We started off the month with our first open weekend since 2019. There was much apprehension about opening during the pandemic, but clear guidance and advice from Historic Houses www.historichouses.org and the 'Good to Go' scheme helped us follow the regulations and stay safe successfully.
Guides spent the week before revisiting notes, memorising dates and revising the family tree, as well as quelling some nerves. However, after the first few tours we all settled into the role, enjoying sharing family stories as well as our knowledge of the house and collections. It was great to welcome visitors once more and show off this lovely old home... I must note that this was only made possible by our dedicated team of volunteers, who give up their time to enable us to open and raise sufficient funds for the restoration of the building - A huge thank you to them all.
They'll be back helping very soon indeed, as we open again this coming weekend! Tours are now available to book online for this coming Saturday (31st July) and Sunday (1st August). The gallery has been restocked, after successful sales at the start of the month, and I'm just about to start arranging more flowers - this time using late July blooms from the garden, such as the perennial Sweet Peas and Marjoram, that have managed to withstand this week's heavy rain.
Tomorrow will be spent dusting, polishing and laying out treasured items for display. Some of my favourite are pictured below. They include some beautiful fans and dresses from the 19th century and all have a story to tell, so I hope you can join us this weekend to find out more:
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