Our brand new events venue, The Lady Elizabeth Wing, has been completed and itlooks superb! Situated in the old Holkham Pottery building near the hall it openedat the end of June, offering modern facilities for over 250 dinner guests, 320conference guests or 400 guests for a drinks party.The central building was originally built by the 2nd Earl of Leicester in 1867 as a

bowling alley and was used as such until the early 20th century. In 1931 the 5th Earl of Leicester married Lady Elizabeth Yorke and she established HolkhamPottery in the disused bowling alley in 1951. The new wing is named after her.Lady Elizabeth built two additional aisles onto the original building and the potterywas in production for 56 years until the decision was made to close it in September

2007, in the face of increasing global competition. Thebuilding then lay redundant for almost ten years and bringingit back to life has been very satisfying. It is a prestigiousvenue for this part of the north Norfolk coast and allows thevisitor season to extend beyond the busy summer monthsand also support local businesses in low season.Designed by London-based Hopkins Architects, the

stunning contemporary space works flexibly for small or largenumbers. Behind the scenes are all the professional facilitiesthat party organisers and caterers need to ensure an eventruns smoothly and efficiently.The reception area has a full bar and can be booked

separately, so if a small gathering is planned, of up to around60 people, this front area is ideal. Holkham is keen toencourage the use of the space for all sorts of events, arranged

both privately and by the community such asdrinks parties, receptions, book or productlaunches, birthday celebrations or a space tohold an audience for a talk or presentation.The room can be set up to meet the needs ofthe differing occasions, offering maximumflexibility. The space is also registered for marriages, so

couples can say their vows there, then gothrough to the central area for the weddingreception afterwards. The main area is light andairy and full of possibilities. It offers plenty ofroom for people to eat, drink and generallymake merry. At the back are full height glasswindows with Hopkins Architects’ signatureoak louvres, which look onto the rarely seeneastern facade of the hall which will beilluminated at night. Beautiful oak doors openonto a secluded lawned area that guests canmove out to on a fine summer’s day. The building is all on one level, making foreasy access. An oak floor throughout the building looks superb and is warm andresilient underfoot – great for dancing! It also adds to the wonderful acoustics of thespace.The team at Holkham can help you to start planning an event. Contact Miranda

Bramall on 01328 713108 or email corporate@holkham.co.uk

Thanks to the commitment of the west Norfolkcompany to quality building and its strong contactswith other companies in the area who can supply theservices needed, Robson Construction has been ableto pitch for many building projects on the estate,winning a number of prestigious contracts whichcontract manager Peter Roberts is quietly delightedabout. A familiar face at Holkham, 33 year old Peter isthe son of Steve Roberts, who started the business19 years ago and who is still a daily presence at

contracts his firm undertakes. Robson Construction has been involved with work

at the walled garden at Holkham with the restorationof the large glasshouses, the transformation ofAncient House into ten additional bedrooms for TheVictoria, the impressive and award-winning HolkhamStudios at Longlands and, of course, The LadyElizabeth Wing.

Robson also has a number of projects currentlyunderway in Wells-next-the-Sea and recently

completed a gym and cinema at The Hoste inBurnham Market and the restoration of WarhamReading Room.

Although he has enjoyed working on The LadyElizabeth Wing and is proud of the way it has turnedout, Peter is looking forward to thecompletion of the job and to taking someholiday. He and his wife Jennifer have recentlyhad a little girl and he is really looking forwardto spending some time with the two of them.

ISSUE 23

The Holkham GazetteSUMMER 2016

The old Holkham Pottery is transformed

Lady Elizabeth, wife of the 5th Earl of Leicester, after whomthe new venue is named.

www.holkham.co.uk

Laura Munton and Dan Rock are thefirst couple who got married in The LadyElizabeth Wing. They said their vows on25th June in the Marble Hall. Then theyand their guests transferred to The LadyElizabeth Wing for the party. Laura says, “We chose Holkham

because Dan’s family has a place inWells-next-the-Sea and we spend a lot oflovely weekends here. We thought itwould be really nice to make a weekendof it with all our friends and family, pluswhen we saw the Marble Hall we knewit was the one! The new space for ourparty afterwards was the icing on thecake for us.”

