©National Trust Images/Steve Franklin

©National Trust Images/John Millar The highlights for this season are are this season highlights for The and trees life new owers, fl spring spring sign that sure a in bud, help us protect You arrived. has you. Thank spring. these signs of or take a look at the ‘What’s on’ section section on’ on’ the the a look a look ‘What’s ‘What’s oror at at take take into into At Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens in Hall and Gardens Estate, Gunby At with awash are the gardens Lincolnshire in early blossom clouds of and pink white in the house arrangements ower and fl May the garden, from straight picked are House in Lincolnshire Belton at while you and special, are owers wildfl the with tours about them more learn can details). for website (check and talks to those ’50 things don’t the school holidays During off tick to forget that activities 11¾ ‘ you’re do before places. our lots of at happening are News and events for Spring 2020 Spring for events and News | | Lincolnshire | Leicestershire Derbyshire | Rutland | Nottinghamshire Northamptonshire Step Step Spring In Derbyshire, stimulate the senses with the senses stimulate In Derbyshire, wild garlic the and smell of the sight Hardwick; at Woods Spencer’s in Lady and the Eastern Burbage Longshaw, at woodlands the District, Peak in the Moors blanketed are Jubilee and Wood of Hay Ilam Park at and bluebells with fragrant of the planting District, also in the Peak will come to October 15,000 bulbs last bloom in the garden. they as fruition with with spring is synonymous life New highlights. the seasonal one of lambs being the end at in Derbyshire, Abbey Calke At the April see of and beginning March of born lambs new with their ock fl Portland lamb a see might even you – Home Farm at and the Edale Kinder, at while born; being an eye keep also in Derbyshire Peak Dark ground their to returning the curlew out for crags the gritstone above and soaring nests in Castle Lincolnshire Tattershall and at roost, to returning geese ptian the Egy see year. in the later brood a raise to ready to emerge with buds on the trees, bulbs pushing through the ground and new life beginning. life and new ground the through pushing bulbs trees, the on buds with emerge to is a welcome change of the seasons. Nature awakens from its slumber and the signs of spring begin begin spring of signs and the slumber its from awakens Nature seasons. the of change a welcome is With the festivities of Christmas long forgotten, and the bleakness of winter starting to fade, spring spring fade, to starting winter of bleakness and the forgotten, long Christmas of festivities the With

#NTMidlands or your local National Trust Trust National local your or on social media. place with us out days your Share updates the latest and get events on spring and activities Follow us... Follow or take a look at the ‘What’s on’ section on’ the a look ‘What’s or at take www.nationaltrust.org.uk/midlands visit see and do, to is all there details of For © National Trust/ David Bocking From the Director for the Midlands

© National Trust© Tackling

t’s our birthday! 125 years ago three individuals established an ash dieback institution to stand up for the Isimple idea of nature, beauty and history for everyone. We have decided to mark the in Dovedale year by doing something simple, which is to celebrate nature through the year, following the passing of the seasons and getting outside for a walk ith its steep sided valley, Ash dieback is a fungal disease which as much as possible. towering spires of limestone originated in Asia. Although we can’t stop and iconic stepping stones, Our founders were really the spread of the disease, which is expected Catastrophic diseases Dovedale is a much loved and to kill up to 85% of the ash trees in the forward looking people, responding W like ash dieback can popular place in the Peak District, where White Peak, we do have a plan in place. We to the needs of the time and trying to happen in nature but anticipate what future generations four out of fi ve trees are ash. Every year, as are two years into our fi ve-year Woodland would value. They thought big but part of their tree health surveys, rangers Conservation Project that aims to help our if we act now, future didn’t let big thoughts get in the monitor the spread of the deadly fungal woodlands be better equipped to face generations will continue way of taking action. disease ash dieback and over the last three climate change and diseases like ash to enjoy the kind of Our present concern is the years affl icted ash trees that have been felled dieback. We’ll do this by selectively felling in the White Peak for public safety have countryside we see environmental crisis and our response ash in small areas to create space to plant jumped from 10 to 80 to 200 with numbers in Dovedale and to it is also to take action:- to create native trees such as oak and hazel to likely to increase further. the White Peak today. new landscapes as well as restoring improve biodiversity and age structure of degraded ones, whether that is the woodland. We’re also installing nest creating new hay meadows near the boxes to give endangered birds like willow Ted Talbot, Long Mynd or responding to and marsh tits a helping hand. Countryside Manager at the Peak District environmental changes such as ash dieback that is badly aff ecting Wenlock Edge and Dovedale. You can help the Peak District by donating or organising an event for the National This bigg er perspective is not Trust’s ‘Woods for the Future’ Peak District Appeal, which aims to raise funds for a new thing, as is wonderfully illustrated native tree planting in the White and High Peak. by the return of the Ogilby Atlas to Belton, one of our most exciting

