The Historic Houses Association (HHA) has been celebrating its 40,000th member.
The Historic Houses Association (HHA) writes:
We are delighted to announce that we now have our 40,000th Friend!
Kate Dewhirst from Stockton-on-Tees became the 40,000th Friend of the HHA in March 2015. To celebrate this milestone, Richard Compton, President of the HHA, has invited Kate and her husband to enjoy a private tour of Newby Hall in Yorkshire with him, followed by afternoon tea.
Richard Compton, President of the Historic Houses Association, said: ‘This is the first time that the HHA has had over 40,000 Friends and reaching this significant milestone shows that HHA Friends Membership is proving good value, popular and worthwhile to thousands of people across the UK with a shared passion for historic houses, castles and gardens.
‘My wife Lucinda and I are very much looking forward to welcoming Kate and her husband to our family home where I hope to share an insight into the history and running of the house, followed by a delicious traditional afternoon tea.’
Newby Hall in Ripon in North Yorkshire, has been in Richard Compton’s family since 1747 and is free to visit if you are a Friend of the HHA. It is positioned a few miles from the A1 and close to the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire Moors National Parks and the historic cities of York and Ripon. It was the location for the 2007 TV film of Mansfield Park starring Billie Piper, Hayley Atwell and Rory Kinear. In World War II Newby Hall was reserved for the Royal Family in case of evacuation from London. Its miniature railway has carried over a million passengers since it started running (and has never been late!), and it has the gate from Newgate Prison, through which the famous highwayman Dick Turpin’s rival Jack Sheppard escaped.
The house has a collection of over 100 chamber pots, some dating from the 1500s, stunning and unique Gobelins tapestries and Chippendale chairs, and the impressive Statue Gallery with its collection of Roman sculptures. It also has more than a few striking similarities to Downton Abbey.
The Historic Houses Association represents 1,600 of the UK’s privately owned historic houses, castles and gardens. Around 500 of these properties open their doors to visitors for days out, special tours, school visits, film locations, weddings and events, or as memorable places to stay. 13 million people a year visit HHA Member properties and there are 40,000 Friends of the HHA.
Members range from iconic stately homes such as Blenheim Palace, Highclere Castle, Castle Howard, Knebworth House, Longleat and Burghley House, to more intimate houses such as Traquair in Scotland, Treowen in Wales and Belle Isle in Northern Ireland. Most are still private family homes.
By buying Friends Membership you will be helping to conserve these wonderful places in the interests of the nation.