Local firm Robson Construction builds on its reputation

Holkham is hosting anotherexciting programme of familyentertainment in the beautifulsetting of the walled garden.With a range of carefullyselected performances includingcomedy and drama, wewelcome the return of somebrilliant theatre companieswhose performances areguaranteed to enthrall andcaptivate our audience. 20th July, 7pmWe aredelighted to welcome back London Academy of Music& Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) with one of Shakespeare’sbest-loved comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.3rd August, 6.15pm Quantum Theatre stages anew production Once Upon a Time There Were Four LittleRabbits. Meet Beatrix Potter as she tells us her veryfirst tale of Peter Rabbit, who knows only too wellthat he is not to go into Mr McGregor’s garden...10th August, 6.15pm Enjoy Peter Pan, the tale ofthe boy who never grew up. Chapterhouse TheatreCompany presents this unforgettable story completewith mermaids, magical fairies and the cruellest pirateof them all, Captain Hook (boo, hiss!)17th August, 6.15pm. They seek him here, theyseek him there... The Scarlet Pimpernel sweeps into

Holkham. With originalsongs, spectacular swordfights and a little bit ofromance there issomething for the wholefamily to enjoy in thisexciting musical adventure.24th August, 6.15pmRatburger is HeartbreakProductions’ theatricalpremiere of comedianDavid Walliams’ children’sbook. A modern thriller

that promises to deliver a blend of dark reality andempowering comedy, it follows the story of Zoe asshe battles through a life littered with pitfalls andgrizzly individuals.31st August, 7pm Much Ado About Nothing,Shakespeare’s sparkling, battle-of-the-sexes comedy,concludes our open air theatre season. Lockedtogether in a ‘merry war’ Benedick, a confirmedbachelor and Beatrice, an avowed maid, are resolutelyset against marriage. However their friends have aplan. Beatrice and Benedick’s ‘will they, won’t they’relationship is one of Shakespeare’s funniest and mostfamous love stories.

Visit www.holkham.co.uk to book tickets, ortelephone Holkham Ticket Office on 01328 713111.

SUMMER 2016

The conversion of the former farm buildings atLonglands into studios for jewellery designerMonica Vinader has won the Best Refurbished/Recycled Workplace in the Midlands and EastAnglia at the regional property sector awardsheld by the British Council for Offices.

Monica Vinader worked with Holkham to getthem studios exactly right for her burgeoningbusiness. The initial phase of the project saw9,000 square feet converted into stylishcontemporary offices. Open-plan working areasmake the best use of natural light and the officeshave modern conveniences, such as superfastbroadband from a dedicated 100MB fibre leasedline. The buildings are exceptionally well insulatedand benefit from sustainable ground sourceheating which keeps them at optimumtemperature.

The second phase of the project has nowstarted. Once complete, it will offer further open-plan working areas, retaining the visual appeal ofthe barns and workshops. This new phase willbring another 7,300 square feet into use andcreate flexible space, designed to offer anunrivalled environment in which modernbusinesses can work and grow. The aim is to havethe building 60% complete by September.

James Bracey, Holkham’s land and propertymanager, sees the development as vital, not justfor the estate but for the surrounding area if localpeople are to have sustainable work and lifestyles.

The estate also has other commercial space tooffer. Offices at Egmere have been refurbishedand are available to let for people runningbusinesses that need a workshop or lightindustrial space, or that have items to store. New and existing ventures with a good businessplan and a need for space should contactj.bracey@holkham.co.uk

Phase 2 has startedat Holkham Studios In the last decade of the 19th century the Rector of

