Seasons greeting

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How appalling! I've just realised that I haven't posting a blog entry for over a year! 

One of the great things about blogging is that one creates a wonderful record of all the things that go on to look back on in future years. A sort of online diary that others can see. I do the same on Facebook and Twitter, but a blog allows for a bit more space and freedom.

So, what' seen going on over the last year? Well, quite a lot, which is probably why I've not had time to blog for ages! 

Our new visitor welcome centre, shop and cafe is taking shape. Take a look at the video, it's looking fabulous and will make such a difference to the way we welcome our visitors to the estate.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont/features/our-work-at-mottisfont-#video

On our rivers, we have just completed a fabulous project with EA and Southampton University to restore part of the River Test on the famous "Halford Beat," the Oakley.

In the countryside our work in the New Forest goes from strength-to-strength. In October the National Park's "Our past, our future" project, backed by an HLF grant got underway. Our part of the project centres on Foxbury, where we will be planting over 20,000 trees, progressing with our heathland restoration work, restoring river boards around our ponds and putting in better outdoor education facilities, along with some other facilities like better toilets and car park.

It's great to see commons such as Bramshaw looking the best they have ever looked. And it's official, because Natural England has designated the common as "desirable" status - 4 years ahead of schedule.

One of my favourite chalk downlands is at Stockbridge. Often referred to as the "roof of Hamshire," it's a stunning place to walk. Our butterfly surveys this year told us that we have 42 of the UK's 59 species of butterfly present, which is just superb. The marsh, which is close by is also a lovely place to walk and one of the few areas of the River Test where people can walk by the side of the river. We have restored large sections of the bank here too, so that some of the erosion we've seen is mitigated/corrected.

So loads and loads of fantastic work from our National Trust staff and volunteers to be proud about and lots to look forward to next year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Volunteering

On Wednesday, I was lucky enough to be able to join our National Trust volunteers on Plaitford Common in the northern commons of the New Forest.

The weather could not have been better and the commons looked stunning:

The task for the day was clearing gorse that had got way too spindly and old, which doesn't look great and isn't as good for wildlife as the new, fresh growth. Certainly, one of the New Forest spider's agreed with us and had weaved this fairly massive web on a newer bush:

Once cut, we burned the gorse and gathered round the fire for the obligatory cuppa:

Our ability to carry out this work depends on our volunteers, who are wonderful and turn out in numbers to help cut, clear and burn. I was amazed at just how much they got through.

Anyway, good fun was had by all - I was just a little gutted that I couldn't stay for the afternoon. Next time, I promise!

Half time review

As the summer holidays have finished and we approach the half-way point in National Trust’s financial year, it’s a good time to reflect on how things have gone over the last 6 months at Mottisfont & South West Hants Group. And I’m pleased to say “It’s all good!” Visitor number-wise, we are doing well, largely thanks to a very popular Litchfield exhibition, an excellent rose season and a brilliant summer programme (inc Quentin Blake gallery and trail). People seem to like the fact that there is always something different going on.

 Our projects are progressing well: WildPlay & WaterPlay are open and seem to be going down well with families:

StoryScape our big interpretation project is on track to open on 20^th September (...here's our new Potting Shed):

Café refurbishment starts on 26^thSeptember and should be complete for October half-term; our Walled Garden appeal is up and running and Jonny (our new Head Gardener, who has started very well indeed) is working up plans for how it will look:

The Foxbury Heritage Lottery Funded project is on track and we have made good progress on both car park and farm yard feasibility studies for development work 2015/2016. The big new visitor facility project will start work at the end of October, now the ground works have been completed, and should be finished in Autumn 2015. It will look fabulous and give us a new visitor reception, toilets & shop at the front of the property, an additional cafe situated where the shop is now in the stable yard.

Antoher project that's already well underway is our Arts Council funded "Artist in residence" programme. The latest work to exhibit, which opened yesterday is "Mappa Mottisfont," by artist Louise O'Reilly. The work is her illustration of a Mottisfont medieval map. Just fantastic:

 In terms of volunteering, we introduced volunteers into visitor reception this year, which has worked phenomenally well; we have a new team of volunteers to help with the Winter Garden; our volunteer-led learning programme sees schools and teachers coming to Mottisfont for educational activity; we have new walks and talks from the outdoors guides; the bookshop is looking better and better with new displays and promotions, and the new training sessions are hugely informative and valuable.

 

In the countryside our fishing beats look excellent; New Forest has been nominated by the region as a “Big 6” landscape for support and focus after making good progress with our HLS (Higher Level Stewardship) project; Stockbridge is seeing Juniper re-seeding and the river-bank restoration work is complete. The Mottisfont estate work is now showing some really important restoration and regeneration gains (…lots of complements on how this area is looking from CEO of Test Valley BC).

 

In the garden, the restoration of the herbaceous borders looks lovely 

...and we have started to protect areas more robustly, such as the Great Plane:

In the house, donations from Winchester Association will make such a difference as we restore the Russell furniture and reintroduce it into the house, 

....along with the Istrian marble benches to go outside next to the west entrance.

Last but not least, our Green Team is up and running (blended team of staff and volunteers) and are busily working their way through a list of actions to improve our environmental performance even more. 

Oh yes…..our gardeners have a new tractor! How could I forget that!

 

So as always, lots going on and another busy 6 months. Thank you again to all of our staff and volunteers for their hard work and support. We seem to be having an Indian Summer too!

Pantaloons outdoor theatre

About 15 years ago (...doesn't time fly), I was working in an advertising agency called "Ogilvy Primary Contact" which was (and still is) part of Ogilvy & Mather Worlwide. My then boss - the inspirational Ian Story - invited his daughter Cait, for work experience.

Today, Cait and her husband, Mark, run Pantaloons which is a theatre company. 

We first went to see them at Nonsuch Park, near Epsom. That day there were about a dozen people in the audience...not helped by some truly awful weather. Since then, we have been to see them perform most years as they tour the country with their productions.

We've seen the unique Pantaloons' spin on Canterbury Tales, Twelfth Night, Romeo & Juliet, Christmas Carol, Importance of Being Earnest and many, many others. All have been hilarious and it is so pleasing to see Pantaloons becoming so popular.

As soon as I had settled in at Mottisfont, one of the first things I did, was suggest that we booked Pantaloons. And I'm so glad we did, as they came and performed their version of Sherlock Holmes. This year they performed at both of our outdoor theatre nights - Much Ado About Nothing, which was a sell out - and History of Britain on Saturday. 

With the crowd sitting on our front lawn - some incredible picnics - Mottisfont made a great backdrop to a superb production, which got more raucous as the night went on. It was dark by the time the show had finished and we laughed all the way home too.

Great stuff Pantaloons and we look forward to welcoming you back next year, with Tempest and Pride & Prejudice. Can't wait! 

Outdoor guides in the Mottisfont countryside

As a "thank you" for all the time our outdoor guides put in, our countryside team hosted a summer barbecue at the Oakley Beet fishing hut, followed by a talk and a walk.

Following a few burgers, Dylan Everett, Countryside Manager, gave an "inspirational" talk about all the great stuff we're doing in the countryside and along the river. Not a bad setting either by the fishing hut where FM Halford perfected the art of dry fly fishing:

And off we went on a walk, whilst Neil Swift (Riverkeeper), Mike Handley (Ranger), and Ryan Scott (Ranger) helped the others clear up:

...once they'd finished the obligatory cuppa, of course (....at least they told me it was tea! They don't look at all suspicious, do they?)

Ryan took us on a stroll to see some of the Mottisfont woodland where his team of volunteers have been particularly busy clearing and creating an enclosure to grow hazel:

Unfortunately, this area of ancient woodland was cleared in the 1980s to grow spruce, which was a shame, but the grand scheme is to return native broadleaf species to the area and in about 300 years, we should be back to where we were when the woodland was at its best! Still, if we don't start now!

On the way, we stopped to take in the 1,000 year old Oakley Oak. A splendid old tree:

Thankfully nobody chopped that one down.....although it was earmarked for timber for the Tudor fleet at one time.

So, "thank you" outdoor guides from me. I'm joining you again on Bank Holiday Monday for the wetland walk. Looking at the weather forecast, it will probably live up to its name too! Not to worry, the enthusiasm of our guides will more than make up for a spot of rain.

Gruck racing

This is in the "you couldn't make if up" category of blogs that I'll ever write. This evening was the annual Mottisfont Gruck Racing event. 

Now, if you're wondering what a "Gruck" is, then I'd like to know just where you have been all this time! Actually, I didn't have a clue either. When I suggested that is was just a plastic duck race or Pooh sticks for adults, I received some very indignant looks...it's a much more serious business than that!

The event itself is to raise money for Mottisfont Football Club (established 1926) and a nominated charity. After a gap of one season, Mottisfont FC returned last season and won promotion at the first time of asking. We were delighted to be able to support the team in some small ways.

Back at the event, everyone gathered by the Abbey stream for the races. Grucks are in fact large ducks, with a wooden float for stability that makes them go faster. There are about 10 races and bets are placed on the Grucks. Then the Grucks are placed in the starting gate:

...and they're off.

The Grucks speed down the stream (...a slight exaggeration), and along to the winning post, where they are plucked out.

And to much excitement, a winner is announced. I wouldn't say there were many photo finishes, but it's brilliant fun nevertheless. 

There was a great turnout from the village. Those who volunteer to set this up, run it, man the barbecue and clear away did a fantastic job. The football club really couldn't survive without the much needed funds generated, so "Let's hear it for the Grucks" is what I say and long may this traditional race continue. I managed to end the evening as dry as when I turned up, which was as much a surprise to me as anyone else!

Make a wild change

Earlier today I went along to Hampshire and Isle of Wight's launch of "Making a Wild Change" initiative. It links very closely to David Bond's "Project Wild Thing" and National Trust's ""50 Things to do before you're 11 3/4s." 

All of these initiatives are about getting children outside and closer to nature. The Hants & IoW Trust asked Chris Packham to introduce the session. 

After a quick look in the dipping pond, Chris spoke with his usual enthusiasm and good humour on a subject he clearly feels strongly about.

He talked about children as a species that needs "reintroducing" to the countryside, as something that has almost become extinct. Clearly, exaggerating to make the point, Chris' serious point was about being outside as something that is essential for good mental, physical and social health. As more and more children stay inside, sat in front of various screens, he stressed how they need to be out there, touching, feeling nature. 

In terms of countryside and species understanding, Britain is the best mapped country in the world. However, if young people don't get interested in nature, how will we continue to understand and appreciate it? And if nobody understands and appreciates our countryside, who will look after it in future? 

Instant gratification seems to be the name of the game these days for children...and some adults too. But what's wrong with getting freezing cold and not seeing the wildlife you come to see? The anticipation is always exciting and when you do finally see that stunning view or that remarkable creature, it is all the more rewarding.

Parents might have to go with their children these days, but should be encouraged to hang back and let them explore for themselves, getting muddy or stung....nobody ever died from a stinging nettle rash!

Debbie Tann - CEO of Hants & IoW Wildlife Trust - introduced their new video, which shows some of the remarkable work they do in this area. Everything from nature clubs to wild play events and forest schools. Fantastic stuff.

The video ended with a few anecdotes from the children who go to these events and some of the wildlife education professionals at the trust. Their Education Officer spoke about "elective mutes," who are children that don't speak at school. One little girl had not spoken in front of her teacher for 2 years, but at forest school spoke as well as any other child from the moment she arrived....just because she was outside. The little girl concerned went onto become a Head Girl at school.