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Carol Wade has written a report on the visit to Chatsworth, and this is followed by two photos taken on the day by James Pearson.
“Oh didn’t we have a luverly time the day we
went to Chatsworth” sang my husband as we pulled out of the car
park at Bolton Abbey.
48 Members of the Friends of Bolton Priory setting off for a private “Behind
the Scenes” to be led by the Duke.
On arrival our Commanding Officer gave us our tickets and our orders. We split into two groups. and after a cup of coffee, Group A went to meet the Duke for the morning tour and Group B viewed the exhibitions in the house, “Georgiana – Duchess of Devonshire” or the new area devoted to the present Dowager, or simply wandered round the gardens and shops until Lunch time.
Our meal was served in the Burlington Restaurant, an attractive room converted from the old stables, and still containing the hayracks.
Group B then went to meet the Duke at The Lodge , currently housing an assortment of masonry, from the estate. Storage problems became a recurrent theme of our tour. as The Duke explained that several of the family houses had been sold over the years, and the contents had all ended up at Chatsworth. An Attic Sale through Sothebys comprising 20,000 items in 1000 lots, is planned for October.
The Duke led us along the private terrace leading to the family’s front door on the west side, overlooking immaculate topiary, and the river. Also evident was a BBC marquee for a forthcoming Antiques Roadshow. The Duke pointed out that the North side was currently being cleaned prior to the rest of the building getting the same treatment.. Workmen on the roof had discovered that decorative balls on top of the stone urns had originally been gilded and that this was being re-done now to catch the light. “Bling is nothing new…” he said “..this house was built to impress and that’s why it has always been open to the public…after all what’s the point of a magnificent house if no-one sees it.?.”
So to the front door, through which had passed many statesmen and sportsmen. Visits to Chatsworth and other family houses were, invariably (the Duke said) based on politics or killing things!
On then into the late Duke's Study, with book lined walls, interspersed with delicately painted panels and a ceiling covered in oil paintings, that, needing a home, were positioned there by the 11th Duke. The books were all collected by him ,his favourite authors being Proust and P G Woodhouse. We also spotted “Decline and Fall of the English Aristocracy” and ”History of Bolton Priory” on the shelves. After admiring two fine narrative paintings of favourite racehorses and Ducal carriages at the Races, in the adjoining Hall, we were led along corridors lined by paintings by Howard Hodgkin, last seen at the Devonshire Brasserie, and more fine paintings in gloomy corners, further highlighting the problem of insufficient storage space. We were taken to the old kitchen, currently used by carpenters, with enormous inglenooks previously used with spits for cooking huge joints of meat. The Duke said there was a possibility that these kitchens and the original equipment might be restored as part of a tourist trail.
Our next stop was the sixth Duke’s Theatre, up two floors at the north end of the House. It is a delight, with stage and curtains like something straight out of Pollock's Toy Theatre, with boxes at a higher level and cages in the corners of the auditorium. The Theatre is now only used occasionally for presentations, and parties to the delight of grandchildren.
Back in the Gardens we admired Paxton's orchid glasshouse, the Conservative wall, a Camellia House, and the three part (tropical/sub- tropical/temperate) modern glasshouse and vinery with RHS prizewinning grapes of which the Duke, and his gardeners are justly proud. He dismissed the Rose Garden (maintaining the design of 1939 by the wife of the 10th Duke), as not to his taste, but it is being preserved, as were other features as an example of the style of ages past.
Thanks to the organisation of the trip by James Pearson, and the Dukes generosity, we had a truly fascinating day. We were privileged to have had so much ,of the Dukes time and the benefit of his insight into family history, and life behind the scenes at this famous House.
Patrick Leigh Fermor wrote of the Dowager Duchess’ book The Gardens of Chatsworth, “..She leads us through the garden with a spontaneous flair that leaves nothing beautiful or historically interesting or comic unexplored..” and I think we all felt these words would do justice to our Tour on July 7th 2010., with her son.
And yes, we did have a luverly time!
Carol Wade
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The 21st Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Bolton Priory was held on 23 May 2010 in the Bolton Abbey Village Hall.
After all the cold weather, it turned out to be a glorious sunny day, with temperatures in the high 70's. 52 friends attended the meeting which was followed by our usual buffet lunch. The lunch must have been a great success, judging by the number of people who lingered on afterwards and didn't seem to want to go home!
Photographs of the AGM and lunch, taken by Rosemary Murgatroyd and James Pearson, are shown in the form of a slide show.
To view the slide show, select the thumbnail image, below;-
The Spring Lecture given by the Very Revd Keith Jones, Dean of York Minster, took place in the Bolton Abbey Village Hall before a packed audience on Friday 19th March 2010. A detailed account will appear in the April Friends Newsletter which will be sent to Friends after Easter and will also be on the website.
Photographs of the evening, taken by Rosemary Murgatroyd, are shown in the form of a slide show.
To view the slide show, select the thumbnail image, below;-
Congratulations to Dr. Christopher Davidson
Congratulations to D Day veteran, Dr Christopher Davidson
who celebrated his 100th birthday on 2nd March.
Chris is a founder member of the Friends and a life long supporter of
the Priory Church.