Warham, the Reverend Charles Digby, decided thathe would like to build a Reading Room for the use ofthe people of Warham. He approached the HolkhamEstate and the Earl of Leicester gave a piece of landfor the purpose. The building was erected at thepersonal expense of the Rector and opened in 1892.Reading Rooms were popular in late Victorian

times as they enabled older generations to learn toread and write and hence to ‘catch up’ with theirchildren, who were by then all in compulsoryeducation. By the 1930s this deficiency in education

no longer existed and Warham’s Reading Room(like many others) evolved into the village hall.Due to the passing of time, the Reading Room

required considerable updating to enable it to beused as a centre for activities in the village. Despiteits dilapidated state, a few village groups still met atthe Reading Room, although community usage hadfallen in recent years due to its poor condition. The refurbishment of the Reading Room was

proposed and Holkham’s Estates Director DavidHorton-Fawkes, who was chair of the Warhamparish council at the time, led a bid for funding fromthe Heritage Lottery Fund. The bid was successfuland netted the project just over £480,000.Work commenced in late 2015 and included

reinstating the proportions of the original mainroom by moving the kitchen to an extension onthe south side where modern appliances wereinstalled, ideal for catering for parties and similarfunctions. The extension also has a storage unitand conservatory. The building is fully insulatedand benefits from underfloor heating. To hire the hall, or to find out more, please

visit www.warhamreadingroom.co.uk

Warham Reading Room has been restored

New PR firm has alocal connectionHolkham’s new PR firm, Perowne CharlesCommunications (PCC), has local interest thanksto founding partner Julia Perowne, who grew up inDocking. PCC is a leading communicationsconsultancy based in London. Founded by PaulCharles and Julia Perowne, PCC’s mission is toprovide innovative PR campaigns to the finesthotels, restaurants, tourism boards, tour operators,airlines, cruise lines and other travel brandsaround the world. We welcome them on board!

A Celebration of the 80sIf some of these chapslook familiar, the chancesare that you were ateenager in the 1980s. Ifso, you’ll not want tomiss Holkham’s open-airconcert this year, onSaturday 27th August.On stage will be Level 42with special guests Go West, Big Country, Heatwave,Jaki Graham and Nathan Moore from BrotherBeyond. Concert-goers will be hard pushed not to beup on their feet, dancing along with the party

atmosphere that thesehit-making chart successacts will be producing. Tickets are priced

£34.50 if purchasedbefore 1st August and£39.50 on, or after, 1stAugust. Availablethrough the Live

Promotions website, www.livepromotions.co.uk, orfrom the Holkham ticket office. Gates open at 5pm and the concert starts at

7.30pm.

We moved our Norfolk team to Longlands 18 months ago andwe have never looked back. The space is versatile and suits ourneeds with multi-purpose open plan office space that we use tohouse the design and creative teams at one end and interna-tional logistics and operations at the other. The facilities andamenities are robust and are aligned to the expectations of a21st century, fast growing business with 100MB broadband andample parking. Being only two hours from Stansted we are ableto fulfil a next day delivery order to New York as easily as wecan to any UK location. We recruit employees from the localtowns and neighbouring areas and are proud to be part of the Norfolk business community.

Ben Ford, Director of Operations, Monica Vinader

Open air theatre in the walled garden

SUMMER 2016

For more information about Holkham events visit www.holkham.co.uk

By the time this edition of The Holkham Gazette ispublished the outcome of the EU referendum will beknown. The importance of the decision cannot beoverstated and the impact on Holkham of a vote toleave would be profound. Europe is an importantmarket for our farm products and it provides directsupport for the UK’s farmers and land managers.Workers from the EU are a critical part of the labourforce. Whether we like it or not, the rural economyand the rural landscape have been shaped by theagricultural and environmental policies of the EU. Direct Support is the payment all farmers receive

from the EU for maintaining their land and forgrowing environmental crops that have nocommercial benefit. The two pillars of support for UKfarmers, Basic Payments (£2.618bn) and StewardshipPayments (£637.5m), are fundamental to the businessmodel of all farmers in this country. Without thesepayments few, if any, farms in the UK would be viableunless farmers were able to charge considerably morefor their crops when they are sold. However there isno political will to permit an increase in food prices.The UK is not alone in supporting its farmers; mostdeveloped countries, in the EU and out of it, supporttheir farmers. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports thatthe average level of support is 18% of farm receipts.The total value of support given by consumers andtaxpayers to EU farmers is now at 19% and falling.In recent years the emphasis has moved away from

basic subsidies towards rewarding farmers for providingenvironmental features like pollen and nectar mixfield margins and permanent grass features. There isno denying that the practice of paying farmers to donothing can look bizarre, but in reality the EU ispaying farmers to maintain the landscape that we all

value and on which many of us rely. It is reasonable to question whether the system of

farm subsidies discourages innovation. If subsidies weretaken away from UK farmers while the rest of the EUkept them the impact on our farmers would becatastrophic. The ‘Leave’ campaign has committed tomaintaining subsidies but any decoupling from theEU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) would havea significant impact on all farmers, albeit one thatcould stimulate positive, as well as painful, changes infarming.‘Leave’ campaigners point out that the UK is the

