A Gathering of Friends

We had a very special weekend, this weekend; our private opening of the visitors’ hub. It was an occasion to invite a small group of friends and supporters to the hub, to have a look around, meet up and share stories. In particular it was an opportunity to say “thank you” to some of the people who have been stalwart supporters to us since the terrible day of the fire at Betley Court, back in 2019. They included Stephanie, Lorraine, Melvyn and Shane, our staff at Betley Court, who took care not only of the house and gardens, but of Freda and Godfrey Brown in their latter years.

Nigel began proceedings with a short speech, about the Brown family’s time at Betley Court, and then introduced our guests of honour, current residents Annette, Philip and Patrick who were invited to cut the ribbon. Nigel pointed out that between them, these three residents had been living at Betley Court for over a hundred years, then quipped, “they’d have got less for murder!”

Philip, Annette and Patrick, Betley Court's longest residents, cutting the ribbon

Annette announced, “I now declare Betley Court Gardens visitors’ hub officially open!” as she cut the ribbon, and Nigel invited everyone in to the hub to enjoy a glass of prosecco and a slice of one of Annette’s legendary home-baked cakes.

Inside the hub, eating Annette's legendary cakes

It was a lovely afternoon, and our guests were invited to enjoy the gardens. The bluebells were looking especially gorgeous, as if they were delighted to have visitors again, and we were lucky enough to have a warm, dry afternoon for our gathering. Fat bumble bees busied themselves around the flowers in the garden, and a multitude of birds provided the soundtrack to the afternoon.

Looking lovely - ramsons or wild garlic are in full flower down by Tanhouse Brook

Bluebells underneath the broadleaf woodland trees

Later, there was a private tour of the rebuilding work with Tamsin Liddle, co-author of “William Barron: The Victorian Landscape Designer”, a well-researched garden history tome that mentions Barron’s contribution to the gardens at Betley Court. Tamsin is a fellow self-confessed historic building geek, and we know her through her work with the Elvaston Castle and Garden Trust, the charity who are working towards securing its future. It was great for us to take her on a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the rebuild work, especially as both Betley Court and Elvaston Castle share similar conservation challenges, even if the scale and plans to preserve these historic beauties are markedly different.

Exploring the house, the private tour with Tamsin

On Sunday, we held our 2022 Bluebell Walk, the first since the fire. From our point of view, it was a pleasure to have people enjoying the bluebell woods again. This event was started many years ago by Nigel’s parents, Godfrey and Freda Brown. I have no idea if the Squires in the days of old hosted Bluebell Walks, although garden openings go back many, many years. Of course, bluebell time was Godfrey’s favourite season in the gardens.

The gazebo, with its two griffins commemoration Freda and Godfrey Brown

We hope to continue it as an annual event in his memory. I think both Godfrey and Freda would have been amused by the advent of social media since we last had a bluebell walk, as photographs and little pieces of video footage popped up on people’s mobile phone feeds. Although I can’t help but think that the idea of ‘sharing’ the beauty of Betley Court is something they’d be pleased with.

All best wishes

Ladybird Su