensive repairs before any of its fabric weeks, and we look forward to sharing further incredibly popular with visitors. further details of this appointment in the next is lost. progress as we restore Gainford Hall and newsletter. secure its future.

Creative competition winners enjoy Raby Castle’s Easter Trail

Young artists from across the region got creative last month as part of our Easter Egg competition to design the eggs for our Easter trail.

The top 12 designs were included in our Easter trail at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, with the winners receiving entry to the trail during the Easter holidays and a prize.

Peat restoration in Upper Teesdale

The first phase of the newest tranche of peatland restoration work has been undertaken by the AONB Peat Partnership on Valance Lodge in Upper Teesdale.

When peatlands are healthy and vegetated, they help to filter water, store carbon, and reduce flooding by slowing the flow of water. Coir rolls and stone weeping dams have been installed to reduce water excess and stabilise the peat resource. Work will continue later in the year, to further restore this area of peatland.

To subscribe to the Raby Newsletter visit www.raby.co.uk Update Business Support

Work has continued over the last few months to further enhance our Human Resources, Health and Safety and IT support. In recent weeks we have begun rollout of a new HR system to support our teams across the estate.

The introduction of this new system supports the estates’ objective to operate in a more effective Spotlight and sustainable way, moving us closer to becoming a paperless environment. Sustainable Forestry Staff and visitor safety remains at the heart of Join the everything we do. We have been carrying out The health and environmental benefits of trees estate wide H&S visits ensuring, even in these Estate Team difficult times, all areas of the business are have rarely been in the spotlight as much they continuing to comply with HSE regulations. There are several exciting opportunities are right now. to join the Estate Team as we approach an Raby has made significant investment in Trees help to sequester carbon and support wildlife, providing a exciting period of development for the estate. technology and the Business Support team sustainable timber resource, as well as contributing to sense of place continues to work closely with Bondgate IT to and well-being that many of us take for granted. For our latest recruitment provide the whole estate with the most up to opportunities visit date IT infrastructure, ensuring secure access The Raby Estates woodlands are sustainably managed under long to Raby’s systems and data. We have updated term forestry plans which are independently certified under the www.raby.co.uk/recruitment our WiFi infrastructure, enabling free WiFi UK Woodland Assurance Standard. Management objectives are to across the estate for our visitors. produce sustainable, high quality timber in a responsible manner that safeguards the biodiversity of the woodlands and the landscape in Lesley Renteurs, Estate Administrator which they are situated.

Sustainability is key to the management of trees across the Estates and replanting is a significant element, whether this is large-scale planting “Planting is just in the tree plantations, parkland or changing individual specimens the beginning of where aging trees adjoining the highways can be replaced with new New Faces and Fond Farewells planting in more appropriate locations. the establishment We are delighted to welcome some new members to the team at Raby. of woodland and The past winter has seen the Estate’s Forestry and Maintenance Team work to replant over 15,000 saplings to ensure that areas in which Harry Ellison joins Raby as Grouse Beat Keeper We bid a fond farewell to Nicky Witchell, Chris individual trees, mature trees have been recently felled are fully stocked and ready for joining the keepers in Teesdale, Gabriel Damaszk Bond, Michael Raine, Mandy Welland-Taylor many of which can the spring growing season. The Estate’s woodlands are a rich mixture joins the Castle team as our Archivist, and Bertie and Hannah Fretwell. We thank them for their have a life cycle of of broadleaf and coniferous crops and the restocking work reflects this Bainbridge will be working as a Gardener at contribution during their time with us and wish with species including oak, birch and alder being planted in addition Selaby Hall. Sophie Brown has been promoted to them all the very best for the future. over 100 years.” to timber producing conifers including Scots pine, Sitka spruce and Events Manager, Alan McKerchar has taken on Douglas fir. Planting is just the beginning of the establishment of We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing the role of General Manager at Raby Castle, Park woodland and individual trees, many of which can have a life cycle of Liam Foster in April this year. Liam will be and Gardens, and Beverley Heslop has joined the of over 100 years. A lengthy period of tending and maintenance is sadly missed by his friends and colleagues at High finance team permanently as Purchase Ledger required to allow the young plants to develop, without excessive Force, and the wider Leisure and Tourism Team. Administrator. competition from weeds and invasive species, helping them to develop We extend our deepest sympathies to his friends into the mature trees which characterise and contribute to the beauty We also look forward to welcoming Lisa and family. of the landscapes in Teesdale and Shropshire alike. Wilkinson who will join Raby as Retail Manager later this year. Geoff Turnbull, Head Forester