EU’s largest market. In 2013 63% of our food exportswent to the EU and 70% of our imports came fromEurope. Brexiteers have said that we should beconfident that the UK will reach a trade agreementthat is as good as the status quo, if not better. It is alsosuggested that we will be able to negotiate favourableagreements with countries outside the EU as well asfinding new trade partners. It is impossible to foreseethe outcome of these negotiations but it may bereasonable to wonder just how long it will take tosecure these deals and what will happen in themeantime. If we have voted to leave, under the

current terms, the UK would have two years tonegotiate its exit from Europe but it will be aconsiderable feat to complete these deals in 24months. At a recent meeting of the UK’s leading ruralestates one politician said that he thought it couldtake ten years to get out.Regulation is a subject of much debate and all

farmers are mesmerised by the degree of red tape andform filling they are required to do. There have beenvarious reviews and attempts to simplify it all but theburden of paperwork is excessive by any standard.Those who want to leave the EU claim that it will bepossible to reduce regulations to protect wildlife andthe environment and those who want to stay pointout that many of the agreements that governenvironmental policy tend to be based oninternational agreements that would still apply to theUK, whether we were ‘in’ or ‘out’.The vote’s other major impact on the rural economy

will be labour. If we leave, many farmers will struggle ifthey are unable to access a seasonal labour force madeup predominantly of EU workers. Leave campaignerssay that one of the main advantages of leaving the EUwould be preventing the movement of EU citizensacross borders whilst acknowledging that some form ofSeasonal Agricultural Workers Agreements, whichapplied to Romanian and Bulgarian workers before2014, could be negotiated.The arguments revolve around unknowns and

assumptions, making the decision-making process verydifficult. As one of the larger UK farmers, Holkhamacknowledges that the decision will have a majorimpact on our business and the environment but weare confident that, whatever the outcome, we will doour best to adapt, innovate and conserve the preciousplace in which we are privileged to live and work.

Holkham ParkrunMeet at the car park at 8.50am.Every Saturday morning throughout the yearHolkham Cricket MatchesPlaying at home throughout the season.10th, 16th, 30th July, 6th, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th August, 11th, 17thSeptemberOpen-air Cinema with The Luna CinemaBack to the Future – Marty McFly tries to avoid dating hismother! 7.45pm for a 9.15pm start.Friday 1st JulyOutlaw Half Triathlon Holkham Weekend10km run and 2.5km dash on the Saturday followed by theOutlaw Half Triathlon on Sunday.Saturday 2nd July and Sunday 3rd JulyOpen-air Cinema with The Luna CinemaDirty Dancing – fetch Baby out of the corner! 7.45pm for a9.15pm start.Saturday 2nd JulyWalking Women –WellsMeet at the Beach Café, Wells at 10am.Tuesday 5th July, Tuesday 6th SeptemberPhotography WorkshopHolkham Landscapes. 10am.Saturday 9th July and Sunday 10th JulyTwiglets Toddler GroupOutdoor parent and toddler group. 10am-11.30amThursday 14th July and Thursday 8th SeptemberCheffins AuctionSee article overleaf.Saturday 16th July

