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Hugh Johnson’s garden hit by thieves

Matthew Beckett - The Country SeatLeave a comment

The well-known wine critic Hugh Johnson has said there will be no more public open days to the garden at his home, Saling Hall in Essex, following thefts from the gardens.

After 40 years of providing pleasure for many who turned up to his 12-acre gardens, he has been forced to restrict access to approved groups only, after thieves used the open days as a way of planning their thefts.

Losses include a large statue which he now fears has become “£300 of  lead sheet” and bizarrely, packets of seeds from the potting shed.  A previous burglary in May had removed other fine objects including a 17th century astronomical sphere.

As always, someone with little care for others will ruin a good thing.  One can only be grateful it lasted as long as it did before some idiot took advantage as is all to common.

Full story: ‘Hugh Johnson keeps stately home garden closed after thieves steal sculptures‘ [Daily Telegraph]

Simon Halabi and Mentmore Towers

Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat10 Comments

The Times (‘Halabi may have to sell-up to pay loan‘ – 16 July 2009) is reporting that Simon Halabi, the multi-millionare businessman, may have to sell part of his London property portfolio to satisfy bond holders after the value of the properties dropped by nearly half, breaching the loan-to-value ratio of the bond secured against it.  In 1997, Halabi bought the Grade-I listed Mentmore Towers in Buckinghamshire, formerly one of the Rothschild banking family’s most famous and impressive houses,  with the intention of converting it into a luxury hotel.  It’s not known how far work on that project has progressed but the grand chateau-style house, which also starred in the film ‘Batman Begins’ as Bruce Wayne’s house, is just too important to be forgotten so I hope that his other issues don’t impact on the work being undertaken as part of that project.

Prince Charles and SPAB

Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat

It seems such a shame that Prince Charles and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings have fallen out.   This seems to be a classic case of dogmatic positions leading to the removal of a nose to the detriment of the face.  Both the Prince and SPAB have campaigned for the same causes and seem to sing from the same hymnsheet so often yet I can understand why SPAB felt as they did and similarly why HRH felt slighted.  Compromise can be the bitterest pill to swallow and I can only hope that there is a rapprochement in the future – for the sake of providing a better voice for conservation in the UK.

Full story: ‘Prince Charles resigns over restoration rumpus‘

So why this blog?

Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat

My great love is country houses, particularly those which grace the counties of England.  Each is a fascinating example of the hopes, aspirations, aesthetics and wealth of someone.  One of the best aspects of what has been called the UK’s most significant contribution to architecture, is that each is different – whether the grand Palladian palaces sitting in parkland, to the mid-size expressions of Victorian industrialists to the smaller manor houses which nestle in countless small villages.  However, it must be recognised that many have been demolished or otherwise lost and many exist now only to be abused by unsympathetic owners or to be used as schools, hospitals and offices.

The aim of this blog is to highlight interesting stories relating to country houses in the UK with the occasional comment from me.  I hope to bring greater awareness of the vast heritage we have within the UK and hopefully to build a greater appreciation and respect for it.