Beningbrough digs for victory!

This week Beningbrough visitors and volunteers demonstrated their plucky wartime spirit by braving the sometimes wet, sometimes windy, and eventually sunny weather to turn the soil and lift the turf on our Dig for Victory World War II allotment.

Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we will be running events and activities throughout the year which bring to life the stories and memories of those who lived through World War II at Beningbrough. Amongst those billeted here in 1943 was the 21 year old officer Clifford Hill. He recalled an encounter with Lady Chesterfield (who was then the owner of Beningbrough Hall) in the vegetable patch to which this small allotment will pay tribute.  

Lady Chesterfield was a strong-minded woman and by all accounts kept a careful eye on how the estate was being treated by the RAF crews during their time at Beningbrough. She had moved out of the house into a nearby farm bungalow, in order to accommodate the men and women billeted here. However she retained her pride in her beloved Hall and gardens and would not let any war see them slip into disrepair! She confronted Sergeant Hill and his friend in the walled garden and accused him of trampling on her vegetable patch. In his own words, ‘She was most irate, and I was equally adamant that we had not done so, explaining that having gardens of our own at home we would hardly be likely to do such a thing.’ He protested his innocence but apologised on behalf of another officer, whom he suspected to be the true culprit. She accepted this apology and sent him on his way saying "Good Luck, boy! And don't tread on my vegetables!" This story will be remembered on a panel by our newly created garden patch.



The wiggle family digging for victory!



 On our Dig for Victory day however we had great fun digging and did not encounter any clumsy officers. The Wiggle family really got stuck in, all four of them helping to turn the soil in preparation for planting later in the year. Whilst digging, we also found ants, worms and grubs, who we tried our best not to disturb! As well as having fun with the allotment we planted beans and peas in paper pots to take away and make a windowsill garden.

In the weeks to come we are hoping to dig out the patch to, making it even bigger, as well as adding hazel hoops to edge the patch. Later in the year we will plant and maintain the garden, and finally harvest it in. All of these activities will involve local schools and visiting families - so watch the blog and the main website for news of what activities are coming up!

The main displays and exhibitions about 'Beningbrough at War: From Country Lanes to Violent Skies' will open on the 1st March 2013. There will be plenty to see and do so come and explore if you want to learn more about Beningbrough at War.

Natasha

PR and Marketing Intern