News and events for winter/spring 2020 Kent | East Sussex | West Sussex | Surrey

Landscape photography at The joy of birdsong – Petworth’s ‘Beauties’ – Head to nationaltrust.org. Sissinghurst – page 2 page 3 page 4 uk/east-sussex (or substitute your own county name) for the highlights in your region

Little joys to ‘The need of air, the sight of sky accumulate in 2020 and of things growing’ Sheffield Park and Garden (East Sussex) Mindful May is a month of self-led activities for visitors, at a time when scents and colours take over the garden. There will be cocoon pods, yoga mats, bean bags and hints and tips on how to adopt mindfulness.

Nymans (West Sussex) Nymans is embracing wellness in a variety of taster sessions between January and March, to enhance your wellbeing. There are gardening sessions, mindfulness and a beginner’s guide to finding your creative spark.

Standen (West Sussex) Renew, Recharge, Revive @ Standen this spring. You can connect with calming trees at Rockinghill Wood or walk round Hollybush Wood in 20 mins to achieve 2,500 steps – a quarter of your daily goal. We’re also This year is the 125th anniversary of the National Trust. For 125 years, each providing books from the Bothy at Rock Top Walk for peaceful reading generation has come together to look after the nation’s special places, for everyone. and reflection. For our founders, it was how beautiful The sight of a duckling waddling after its In our region, one of the anniversary green spaces benefited people that was mother evokes tender emotions. Catching celebrations is a wave of song, lighting up Polesden Lacey (Surrey) key. As Octavia Hill put it in 1888: ‘The an unexpected shower of fragrant spring like beacons across the region. An anthem New for spring is the Gardens for need of quiet, the need of air, the need blossom can spark a moment of unbridled is being commissioned with lyrics provided Wellbeing mindfulness trail. Small, of exercise and, I believe, the sight of sky joy. The relief and satisfaction of heaving by National Trust supporters to be sung by beautiful art installations are and of things growing, seem human needs, reluctant legs to the top of a hill for a community choirs on Saturday 16 May. popping up around the gardens from common to all and not to be dispensed glorious view is air-punchingly good. We all March, which encourage people to with without great loss.’ need it. Put simply, everyone needs nature. The wave of song will start at Alfriston stop and take a moment to enjoy the Clergy House in East Sussex, the first built beauty of where they are. In our increasingly busy, increasingly This year, our places are all planning more property to be acquired by the National urbanised, increasingly digital world, these ways to help us experience nature and Trust in 1896. When the song has been sung founding principles feel even more relevant those little joys that accumulate into there, the baton will be taken up by another today. Who doesn’t feel instantly energised a healthier, happier you. Look out for property, and so on, finishing atWaddesdon after stepping out of centrally-heated fug wellness gardens, dawn chorus walks, in Buckinghamshire. into the brittle sunshine and crisp air of a chatty cafés, community planting days, winter’s day? star-gazing, yoga and tai chi in the gardens. See What’s On for details of participating places and how to get invoved.

There are more details about events on property websites London Skyscape news at Petworth

2020 begins with a brand new way to enjoy your National Trust membership in London. The National Trust Partners scheme is expanding. From January, the Royal Observatory joins the 12 existing Rembrandt, The Three Trees, etching, detail places where members can receive a ©Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford discount on entry. Overlooking the River Thames, the Royal Observatory is best Since the seventeenth century, Petworth Constable famously stated: ‘It will be Festival 2020). Four days of workshops, known for the major role it played in the in West Sussex has been instrumental in difficult to name a class of landscape in storytelling, night-time walks, dawn history of astronomy, navigation and nurturing legendary artists and makers which the sky is not the key note, the chorus singing and in-conversation even time itself, as the home of GMT including household names such as standard of scale and the chief organ of events all focus upon people’s fascination (Greenwich Mean Time). Turner and Constable. It’s provided sentiment.’ Sunrises, sunsets and clouds all with the night sky. There are also studio inspiration, a place to share ideas and an reveal the spiritual and emotive character masterclasses for adults with expert environment in which to create ground- of skies, their heavenly symbolism and their practitioners and a February half-term art breaking art. vehicle for emotional expression. studio week for 8-12-year-olds.

