As I write this, I’m watching an old TV series about the restoration of the Cornish garden at Heligan. The similarities to Copped Hall struck me. Heligan was abandoned for about 70 years but when uncovered was complete, just very overgrown. Copped Hall burned and was abandoned at about the same time, but our gardens were maintained until the early 1950s, then they were asset stripped, with some of our best specimen trees being felled for lumber and our statuary and ornamental stonework lost.
The programme gave a list of record-breaking facts: Heligan was the biggest restoration in Europe, only restored working walled garden in Britain, etc. I disagree, I feel Copped Hall’s project is at least as big and I’m sure our walled garden is one of the best.
One big difference is how these respective restorations are financed. Heligan is set up to be a major tourist attraction in a large holiday resort area, and is naturally very commercial, relying on large visitor numbers to pay for training and gardeners’ wages, whereas everything done in the Copped Hall gardens is achieved thanks to the valiant efforts of our volunteer force of helpers. We also have to be true to the ethos of the Trust by promoting education and, as is fitting for a location in Epping Forest, providing a place of tranquillity.
Of course, ours is not just a garden restoration, but includes the mansion as well, and as we all know Copped Hall is the ultimate “money pit”. Which, obviously, is why our fundraising efforts are so important. I’m sure the Trustees and Friends’ committee feel slightly guilty about being as commercial as we need to be. We’d love to be altruistic and provide our events free, but the fact is Copped Hall could not exist without the funds that we work so hard to secure. The rate at which the Hall and gardens are restored is dependent on how effective our efforts are. Having said that, I must say that in these times of recession, amazingly, we have had another bumper summer season, with concerts and tours breaking all records for the amounts raised.
However, as the restoration of both house and gardens progresses, so the need for more and more helpers becomes evident. Therefore, I’d like to make an appeal for more people to volunteer as helpers. The best part of being involved with this project is the camaraderie.
We are like a big, happy family and, although we work hard, it really is good fun. Whether your interests are in gardening, cooking, practical craft skills or administration, WE NEED YOU. Tell your friends about us. I’m sure some of them would love to get involved in our fabulous project. Even if you can spare only one, two or three days a year, that would be of great help. Some events are not very labour intensive but our bigger shows like the two Open Days and Apple Day always see us short staffed, and a few extra hands would be greatly appreciated.
As well as these newsletters, more and more Friends are receiving the extra news bulletins by email. We now send these out to more than 300 addresses and they are very useful in keeping you, the members, up to date with the very latest goings on at Copped Hall. If you are not yet getting the news bulletins, send your email address to coppedhallnews@talktalk.net and we’ll put you on the list.
Two new attractions at the August Open Day: a miniature traction engine and a jester. Built by its driver, Richard Clark from RAC Pianos (who regularly lend pianos to Copped Hall), the engine chugged around the gardens with a steady flow of passengers and even gave the occasional lift back up from the Walled Garden. The jester entertained both children and adults, and was especially popular inside the mansion during the odd rain shower when visitors were also able to examine more closely all the rooms that are now open. The day was a great success, with more than 900 visitors and takings of over £8,500.
Denys Favre
Chairman, The Copped Hall Trust