ISSUE 1 FEBRUARY 2011 The Holkham Gazette

New Year, New Newsletter Lord Coke explains the introduction of the new Holkham Gazette Welcome to the first edition of the Holkham Gazette. This summer and is one the largest employers in north . is a free new quarterly magazine we are producing for There are over 400,000 visitors to Holkham beach every people who live and work at Holkham and in the local year and the tourism economy of Norfolk is now estimated community. The aim is to give our friends and neighbours to be bigger than Cornwall. Agriculture and conservation an insight into the day-to-day activities of a modern rural remain at the core of the estate’s activity and 8,500 acres of estate and to ensure that local people are first to know and land is farmed by the Holkham Farming Company see what is happening and what is planned here. producing cereals, vegetables and livestock. More than 600 Today Holkham is both a business and a home but above people live in cottages and farms that are maintained by all it is a precious landscape that we protect and conserve our property company. We are continually looking for ways as the economy and the climate change around us. The to improve the quality of all that we do and this year we estate has changed dramatically since the 1760s and will are opening two new cafés and concentrating on our shop continue to evolve and adapt. Once entirely dependent on window to demonstrate our commitment to quality. agriculture, Holkham is now a modern company built We hope you’ll enjoy this glimpse into the estate and if around the pillars of property, leisure and farming. Our aim you want to know more please get in touch. In the Gazette is to create a collection of diverse and thriving rural you’ll find vouchers and offers that are only businesses which will sustain the place and the people who available to local people and readers of live and work here into the 21st century. this magazine; please use them and The estate employs up to 350 people at the height of the enjoy all that Holkham has to offer. Viscount Coke ¡ A Sneak Preview For Putting People First! Our Local Residents Celia Deeley is the new general manager of Holkham Enterprises. She is the new face of our visitor business, overseeing all visitor-related activity. Celia will also oversee the day to day on 31st March operation of the hall for Lord and Lady Coke, their family and guests. If you live in one of our We put her through a gentle grilling...... neighbouring areas – Wells, FAMILY – Married to Marcus for 23 years, a great dad, husband and friend – my absolute New Holkham, Holkham ‘rock’. Two teenage sons: Matthew, just turned 18 and definitely a lover of the outdoors Village, Quarles, Egmere, and 15 year old James, an avid cricketer who plays for Suffolk County. Warham, , Burnham PETS – One very demanding and endearing young black Labrador called Sky and one Market, Burnham Thorpe, solitary goldfish (10 years old having outlived three companions). Burnham Norton, Burnham FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY – Summer holidays in watching the Overy Town and Staithe – you crab boats come in every morning with my dad. are warmly invited to a sneak BEST JOB – A close thing between taking my very first trip preview of on to Switzerland as a tour guide and the first year working at Most fam Thursday 31st March as we Althorp with a fantastic team of people. ous person met: prepare for the new visitor WORST JOB – Working on the ‘pick and mix’ counter at Woolworths, when I first season starting on 1st April. acquired a very sweet Qtooth and a waistline to match! Nelson Mandela Simply cut out this voucher MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT – There are many but if I have to and bring it with you for free choose two they would be realising on my first French-speaking flight to Most and entry. The hall will be open Geneva, as an air hostess, that I was reading the landing instructions when we were sing 2pm to 6pm (last admissions embarras taking off and not recognising Gary Lineker when temping at Leicester City Football Club. 5pm). Enter through the north moment: MOST SATISFACTION/BEST GIFT – Two healthy sons – I will never forget how wonderful gates (off the A149 at The ailing to it felt to take my first son home on Christmas Eve. Victoria) and you will be F MOST FAMOUS PERSON MET – Nelson Mandela. cognise directed to the main visitor re BEST PERSONALITY TRAIT – I always look for the best in people. My worst trait is that I’m entrance by staff. Join us for neker a perfectionist! Gary Li A complimentary refreshments INTERESTS – A love of travel and languages and a great ambition to see the Northern Lights. afterwards in the Stables Café. We look forward to seeing you. Rose Garden Café Entry for The tearooms at Ancient House in Holkham Village have re-opened under Holkham management. Join us in the Rose Garden 2 adults & Café for a delicious variety of tasty, hot and cold dishes, snacks and sandwiches for lunch, or come and indulge 2 children to Se yourself in a slice of mouth-watering homemade cake for e back Holkham Hall afternoon tea. page for Warmed by a roaring log fire and surrounded by roses Special plus to remind you of warmer seasons, it’s perfect for Offer! dropping in after a walk on Holkham beach – it’s cosy complimentary inside and we’d love to see you! refreshments The Beach Café at Wells. Another Holkham café opening soon. VALID ONLY ON 31ST MARCH 2011