Skyscape is a unique touring exhibition This powerful exhibition of aerial Skyscape exhibition 11 January – 18 March, from the Ashmolean Museum, University landscapes is the backdrop for brand-new Petworth Dark Skies 20 – 23 February. of Oxford, which celebrates five hundred studio sessions, workshops and events Tickets are available from the Petworth years of artists’ fascination with the sky. including highlights such as Petworth Dark website. Skies (part of the South Downs Dark Skies

Brighten up your winter with this colourful exhibition of some of the best professional Landscape photography and amateur landscape photography from An interactive exhibition based on the around the globe. Sissinghurst Castle much-loved children’s book ‘The Tiger Garden is hosting a selection of garden, Who Came to Tea’ arrives at Osterley plant and landscape photos, as part of the Park on 11 January. With it comes the International Garden Photographer of the chance to play with a life-size tiger, delve at Sissinghurst Year, from 4 January to 8 March. into a dressing-up chest or make ‘tea’ in a fully interactive play kitchen. Bigger From portrait to panorama, from the quirky kids will also be able to explore Judith and amusing, to the outright wondrous, Kerr’s wider life and work, including these photographs reflect the everlasting access to childhood drawings that show appeal of the garden. Categories include the how she developed into an acclaimed Beauty of Plants, Wildlife in the Garden and artist and story teller. Wildflower Landscapes among others. This year, for the first time, a special Sissinghurst award category has been added and the top three winners work will also be included in this exhibition.

Local floral designers have created an upside-down dried flower garden and brought the outdoors inside with new displays. On weekends, the garden will also be open for visitors to learn a little more about the history and work that goes into preparing the garden for the coming year. The garden structure is revealed through bare branches as small shoots of green As spring arrives, a seasonal emerge from the ground. transformation begins at our places across London. In the 300 year-old orchard at Fenton House, a delicate display of ‘pom-pom’ blossoms dangle Fashioned from gently from branches while a blaze of blue tulips add a splash of colour on the ground. 500,000 bulbs burst through Paper at Knole at Ham House to create a tapestry of colour that begins with vibrant crocuses From Saturday 7 March, the doors to the expansive showrooms and concludes with magnificent muscari. open once again at Knole. New life-sized paper sculptures will be located throughout the rooms. Designed by paper artist Spring also sees a new ‘garden room’ Denise Watson of Delicarta, a series of exquisitely created at Red House beginning to take shape. mannequins draw their inspiration from Knole’s many portraits, A re-imagining of the planting vision spanning 600 years of history. of William Morris and Philip Webb, this new space brings the indoors out. Co- Historic characters like James II, Henry VIII and Vita Sackville Art at Chartwell – An outdoor exhibition created with the community, the garden West will be brought to life as full-sized figures. Folds of fabric This winter, Chartwell celebrates the artwork of Sir Winston room also features commissions by are recreated in delicately manipulated paper and details such Churchill on a trail of paintings located throughout the grounds. contemporary designers. as lace trims, jewellery and fabric motifs are represented using different types of paper and techniques. Painting was an essential pastime for Churchill, providing him with much pleasure as well as supporting him through challenging The themes of fashion, paper and the characters depicted in times. He considered it to have a positive impact on his life and the installations will be reflected in a programme of events there is an indication that some of his most striking works came running throughout the year, including workshops and from times of greatest pressure. children’s activities. Community groups, including Knole Academy GCSE Art students and Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource, have produced creative responses to the paintings and landscapes at Chartwell, with help from local artist Mary Hooper.

Visitors will also be able to see examples of Churchill’s canvases set against the views he painted. Empty frames invite visitors to ‘frame the landscape’ and to take photographs to share on social media For more information on the above and or recreate back home just as Churchill did. other news from London head to nationaltrust.org.uk/london 11 January - 23 February, including children’s trail running throughout. Bake… Rhubarb, orange and almond slice

This is a lovely recipe using the first forced tender stems of early spring rhubarb.

