The Midlands team are delighted to invite you to a bespoke visit to Aqualate Estate and Shropshire and Staffordshire AGMs.

 

Aqualate is a private estate of around 2,000 acres and has been owned by the same family for 220 years. Aqualate Mere is said to be the largest privately owned piece of natural water in England occupying 180 acres of land and is the shimmering jewel of the estate overlooked by Aqualate Hall and its ancient deer park with Fallow and Red Deer (said to be only one of five remaining that are recorded in Doomsday after the Norman conquest).

The ancient Manor of Mere can be trace back as far as Edward the Confessor and then formed part of the Mercian Royal hunting forests until King John granted the lands to Ralph de Somery when it passed into private lands. It was Thomas Skrymsher’s son John who built the first timbered house on the site of the present hall overlooking the mere. The lands remained with the descendants of the Skrymsher family until 1791. From then on, the Boughey family became owners, and the land has been in the same family ever since. The present owner’s grandfather, on his mother’s side was Dorothy Boughey of Aqualate who married Gerald Clegg-Hill of Hawkestone. His mother, Selina Clegg-Hill married Janusz Juhre after the second world war and inherited the estate in 1973-2010 from her aunt.

 

The day will begin with the AGMs and an update on the latest issues affecting members by CLA Deputy President Victoria Vyvyan and an introduction to Aqualate Estate.

The day will include guided walking tours of the house, walled garden and mere to discuss its significant importance for the area and its wildlife together with the estate’s initiatives in the catchment area. There will be a two-course lunch before reverse tours in the afternoon.

Please ensure to wear suitable footwear and clothing as some of the tours will take place outdoors.

PROGRAMME
 10am Arrival and refreshments
 - AGMs
 - CLA Speaker Deputy President Victoria Vyvyan
 - Welcome from Aqualate Estate
 - Guided tours commence
 - Two course lunch
 - Reverse afternoon tours
3.30pm Depart

If you have any questions or would like to book a ticket please contact midlands@cla.org.uk or contact the Midlands office on 01785 337010.