www.holkham.co.uk FEBRUARY 2011

Editor’s Spot BY SARA PHILLIPS I have been invited by the Holkham Estate to edit this new publication – the Holkham Gazette – and I am delighted to take on the task. This free new quarterly magazine will present a fresh, up-to-date look at the estate and at the wonderful things Come and visit this special place that go on here. The landscape of marshes and dunes at Holkham is the creation of 350 years’ work. John We want the Gazette to be of Coke drained the western marshes in 1659, Thomas Coke reclaimed another 400 acres in interest (and use) both to locals 1719 and TW Coke, the 2nd , built the sea bank at Wells in 1859, in order and visitors, so along with details to drain the remaining marshes between Holkham Gap and Wells. Lady Anne’s Drive, of the many events that happen at now so popular with holidaymakers, was built to give access to the grazing marshes and Holkham throughout the year, we the sea in 1823. Constant attention was needed throughout the centuries, repairing the aim to include local information banks, cleaning channels and planting marram grass to stabilise the dunes. Then in the P too, including spotlighting people 1890s the pinewoods were planted to strengthen the dunes – essential sea defences who are crucial to the operation stretching from Holkham to Wells. Nearly all the trees came from home-grown seeds, of the various businesses we run. raised in a nursery plantation near the sand hills for two to four years, to give sturdy WIN There will also be information a about jobs on the estate, garden - plants ready for their exposed life by the sea. combined Today, the change of land use from agriculture to leisure is a perfect illustration of how rural estates car park ing tips from head gardener Tim sea have adapted to a modern economy where relative food prices have plummeted and leisure activity son ticket Marshall and the odd recipe or See has soared. All the income from car parking is used to maintain the parts of Holkham that are accessi - back two, among other ideas. page ble to visitors. This year we have introduced a combined season ticket costing £105 that gives access to This is a very exciting devel - Holkham beach, Holkham park and Wells beach as well as unlimited admission to the hall during the visitor sea - opment which I hope is son. To apply for a season ticket you can download an application form from www.holkham.co.uk or give the Estate well-received by every - Office a call on 01328 710227. one and that you enjoy reading it. The Making History Happen next issue will be out in April. Sophie Rushmere, who lives near , is a final year student in book conservation at Camberwell College of Art. She is about to undertake work experience in the conservation studio at the Norfolk Record Wives And Daughters Office and she will spend occasional Our exhibition in the hall looks at the lives and days in the archives at Holkham. personalities of the wives and daughters of the Coke family. Sophie has already started work Archival footage, photographs, press cuttings and a display of on cleaning our archive volumes personal wedding and evening dresses have been brought together to using an especially gentle vacuum tell a fascinating tale. You’ll have a unique opportunity to learn more cleaner. She is also compiling a survey about the family that has lived at Holkham for almost 300 years. of those volumes that need attention, due Hall open 1st April to 31st October to the effects of age. Sunday, Monday and Thursday 12noon to 4pm. She is enjoying being able to examine and handle old manuscript volumes and is able to glean information about them from the binding or stitching. Coming Soon 22nd - 25th April 10am to 5pm Easter Trail in the Bygones Museum Events At Holkham Nature Reserve at Holkham 23rd April 6.30pm Chamber Music in the Marble Hall Find out more Booking is essential – there are 20 about Holkham places available per walk. To book a with Alexander Romanovsky and its wildlife place please phone Catherine 28th May 6.15pm Outdoor Theatre – The Teddy Bear's by joining our Foreman on 07825 377652. There is Circus in the courtyard at Holkham Hall monthly guided a suggested donation of £2 per More information on events, plus booking details, is available on our walks which person. website: www.holkham.co.uk, alternatively, please call 01328 take place on 713111 or email [email protected] the last Wednesday of each month Dates for your diary and last about two hours. Each 23RD FEBRUARY guided walk is over gentle terrain Family Walk with children’s activities Firewood For Sale and we meet at the National Nature Time: 10.45am Reserve entrance at the north end of Holkham now sells firewood delivered to your door. Log sales are available at £90 (half load) and £160 (full load). Deliveries are Lady Anne’s Drive, Holkham. There 30TH MARCH on a Friday only and are available within a 10 mile radius of Holkham. is a charge for parking. No dogs Lapwing Display please. Time: 10am A stacking service can be offered by prior arrangement. For more information, contact Holkham Property Department on 01328 710240. FEBRUARY 2011