Makes 12 slices

Ingredients 450g self raising flour Spring Flower Fest 450g caster sugar 1 large orange From the first tender snowdrop to the borders along Lime Walk. Splashes of yellow 225g fresh rhubarb colourblock drama of daffodils and daffodils spring up through the grass across 1 tsp baking powder bluebells, appreciating spring’s procession the orchard. 450g butter, softened of flowers carries us through those 6 medium eggs, beaten still-chilly days to warmer times. Angel tear daffodils blanket the South Garden at Emmetts Garden and snakeshead pinch salt Bateman’s is known for the beauty of its fritillaries bob their heads in the North 110g demerara sugar spring gardens. Throughout the season, Garden later in spring. Set against the back- 110g flaked almonds different varieties of spring flowers come drop of the Kentish Weald, hundreds of to life. There’s a carpet of pale blue scilla pink, red and black tulips create a spectacle in the wild garden with daffodils livening between rows of blossoming cherry trees. Method up the borders. Camassia, foxtail lilies and • Line a 30cm rectangular fritillaries take over as the season moves on. The Wall Garden at Nymans is full of deep sided baking tray with lavish displays of bright yellow daffodils greaseproof paper. There are spring bulbs everywhere at underplanted with grape hyacinths, and • Heat oven to 150ºC. Sissinghurst. Stone troughs and urns bloom masses of frothy blossom and camellias. with bright coloured tulips, and rows of Walks, talks and pop-up displays will • Cut rhubarb into small chunks narcissi in every shade of yellow line the celebrate Nymans’ rare, prize-winning and cook on a low heat in rhododendrons. a small saucepan until the rhubarb is tender. No need Polesden Lacey comes to life with wisteria along the lavender lawn flowers to add liquid as the rhubarb snowdrops in the Winter Garden, then in late spring, scenting the air and buzzing releases a lot of liquid when it heritage daffodils in the beds and banks. with bees. starts to cook, don’t overcook There are irises in the Rock Garden, tulips as you want to keep the lovely bursting into bloom along the house At Sheffield Park and Garden, there chunks. borders and bluebells in the wider estate. are early spring daffodils, bluebells and • Cut up the orange and place Small, beautiful art installations pop up dazzling displays of rhododendrons and in a food processer until around the garden from March. azaleas. New for this year are Forest Bathing chopped to a pulp. sessions amongst the carpets of bluebells in Tulips feature in the Spring Spectacular Walk Wood and free guided walking tours • Cream together the sugar and at Standen from mid April. The majestic amongst the rhododendrons and azaleas. butter until light and fluffy then add the orange pulp and mix well. • Add the flour and baking powder to the sugar and butter mixture and stir the eggs in gradually. • Spoon the mixture into your baking tin. Top with the cooked rhubarb, sprinkle with demerara sugar and scatter the top with flaked Leith Hill Tower, in Surrey, [below] has almonds. panoramic views over • Bake for about 30-40 The joy of birdsong several counties and is the minutes until firm to the highest point in the South touch. You don’t have to know the words of a classic sign of spring, but often it’s our native East. It’s an ideal place to song to appreciate the music. Likewise, blackbird who is first with his burbling song. watch birds on the move. you don’t need to know the name of a bird Good served warm with to be uplifted by its song, or be a twitcher Look up at this time of year and you’ll see Nicky Scott, Lead Ranger for Leith Hill, clotted cream as a pudding, to enjoy watching birds wheeling and the migration underway. Millions of birds says: ‘Thanks to ongoing restoration of the or allow to cool for a lovely soaring in a clear sky. are on the move, urgently heading home heathland at nearby Duke’s Warren, we see afternoon tea treat. to reclaim their breeding grounds. Viz- stonechat, siskin and goshawks, and even Spring is a great time to appreciate them, migging (visible migration watching – it’s nationally rare birds such as woodlark and Why not send us a photo as our fairweather visitors are returning a thing!) is easy and you don’t need any nightjar. More than 5500 house martins on Twitter @southeastNT for the summer. The call of a cuckoo is the technical knowledge. passed through Leith Hill last year.’ or Facebook? Or email lse.customerenquiries@ nationaltrust.org.uk What your support Conservation in action means to us Tree-ring dating at ‘Wow – what a milestone – 125 years of the National Trust! Alfriston Clergy House Thanks to you, here we are in 2020, still caring for special places The exact date that Alfriston Clergy House, in East Sussex, was where people and nature can built has always been a mystery. Now, tree-ring dating – known as thrive. All these years on from dendrochronology – has solved the mystery once and for all. saving our first building Alfriston Clergy House, 136 of the 500 Alfriston Clergy House was the first building ever acquired by the places we look after today are National Trust in 1896. It was in poor condition at the time and cost here in the South East. just £10 to buy, although a further £400 was needed for repairs.

