Burghley house has wrapped up an Olympic year of celebration with a unique gift from the man who spearheaded Britain's hugely successful London 2012 Games.
Ancestral home to David Cecil, Lord Burghley (1905-1981) - an Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler who helped deliver the 1948 London Games - Burghley celebrated its sporting connections with an exhibition of his sporting achievements as well as special events in 2012.
Among exhibits on display during the year long exhibition was an original Olympic torch from the 1948 London Games - and Burghley, near Stamford, welcomed the 2012 version during a torch runner hand-over as part of the Olympic Flame's triumphant UK summer relay.
Now one of the 2012 torches has returned to the Lincolnshire historic house… thanks to the generosity of Olympics supremo Lord Sebastian Coe.
The gift means that England's greatest Elizabethan house has the honour of being home to not one, but two Olympic torches from two different Games.
Fittingly Lord Coe was at Burghley in July to welcome the torch as it changed hands in front of the house, which was home to Lord Burghley, a celebrated Olympic athlete and the man who was effectively the Lord Coe of his day for the last London Games, in 1948.
Lord Coe also carried the torch himself in his hometown of Sheffield and like all runners who took part in the nationwide relay he got to keep his torch as a memento. And he has decided to donate his torch to Burghley so that it can go on display alongside Lord Burghley's 1948 torch in the permanent Olympic Corridor exhibition within the House in 2013.
"We're so grateful to Lord Coe for his very gracious gift which will add a special bit of sporting history to Burghley's remarkable collection" said Miranda Rock, Burghley House director.
And she added: "It's been a pleasure this year seeing so many visitors appreciating my grandfather's sporting legacy thanks to the wonderful exhibits we were able to display as part of our Olympics exhibition, including the torch from the 1948 London Games.
"Welcoming the 2012 torch to Burghley in the summer was among our highlights of the year and we were so grateful that Lord Coe took time out of his busy schedule to share that special day with us. Now his gift of his own Olympic torch will mean visitors to the house next year will be able to see even more Olympic history in this very special place.”
Hurdler David Cecil, Lord Burghley, who inherited the title of Marquess of Exeter from his father in 1956, was one of the golden athletes of his generation, winning gold for the 400 metres hurdles at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics and silver in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics 4x400 metre relay.
Once he retired from active sport, he worked hard for amateur ideals within the Olympic movement. As President of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, Chairman of the British Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee, he was instrumental in bringing the Olympic Games to England in 1948 and was also chairman of the Organising and Executive Committee for those Games.
During his time at Cambridge, Lord Burghley - as he was then known - was also the inspiration behind one of the key characters in the movie Chariots of Fire, played by Nigel Havers. A famous scene in that film was also inspired by one of Lord Burghley’s feats – the race around the Great Court at Trinity College, Cambridge, against fellow athletes, when he became the only person to sprint around the courtyard before the college clock tolled 12 times.
While the Olympics exhibition ended when the House closed for the season at the end of October, Burghley’s permanent Olympic Corridor display returns for the 2013 season. The expanded exhibition will also now include both the 1948 and 2012 Olympic torches.
For full details of 2013 opening times and prices visit www.burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.
A recent donation of books to the Harewood House Second Hand Book Shop started a search into the story of a family history that rocked 19th century Georgian Society and provides a fascinating insight into the lives of those who played a part in the life and inspirations of the renowned romantic poet, Lord Byron.
Harewood House, the family seat of the Earl and Countess of Harewood and award winning visitor destination, opened a second hand book shop in Summer 2011, to encourage reading for members and visitors alike, and additionally to generate funds to support educational projects at Harewood. Run by volunteers, all the books are donated by local supporters of the project and the bookshop provides a peaceful place to browse and buy for all visitors.
Recently, a local lady donated a selection of books she inherited with the purchase of a London house in the 1970s. Upon checking the books, (some dating back to the early 1800s) some inscriptions were noticed and researched, and the intriguing history of their original owner, Augusta Leigh and her ancestors, has been revealed.
Augusta Leigh was the half sister of Lord Byron and the purported incestuous love-interest behind his departure to fight in Greece never to return. Augusta had seven children, one of whom, Elizabeth Medora, was thought by many to be Byron’s love-child. Augusta’s husband Colonel George Leigh, had already endured his own scandal when as equerry to the Prince of Wales, he cheated the Prince over the sale of a horse and fiddled his own regimental expenses. He was dismissed and his family endured a life of poverty and shame, however, for the last 33 years of her life Augusta was granted residence in a grace and favour apartment at St James’ Palace.
Of the books donated ‘The Literary Life and Correspondence of the Countess of Blessington’ had been inscribed “Augusta Leigh, St James’ Palace” and another ‘Trimmer’s Fabulous Histories’ is inscribed lovingly by Augusta to ‘Henry Francis Leigh from his dear Mamma on his birthday, January 28th 1828.’ Henry Francis married in 1845 but sadly died aged just 33 leaving behind his wife Mary and daughter Geraldine. Mary went on to re-marry and have two further children Letitia and Herman with her new husband James Landon, a cotton merchant.
The family story continues with two delightful sets of miniature ‘Lilliputian Library’ books inscribed by these three children in 1864. The condition of the books and the provenance of their owners, have raised the value of these books which are eventually to be auctioned, with the blessing of their original donor, to provide further funds towards educational projects at Harewood.
Audrey Kingsnorth, a volunteer at Harewood who was instrumental in bringing the Second Hand Book Shop to Harewood added: “It has been a thrilling exercise to learn so much about this family through their treasured books and we are continuing with our research. I consulted an expert seller who advised that the Lilliputian Library books are rare in such good condition. We eventually intend to put the collection as a whole up for sale but have decided to display them for the time being in the bookshop for everyone to enjoy.”