© National Trust/ David Bocking David Trust/ © National www.nationaltrust.org.uk/peakdistrictappeal new acquisitions.

The National Trust was founded on 12 This year is a special year for the Trust as we A walk is a great way to Andy Beer January 1895 by Octavia Hill, Sir Robert mark our 125th anniversary and we’d like you, spend some quality time Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley, with the our Midlands supporters, to help us celebrate. with family and friends. fi rst Midlands place, Duffi eld Castle in Life today is busy with many obligations, At Clumber Park in Derbyshire, following shortly after in 1899. sometimes too many obligations, so time out Nottinghamshire, a walk in the Pleasure That fi rst acquisition has grown to where we to focus on our happiness and health are Ground is rewarded with views across the lake. are today in the Midlands; including essential. Octavia Hill once said: ‘The need for While at Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire, managing 30,000 hectares of land, quiet, the need of air, the need of exercise, you can fi nd solace in the gardens and the Everyone providing access to 31 countryside estates, and, I believe, the sight of sky and of things parkland with the spring fl owers adding to the caring for over 30 historic mansions and growing, seem human needs, common to all’. tranquillity, and at Kedleston in Derbyshire houses, working alongside over 11,000 This connection between nature and our search out the ancient trees and see the spring volunteers and having the valuable support wellbeing is never truer than today. sun fi ltering though the leaves. needs of just under one million members. We’re For those simple pleasures in life the sound also playing a role in looking for new and of bird song must be one of the best. In innovative ways to care for local, everyday, Derbyshire, catch the woodpecker drum at Make 2020 the year to look after your historic and natural places in urban areas, Kinder, listen for the enigmatic cuckoo at wellbeing. For much more information nature like the Roundhouse in Birmingham. Longshaw and experience the sheer joy of on how you can get closer to nature visit swallows fl ying in the sky at Ilam.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/MidlandsNatureMoments ©National TrustImages

A day in the life of… Volunteering at Get out into nature Longshaw Estate, this Easter James Derbyshire.

Bring the whole family together this I always know that it is a volunteer day I have downs syndrome, autism and Easter and treat your loved ones to the when I see my red polo shirt and fl eece severe learning diffi culties and am unable magic of our Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts! ready for me to put on in the morning and to communicate verbally or understand I am really excited. Andrew, my carer, picks more than a two-word instruction. This Longshaw is one of my favourite places Get ready for a long weekend of fun me up and we head out to the Longshaw means that for me to be a volunteer I need to visit – I love being outdoors. and discovery as you spot the fi rst Estate. I am part of visitor experience and a bit of extra help. I feel lucky to be able to volunteer here signs of spring and experience nature my tasks include sweeping the outside café My tasks are given to me in picture form and help to keep this part of the Peak bursting into life at the special places area, washing and fi lling dog bowls, and I work through them removing each District looking its best. the National Trust looks after. testing the trails and picking litter. picture once the task is complete. Andrew I have been a volunteer at Longshaw helps me and makes sure I do everything Become a nature detective to follow for two years. I started when I was working properly. During my time as a volunteer I the clues and fi nish your adventure for my Duke of Edinburgh silver award and have met lots of people, I always greet To fi nd out a bit more about with a delicious, chocolatey treat. used my volunteering hours towards this. I them with a smile and a thumbs up which is volunteering, visit am now working towards my gold award. my way of saying hello. In partnership with www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteer www.nationaltrust.org.uk 2 Spring 2020 Peak District to receive a facelift through Estée Lauder donation

