Category Archives: History

Minority Groups

Posted on August 7, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

The National Trust are currently keen to highlight the achievements of minority groups at their properties, where they may well have suffered hostility. At Ashridge we can continue this theme with an expose of the Welsh legacy which runs deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, History | 2 Comments

HAY THERE

Posted on July 27, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Make hay while the sun shines is an old English proverb meaning to make good use of an opportunity while it lasts. Well the sun rays were very short lived last week for making hay in Meadleys meadow – the … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Flora and Fauna, History | 1 Comment

A Chequered Past

Posted on July 5, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

It is hard to imagine today that Kings and Queens and the aristocracy would have passed this way over the years. The Thursday volunteers have been working to restore the look of Old Copse Drive, in the shadow of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, History, Thursday Conservation Group | 2 Comments

EARLY DAYS

Posted on June 13, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

NATIONAL TRUST EXCURSION TO ASHRIDGE. “On Saturday, May 26th, the first of the summer excursions of members of the National Trust took place at Ashridge. Ninety members, accompanied by Mr. S. H. Hamer, the retiring secretary, and Mr. I). Macleod … Continue reading →

Posted in Archeology, Events, History | 1 Comment

Back to its Roots

Posted on May 3, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

For those of you who did not spot the announcement in March of this year, The National Trust is to go back to its roots after admitting it had lost sight of one of its core founding principles – to protect … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, History, Walks, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Breaking the Rules

Posted on April 13, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Deep down in the centre of the Estate lies the attractive Woodyard Cottage(s), built around 1820 when the Bridgewaters were becoming landed aristocrats. Already rich from their coal and canal activity in Lancashire, they rapidly extended their land holding once … Continue reading →

Posted in Ad hoc Volunteer Group, History, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Back in Time

Posted on March 24, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Another week, another challenge for the volunteers at Northchurch Flats where they have been working on and off for the last three months. Located at the southern end of the extensive Northchurch common, where the chalk is exposed at the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Thursday Conservation Group | 2 Comments

Tales of Trees at Ashridge – part one

Posted on March 8, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Ashridge opened a new exhibition on Saturday at the Visitor Centre – “Root & Branch”. A veritable feast for tree-huggers. The mature forest is really our equivalent of the rainforest. The exhibition will run for a year, and crystallizes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Flora and Fauna, History, Walks | 1 Comment

PITSTONE PROTAGONISTS

Posted on January 29, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Pitstone Common Wood, now known as Sallow Copse, close by to Ringshall was the venue for the Thursday volunteers, on the coldest day of the year. The forestry team had been in earlier to cut down silver birch, which has … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora and Fauna, History, Thursday Conservation Group, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Spot the Volunteer

Posted on January 18, 2017 by ashridgevolunteersblog

Spot the Volunteer: A hundred years ago it would not be uncommon for volunteers to meet up with royalty and the great and the good, as part of a shooting party. Ashridge shooting parties were famous, drawing prominent guests over … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, History, Why I Volunteer | 1 Comment