To subscribe to the Raby Newsletter visit www.raby.co.uk High Force prepares to welcome guests back to the Hotel this month First house to be built on We are looking forward to opening the doors on the latest the Shropshire Estate in refurbishments at High Force Hotel on Monday 17th May, when the next stage of lockdown easing comes into effect.

over 50 years Guests will notice a stylish new look George: I love it all, but I really do like the in the bar and communal areas, new bar, which was the final area to be 5 Dryton was a dilapidated cottage which bringing the interiors in line with the redesigned. I love the wood that it’s made required extensive repair works to rejuvenate beautiful restoration of the Garden from and the feeling of warmth the space it back to a former glory. Room restaurant and function room, has – it’s like it’s always been like this. The which was unveiled last year. The bar tiles set into the back of the bar are really The Cottage had sat vacant for a few years since the latest occupier, refurbishment is the final phase of work, special – they were reclaimed from the Keith, had left. Keith had worked for a farming tenant on the estate which began with the redecoration of the Cooks Pantry in the Fish Yard at Raby for many years and knew everything about the area and estate he original bedrooms and saw the creation Castle. The tiles are beautiful and will be a lived and worked in. He was an entrepreneur and once charged for of additional rooms. The hotel now has 11 great talking point when we’re up late with parking race goers’ cars on the garden at 5 Dryton for £5 per car. individually designed en-suite bedrooms, residents chatting by the fire. offering luxurious guest accommodation. Due to the cost involved in repairing the property it was decided What can guests expect when they visit more value would be created and a better final family home if the We are looking forward to welcoming High Force this year? current property was demolished and a new one built in its place. guests back to the hotel and restaurant this Andrew: We want our guests to feel like Planning was awarded in 2019 and due to COVID a slight delay in month and we are delighted that bookings they are staying home from home with the start of the project was seen. The project has now started in for weddings and other special occasions attention to detail and the little luxuries earnest and is moving quickly. have continued throughout lockdown, that make a stay at High Force memorable. which means an exciting year ahead. The food is also a big part of visiting High The floor plate for the new property is in and you can see the fantastic view from Force, we guarantee that only the best the family room bay window. The Shropshire team are working with one of our We caught up with Hotel Managers local and responsibly sourced food will trusted contractors, Randle Building Solutions to deliver this project, and look Andrew and George to find out what be served which will have been lovingly forward to sharing further updates as the project progresses. they are most looking forward to as they created by our passionate team. prepare to reopen the Hotel. George: Friendly, relaxed service in a What are you most looking forward to An important method for the estate to comfortable and luxurious setting – our Night time bird surveys, when the Hotel reopens? assess the impact of these techniques baseline year completed guests often leave as friends who will likely on the environment is by utilising bird Andrew: Welcoming our guests back and return time and time again. providing our usual great service, working Following the installation of ecology surveys. Bird life is a good key indicator in our newly refurbished hotel. It will be The new Garden Room looks like a great margins to the equivalent area of over species for habitat and environmental lovely to have all the team back together. place to enjoy a meal – which dish on 200 football pitches on the Home Farm health due to their habitat needs and position in the food chain. Thanks to the summer menu would you choose? the team wishes to understand if these George: Being busy, I love the fast pace of the hard work of James Bellingham a Andrew: That’s a difficult question as I works are successful. the hotel when its busy and I am looking local BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) really love everything on the menu at the forward to serving from our new bar which It’s important that the farm continues to enthusiast and professional who moment. The Raby Longhorn Steaks are looks stunning. produce food and productive profitable completed the surveys we have a baseline just amazing though, so I would probably agriculture the team are analysing how figure to work from and some great results The Hotel has been transformed over go for the Rib Eye. they do this and are working towards were seen. the last 12 months – do you have a George: The Moules Frites, just lovely with more regenerative farming techniques to favourite room or feature? improve the environment for both better The estate team works closely with warm bread, it’s my absolute favourite. An important method Andrew: It’s really hard to choose just food production and soil, air and water our contract farmer Heal Farms and one area as the Hotel has undergone for the estate to quality. A recent example of one of the their team. Thanks to Heal Farms and Raby High Force Hotel and such a transformation. I do love the techniques we are using is the planting previous farm management we have assess the impact of new Garden Room, with its beautiful Waterfall are open daily. winter cover crops amongst cereal a strong baseline bird population and these techniques on hand painted mural, especially when stubbles. new environmental focus areas to build it is set for a wedding or an event. It’s For further information visit the environment is by upon. Annual surveys will continue to be just the most stunning room with lots undertaken to track trends. www.raby.co.uk/high-force utilising bird surveys. of character and charm. Tom Birtles – Shropshire Land Agent