The beautifully dramatic moors of the High By planting more native trees in the valleys DOG-FRIENDLY WALKS Peak boast landscapes adorned with rocky and cloughs of the Peak District, we hope tors, spectacular valleys and cloughs, and to encourage areas that are more diverse miles of wild and remote peat bog. They are in insects, birds and mammals – making We are a nation of animal lovers and dogs are our best friend. Dogs are welcome a place loved and valued by all who live, work our countryside rich in wildlife, and our at many of our places, below is our pick of walks to bring your four-legg ed pooch. and play there for so many reasons; whether woodlands more sustainable and it’s to exercise, to witness wildlife, to catch a resistant to climate change. To fi nd out more visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dog-walks-emids view, or where people work. To help us achieve our goals, the project The National Trust team in the Peak sees a collaboration with grant funders, the District have continued to make great Woodland Trust, partner organisations, local Calke Abbey, progress with their High Peak Moors tenants, staff and volunteers. And now Estée © National Trust Images/John Millar/Steve Franklin/Anna Jonkins/Trevor Ray Hart 1 2 3 Vision - a project that is committed to Lauder, the cosmetics company, have made Derbyshire 4 protecting and restoring the health and an incredible donation of £5,000. Starting at Calke Explore, enjoy a leisurely diversity of the moors and keeping them This generous contribution will help us walk with your four-legg ed friend along special for ever for5 everyone. As part of to plant 1,000 trees this year - a sincere and the Tramway Trail, passing through this ambitious 50-year project, the team heartfelt thank you goes out to the team woodland, farmland and peaceful have planted over 18,000 trees in the at Estee Lauder, who have also off ered to pasture. Hard paths are ideal for avoiding autumn and winter last year and plan to join us for a team building weekend to muddy paws, while a fi gure-of-eight plant 60,000 trees in the next two years. help plant some of the trees. route allows for long and short walkies. Calke Explore is the perfect base for exploring nature with your dog Discover more about our High Peak Moors Vision – in spring, look out for cowslips and www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-high-peak-moors-vision bluebells, and discover how nature has and how you can help support our work through our Peak District Appeal reclaimed this once-industrial highway. © National Trust/EteeLaurder© Kedleston Hall, 1 2 3 Derbyshire 4 Go wild this spring and explore the lesser-known parkland at Kedleston by 5 taking your dog on the Wilderness Walk. See the North Park in all its glory as some of Kedleston’s oldest trees emerge from their wintry slumber. With plenty of shady nooks and long grass, this walk is perfect for creating muddy paws and lasting memories. Please be mindful of sheep and Dexter cows grazing in the park by always keeping your dog on a lead. 1 2 3 Hardwick,4 Derbyshire Explore Bess of Hardwick’s grounds5 and take in stunning views of the surrounding landscape, then look at the woodland around you to search for diff erent wildlife and fl ora. If your furry friend is a little Seventeenth century SatNav more energetic, choose the 6-mile trail through Hardwick’s wider estate to appreciate the scale of this beautiful returns to Belton House place. After ‘paws-ing’ for a snack on the South Terrace, your dog can enjoy a refreshing bowl of water at the after almost 50 years Gatehouse. There are working farms on the Estate and our living lawnmowers “While today we might worry include long horn cattle and sheep so Belton’s book collection is considered about heavy traffi c on the motorway” please keep dogs on leads. second only to that of Blickling in its says Simon Chesters-Thompson, signifi cance. The 11,000 plus library National Trust Curator, “these fascinating shows the reading and collecting habits atlases are from a time when roads were 1 Clumber Park, of the Brownlow family over a period 2 3 muddy. Rutted tracks and all travel could Nottinghamshire 4 of more than 350 years. be extremely dangerous.” Take in the beautiful views at Now for the fi rst time in almost Clumber Park, come rain or shine, 5 50 years, two superb Ogilby atlases with our weekly dog walking - auctioned by Sotheby’s back in 1971 groups. Lasting around 45 minutes, before the National Trust acquired Belton - join us at 10am on a Wednesday, or have been reunited once more. 10.30am on Sundays at our Ogilby was one of the most signifi cant dog-friendly café, Central Bark. English publishers of atlases. His 1675 road We’ve got treats for dogs, as well as atlas, which was sold at auction in 2010, hot food and drinks for visitors. was the fi rst ever produced for England and Wales. It was essentially a book in the form 1 of ‘strip maps’ guiding the traveller from A 2 3 to B, just like the modern-day SatNav. 4 Peak District, In November last year, we successfully 5 Derbyshire purchased the Brownlow’s original copy The Peak District bursts into life with of Ogilby’s 1671 atlas of the Americas, then spring’s arrival of new lambs, ground held at Arader Galleries auction house in nesting birds like the curlew and the USA, by bidding over the telephone woodland fl oors carpeted with swathes to ensure its return home to Belton House. of bluebells. The sights, sounds and Now, you can see both atlases side by fragrances of spring awaken the senses side together once more. and make for invigorating adventures The maps were based on on-the- with your four-legg ed companions. Lead ground research facilitated by a wheeled in hand, a pocket full of dog treats and contraption to measure distances. Ogilby’s work set the standard for later walking boots on, the vast open spaces © National Trust Images/John Millar/Robert Thrift of the dramatic Peak District landscape atlases and was pivotal in standardising bode well for memorable dog walks. Take the English mile. the lead this spring when exploring the countryside with your dog and help to keep wildlife and livestock safe. Having recently re-acquired the late 17th century Ogilby book of America, Belton’s house and collections team have reunited the atlases, which can now be seen on display in the Ante-Library. For more information please visit ...and don’t forget to share your adventures with us www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-ogilby-collection @NTMidlands @NTmidlands #NTMidlands www.nationaltrust.org.uk 3 Spring 2020 Rediscovering the If I could talk, Clumber Daff odil I would tell The nodding yellow heads of daff odils After tracing the bulbs to Holland, Eric the you stories in bloom signal spring’s arrival and the nursery owner off ered to donate six bulbs start of the gardening year. to Clumber Park, as part of a propagation In the 1960s, a local specialist daff odil programme to build up stock. grower, Barbara Abel-Smith, developed an These special daff odil bulbs are

