Normanby Hall in North East Lincolnshire was the venue for the July visit for 24 members of Nottinghamshire Environmental Association.
Situated only five miles north of Scunthorpe, members were able to drive there and meet up in the estate café, before then exploring at their own pace. The Hall has extensive grounds in which there are walks and a deer park, the original House, a walled garden, a rural life museum and, of course, a café.
The Hall was built in 1825 by the Sheffield family, the Duke of Buckingham, the original owner of Buckingham Palace. It remains in the same family. For about 140 years, the family used Normanby for about five months of the year, including the Christmas period. Since 1964 it has been on a 99 year lease to North Lincolnshire Council.
Staff in all areas were very welcoming and informative displays were very good. One member who was brought up on a Lincolnshire farm said that the Rural Life Museum was the best he had seen! The walled garden was excellently set out, with abundant produce. Unfortunately, the early afternoon was marred by rain but the whole visit was rated a great success.
Early August saw the Association’s Annual Picnic which had to be held inside as the outside lawn was too wet to support chairs. The 35 members attending were, however, able to walk around the gardens which belonged to a member of the Association and the Picnic was actually held in a farm barn. It was an opportunity for members to socialise.
The Association’s next visit, on Friday 15th September, is to the Renishaw Hall Vineyard, which is just two miles over the M1 beyond Barlborough. That will be their last outside visit of 2023. Indoor meetings re-commence in October with an Environmental Quiz to be held on Thursday 5th October from 7.30pm at Hallcroft Community Centre on Randall Way, Retford.
For further information please contact Adrian Blackburn – adrian.blackburn@sky.com or call / text on 07718 766873 or Paul Willcock – paul@paulwillcock.com or call / text on 07581 531595.