Burnham Market Flower Show and CarnivalAll welcome to join us. 1.45pmSaturday 16th JulySummer Tours of the Private GardensView the private gardens which are normally closed to thepublic. 11am, 1pm and 3pm.Sunday 17th JulyOutdoor Theatre with LAMDAA Midsummer Night’s Dream. 7pm.Wednesday 20th JulyWalled Garden RamblesExplore the walled garden. 10.30am, 12noon, 2pm and 3.30pm.Thursday 21st July and Thursday 15th SeptemberTractor Trailer Tours of Holkham ParkHop on board our trailer for a guided tour of Holkham park.10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm.Every Wednesday and Thursday throughout the summer holidaysPark Discovery Day – Pond DippingWhat lies beneath the surface of the lake?10am and 1pm.Monday 25th July, 1st August, 8th August, 15th August, 22nd August, 29th AugustWells Carnival WeekEvents around Wells-next-the-Sea all week. All welcome.Friday 29th July to Sunday 7th AugustDiva Opera – Così fan TutteOne of Mozart’s most delightful operas. 7pm.Friday 29th JulyDiva Opera – Don PasqualeDonizetti’s comedy masterpiece. 7pm.Saturday 30th JulyWalking Women – Holkham Walled GardenMeet outside the ticket office at Holkham. 10am.Tuesday 2nd AugustOutdoor TheatreOnce Upon a Time There Were Four Little Rabbits – adelightful family version of Beatrix Potter’s tale. 6.15pm.Wednesday 3rd August

Outdoor TheatrePeter Pan – JM Barrie’s timeless classic. 6.15pm.Wednesday 10th AugustGamekeeper Discovery DayFind out about the Holkham gamekeepers. 10am to 4pm.Tuesday 16th AugustOutdoor Theatre The Scarlet Pimpernel – they seek him here... 6.15pmWednesday 17th AugustOutdoor Theatre Ratburger – David Walliams’ story of Zoe and her rat. 6.15pmWednesday 24th AugustOpen-air Concert – 80s CelebrationGates open at 5pm, concert startsat 7.30pm.Saturday 27th AugustBat WalkAll about British bats. 7.30pm.30th, 31st August and 1st SeptemberOutdoor TheatreMuch Ado About Nothing – Shakespeare’s comedy. 7pm.Wednesday 31st AugustNorth Norfolk Food and Drink FestivalThe annual celebration of all things food and drink.Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th SeptemberHarvest Festival Service at St. Withburga’s ChurchAll welcome. 11am.Sunday 4th SeptemberNorth Norfolk TriathlonThe 10km run section using Holkham beachSunday 4th SeptemberOutdoor WorkshopBird Identification. 10amTuesday 13th SeptemberChamber Music ConcertSarah Jane Lewis, Gareth Brynmor John & Simon Lepper. 7pm.Friday 23rd September

The EU referendum and its impact on HolkhamBY DAVID HORTON-FAWKES, ESTATES DIRECTOR

What’s on locally...All events at Holkham unless otherwise stated

SUMMER 2016

Next issue published in Autumn 2016© The Holkham Gazette 2016, Published by Coke Estates Limited, Holkham Estate Office, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 1AB, Phone: 01328 710227

Catherine Heasman, the daughter ofJane Heasman, PA to Holkham’sEstates Director David Horton-Fawkes, is 16 years old and will soonfinish at Alderman Peel High Schoolin Wells-next-the-Sea. She leaves theschool having attained the position ofhead girl, which she has held duringher final year. At the school’s sportscelebration evening held in April thisyear, she was thrilled to have beenelected the sports personality of theyear by her teachers and fellowpupils.

Catherine richly deserved this lastaccolade: during her time at APHSshe has been netball captain and she

has played rounders, football, rugby and volleyball. She has been in the gymnasticssquad since year 8 too. “I am the strong one,” says Catherine, “you can alwaysfind me at the bottom of a set-piece, supporting the others on top. I have neverbeen terribly graceful or a real gymnast, but I am strong!” Before her familymoved to Norfolk, Catherine played cricket for Kent in year 5. Despite all theseachievements, she was clearly delighted and surprised to be singled out for thehonour. Catherine took great pleasure in the video played at the sports eveningwhich the teachers had made to explain why they had chosen her.

Currently facing 22 exams in 12 GCSE subjects before she leaves APHS andassuming all goes well, Catherine has a conditional full boarding place atWymondham College to look forward to when she starts her A levels. She ishoping to take four: biology, chemistry, psychology and English literature, with aview to going on to university to study medicine, psychology or English. Her longdistance future plans may include the army (she is in the cadets at the moment)or teaching.

Before all that, there is the summer to look forward to and her job as cateringassistant in the Courtyard Café at Holkham, where she’s worked for the last twosummers. “I really enjoy it,” Catherine says. “There’s never a dull moment, andthe people we serve are all different.”

