The very best wishes for Christmas from Martha, me and all at Knebworth House and Park. Whatever the weather this holiday time – and in such a bizarre weather year, I don’t think we’d be surprised if it was bright & balmy or blowing a blizzard – may your hearths be hearty and healthy… and your heating bills arrive when your sense of humour is still riding high from the jokes in your crackers.
I recall in the 1970s we would hang blankets in the corridors of Knebworth House to keep the heat in the corner of the house that we lived in. Then, when the charity was created, and was able to afford a new boiler for the public rooms, we took down all the blankets in the hope that some of the heat would make it down the corridor – particularly to our bedrooms – where we lived under layers of jumpers and coats.
I suspect, this winter, many of us will be layering up rather than turning the heating up. So here’s to ridiculous Christmas jumpers, warm full hearts and warm hearty laughter – and perhaps a hot toddy or two (or Horlicks for me) – this Hertfordshire holidays!
Henry Lytton Cobbold
@HenryCobboldKH