Get Your Hands Dirty! Supper Club At The Victoria Now in the second year of a five year The Victoria’s new Supper Club is project the Walled Gardens at Holkham a great way to enjoy delicious are being sensitively restored under the food and wine each month in the supervision of head gardener Tim luxurious surroundings of one of Marshall. Tim is always keen to encourage ’s most stylish volunteers to help out with the project. restaurants. If you have an interest in gardening, For a joining fee of just £5, would like to spend time in this wonderful which is redeemable at the first location and you fancy getting your event you attend, you will hands dirty, please give him a call on receive invitations to exclusive 07884 183543. We can offer you a packed monthly events, with a compli - lunch for your troubles and in exchange mentary drinks reception at you get the sheer satisfaction of seeing each event. There’s a seasonal something restored to its former menu and the seating is splendour. arranged in party-style rather than at individual tables, so that good conversation and laughter can flow. Private Gardens Tour Membership also offers Sunday 29th May – Join head gardener Tim Marshall for a 10% off all future dining at spring tour of the private gardens at Holkham. The Victoria, plus 10% dis - Tours will last one hour and are available at 11am, 1pm and 3pm with a count at Adnams Cellar and maximum of 20 people per tour. Booking is essential and tickets are available Kitchen Store in Holkham from the Ticket Office. For further information, please phone village. 01328 713111 or email [email protected]. For more information, Please wear suitable footwear for walking on grass, please call 01328 711008 gravel and uneven terrain. or visit www.victoriaatholkham.co.uk Charities Wonderful Weddings Holkham supports many charities each year. In this issue we look Getting married or forming a civil partnership is a very special occasion and at the contributions of some of our staff and focus on the work of one choosing the right location for your ceremony is paramount. Have you of our chosen charities – EACH considered Holkham for your special day? Each of our venues is In 2010 a year of achievement has seen money raised... guaranteed to make your day unique – from the splendour of the • In October our hall manager, Colin Shearer, ran in the Loch Ness Marathon Palladian hall where various state rooms are available, to to raise money for Walking With The Wounded. the idyllic Temple in the park. If you’d prefer an al fresco • We donated an auction prize of a deer stalking session at Holkham with our setting, the Walled Gardens are a picturesque choice. deer keeper to Fight for Sight – the UK’s leading charity dedicated to funding research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease. Holkham Hall • In July a team of ladies represented Holkham Estate in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at Houghton Hall, running in memory of Jane Bloomfield, a Holkham Hall is currently licensed for civil former work colleague who died last year. They were rewarded with over £2000 ceremonies in four of the state rooms. They are able to in sponsorship. accommodate as few as 20 or as many as 150 guests for the • Various businesses at Holkham lent their support and sponsored Wells ceremony, followed by photographs and a champagne reception with canapés. Carnival for another year. The impressive Marble Hall is perhaps the most dramatic entrance hall in • The Globe held a quiz night in support of the Alzheimer’s Society in and additional rooms can be taken to suit your numbers. February which raised £160. • We have continued to support Norfolk Churches Trust, Big C and the Astro The Temple Fund brain tumour research campaign. The Temple is a charming shooting lodge in a beautiful setting within the woods in Holkham park. This venue can hold up to 20 guests inside for a civil ceremony. For a summer wedding, the ceremony can take place outside on the ’s Children’s Hospices terrace, with guests assembled on the lawn. Use a marquee to have your East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) provides reception on the lawn outside the Temple or within the nearby Walled care and support to life-threatened children and their Gardens. families across East Anglia and is generously supported by Holkham estate with Viscountess Coke being a patron. The Walled Gardens The hospices deliver care and support either in the The Walled Gardens offer a superb venue for a marquee-based wedding family home or from one of their three hospices in reception and can accommodate large numbers. The site is in a picturesque, Quidenham in Norfolk, Ipswich in Suffolk and private and secluded area of Holkham park and offers flexibility and choice. Milton in Cambridgeshire. They deliver a range of services which includes short break care, specialist The Victoria Hotel play activities, music therapy, hydrotherapy, parent The Victoria Hotel is perfectly located for a small wedding reception of up to groups, sibling groups, care at end of life and bereave - Reg charity 1069284 ment support for all family members. 