Call to share stories and memories of Knightshayes to help celebrate 150 years
The National Trust’s Knightshayes in Tiverton is asking for visitors, members and volunteers to share their memories and stories of the property to help celebrate the 150 year anniversary of laying of the foundation stone of the house in 1869. The property will be hosting a series of celebration events in 2019 but need the community to help kick things off this September with a special project, ‘Mapping Knightshayes Connections’.
Do you have a personal recollection of Knightshayes, a fond memory, a photograph or even an artefact you would like to share with us as part of our celebrations next year? Were you connected in some way to the house, gardens, parkland or cricket club? Maybe you remember a story a friend or member of your family told you about Knightshayes house, a member of the Heathcoat Amory family or connection with the wider community?
On Saturday 8 September 2018, the team are holding a special event as part of Heritage Open Day, where they hope to collect anecdotes, stories, and pictures and hear about memories anyone might have, whether it’s their own or passed down by a family member- the team would like to begin gathering local people’s recollections. A picture says a thousand words, so any images or relevant artefacts would also be very welcome. This will start to build an archive of special objects and memories that the team at Knightshayes can use to use in the events for the 150th anniversary of the foundation stone being laid.
“We’d love to be able to hear about our local community’s memories of the Heathcoat Amory. The family really cared about Tiverton and were keen to contribute to the town and its people, so we want to hear about any stories of reminiscences anyone might have”, says Kate Skinner, House and Collections Manager at Knightshayes. “We often have visitors who have a story or memory that they share with us on their visit but we don’t get an opportunity to properly record it. We’d love to start collecting these so we can have a lasting tribute of Knightshayes and the Heathcoat Amory family’s connection with Tiverton”.
Knightshayes was built by Sir John Heathcoat Amory, son of John Heathcoat who started the factory, Heathcoat Fabrics which still exists now and is a pillar of the local Tiverton community. It’s played an important and much varied role over the past 150 years, from VAD hospital, family home, to Tiverton Guides meeting space so has a rich history involving the local people and is closely entwined with the town’s history.
Heritage Open Day at Knightshayes is part of a countrywide event, whereby hundreds of heritage sites offer free entry and events over dates in September 2018. Knightshayes is one of these places, offering the opportunity to enjoy strolling through the Grade II listed Formal and Woodland Garden, purchase organic grown vegetables and flowers from the Walled Kitchen Garden shop and admire the quirky and unique Victorian Gothic architecture of the house. There will be a series of free, exclusive one-off introductory talks of house and gardens at regular times throughout the day from 10.15am onwards. There’s also the Amazing Mazes quest running in the gardens, where kids and big kids alike can have a go at solving the puzzles, from rope mazes, a grass maze to a labyrinth.
For anyone not able to come to the event, they can send their stories to: knightshayes@nationaltrust.org.uk
