Opening the visitor books from over a century ago, scrawled signatures and flourishes in faded ink mark the departure of weekend guests. Much like today, not everyone always remembered to sign. Hasty calls from outside on the gravel, or friends trying to locate wellington boots, automatically leads to slightly chaotic moments on leaving the warmth of the Saloon. As a result, some are forgotten, some only remembered as a footnote in a family archive but occasionally the extraordinary lives of some of these guests mean they are remembered in a much wider context.
The battery powered plane
Winston suggesting we all sign up for the RAF
Charles Rolls is one guest who stayed here over a century ago and whose name is still remembered through the innovative engineering brand Rolls Royce Plc. This weekend we shared a video through Highclere Castle Facebook and Instagram about a battery powered plane developed today by Rolls Royce which hopes to win a speed record. Watch it on Sunday’s Instagram (it has the plane on the cover) It is about vision and craftmanship, of doing things differently and not giving up. Then compare it with the conversation I had with 3 Concorde pilots – the video begins with Concorde taking off in 1969. An amazing plane, powered by Rolls Royce engines, and ahead of its time. Link here: https://bit.ly/30W7Xg7
Over the weekend I was lucky enough to meet and record conversations with a number of amazing people who have lived such interesting and successful lives. Colin Bell – a mere 99 years old flew Mosquitos during WW2 watch the conversation here: bit.ly/30W7Xg7
www.highclerecastle.co.uk
Air Commodore Rick Peacock Edwards has written a book “Rate of Climb” (which I hugely enjoyed) about careers, joining the RAF, community, the skill sets you acquire there and the bonds of friendship you make, whilst General Sir Andrew Gregory joined me in the Library to talk both about army careers and SSAFA, how we can help those who serve and save and give so much to the rest of us. To raise money on our website we have offered prizes and some fun – something to look forward to.
Robin and Gavin
Only a few days before coming here, explorer Robin Hanbury Tenison climbed the highest hill in Cornwall to raise (so far) £60,000 for the NHS. Ironically, it was only in February this year that his latest book “The Four Horsemen” was published which looks at a pandemic scenario just weeks before spent 5 weeks in intensive care in a Covid coma. Definitely not a publicity stunt at 84 years old but perhaps he has a new career in front of him as a seer. This great explorer (he has written 26 books so far) argues for various solutions, some provocative, some practical but all worth a read given our current situation.
Cameraman Gavin Thurston asked us to think about the beauty of the world he explored and shared with Sir David Attenborough as they worked together on a number of films and documentaries. His book is equally fascinating and I watched the Netflix documentary last night. Sir David is a superhero and gives us hope about resilient recovery but cannot state more strongly that we are testing the edge with our current habits and expectations.
If we are testing the edge, then how should we go about defining strategy and setting goals? Between them Paul Tisdale and Tim Thurston have an astonishing ability to teach, motivate and drive you forward whether over the next 5 days, 5 weeks or 5 months. For those who feel this would help, whether at school, university or beyond, and who would like to zoom or ask for advice, let us know. Please do watch here bit.ly/30W7Xg7
Kate Adie, renowned BBC journalist, reporter and author, talked about the challenges faced by others whilst the calm voice of Stephanie Flanders looked dispassionately at the economics. Neither should be missed and both are saved on the Instagram account as well as Facebook. Successful broadcaster Anne Diamond, who grew up with boffins a scant 100 miles west of Highclere, looked at radar and its key role in WW2 whilst author Robert Harris’ latest thriller V2, set during the war, should be added to your book shelves.
I found Violet’s soft spot..
We ourselves “tested the edge” of our ability to plan and organise within a COVID safe environment with a cast of enthusiastic re-enactors, a marvellously authentic Winston Churchill, vintage helicopters (Historic Army Aircraft Flight) and special guests Violet and Cora, our latest British Lop Eared Pigs. Then again, WW2 at Highclere was incredibly busy in the face of five years of constant stress and danger when everyone had to survive and share in a world in crisis: economically, emotionally and physically. These times are challenging but, if the War proved nothing else, it did show that, given time, industries and countries will make it through and we will survive.