Modest wonderwoman! Walking With The Wounded’sCumbrian Challenge The Cumbrian Challenge is Walking With The Wounded’s fun and testingflagship annual fundraising event in the Lake District. Teams of four take partto support another wounded veteran back into work. Held on 12th to 13thMay, this year there was a new, easier route, ‘The Peak’, in addition to the‘Tough’ and ‘Tougher’ routes to test the teams over the beautiful fells of theLake District.As part of its team-building preparation, each team was challenged to

fundraise £1,000 (£250 per person) for Walking With The Wounded’sprogrammes.Holkham fielded three teams this year. James Bracey, Stephen Twyford,

Liam Roe and Philip Freezer called themselves ‘Norfolk in Chance’ and tookpart in the ‘Tougher’ version, covering 31.5km and coming home in a verycreditable 9 hours 52 minutes. Jo Tennant, Dawn Spetch, Joanna Stapletonand Catherine Leach represented the ‘Norfolk in Hope’ team, taking part inthe ‘Tough’ challenge over 24 km, coming home in 8 hours 9 minutes. TeresaAbel, Paul Duncan, Marie Fowle and Colin Shearer went under the banner ofthe ‘Holkham Allsorts’ and also took on the ‘Tough’ challenge, making ithome in a shade over 9 hours. “It was hard work,” Teresa said afterwards “but hugely enjoyable. I’m so

pleased we took part.” The money is still rolling in, but the total raised so faris £4,106.45.

Some of the Holkham participants(l to r): James Bracey, Liam Roe,Joanna Stapleton, StephenTwyford, Catherine Leach and Phil Freezer.Two local groups have new roles

for Sarah, Countess of LeicesterSarah, Countess of Leicester, has recently taken on two new roles which seeher engaging with long-established local groups. The first role the Countess ofLeicester has undertaken is President of Fakenham Choral Society. LadyLeicester says, “I am delighted to accept the invitation to be President of theFakenham Choral Society. The society has a rich tradition of choral singingand live music-making in our local towns and villages.”The other group which has recently asked the Countess of Leicester to

become its President is the Wells Wildfowlers. She says, “I am very honouredto be asked by Kevin Thatcher and the Wildfowlers’ committee to take mylate husband’s place as President of the Wells Wildfowlers.“Wildfowling is the most natural form of shooting and the oldest, pre-dating

driven pheasant shooting by around two hundred years. I am a great fan ofwildfowling and love going out early in the morning or in the evening in allweathers! More than likely, I would not shoot the geese but I just love beingout in the wildness of those beautiful marshes observing their world.”

Wildfowling on Wells marshes in winter

Picture © C

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ell M

acCallum

Cart steams back homeDick Joice, presenter of the AngliaTelevision series Bygones from 1967 to1987, was instrumental in bringing hiscollection of items to Holkham to formthe Bygones museum.

The Soame steam cart, part of Dick’scollection, is a piece of Norfolk’s steamhistory and was the only one of its kind tobe made in the county at Samuel Soame’sPerseverance Foundry in Marsham, nearAylsham, in 1897. It was a transitionvehicle between the age of horse-drawncarts and the arrival of the motor car.

The cart appeared in the 1953 filmGenevieve and twice took part in the London to Brighton road race. Dick boughtthe cart from Sir William McAlpine and after Dick’s death it was restored by DavidKing of Suffield to fulfil Dick’s wish that it should be kept in steam and used inNorfolk. The steam cart moved to Holkham in 1993 and stayed there, a popularexhibit, until the recent reorganisation of the collection.

Now that the museum has been redeveloped into the new state-of-the-art Fieldto Fork exhibition, the steam cart has returned to its old home at Marsham in thecare of Bob Parke of the Marsham Massey Museum.�The auction sale of various rural and domestic artefacts, stationary engines andtwo tractors, which was due to take place on 4th June at the farm at Egmere justoutside Wells, has now been moved to Cheffins Machinery sale ground based atSutton, near Ely, in Cambridgeshire. The items will form part of the CambridgeVintage Auction that will take place on Saturday 16th July. The items Holkhamis offering in the sale comprise part of the former Bygones museum collection.