40 people during the off-peak season. The hotel has ten beautiful rooms to EACH needs to raise £4 million in voluntary donations this year. This equals accommodate wedding parties. £11,000 a day, every day of the year – so they are always looking for fundraising ideas with which you could become involved. For more information visit Contact Sarah Green or Christopher Lloyd Owen on 01328 821821 or www.each.org.uk or call 01953 715559. If you would like to donate directly to email [email protected] the charity, there is the opportunity to do so on their website. FEBRUARY 2011 Noticeboard ¡ Holkham’s Heroes JOBS AT PRIZE DRAW! Mark Taylor – Hooker to everyone here – has worked on the HOLKHAM estate for 10 years and he’s the “go-to” guy for everyone from For two lucky readers a Lord Leicester down. After 22 years as a Norfolk fisherman the Please visit our website for chance to win a combined work began to dry up, so he got a job with a contractor doing details of jobs listed here car park season ticket each building work, which brought him to Holkham. He now works worth £105. as the houseman and maintenance man for the hall and the THE VICTORIA HOTEL Fill in your name, address and buildings nearby. • Deputy manager phone number or email below And what work it is – he cannot recall a boring day in all his • General assistants for to be entered in a prize draw to time here and was at a loss to explain what he does, not because restaurant, bar and house - win a combined car park season he does so little, but because he does so much! Mark looks after the roofs, the keeping ticket. boilers, dripping taps, all the open fires, including hauling the logs to fill the • Full/part-time receptionists Entry closes 25th March 2011. enormous baskets that stand beside each fire. He cleans the brass, he mends • Chef de partie/commis chef leather shooting bags and gun cases, he helps out at concerts and functions PINEWOODS HOLIDAY PARK NAME ...... and when guests arrive, he lends a hand to carry their luggage to their rooms • Holiday receptionists and see that they are settled. He helps remove priceless paintings off the wall • Retail assistants ADDRESS ...... that go on loan to museums and the cleaning of everything from chandeliers • Site maintenance workers and ...... to guns after a day’s shoot. He knows where everything is (even if it takes him site wardens a minute or two to remember) and he walks up to 14 miles in every nine-hour ...... shift he works...... He’s a mine of information about Holkham and clearly loves every minute. RECRUITMENT His tale of ghostly running footsteps that chased him out of a basement PHONE ...... corridor is genuinely scary! An intensely practical man, doing practical things DAY EMAIL ...... in a practical way – Holkham is lucky to have Mark! We are holding a Recruitment Day on Monday 28th February, supported by Jobcentre Plus in THEN EITHER Supplier Spotlight Fakenham. Some of the Post to Holkham Competition Editor Sara Phillips talks to Arthur vacancies available are: 2d Maryland Howell, one of Holkham’s suppliers, Permanent positions Wells-next-the-Sea pictured here with Lord Leicester • Visitor manager Norfolk NR23 1LY I run our family butchers businesses in Wells, • Live-in security and OR Email your name, address and established in maintenance person and phone number to 1889 by my great-grandfather, also called Arthur. • Car park supervisor [email protected] We have our own abattoir which is supplied Seasonal positions by local farmers, including Holkham from • Car park attendants Only one entry per household whom we buy venison, beef, lamb and game. • Catering assistants Geoff Allen, another local farmer, raises the ¡ outdoor-reared pigs he sells to us on Holkham land too, so For more information about much of our business involves the estate in one way or another. Our gun shop the Recruitment Day, contact ROSE GARDEN in Binham supplies cartridges and ammunition used by Holkham’s gamekeepers Kay Battersby at Jobcentre and we run our very popular hog roasts at various Holkham events. We bought Plus in Fakenham. Telephone CAFÉ 01328 753303. the bakery in Wells in 2008 and my daughter Alex is in charge there. Present this voucher at • Makesureyourlawnsarekeptfreeofleaves.Eventhoughthe the Rose Garden Caféin grassisn’tinfullgrowthitstillneedslighttokeepithealthy. Holkham village on any • Startplanningforchangestothegardennow – it’salwaysgoodto weekday in February and planwellahead.Rememberwhenplanningthevegetablegardenthat March 2011 and receive thebedsarebestplannedonarotation–usuallyoverafouryear a FREE piece of cake period. when you buy a cup of • Whenworkinginthevegetablegardeninthewinter,ifthesoilis Gardening heavytryandavoidcompactionbyworkingfromwoodplatformsto tea or coffee. disperseyourweight. Cafe open 10am – 4pm • Winterisanidealtimeforpruningthemajorityofshrubsandtrees seven days a week Tips inyourgardenwhilstthesaplevelsarelow.Avoidpruningcherries, plumsanddamsonswhentheyareoutofleafastheyarevulnerableto byHeadGardener attackbythefungaldiseaseChondrostereumpurpureum–thisis TimMarshall commonlyknownassilverleafdiseasebecauseofitsvisualappearance– © The Holkham Gazette 2011 theseplantsneedpruninginJune. Published by • Regularlycheckthedahliaswhichwereliftedandstoredfromthe Coke Estates Limited gardenbeforethefirstfrosts–thetuberswanttobekeptniceand JobstodoinJanuary, Holkham Estate Office plump. Wells-next-the-Sea FebruaryandMarch • Nowisagoodtimetobeplantingspringandsummerfloweringbulbs, Norfolk NR23 1AB thoughbulbssuchasGalanthus(snowdrops)wanttoplanted‘inthe Phone: 01328 710227 green’–whentheyareingrowth. Website: www.holkham.co.uk

Next issue published in April 2011