To subscribe to the Raby Newsletter visit www.raby.co.uk Within the upland parts of the The proposed survey area of Mean curlew abundance in each NUCLNP decline rates are thought Upper Teesdale lies upstream of of the five surveyed habitat types, to be much lower than in much the village of Cotherstone and together with the number of Environment of the rest of the UK, and even contains 471 1-km OS grid squares squares predominantly containing suggest a stable population. One of potentially suitable curlew that habitat type, will be used to contributing factor to this is the habitat either on moorland or extrapolate to the number of birds Curlew Habitat and way the uplands are managed for within 2 km of the moor boundary. within each habitat category. grouse shooting and conservation, This total includes 30 squares of Population Project which has a pivotal role in mainly inbye fields situated more These habitat-specific totals will conserving curlew in the UK. than 1 km from the moor boundary give an overall curlew population wall but excludes five squares of estimate. Such calculations may In partnership with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), This link between management predominantly coniferous forest also be considered for other species Raby are participating in a large-scale project to estimate the population associated with grouse moors and and one square consumed by the such as golden plover for which the sustained populations of breeding village of Middleton-in-Teesdale. SPA is designated. size of breeding curlew in Upper Teesdale by extrapolation from a habitat- curlew was demonstrated by stratified sample survey. The findings will then be used to continue and the GWCT’s Upland Predation A randomised survey of 1-km We eagerly await the survey results Experiment on moorland in grid squares, stratified by habitat, and look forward to supporting build on a north of England Uplands Curlew Recovery Project. North . Here is underway. All squares will be such a significant conservation project of this iconic upland bird. The breeding population of The UK population represents In Britain, the curlew was predator control led to a three-fold assigned to one of five main habitat Eurasian curlew is declining about a quarter of the global historically a common species, increase in the breeding success types; blanket bog, shrub heath Joe Robinson, County Durham across almost its entire range, breeding population, with breeding in marshes, meadows of curlew and other waders and moorland, white grass heath, rough Land Agent with estimates suggesting a larger populations only found and arable fields as well as annual increases in their breeding grazings and inbye fields. 20 to 30% decline in the last 15 in Finland and Russia. The rate on moorland, the extent and numbers (Fletcher et al. 2010). years. For this reason, curlew of decline in the UK, estimated quality of which have probably The moors and marginal farmland are identified as a “Globally at a halving of the breeding declined. Poor breeding success, of Upper Teesdale, situated Near Threatened” species population in the last 25 years, often attributable to clutch and within the AONB and on the IUCN Red List of is amongst the highest recorded, chick predation, typically by component of the NUCLNP, are Threatened Species. and as a result, the curlew foxes, stoats, crows and gulls, is widely renowned as a stronghold is now regarded as a bird of accepted as the principal reason for several species of breeding conservation concern. for decline. waders, including curlew. Upper Key Objectives: Teesdale forms part of the In Europe, over half of published To estimate the size of the studies involving measured internationally designated North breeding success, quote less Pennines Special Protection Area, breeding population of than the 0.5-0.6 fledglings per which is classified for, amongst pair per year required to offset other things, breeding golden curlew in Upper Teesdale adult mortality and to maintain plover. a stable population (Grant et al. The proposed study will build on To estimate curlew densities 1999). recently collected moorland bird across differing upland Unpublished recent estimates by survey data in Upper Teesdale the British Trust for Ornithology by conducting a random sample habitats and altitudinal survey across the array of upland suggest a UK population of ranges within Upper Teesdale 58,000 breeding pairs. Of these, curlew habitats present. These approximately half occur in data will be used to make a habitat- England and Wales and half of based extrapolation to an estimated To consider the same for population size for Upper Teesdale. those, circa 14,000 pairs, occur golden plover in the area of the Northern For this purpose, Upper Teesdale Upland Chain Local Nature is defined as the watershed of Partnership (NUCLNP) making the River Tees and its tributaries it a stronghold for curlew. upstream of Cotherstone Village. This area covers five protected landscapes; Northumberland National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Pennines AONB, Nidderdale AONB and the Forest of Bowland AONB.

