Race Day, Shuttleworth - Old Warden Aerodrome

My first visit to Shuttleworth was certainly an adventure. The Shuttleworth Collection is an aeronautical and automotive museum located at the Old Warden Aerodrome, Old Warden in Bedfordshire. It is one of the most prestigious in the world due to the variety of old and well-preserved aircraft.  The best event of the day was the Edwardians. The 2010 design Bristol Boxkite took to the skies at the end of the day and was a magic site.  This is a replica aircraft built for the film ‘Those Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines‘ (Ken Annakin, 1965: UK) and is the last Boxkite still flying. 

Next was the 1910 Deperdussin an aircraft that is an easy example believed to be the 43rd Deperdussin and built in 1910, it was used at Hendon until sold in damaged condition in 1914 to A E Grimmer who repaired it and then flew it from the polo ground near Bedford.  When acquired by Richard Shuttleworth in 1936 it was in poor condition. The Deperdussin wings were re-covered with linen and stitched up by Richard Shuttleworth, his mother and sister on the billiard table in the House which was the home of the Shuttleworth family. In 1937 it was renovated at Old Warden to fly again. Stored throughout WWII, on display days it can achieve straight hops and it certainly did hope across the field but sadly did not make it back. It was such a shame as there was a beautiful sunset and we had dealt hoped to capture it in silhouette in the evening light. 

Fishing at Venus Pools

I just love this spot! It is a great place to take one's flask of early morning tea.

 

Bewdly Worcestershire - Severn Valley Railway

The Severn Valley Railway is a heritage railway in Shropshire and Worcestershire. The 16-mile (26 km) heritage line runs along the Severn Valley from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster crossing the Shropshire/Worcestershire border.  The track follows the valley of the River Severn for part of the route. Many of the staff who run the service are volunteers and enthusiastic about the age of steam. I met visitors from Holland and Germany who are interested in the English rolling stock.  The SVR Autumn Gala was held the weekend of 21 - 23 September 20

 

 

 

 

 

Chalke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire

Chalke Abbey is a Grade 1 listed country house near Ticknall Derbyshire and is now in the care of the National Trust.  It was originally an Augustinian Priory from the 12th century until its dissolution by Henry VIII.
Chalke Priory was founded by Richard d'Avranches, 2nd Earl of Chester between 1115 - 1120 and dedicated to St Giles.  D'Avranches inherited the Priory from his father who owned estates in England and France.  The house is an example of the Neoclassical and Baroque style.
The house was owned by the Harpur family for nearly 300 years until it was past to the NT in 1985 in lieu of death duties. The house was owned by successive Harpur baronets until it was ultimately inherited by Sir Vauncey Harpur Crewe 1846 -1924.  This 10th Baronet was devoted to collecting natural history specimens and the house still has many of his collection.  His eldest daughter, Hilda Harpur Crewe 1877-1949 inherited the property and then it was left to her nephew Charles Jennet 1917 -1981 the eldest son of Frances Harpur Crewe the fourth daughter of Vauncey.  Charles changed his name to Harper-Crewe and his death led to crippling death duties £8m of an estate worth 14 M. It was his younger brother that transferred the estate to the National Trust. The house is open to the public and many of the rooms are displaced in the state of decline which was the state the property was in when it was taken over.  It is often described and the most un-stately, stately home.

The gardens are really beautiful and the 600 acre of parkland is home to red and fallow deer. I toured the house and most of the rooms are accessible.