Peter Kent-Baguley

Staffordshire Gardens & Parks Trust

Along with fellow Heritage Champions from neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme, Lichfield and Tamworth I was one of the hundred or so guests of the Trust's reception held this evening at the splendid C18th brick Chillington Hall (amazingly only 7 miles from the centre of Wolverhampton) with the most well proportioned portico with four elegant stone columns dominating the south front. Before the presentations and buffet reception in the recently refurbished saloon (we were the first group to grace it) a few of us (the intrepid) were not put off by the heavy rain and sallied forth beneath the tarpaulin covered trailer towed by tractor along the watercourse, through well conserved woodland and to the 70 acre lake with several magnificent follies along its shores.

The land and the various houses that have stood at its centre during the past 800 years have remained in the Giffard family for all those centuries. The present Giffard is the 29th owner and he's the former Chief Constable of Staffordshire, John Giffard. He gave a a very clear, succinct overview of the task of preserving the 4,000 acre estate and the present hall, first built in 1724 and later enlarged in 1785 by the celebrated architect, Sir John Soane.

Alan Taylor, founder and past chair of the county's Gardens & Parks Trust was instrumental in its establishment in 1992. It has only 100 or so members but it has achieved a great deal in a relatively short time with so few members. A great deal of research and practical work has been accomplished at numerous parks and gardens throughout Staffordshire. A huge amount of work remains to be done and so the window on their work, neatly presented by Alan will, I hope, lead to a boost in their membership. At £10 per year, it is incredibly good value. Contact W.B. Sullivan of Rugely (01543 684965) for more details.