Dear Sheddists,yesterday we visited Shugborough, a magical country estate at the heart of which lies a magnificent Georgian mansion.
We have many happy memories of the place - weekend outings with children and friends, visits to the farm and dog-walks by the riverside.
Until recently the estate was run by Staffordshire County Council, but in November last year it was handed over to the National Trust. They have ambitious plans for a ten-year restoration and development project and work is already well underway.
It's been many years since we last visited. Much is still familiar but the early work done by the Trust is evident already. There's a new reception area, a new shop and plant-centre and a fully refurbished restaurant.
Work has started too inside the house. We tour the ground floor and learn about the Anson brothers, Thomas and William, who did so much to develop both the mansion and the surrounding estate during the eighteenth century.
The highlight of our tour is a room housing some of the photographic equipment of the late Patrick Anson, the fifth Earl of Lichfield. Famous for his portraiture and Unipart calendars, you may know him better as Patrick Lichfield. Lord Lichfield and his family lived at the mansion and he was often to be seen about the grounds - we encountered him unexpectedly once many years ago driving a sit-on lawn-mower!
The grounds, as ever, are tranquil, beautiful and contemplative. We fully intend to return soon to this magical place.
Yours as ever,
electrofried(mr)
