The responsibility of Knebworth House and Country Park is not a job for one. Whoever takes on the golden handcuffs had better find a partner willing to commit their life to its treasures and its troubles. I only needed to get one thing right in my life. Reader, I got it right. I married the perfect partner in dripping Alabama heat 36 years ago. My father David married the perfect partner in whipping North Devon rain 62 years ago. My grandmother Hermione married the perfect partner in driving North Hertfordshire rain 93 years ago. As I write, the forecast for the wedding of my son Edward next Saturday is for more driving North Hertfordshire rain. If it is so, I hope it carries with it all the good blessings that these previous wedding days did.
Like his great-grandmother Hermione (below left), Edward is getting married in St Mary’s Church. The life partner he has found is the very special Dr Helena Meyer-Johann from Bielefeld in Germany. How serendipitous that our Priest-in-Charge, Rev Charles King, is fluent in German, so the service can be conducted in both languages. Martha and I wish them much serendipity in their life, and all the best good fortune in all weathers. Through sunshine and rain, treasures and troubles, may it be the perfect lifelong match for these two lovely people.
Henry Lytton Cobbold
@HenryCobboldKH
