Friends Events and News

The Association's team of volunteer Regional Friends Representatives organise a full programme of special events and visits to houses, gardens and other places of interest, some not usually open to the public, throughout the year. These events are publicised in the Activities supplement to the HHA's quarterly magazine Historic House and are open to applications from Members and Friends of the Association only.

The current Activities supplement may be downloaded below and a report of a recent Friends visit can also be seen.

PLEASE NOTE: Winter 2011 Activities Supplement Issue 80. The tour to Beechwood House and Mothecombe takes place on TUESDAY 27 MARCH (not Monday as stated) and the Supper Party at Powderham Castle is on FRIDAY 13 APRIL (not Wednesday as stated).

WESSEX REGION VISIT TO TWYFORD MOORS & HILL PLACE on 30 March 2011

The thoughtful visitor to Twyford Moors may well ask him - or herself, how does a House come to be like this? Some of the answer must lie in the broad contrast between 18th and 19th centuries; the man of taste in the earlier time, with his Grand Tour and classical bent, was replaced by his Victorian successor- a "Christian gentleman", often anxious to build or restore his local church, a change wrought by Pugin's work, and the consequent Gothic Revival spread to private houses. Pugin maintained that the Gothic was "not a style but a principle"( a moral position) and the architect Woodyer applied these ideas in designing Twyford Moors with a decidedly assertive approach suggestive of sheer force. Some Friends felt this strongly; right from entry of the deep, imposing porch one is captivated by the powerful features of the interior, such as the astounding hooded fireplaces, and yet the expectation of the  sort of polychromatic interior that Woodyer and Gambier-Parry created at Highnam is replaced by a simpler, more austere  scheme. The owner was welcoming in the extreme , allowing us full rein in appreciating this remarkable house and garden. In the afternoon, we were confronted with a style and atmosphere of somewhat earlier days; no Gothic here, but a pretty four-square house of the early 19th century in quiet grounds, conveying no hint of the architectural turbulence which later pervaded the country. All was in impeccable taste in the interior,  the ultimate wedding venue.  Our youthful but well-informed  and articulate hosts conducted tours with confidence and style, perhaps a little relieved as they shared their experiences of "Country House Rescue"  and offered us a most gracious tea.  

John Ralph

WESSEX REGION VISIT TO SHUTE GARDENS & COMPTON CHAMBERLAYNE on 13 April 2011

The countryside around Shaftesbury is among the most beautiful in England, and is noteworthy for its sudden changes of scenery and hence perspective, with its alternation of woodland and green-clad hills. In such a setting, the Shute Gardens enjoy a very fine advantage, and so it was that a group of Friends were able to take an invigorating walk in the morning, despite the rather gloomy weather. After lunch, we found ourselves in Penruddocke country, with its varied historical memories, the most famous of that family having been executed by Cromwell for attempting to proclaim "Our Gracious Lord Charles the Second" king in nearby Salisbury. It was a Penruddocke, of course, who originated the lovely castellated Compton Park in a setting unmatched by many houses; the Friends at one point spread along the eastern side to take pleasure from the view of the lake and the hills beyond. To the delights of the House, the hospitable owners added a friendly welcome and refreshments, and went to the trouble of engaging an informed guide to show us the adjoining  church. Towards afternoon, the Clerk of the Weather took pity on the Friends and bade the sun come out, which it deigned to do.  

John Ralph

WESSEX REGION VISIT TO THE HOLT & WINTERSHILL on 20 May 2011

The poet Gray, in another context, talked about "Full many a gem of purest ray serene," and  one feels that this exquisite House, the Holt, nestling in this gentle countryside, remains untouched by the fume and fret of modern life: the Friends were entranced by its serenity as they viewed it, and a tour of the grounds, their contours carefully worked into the semblance of an amphitheatre, reinforced the entire experience, which was rendered complete by the devoted attentions of the owners. It was in a happy mood that the party went to an excellent, full lunch at a local pub; it made us a bit late on parade!Wintershill provided a stimulating contrast;  the owner, a major-general, welcomed us with gusto and vigour, and one could discern a parallel between him and the "Very model of a modern major-general" of Gilbert & Sullivan: he conducted us round house and garden with panache and with a wealth of anecdote: the group, interested to know why a house of this quality was not listed, were told that , when the officials turned up in connection with the matter, his grandfather confronted them in the drive and told to "b-- off..." Our peregrinations were followed by an appetizing tea, surprising well attacked by the Friends, who had managed to consume a hefty lunch, & completed in the ancient precincts of Durley church. 

John Ralph

WESSEX REGION VISIT TO PITTLEWORTH & ROOKLEY MANORS on 23 May 2011

Hampshire manors are often overlooked by those who are drawn to the glories of Winchester, the sparkle of the Solent; but those who fish the reaches of the Test may tell a different story. Here the Friends encountered hidden gems, manors & churches of ancient lineage but cherished & preserved through time. At Pittleworth the ancient has re-emerged, with the re-discovery of dramatic Tudor wall paintings - at Rookley, despite the prettiest of Georgian & Gothic re-workings the interior grace has left behind the multiplicity of levels & quirky fenestration.

Our hostesses amply demonstrated their devotion to these serene environs, both having worked tirelessly to enhance them with elegance in both house & gardens. We were honoured that they were willing to share their most private homes so welcomingly with us. A substantial lunch  somehow left appetites apparently unbounded when tempted by magnificent cakes, iced coffee & cordial!

Here we have an England that Jane Austen would have known & loved - & so did we.

John Ralph