The sun was shining and we set off for a trip to Wrest Park, Silsoe just half an hour’s drive from The Gables.  A stunning 1830’s house which used to belong to the De Grey family and magnificent 92 acre gardens partly designed by Capability Brown.  On this Remembrance Day I was moved to learn that Wrest Park was the first country house to become a convalescent home and then hospital for injured soldiers of World War I.  We watched a film of still photographs accompanied by journal entries of the owners of the house documenting the lives of the soldiers, doctors, nurses and the staff of the house and its owners.  In 1916 a fire on the upstairs floor forced the closure of Wrest Park as a hospital but in the time it was open many operations were carried out there and many sick were nursed back to health or taught to live with their disabilities.

The gardens are glorious and we took advantage of our “senior” status to join English Heritage entitling us to free visits to over 400 houses and sites of historic interest.  Not only can we gain entry but we can take up to 6 children with us for free (perish the thought!). Next week………?????