Island Hall Blog

From the Archive: An extract from a letter from Emma Baumgartner to her brother Charles, Godmanchester January 1850

islandhall — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:13:47 +0000

My Dearest Charlie,

I think I wrote to you last before the winter began. Oh isn’t it cold! How I did wish for you – when the river froze over – I rejoice to hear of your skating renown. As you know, they say they have had very good skating on the Ouse down as far as Hartford. Anne Sperling and I walked from Wyton all the way to Huntingdon on the ice – except one little bit near Hartford, which was not safe. There was about half an inch of snow on the ice, which made it pleasant for walking, but which must have impeded the skaters somewhat I should think.

I suppose Mama told you that your brothers skated here from Milton. Percy got one or two falls from cat ice and was sent spinning along the ice forever such a way. He felt rather stiff and bruised after it. The next day he and Edward went half way to Bedford and in coming back near the railway bridge, Edward got in up to his waist; however he scrambled out and didn’t seem to care, until after he had proceeded some way further, he discovered that he had only got the stem of his pipe in his mouth. It was a little Meerschum he brought with him from Paris, when he was there last autumn. I dare say you can sympathise in his distress at loosing it.

The frost lasted just 6 weeks and a man – a gardener, who writes in one of the journals, fore told it exactly. We saw his prediction at the beginning of the frost, but I hoped then it wouldn’t be true. They say we are to have 7 years of hard such winters. Our old sledge has come out again, but Mrs. John Thornhill of Diddington has got it this time – it seems to go round of the county. I supposed Mr Veasey did not want it as his wife, who rejoices in another little boy, couldn’t go out this winter. I suppose the frost has now gone for good.

I think you have had your full share of skating this winter though – so I don’t compassionate you. It made an attempt to freeze the night before last – but it was useless. Of course it snowed all Saturday afternoon as Sam went to our farm that day, he met Arthur Veasey and Plumer Rooper in Huntingdon. They are both going to the bachelor’s ball tomorrow were very anxious to induce us to go, offered us tickets etc. Plummer was rejoicing in the thaw, he has taken his degree and now longs for hunting. Farewell my dearest Charlie, pray give my best love to Sam and believe me ever your most loving sister, Emma.

P.s They say that a man at Peterborough skated a mile in 2 minutes and a half and everyone seems to think that tremendous! Is it so unheard of a feat?

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: Desert Island Discs broadcast from the Island

islandhall — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:57:22 +0000

On 29th January 2012, BBC Radio 4 celebrates the 70th anniversary of a broadcasting institution – Desert Island Discs. To mark the occasion, at midday on the 29th, all BBC Local Radio and the stations in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland will simultaneously broadcast their own, very special, editions of Your Desert Island Discs – the programme where the listeners are the castaways. Tune in to catch BBC Radio Cambridge broadcasting from the Island at Island Hall

SCHEDULED TOURS FOR SMALL GROUPS 2012

islandhall — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:14:34 +0000

These are scheduled tours for small groups (groups of under ten) or individuals, that you can join, with like minded people to view the house and gardens guided by a member of the family. Included in your admission is homemade tea and cake £16.50per head.

(*THESE TOURS MUST BE BOOKED DIRECTLY THROUGH INVITATION TO VIEW details on booking page of our website)

FOR LARGER GROUPS PLEASE REFER TO OUR BOOKING PAGE OR CONTACT US DIRECTLY

February

Thursday 16^th. 3.00pm *Special Candlelit Tour

Saturday 25^th 3.00pm *Special Candlelit Tour

April

Thursday 12^th2.30pm

Saturday 28^th2.30pm

May

Thursday 10^rd 2.30pm

Tuesday 15^th 2.30pm

June

Tuesday 19^th2.30pm

Tuesday 26^th 2.30pm

July

Wednesday 4^th 2.30pm

Thursday 24^th 2.30pm

August

Thursday 9^th 2.30pm

Thursday 23^th 2.30pm

September

Thursday 6^th 2.30pm

Thursday 13^th 2.30pm

November

Thursday 15^th 3.00pm *Special Candlelit Tour

Saturday 24^nd 3.00pm *Special Candlelit Tour

December

Tuesday 11^th 3.00pm *Special Festive Victorian Christmas Candlelit Tour

Thursday 13^th 3.00pm *Special Festive Victorian Christmas Candlelit Tour

Events Island Hall 2012 Announced

islandhall — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:13:12 +0000

February
Saturday 19th Valentine Celebration Champagne Tea
Experience a tour of the house and peruse our collection of the family’s Victorian Valentine’s Cards
Enjoy a full english tea with a glass of champagne £23.00 per adult

May
Sunday 27th National Gardens Scheme Garden Opening, homemade teas and plant sale.
(Garden only) 11.00am to 5.00pm
4.00 Pounds per adult (accompanied children under 16 free) tickets at the gate.

June
Sunday 24th 3.00pm, Octavia Hill Birthplace House Appeal Tea Party.
Island Hall was described by Octavia Hill as ‘the loveliest, dearest house…
An entertainment, including full afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes
NB Please apply to Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum for tickets 20 Pounds
www.octaviahill.org
Tel/Fax: 01945 476358
email: society@octaviahill.org

July
Sunday DATE TO BE CONFIRMED Red Cross Garden Opening, homemade teas, plant sale and Court Yard Market.
(Garden only) 2.00pm to 5.30pm
4.00 Pounds per adult (accompanied children under 16 free) tickets at the gate.
Visit www.redcross.org.uk/gardens for more information.