Instagram
Lady Carnarvon, It was a wonderful weekend to watch and listen to these very interesting and wonderful people. It could not have been any better. I enjoyed it to the very max. With Kind Regards, Cheryl
Fascinating as always your Ladyship, thank you. Looking forward to our return visit to you on December 11th for Tea & Tour, my Birthday present from my beautiful daughter. Stay safe & well, yours sincerely, Caroline Turner
Wonderful!
Lady Carnarvon,
I live in Aylmer- Quebec-Canada. I hope I have the honour to stay in your castle after Covid.
Linda Blanchard
I hope you will visit and I am trying to put the Lodges in which you can stay on line!
Lady Carnarvon thank you so much for your wonderful articles. I look forward to reading them, I should like one day to visit your beautiful Highclere castle.
Karen Otrosina
Maryland USA.
Thank you, Lady Carnarvon for your interesting suggestions and insights. I love receiving your blogs.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Casperson
Lady Carnarvon,
I shared your blog this morning with my retired Navy husband who, when presented a story of airplanes, cars, engines, exploring and high adventure, relives his boyhood again at the beginning a the week! It’s really nice to see a smile on his face as the tv is muted and he enjoys your writing.
Thanks for a great beginning on a foggy ‘London’ morning in Cary (North Carolina)!
Martha G.
I am so glad
Super sick, but would not miss you’re site ever monday. Thank you for keeping my spirits up. Thank you.
Wishing you better soon
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for your Monday post.
I found it very interesting to read.
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to view the Facebook on-site interviews conducted by you and Lord Carnarvon with your special guests. It was a welcome break from watching reruns on the television.
Today I will have a look at the Castle’s Instagram account to see if there was anything that I missed.
Will you show on social media how much money was raised for each charitable organization during the WW2 events held this past weekend?
Until next Monday I wish you a pleasant week.
Perpetua Crawford
Thank you – we are running our make a difference competition until Xmas and will then draw the winners..
Oh how my father, brother and brother-in-law (all pilots) would have enjoyed the events at Highclere! And I would have enjoyed meeting Violet and Cora. Do you have any idea what their weight is now?
I don’t want my feet under them when they lie down!!!
In a sense, it brings these wonderful visitors back to life, for us to reflect upon and ask, “I wonder how…”. A pause from our present day. So welcome. Thank you!
Thank you
In a 1948 speech to the House of Commons, Churchill paraphrased Santayana when he said ‘Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it. ‘ We CAN learn from history in the way people survived the devastation of WWII. Let us be the ones that future generations write about when they tell how we survived during this Covid crisis!
Dear Lady Carnarvon, all very interesting, I saw the post on instagram, I think I will be investing in the book Rate of climb, it sounds very good.
Take care
Best wishes Lorraine.xx
I hope posts to watch on a rainy day!
I am a Scottish American living in USA. I really enjoy your blog and read it when it’s on. Thank you Lady Carnarvon.and Loved the pictures today too!
Thank you
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Your picture with Violet warmed my heart and brought back treasured memories. Decades ago my pig Emmeline and I had “conversations” to start each morning for both of us.
Thank you for starting my Monday mornings with so much to ponder and absorb and for this week’s recommendations.
With thanks,
Helen
Thank you – she is rather amusing
Hello Lady Carnarvon.
I was one of the visitors at Highclere on Saturday. It was good to see those vintage cars and finding out more about their history. The Model T Ford was the oldest car and all the cars were actually driven to Highclere.
Plenty of opportunities to ask questions at the field displays and weaponry. I think you enjoyed the moment when the pipers performed HAPPY BIRTHDAY for one visitor, then later they performed Amazing Grace. The singers performing in the concert tent were fantastic, with many songs appropriate to the 40’s. Many visitors enjoyed the songs whilst enjoying refreshments.
