The Arts Society Kington langley had lunch with Lord Digby

TASKL ventured forth via coach to Minterne House and gardens on the warmest day of the year so far. We were welcomed by Henry, Lord Digby, provided with coffee and biscuits and had an enthralling talk by Lord Digby on the house, his ancestors, naval history and the lives of two of the most nteresting ladies of the family – Pamela Churchill and Jane Digby.

The house was rebuilt from the proceeds of naval action, capturing Spanish ships and returning with the treasure back to Britain. Captain and crews then received sizable bonuses. We heard about the manoeuvres during the Battle of Trafalgar which allowed Nelson and his captains to decimate the French and Spanish navies. However, a storm the next day sank most of the captured fleet so no bonuses this time.

During the WWII Lieutenant Leo Gradwell captaining HMS Ayrshire in the Baring Seas and through bravery, and Hitler’s decree that no capital ships must be lost, he outwitted a superior fleet of German ships. For his bravery he won the VC. Two of Lord Digby’s female relatives led interesting, amorous and politically astute lives in different centuries. Joan after a series of husbands across Europe married a sheikh and lived the rest of her live as a Bedouin in the desert. Pamela married Randolph Churchill and during WWII was tasked by Winston to encourage senior American politicians, diplomats and newspaper men to support Britain against Germany. Again, she had a colourful life in Paris, Italy and eventually in America. In the USA she was a supporter of the democrat party which eventually saw Bill Clinton come to power 12 years later. He made her the American Ambassador to France where she wielded great influence as she knew everyone of note.

We were then free to look around the house, influenced by the Arts and Craft movement, which meant large windows making the rooms bright and light, and the whole effect was homely - if such an edifice can be homely. Lunch followed in the dining room and was a great opportunity to chat about what we had seen and learnt as we enjoyed the two-course lunch with wine.

Lord Digby talked about the dining room tapestries which are 300 years old and still bright and fresh. He pointed out the special feature in each tapestry! The gardens, were influenced by conversations with Capability Brown when he was designing nearby Sherborne Castle gardens, so all the ideas without the cost of Brown himself!  These were explored afterwards with cascades in the river leading to the lake, a great variety of Himalayan plants and trees and interesting small buildings on the winding paths.

After a final cup of coffee and cake we left as the house got itself ready for an American wedding