December
Friday 14th An Enchanting Evening of Carols at Island Hall, performed by the acclaimed local choir Tapestry in aid of The Wildlife Trusts
Champagne reception followed by a concert of carols
7.30pm 23.50 Pounds per head

Christmas Carol Concert 2011

islandhall — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:54:13 +0000

Lady Linda requests the pleasure of your company for an evening of Carols at Island Hall

Performed by Tapestry on Friday 16th December, 7.30pm to 9.30pm

In aid of the ‘Raise the Roof’ Church Restoration Fund which was set up to fund vital repairs to St Mary’s Church. The committee is grateful to Christopher and Lady Linda Vane Percy in providing their beautiful home Island Hall as the setting for this Christmas Carol Concert and for agreeing that the proceeds should be donated to our fund.

Please email us: enquire@islandhall.com for a ticket application form.

About Tapestry:

Tapestry, a mixed voice, a cappella group of twelve singers, was formed fourteen years ago, when friends got together in the summer months while the large choirs with which they sang were on holiday.
Tapestry performs ten to twelve concerts/services per year and although always drawn to Renaissance sacred music, they are renowned for variety: sacred music in several languages and secular songs spanning the 16th to 20th Centuries, including more up-beat popular songs.
Tapestry enjoy fund-raising concerts, weddings and other celebrations, if you would like to know more visit their website: www.tapestrysingers.org.uk

From the Archive: Spring 2011

islandhall — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 11:08:15 +0000

An extract from The Hunts Post August 1906
DAZZLING PROCESSION OF ILLUMINATED BOATS
Nothing could have been more successful than the Water Carnival which took place at Godmanchester on Thursday week, and all concerned from the energetic Committee, on whom the brunt of the preliminary arrangements fell, not forgetting Miss Tillard, who acted as honorary secretary, and those who contributed decorated boats, are deserving of the warmest congratulations. The weather caused some anxiety in the early part of the evening, but fortunately held fine, and altogether some twelve hundred persons passed through the turnstiles to the grounds of Island Hall, where, in addition to obtaining a full view of the illuminations, the Buckden Band played for dancing. Hundreds of others obtained a free view from Portholme. The river at this particular spot lends itself almost naturally to a general scheme of illuminations, and the residents whose gardens run down to the water – Mr M. G. Maule, Mr Brighty, Miss Bevan, Mr P. E. Tillard and Mrs Baumgartner – entered enthusiastically into the general plan. Along the whole of the east bank were hundreds of small fairy lights, which cast a reflection into the still waters, whilst occasionally coloured fires brought out the majestic grandeur of the overhanging trees, the Island was outlined in a similar manner. The lawns on which dancing took place being hung with lines of Chinese lanterns. The quaint bridge communicating with Island Hall was a blaze of colour, and two realistic swans surrounded by small lights floated on the placid waters. Liberal prizes were offered for illuminated boats, and the recent disappointment at Huntingdon Regatta was more than compensated for, not only by the number of entries, but also by the really artistic manner in which the boats were designed. For an hour or so before the judging took place the competing boats were manoeuvred up and down the river. One of them varied the scene by discharging fireworks, and from another coloured fires caused temporary periods of dazzling brilliance. An agreeable variety was noticeable in the designs of the illuminated boats, and one that immediately took the eye was a state gondola, and when we say that it was entered by Mr H. Leete, the County Surveyor, we have almost said enough. Mr Leete has been responsible in the past for several clever “boats,” but on this occasion he excelled himself. The craft was chiefly outlined in deep ruby lights, and judicious colouring was introduced to bring out the canopy over the cabin. Another attractive boat had on board a party of dominoes, including a well known lady, who wore a mask. White was the prevailing tint of the light, one interior of the boat being further decorated with flowers. The occupants of the boat – Mrs Desborough and party of Hartford House – were recognised by their friends and warmly applauded. Equally successful was a Japanese junk entered by Miss Tillard, Godmanchester, with crew in native costumes. In addition to fairy lights the junk carried many lanterns of fantastic design. Among the other boats were a couple of representations of lighthouses, one being equipped with a revolving light, and a very good representation of an enormous bouquet of flowers. The awards were: 1. Mr Leete. 2. Miss Tillard. 3. Mrs Desborough. 4. Mr Hinde. Huntingdon. and 5. Mr W. H. Fairy. Godmanchester.

From the Archive: Spring 2010

islandhall — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:59:59 +0000

An extract from a letter written by Dr John T Baumgartner to his son, Colonel Mowbray Baumgartner in India

The old Nest (Island Hall GMC) 15^th May 1861

My dear Mowbray

Here we are as you see halfway over the month of May, there is not a leaf on the Elms to shelter the young Rooks in their lofty habitations. Winter has usurped the domain of spring and levied contributions on Flora Ceres & Pomona.

There is a general complaint of the appearance of the wheat crop. Nursery men have suffered great loss by the intensity of the frost, particularly in the Rose Trees and other less hardy flowering shrubs, Our Jasmins, both yellow & white have perished as for fruit, there is not a single bunch of grapes on our walls, nor peaches & very few apricots. But there is a change today, so the orchards may escape. Provisions have been dear, yet farmers the little ones at least, are thriving. The Poor’s Rates, the Property Tax, & the monstrous incubus of the Exchequer Budget set upon the nation, like the Night mare and oppress its powers ……….