eye-catching hybrid white-petalled fl ower, now being prepared for tissue culture Woods Austin/Adrian Images/Michael © Trust National based on historical evidence describing propagation at the National Trust Plant what is now known as the Clumber Daff odil. Conservation Centre in Devon, A thought-provoking and insightful new Other themes explored in the children’s As stock increased, hundreds of in partnership with Clumber Park. exhibition created through the eyes of local poems include the link between an bulbs were planted at Clumber Park in Due to the slow nature of bulb school children brings a voice to some of ivory carving of an elephant, and the Nottinghamshire and the fl ower thrived, growth and careful nurturing techniques, the colonial objects housed in the Eastern once living animal it was made from, but now unfortunately the daff odil hasn’t it is unlikely the daff odils will be fl owering Museum of Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire. and the human cost of British rule in been seen in the park for many years. for several years, so you won’t be able to This exhibition is part of Colonial India, inspired by a portrait of Curzon After the Royal Horticultural see them at Clumber Park for a while, Countryside, a child-led writing and in his ceremonial dress as Viceroy. Society confi rmed that the daff odil was however, this adds to the wonderful history project in partnership with Mahsuda Snaith, writer for the no longer commercially available in the UK, narrative of conservation in action, University of Leicester, Peepal Tree Colonial Countryside project, explains the hunt began to return this signifi cant which is something the team are so Press and the National Trust. what drew her to the commission, ‘As fl ower to the park. passionate about at Clumber. The project assembles authors, a British-Asian child growing up in an During a visit to Clumber Park, historians and primary school pupils inner-city council estate in the Midlands, renowned garden designer, Jacqueline By Jack Pitts, to explore country houses’ Caribbean I always felt that the countryside and van de Kloet, sugg ested other avenues Senior Gardener, Clumber Park and East India Company connections. its stately homes were for other people. on the continent to explore. Kedleston Hall was the childhood Being a commissioned writer for the home of George Nathaniel Curzon. He Colonial Countryside project has helped was Viceroy of India between 1899 and me realise that the way we look at history 1905, ruling in the name of the British is personal and constantly changing and monarch. Curzon travelled extensively that all our histories are connected.’ and this ‘Eastern collection’ contains eclectic objects from his travels in South Asia and the Middle East. The title of the exhibition, ‘If I could talk, I would tell you stories’ is The exhibition runs until end of taken from a poem by local school pupil, October, for more details, visit Tessa, who drew her inspiration from a silver table given to Curzon by the King www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kedleston-hall of Afghanistan in the early 1900s. © National Trust Images Re-building Hardwick: the News in brief

