In the world of “Harry Potter” messages arrive by owl. Frankly, like the Post Office, it’s a service that is under threat from modern technology. I am sure nowadays you receive your messages via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest… or, if you are really old-fashioned, email. Thus I will surprise you when I tell you that the recorded interview I gave to the St Albans & District Talking Newspaper earlier in the summer was distributed to its listeners, individually, one by one, envelope by envelope, by mail.
Talking Newspapers (www.sadtn.org.uk) is a charity whose purpose is to keep local visually impaired residents in touch with what is happening in their community. It is a much valued service that is provided totally free of charge. Its recorded articles are currently distributed on memory sticks, but it wasn’t long ago that they were distributed on audio cassette. Older readers will need to explain to younger readers what an audio cassette is.
The 30 minute interview I gave turned out to be a very comprehensive round up of all that we do here at Knebworth House – including our work in education and preservation, much of our colourful history and some fun family stories – and if you are interested to listen to it, Talking Newspapers has kindly allowed us to make it available via the “News” page of the Knebworth House website, under the heading “It was a dark and stormy night…” – but I’d be just as happy if you want to send your owl out for a copy.
Martha and I, and all the team here at Knebworth House, wish you a very happy Christmas,
Henry Lytton Cobbold
www.knebworthhouse.com