To subscribe to the Raby Newsletter visit www.raby.co.uk May Half Term Open Farm Sunday Open Air Cinema Teddy Bears’ Picnic Sunday 27th June Friday 13th, Saturday 14th

Trail We are delighted to be opening up and Sunday 15th August Saturday 29th May to Raby Home Farm to the public once Sunday 6th June again this year as part of the national LEAF Open Farm Sunday event. On Sunday 27th June 2021, we will join farms up and down the country, giving people a chance to experience everyday farm life first hand and learn more about how the food on our plates is produced. This Summer will see the return of Outdoor Cinema at Raby Castle. Last Auto Italia year’s events in the Walled Gardens This May Half Term families can Saturday 10th July were a huge success and this year explore our Teddy Bears’ Picnic we will be bringing you big screen themed trail in the grounds of Raby favourites; 1917, part of which was Castle. The trail is included with filmed on the estate, A Star is Born, general admission. Our popular Dirty Dancing, Trolls World Tour Tractor and Trailer rides will and Disney’s Moana. We will also be return for half term. screening The Greatest Showman – back this year due to popular demand! Summer Seasonal Market Harvest Auto Italia returns to Raby Castle this Saturday 5th and year, featuring Italian cars of all eras Seasonal Market Sunday 6th June displayed against the magnificent Saturday 28th and backdrop of the Castle. In an exciting Sunday 29th August collaboration between Raby and An exciting Auto Italia Magazine, visitors can The second of our seasonal markets expect to see a stunning selection of will be held over the August Bank Italian cars from Fiats to Ferraris and Holiday weekend and is another everything in between. The event chance to browse some of the best will be held from 10am onwards on local produce and gifts. Saturday 10th July. Summer line up This summer will also see the Our popular seasonal markets will Outdoor Theatre return of our popular Summer Lates evenings in the Park and Gardens, return this year with our first event Saturday 17th July and As we look forward to the reopening of the Castle this month, we are busy being held over the first weekend in and we’ll be announcing further putting the finishing touches to an exciting summer events programme that June. Come and browse the stalls Saturday 28th August events soon. and discover lots of delicious treats, will see the welcome return of our hugely popular outdoor cinema We are delighted to present seasonal produce and beautiful two fantastic open air theatre For further details and and outdoor theatre experiences. handmade products from local productions this summer. The Great suppliers. to book tickets visit Here is just a taste of what you can expect at Raby this Summer. Gatsby will be a glittering occasion, www.raby.co.uk/whats-on Father’s Day with picnics and prosecco available to pre-order and enjoy during the Raby Castle Reopens Serene Sundays – Further details can be found across Ploughman’s performance. For families, we will Wednesday 19th May Wellbeing in the Walled Gardens our Social Media pages. in the Park be bringing you David Walliams’ Selected dates throughout summer hilarious tale Mr Stink. The Castle will reopen to the public on Wednesday Father's Day weekend 19th May, in line with the easing of government What better way to finish the weekend than at a restrictions. Restoration work has been carried out 19th and 20th June private restorative relaxation session in the Walled throughout the winter and visitors will be able to Gardens at Raby Castle. Our popular Picnic in the Park is see some of the furniture originally supplied for the back with a twist for Father’s Day. Octagon Drawing Room by the Bond Street company The guided sessions start with a short mindfulness Pre-order a Ploughman’s Picnic Enquiries Raby County Durham Tel: 01833 660888 G. J. Morant, which has been returned to display in activity, followed by a slow, gentle restorative Box to enjoy in the Deer Park on Raby Estates, Office Square, , Raby Shropshire Tel: 01952 740223 the room. For the first time, the Butler’s Pantry will movement practice and closing with an extended Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June. Darlington, County Durham, DL2 3NF Email: [email protected] also be open to the public. guided deep relaxation practice. Picnics can be booked online when you order your admission tickets.