sandstone house on the hill Celebrating World Book Day World Book Day is on Thursday 5 March and there are lots of ways to Hardwick Hall was built in the 16th century Trevor Hardy, our Master Mason, has been celebrate at National Trust places using locally quarried sandstone. Due to its working on the Hall at Hardwick for over 30 near you. In Lincolnshire, the whole exposed position overlooking the borders years, and has a wealth of knowledge about family can enjoy a Percy the Park of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and the impressive building. Keeper trail in the gardens at Belton the soft nature of sandstone, the building Where damage has occurred, Trevor and House, and Gunby Estate, Hall is always at the mercy of the elements and his team use traditional methods to stabilise and Gardens is hosting a special constant repair work is required to address the stone, and only replace parts where exhibition of Judith Kerr’s Mog. the weathering. With a passion to maintain completely necessary. the building’s impressive and beautiful You can help support this vital project Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ structure, a 10-year building project began whilst admiring the stunning views from belton-house and www. three years ago to ensure the building is Hardwick’s heights by booking on a rooftop nationaltrust.org.uk/gunby-estate- wind and water tight with costs for the work tour, all proceeds of which go straight back hall-and-gardens for details. anticipated to be well over £10million. into caring for this beautiful building. In Derbyshire, Sudbury Hall and the Museum of Childhood is holding To fi nd out more about how we’re looking after a dressing up event on 7 and 8 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick-building-repairs-project the hall andbook your rooftop tour please visit March. Youngsters can come as their favourite character from a children’s book and there will be dressing up costumes at Sudbury too. There will be storytelling and Volunteers help to conserve children’s books available for a £1 via the voucher scheme.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ Calke’s textile collection sudbury-hall-and-the-national- trust-museum -of-childhood © National Trust Images for details. Volunteers are photographing Calke’s textile any damage is historical or new. We then check for collection to update the cataloguing records insects, mould or other deterioration, before the National Mills Weekend and check the condition of the collection. item is photographed for our records and repacked. National Mills Weekend is 9-10 The Textile Store at Calke Abbey contains I’ve worked with the conservation team for many May and Stainsby Mill on the over 1,000 garments and soft furnishings, from years, but this project has been a delight – it’s a Hardwick Estate in Derbyshire will military uniforms and exquisite dresses to very huge undertaking but so rewarding.’ be marking the occasion with a old curtains. This year, a team of nine volunteers The textiles collection may be out of sight, special weekend of activities. The is undertaking a project to photograph the entire but it certainly isn’t out of mind. So far, the team 19th century mill is a hidden gem in collection for Calke’s records. have processed over 140 items, and it’s thanks Hardwick’s wider parkland and well Volunteer, Patrick Pilkington explains, to their work that this collection will be worth a visit. ‘Each item is assigned a unique number and the preserved for many years to come. overall condition assessed to determine whether Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hardwick-estate-stainsby-mill to plan your trip. If you’d like to volunteer, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mids-volunteering To fi nd out more about the textile project at Calke Abbey, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/photographing-calkes-textile-collection

For membership queries please call 0344 800 1895 If you require this information in alternative formats, including the Talking Newsletter, please telephone 0121 224 7460 or email: [email protected]

National Trust Midlands Region, Hardwick Consultancy Office, The Croft, Doe Lea, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S44 5QJ Printed on 60% recycled paper. Printed by Walstead Bicester. Director for the Midlands: Andy Beer. Editor: Andrea Walker. © National Trust 2020. Registered Charity No. 205846 Please recycle after use. www.nationaltrust.org.uk 4 Spring 2020