The John Griff Column: Creating commerce forcareful conservation

‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’, they say. Really? I beg to differ. And if Lois’ and my recent experience is anything to go by, there are some very old dogs who have not only learned new tricks but are positively profiting from them. Could there be similar tricks that some of this county’s oldest dogs could also learn to benefit from - not only for themselves, but others too?

Last week we went along to partake of a truly unique experience – one that had its genesis in the 1700s and which for the remainder of this week in the modern age will be available to visitors who, like us, make the journey to Oxfordshire.

A reward for victory in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704, Blenheim Palace was built between 1705 and 1725 as a gift from Queen Anne to the then 1st Duke of Marlborough, John Churchill, after his victory at the Battle of Blenheim. The Baroque-style palace designed by architect Sir John Vanbrugh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill – his grave can be visited in the adjacent village of Bladon. Although a gift, John Churchill had to pay out of his own pocket to finish construction – Treasury funding was withdrawn in 1712. Maintenance of the palace is a year-round challenge, just as it is with any stately home (not forgetting that Northamptonshire has more fine houses per head of population than any other county), so the estate has to work hard earn its keep. From Christmas Fairs to rock and pop concerts, medieval jousting events and international horse trials, every part of the estate embraces commercialisation just to keep a roof over the place.

It was precisely this fact which drew Lois and I to go and visit. This week, the final days of public access to a huge, £12 million project of renovation in the roof above the Great Hall have been running their course. Planning for the project began in 2023 and over recent months visitors have been able climb the 128 steps into a vast, scaffolded, covered space (there’s 31 miles of it contained in the workings) to see stonemasons, carpenters and other specialist contractors repairing the ravages of time and the elements. Access to the space is due to end on Sunday (19th).

The work is truly impressive – amongst other things we could see the new timbers, the steel rods supporting both old and new masonry and also the tiny windows where housemaids and footmen had their sleeping quarters, so that they could live literally above the shop but serve their masters without being seen. The way in which new stone has been blended in with what remains from the 18th century is remarkable and will support the palace’s survival for future centuries. But what really stuck with me was the unique views over the wider estate from that particular vantage point. Not even the Duke himself – nor any of his successors - would have been able to take them in. The fact that the Marlborough family still has to manage Blenheim’s upkeep and raise the capital to fund it wasn’t lost on me either – hence the commercial events, the extensive farming and income generating initiatives which all go to help raise cash. We were acutely aware of it as we headed home after our visit.

The same challenges sit on the shoulders of the owners of places like Althorp, Deene Park (which also underwent re-roofing not so long ago), Rockingham Castle, Holdenby House (and what remains of the former palace there), Boughton House, Lamport Hall and more. Each has to compete and offer its own appeal in order to bring in the visitors. The National Trust venues at Lyveden New Bield and Canon’s Ashby have to do the same – as do Delapre Abbey in Northampton and Chester House near Wellingborough. The old principal of ‘Use It or Lose It’ is very much in evidence with lives and livelihoods way beyond those of the owners being a consideration. As assets, they should all be supported – county reputations are won and lost on such things, as are their wider economies.

Next time you’re on social media, maybe use it to do some positive journalism about what splendours we have here – you will be helping to support the very fabric of the county. And for the owners and custodians of such jewels – what’s your ‘behind the scenes’ story? What tricks do you have to teach?