|
The crown of the Cambridge Preservation Society's postwar achievements remains the protection of the distinctive chalk slopes of the Gogs, the gentle wooded hills that complete the southward views out of the city, and the creation of Wandlebury as a welcome resource for walkers and nature lovers in Cambridge and the villages.
The Society acquired the Wandlebury Estate in 1954. Threat of housing development coincided with the Wandlebury Estate coming onto the market. Thanks to the generosity of the owner, Mr Terence Gray (who made a gift of the grounds and the historic buildings within the Ring), and all who subscribed to the 'Save the Gogs' Fund, the Society was able to purchase outright the remaining parts of this 110 acre estate.
With its beautiful woodland and chalk grassland areas, it is open to the public for quiet recreation from dawn until dusk, every day of the year. The Society has embarked upon an ambitious educational programme to encourage visits from families and school groups and has recently built a new Education Centre - see our Current Projects. In addition, the Society supports a range of activities at Wandlebury - see our Coming Events.
Wandlebury has a fascinating history - and is steeped in legend. The hill-top is crowned by two circular banks with a ditch between them, the Wandlebury Ring. They enclose a space of about 1000 feet in diameter, and are the remains of a fortification that dates back to the fifth century BC: an Iron Age hillfort.
In the middle ages the estate was in the Manor of Sternes and subsequently passed through the hands of a number of wealthy and important families: the Woods, Sir Henry North, Sir William Haughton and for many years the family of Joscelyne, from whom it passed to the Earl of Godolphin and then to the Duke of Leeds. In 1904 it was purchased by Sir Harold Gray.
The Cupola Stable Block and the South Stable Block were all built in the 18th century. On the Cupola is an eighteenth century clock with one hand only on each of its four faces. Below it, in the Archway, is the grave of the Godolphin Arabian, the most famous of the Arabian stallions brought to England, and the ancestor of many of today's thoroughbred racehorses. This famous horse died here in 1753 at the age of 29.
The site of the Mansion House (now demolished) is shown by the raised lawn with the sundial pillar in the centre. The two stable blocks have been converted into residences and offices.
Here in the corner of the Earl of Godolphin's monumental stable block, the Cambridge Preservation Society has its headquarters, our office and visitor information point. Despite generous grants, the Society has to rely on a healthy membership, and revenue from car parking to help meet the outgoings on woodlands, paths and buildings: Wandlebury is a heavy and ever increasing financial burden.
Being on a hill-top Wandlebury is especially prone to the damaging effects of gales. The hurricane of October 1987, for example, destroyed many of our grandest beeches, and necessitated our 'Save the Trees' appeal which raised over £26,000 towards felling and clearing and the planting of over 4000 saplings to replace those that had been lost.
Next page ...
|
|
