May 2009

News 3 News 3

On 23 May 2009 a group of Friends were given  a tour of Croome Court  by  the Property Manager, Michael Smith. They were shown rooms on the ground floor which it is hoped will be opened to the public by the National Trust later in the year.

  It was a great pleasure to be able to welcome our Patron, George Coventry, the 13th Earl, and his heir Duncan Coventry  together with members of their family.

It was also a great pleasure to be able to welcome Mrs Hilda Newman. Mrs Newman was maid to Lady Coventry  in the 1930’s . In 1940 Lady Coventry joined the ATS and persuaded Hilda to join up as well so that she might serve the Countess during her service. Ironically after joining up, Lady  Covenrty was posted to Warwick and Hilda to Norton Barracks near Worcester. This visit to the Court was the first time since leaving in 1940 that she had been in the Court. It must have brought back many memories for her.

George Coventry and his heir  Duncan Coventry

Hilda Newman

Members of the group outside the south elevation of the Court

The Saloon

On 17 June the Friends planned a Strawberries in the Greenhouse event in aid of  the Croome Court Restoration Appeal. Unfortunately the weather was “wet and windy” so over 30 members who had arrived with their picnics enjoyed their picnics and strawberries and a social gathering in the canteen. Ironically as the evening progressed the sun came out so many went into the Park and enjoyed the sunset over the Malvern Hills.

This event was to have been the first time the Trust’s new marquee which had been donated by the Friends would be used.  This will be a valuable asset to the Trust  for use in the many events organised throughout the year.

Some of the Friends enjoying their picnic

The Long Gallery