The catering staff did well cleansing the outdoor tables frequently.
Many were in uniform or were they part of a later re-enactment. Noticed that some ladies were dressed 40’s style, hats and hair styles etc. Good for them.
Winston Churchill and Clementine looked perfect. He was speaking to a small group and that must have been the only time you stood still for a short while, as you were constantly on the move.
Earl Carnarvon noticed that my cigar was not a Highclere Churchill one.
Many visitors could be seen walking round the estate enjoying the autumnal views.
Don’t think the ice cream van did not do much trade as at times it was a bit nippy.
Spoke to the SSAFA chaps that I had met at Battle Proms. We were insure if a helicopter was to make an appearance and land. My comment was that at least it would not have to land on an aircraft carrier.
An enjoyable day given the Covid restrictions. All the estate staff were friendly and helpful.
Carry on Highclere.
Thank you – it was rather an amazing weekend and a blend of actual and virtual ways of exploring history at Highclere
Hi Lady Carnarvon,
Just a note to say what a great day we had on Saturday at the WW2 day.
A fine set up and the house was so well presented.
All of the folk who were looking after us and guiding were so helpful and cheerful. Luis the butler spent ages talking to us so passionately about the house and estate and made our day! (We have the gin to look forward to!)
Well done and many thanks to all of you a Highclere!
We will return!
How incredibly kind – the team here did such a great job. In fact our own guides were amazed and very complimentary and they can be our own passionate critics!
Lady Carnarvon, thank you for your Monday articles..I thoroughly enjoy reading them..
Sincerely,
Vera Martinez..
Lady Carnarvon, Your Instagram of some of your dogs in an Autumn day is wonderful. Rosie does look so very cute. I hope you and your husband did have a little rest after such a busy but rewarding weekend. Stay well and healthy, With Kind Regards, Cheryl
Loved listening to all the different interviews. So very interesting.
I have my grown son who lost his job due to the COVID 19 living with us. He brought his beautiful Labrador retriever with him. The dog is named Fettes after a school our son attended in Scotland in his gap year. My question to you is how do you deal with all the shedding? I have chocolate lab hair everywhere and we have limited his access to certain rooms.
There is a really good comb for labradors which helps – it is on amazon if you google!
Amen!
Lady Carnarvon,
I was one of the reenactors and we spoke briefly at the event. First of all I wanted to say thank you again for putting on the event. It was great for us to be able to meet up again, and especially in such beautiful surroundings.
Second, I was the one in the Royal Norwegian Air Force uniform. I was very surprised to find that Highclere had such a close connection with King Haakon VII. It made it feel extra special to be able to wear the uniform in a place so closely connected with him.
We all had a great time, and sincerely hope this will become a regular event.
Thank you – I remember you! In another world (2019) I had proposed a history festival which took a different shape yet happened and i hope it is the first of an annual event. I do hope you will join us next year. It is a great Norwegian connection.
Lady Carnarvon, Every Wed. morning I re-read your blog and comments. Always wonderful reading even the second time around. You really do write from the heart. Best Wishes, Cheryl
Thank you – how lovely o know that – thank you!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
It sounds like you had a wonderful, whil wind weekend! Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. I look forward to reading and rereading your blog every Monday.
Have a wonderful day,
Pamela Oates
It was a positive weekend with lovely moments and amazing speakers. Some students want to zoom with me to discuss some of it as well so that really makes it worthwhile!
Lady Carnarvon, Incredible photo of Highclere Castle and the Autumn view. With my surgery being bumped up to Oct. 27, I have your stunning photos to take my mind off other things. Always a joy! With Best Wishes, Cheryl
thank you – the gardens and leaves seem so so lovely at the moment I hope you will enjoy the stories too
Thank you for sharing so much valuable and interesting information! Oh…and I love the names for your pigs!