When we lose a prominent garden tree, that we have lived with every day for sometimes hundreds of years, it is like losing a member of our extended family. We were particularly saddened a couple of years ago by the death of one of Knebworth House Gardens’ two most prominent cedar trees. Rather than lose the tree completely, we asked local chainsaw carvers Dennis Heath and Dave Flemons to create some Lytton family sculptures and motifs out of the base of the trunk, which since have been much enjoyed by our visitors. Now we are thrilled to have planted a beautiful new cedar tree alongside the old trunk, which we look forward to living with for another couple of hundred years. It is like welcoming a new member to the family!
We are also looking forward to welcoming you to the House and Gardens for our Parish Open Day, which this year is on Mother’s Day, Sunday 26th March. Please join us via the gate at St Mary’s and bring this magazine with you to let us know you live in the parish. We hope the weather is good and you and your family enjoy a lovely day.
Finally this month all at Knebworth House and Park mourn the passing of Alan Sapsed, who with his family has farmed the fields around Knebworth village for as long as anyone alive will remember. Alan was the very best of farmers, the very best of neighbours, and the enormous wealth of local knowledge that passes away with him, I in particular, will sorely miss. We salute you Alan – thank you for your fine custodianship for so many years of the beautiful landscapes of Knebworth village.
Henry Lytton Cobbold
www.knebworthhouse.com
New Cedar in Knebworth House Gardens – February 2017