2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the Berners family purchasing the Woolverstone Park estate and farm, in all about 350 acres. The estate was bought by William Berners, at an auction run by “Langfords” of Covent Garden, on Friday 13th August 1773 for the sum of £11,440. William Berners sold his house More’s Place in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, probably after reaching his majority in 1731. For a while it seems he lived at Newman Hall, now Quendon Hall, in Essex. Sometime later, after the death of Knox Ward in 1741 and sale of house contents in 1742, William leased Woolverstone Park, living in the old hall where the stable block currently is. The estate was only released for public sale in 1773 after 50 years in the Court of Chancery following the bankruptcy of John Tyssen, the previous owner, in 1720. To mark this special anniversary, Friends of Woolverstone are organising a “Berners Family at Woolverstone” weekend on 8th and 9th of July 2023 with an exhibition in Berners Hall, guided walks around the village, other activities and, of course, refreshments. Woolverstone Hall and grounds willbe open.
There are two illustrated talks exploring the history of the Berners family over this period: “The Berners at Woolverstone” on Thursday 6th July and Friday 7th July at 7.30 pm in Berners Hall, Woolverstone.
Tickets cost £10 and include a glass of wine. Tickets can be reserved for either of the evening talks through email: simonrpearce@gmx.co.uk or tel. 07825708171
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