Though the challenges we face In 2019, we commissioned the Oxford Dendrochronology Laboratory may be different to those of our to sample the building’s timbers. Dendrochronology involves taking founders’ times, special places cores of wood (which look like cigars) from buildings and then still offer us a space to switch studying the tree rings to provide accurate dates. off and be in the moment. That’s something that feels particularly The sampling for Alfriston concluded that the trees used to build important in our part of the the original house were felled between 1399 and 1407. Holly Jones, country where life is so full on. National Trust Operations Manager for Alfriston Clergy House, said: We have lots you can get involved Petworth ‘Beauties’ ‘Being able to pinpoint the age of the house for the first time is a in throughout the year and I’m break-through. This wonderful house captured the heart of Octavia particularly looking forward to Paintings of ladies of the Stuart court that had their legs cut Hill, the National Trust’s co-founder. With these findings we are joining in with our 16 May choral off and folded out of sight 200 years ago, are having their continuing her vision, 125 years later.’ activities. Everyone’s welcome, legs unfurled again by the National Trust in partnership with including non-singers like me. Tate Britain. Alfriston Clergy House is open from March to December. What a chance to get absorbed and forget about anything else Nicknamed the Petworth ‘Beauties’, the portraits were cut to besides following a tune.’ three-quarter length after the 3rd Earl of Egremont wanted more space for new artworks. Then, in the 1990s, during Nicola Briggs, Regional Director conservation work, the hidden canvas folds were discovered.

Two portraits by Michael Dahl have been conserved to their full length and will star in an exhibition at Tate Britain - British Baroque: Power and Illusion. The remaining paintings are still on Meet like-minded display in the original ‘Beauty Room’ at Petworth in West Sussex. members Tate Britain is exclusively offering National Trust members 2 for 1 tickets to the exhibition British Baroque: Power and Illusion from If you like making the most of your 5 February to 19 April. Use code NT241 online at tate.org.uk or by National Trust membership and enjoy phone 020 7887 8888. T&Cs apply. some company on your outings, why not join your local Supporter Group? These are groups of Trust members who live Visit Claremont Landscape Garden, in tiny scraps tucked into the curves of the near you and get together for talks, walks, Royal railings Surrey, between January and spring and ironwork, believed to date back to 1824. outings, day trips and even holidays. you’ll see the camellias in bloom, bringing beautiful splashes of colour to the wintery It was discovered that the original Wherever you live, there’s a group restored garden. But there is more to the Camellia colour was dark green, made from within reach, waiting to give you a warm Terrace than meets the eye. Prussian blue and ochre. The shade welcome. was known as ‘invisible green’ and was We’ve just finished restoring the Camellia popular in green spaces at the time. Search ‘supporter groups LSE’ on Terrace railings. Decorated with the the National Trust website or phone monogram of Claremont’s former owner, Conservators removed old paint and Viv Tobitt, Supporter Groups Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, they’re one of the tended to corroded areas before Co-ordinator on 01932 339496. last signs that royalty once walked through applying a shade called Brunswick the garden. Green. The restored railings give visitors a glimpse of how Claremont would In recent years the railings had become have looked when Prince Leopold and rusty, with sections of paint flaking away. Princess Charlotte used to stroll through Paint analysis was carried out, looking at the garden. Wetland for wildlife at Sissinghurst Once a common feature of the Kent Weald, likely due to a history of amphibians taking floodplain meadows have decreased over advantage of seasonal moisture when the time, along with the habitats and wildlife river was in high flow. they once supported. All that is set to change at Sissinghurst Castle Garden Restoring the floodplain meadow will where a natural flood management project alleviate flooding downstream after heavy to ‘re-wet’ a historic floodplain began in rainfall as the water will be diverted into autumn 2019. shallow dips in the field before seeping slowly back into the main channel. It Working with the South East Rivers Trust, should also attract an abundance of wildlife the project will recreate the floodplain in an including wetland birds such as snipe and area called Frogmead, providing a dynamic teal, dragonflies, and encourage frogs to resource for wildlife. This name is most return to Frogmead.

Regional Director Nicola Briggs Editor Katy Dunn For a large print version, please call us on 0344 800 1895 Contributors Hannah Elliott, Nina Elliot-Newman, or email [email protected] Claire Shuter, Chris Tutt Design Suvarna Designs Photography © National Trust Images / John Bish, Derek Boyes, Andrew Butler, Gary Cosham, Chris Davies, James Dobson, Print Walstead, Bicester Chris Jonas, Chris Lacey, David Levenson, John Malley, John Millar, John Miller, Hugh Mothersole, Rah Petherbridge, Karl Prentice; Winter Sunshine, Chartwell (1924/1925) Reproduced by kind permission of Curtis Brown, London on behalf of Churchill Heritage Printed on 100% recycled paper, please recycle after use. Ltd.; National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Tina Warner; Richard Bloom; Richard Watson; Rembrandt, The Three Trees, etching, detail © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford. © National Trust 2020 Registered charity no. 205846 nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast