On a sunny Wednesday June 11, 4 members of Peterborough NWR were delighted to welcome members from Bourne NWR and 5 from Market Deeping NWR to a walk through the parkland at Burghley House, Stamford. We neatly combined the national theme of ‘Connections’ with a walk, albeit in June rather than May!
Clare Bense, a long standing member of the Peterborough group did a great job of researching interesting information about the landscape, trees and structures and leading the group in a 3 mile walk.
Whilst many of us have lived in the area for a long time and have regularly visited the House and gardens, I believe that we all learnt something new; whether it was about the stray bomb dropped by a German pilot possibly lost, damaging the gates or finding out about the remarkable Eleanor Codsal. Lena, from Peterborough NWR was so taken with Eleanor’s remarkable life that she may well be her subject for a future meeting on ‘Feisty Women’.
A couple of us did a shorter walk, whilst Clare led the rest in a figure of eight from the House through the parkland to the William Cecil and then back to the Orangery for well deserved refreshments. The iced coffees went down well, and the scones and cakes looked delicious. Parking is free and there’s no charge for walking in the parkland but you can’t access the house or gardens without paying.
We all agreed that the afternoon had been a success and could be a blueprint for a different way for local groups to connect with each other.
A big thank you to our guests for making the journey and being so engaged, to our Leader Anne for co-ordinating everything and of course to Clare, without whom the walk wouldn’t have happened.