Houghton Hall

Squadron visit to Houghton Hall, 7 aircraft and 1 helicopter arrived at Great Massingham airfield for lunch at Leicester House followed by a visit to Houghton Hall gardens.
In spite of some rather uncertain weather, 7 aircraft and 1 helicopter arrived at Great Massingham Airfield and were marshalled and greeted by Alexis Brun. Members and their guests were ferried to Leicester House by John Longworth, Henry Labouchere and Theo Brun.

Other members arrived by car and everyone gathered for a pre-lunch drink on the lawn in the pretty gardens at Leicester House. After which they sat down to a buffet lunch in a marquee on the terrace – cold ham, salmon and salads followed by strawberries and cream. After coffee members were transported to Houghton Hall.
Here they were met by the Head Gardener, Richard Ernst for a tour of the walled gardens. In 1991 the present Lord Cholmondeley created a new area within the walls of the old kitchen garden as a memorial to his grandmother. The new ornamental gardens included an Italian garden, a rose parterre, fruit and vegetable gardens, a glasshouse, a rustic temple, antique statues, fountains and contemporary sculptures. Everyone agreed that the gardens were remarkable and spent about two hours going round them.

Sadly, the weather began to look rather threatening. Pilots decided it was time to leave before seeing the exhibition of statuary on the lawns and park of the Hall. Members were returned to the airfield and all had taken off by 16.30.