THE BLENHEIM ESTATE ' S GROUND-BREAKING PLAN PART 3
With our visitor attraction closed and our car parks empty , Blenheim is a shadow of its usual self but when you look around the park and see our local communities enjoying a socially distant walk in the outdoors , it is clear our purpose is shining brighter than ever in this time of need .
That said , we cannot wait to welcome guests back to Blenheim as soon as we can . Around the Palace we have been busy installing new exhibitions for Winston Churchill and our former Stables have been revamped so visitors can see and feel just how vital their role was in the running of a Great Estate . Our new catering facilities offer plenty of space inside and outside , our events offer something safe and exciting most weekends , and our staff are itching to show off just how special the Palace , Park and Gardens are once more . Let ’ s hope this summer is one we will all look back on fondly .
Words by Roy Cox , Estates Director Blenheim Estate Images Credited to : Blenheim Estate
This is the last of my three pieces covering the purpose of a landed estate and the reasons why , at Blenheim , we strive to be the lifeblood of the local economy , to enhance the lives of local people and to share and protect this magnificent place .
I have mentioned before that this purpose has weathered multiple recessions , World Wars and , as I sit here a year on from the first cases of COVID-19 in the UK , we continue to be tested by a global pandemic on a scale not seen by our generation .
Before we do that though , we return to our Land Strategy . In the autumn edition we covered our ‘ Grass Routes ’ initiative , to help connect communities with a network of green paths and put people over cars . We shared the pioneering the concepts of our ‘ Natural Balance ’ approach to land management and our nature-based solutions to the Climate Emergency .
In the winter we then bought to you our ‘ Natural Health Service ’ where we welcome social enterprises to Blenheim and alongside our partners Oxford University , The Eden Project and Aspire Oxford , launch a pilot social prescribing initiative this Easter , particularly focussing on working age adults with challenging backgrounds or requiring mental health support as a result of this pandemic .
18 | Rural Life