Harewood House second-hand bookshop within the Harewood House Grounds is open every day 11.00am to 3pm, usual admission prices to Harewood House grounds apply.
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Proceeds from the book shop are channelled back into the Trust, benefiting education, the gardens, the bird garden, and the house and collections. It is located within the heart of the visitor facilities in Terrace Cottage situated next to the Adventure Playground.
Harewood has already set the standard in promoting literacy with their regular series of storytelling events and talks on a wide range of subjects, and the book shop fits nicely into Harewood’s ethos as an educational charitable trust, promoting the joys of all things literary. Money raised by Bookshop sales has already funded a new Learning Garden which is now a resource for schools.
This summer Lord Chamberlain’s Men are back with a bang at Harewood House to kick-start the summer season of outdoor theatre with Shakespeare’s devastating and gripping thriller, Macbeth. The renowned production company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men specialise in open-air productions, and they are adept at providing spellbinding theatre whatever the weather. Whether you bring a picnic or just sit back and relax, you’ll enjoy this drama at its best.
Discounts are available to members for this event or why not visit the website for more information on the ‘7 Weeks of Summer’ special membership and start summer as you mean to go on www.harewood.org/membership
The prices for this event are as follows –
Adult: £14, Senior Citizen: £10, Child: £10, Family: £40, Student £10, Harewood Card Adult: £12.60, Harewood Card Senior Citizen: £12.60, Harewood Card Child: £9.00, Harewood Card Family: £36, Harewood Card Student: £9. PLEASE NOTE: A Family Ticket = 2 adults and up to 3 children (aged 4-16). Children under 4 are free.
If you can’t make Macbeth, why not come to ...
The Twits - Thursday 9th August
Outdoor theatre for children – Roald Dahl at his very best and for many a fresh insight on how to make children laugh. ‘Come-uppance’ takes on a whole new meaning!
The Sword in the Stone - Thursday 16th August
In the midst of the Medieval Harewood season, a magical outdoor theatre production, perfect for children and adults. Sword in the Stone by TH White is a modern classic and translates brilliantly onto the stage.
Black Beauty - Sunday 26th August
Outdoor theatre as you’ve never experienced before. From the same fold as ‘Freerunners’, this spectacular production will take your breath away – if they move, they take the audience with them - it’s outdoor theatre in 21st century style set within the heritage of Harewood, so prepare for high calibre outdoor theatre and be mesmerised.
Recently awarded Gold in the Large Visitor Attraction category of the Enjoy England Awards, Harewood is an independent charitable educational trust set up to maintain and develop Harewood, its collections and grounds, for public benefit. Registered Charity No: 517753. Harewood is the family seat of the Earl and Countess of Harewood and provides a great day out for all the family. The House, with its outstanding art collections, splendid State Rooms and fascinating ‘Below Stairs’ exhibition, is set in spectacular landscaped grounds, which include formal gardens and gentle woodland walks, renowned Bird Garden, children’s Adventure Playground, a Bhutanese Stupa, waterfall and Himalayan Garden. Harewood House Trust, Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG info@harewood.org 0113 218 1010.
Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese is joining Lord Attenborough and Anthony Haas to produce the feature film drama SILVER GHOST. The project will be a co-production between Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and Zuma Productions.
SILVER GHOST will tell the story of motoring pioneer Lord John Douglas-Scott Montagu of Beaulieu, his wife Cis and his secret love affair with his secretary and mistress, Eleanor Velasco Thornton. It also tells of John’s connection and friendships with Rolls-Royce founders Charles Rolls and Henry Royce and British artist and sculptor Charles Sykes. Eleanor was the inspiration for the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, designed by Sykes, that to this day adorns all Rolls-Royce cars.
Martin Scorsese remarks, "When I read the story of SILVER GHOST, I was mesmerised. I immediately thought: this is a picture that has to be made. And when I was asked to come aboard as a Producer alongside Richard Attenborough and Anthony Haas, I didn't hesitate for a moment."
"Martin Scorsese is a giant of the cinema and I am thrilled to be collaborating with Marty and Anthony,” said Lord Attenborough. “What a team to bring this extraordinary story to life."
“SILVER GHOST is a most complex love story, not only between men and women, but men and machines. Set at the turn of the last century, it delineates the fascinating story of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce and the highly charged love affairs within the Montagu family.”
John Montagu’s son, Edward, founder of the National Motor Museum, notes, “It is a remarkable story which has long been a family secret. I am delighted that Martin Scorsese has joined Richard Attenborough and Anthony Haas in bringing it to the screen.”
Anthony Haas adds, "SILVER GHOST is one of the great untold stories of the last century which Richard Attenborough and I have developed. It is a wonderful endorsement to have Martin Scorsese wanting to make this film with us and we are very much looking forward to working together."
“SILVER GHOST covers the thrilling and tragic events during which one of the greatest engineering names in the world was created,” said Sir Ralph Robins, past Chairman, Rolls-Royce plc.
Zuma Productions Ltd was established to produce SILVER GHOST and is headed by producer and creator of BAFTA nominated projects, Anthony Haas, together with his producing partner Richard Attenborough.
National Motor Museum
The world-famous National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has a collection of over 250 vehicles telling the story of motoring on the roads of Britain from the dawn of motoring to the present day. There are historic racing cars, modern rally cars and the latest F1 machines as well as World Land Speed Record Breakers and family cars from every motoring era. Visitors to Beaulieu can also explore Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538 and 13th century Beaulieu Abbey as well as BOND IN MOTION and World of Top Gear. Open every day, except Christmas Day, from 10am.
For more information Tel: 01590 612345 or visit www.beaulieu.co.uk
