The outing was on Friday 16th September 2022.
Contrary to the dire weather forecast, we set off for Blickling Hall, a Jacobean stately home in Norfolk, in the morning sunshine. They say you never forget your first sight of Blickling.
The mansion was built on the ruins of a Tudor building for Sir Henry Hobart from 1616 and it is believed Anne Boleyn was born there.
We were met by friendly National Trust staff at the gates. A visit to the cafe was almost obligatory as the Hall did not open until midday.
There was much to see in Blickling Hall: beautiful paintings by famous artists, an enormous library, exquisite crewel-work wall hangings and bedspread that were found in the loft and resown.
Of interest was also the conservation work they are currently doing to combat woodworm and silverfish; they have also introduced little wasps to destroy the moths which were eating the tapestries. Unfortunately, not many of us saw the garden due to the heavy rain showers.
Philip Kerr, 11th Marquess of Lothian, a politician and a diplomat, was the last private owner of Blickling and he passed Blickling into the care of the National Trust after his death in 1940.
Some of the group explored the RAF Oulton Museum, which features the stories of the men and women based at Blickling during the Second World War.
Also on the site is the Norwich Printing Museum, where volunteers demonstrated the traditional skills of the Compositor, Printer and Bookbinder. The museum houses a unique collection of printing machinery and artefacts dating from the early 1800s.
A very enjoyable outing.