Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett. http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 The Earl of Dudley & Worcester Cathedral http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1784327.html William Ward, the 1st. Earl of Dudley, was a major benefactor during the mid-nineteenth century restoration of Worcester Cathedral. This collection illustrates some of the features which became his legacy here. Monday 23 November 2009: William Ward, the 1st. Earl of Dudley, was a major benefactor during the mid-nineteenth century restoration of Worcester Cathedral. This collection illustrates some of the features which became his legacy here.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Mon Nov 23 2009 Sir Herbert Smith Bt. http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1757577.html Sir Herbert Smith Bt. purchased Witley Court in 1920 after the sudden death of Rachel, Countess of Dudley, and the Earl's wish to unburden himself of the property as part of a general retrenchment of his estate activities. Sir Herbert was resident at the court until just after the fire in 1937 which partly destroyed the building. See also "A View from the Past" section. Sunday 20 September 2009: Sir Herbert Smith Bt. purchased Witley Court in 1920 after the sudden death of Rachel, Countess of Dudley, and the Earl's wish to unburden himself of the property as part of a general retrenchment of his estate activities. Sir Herbert was resident at the court until just after the fire in 1937 which partly destroyed the building. See also "A View from the Past" section.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Sun Sep 20 2009 The Graham Stansfield Collection http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1719553.html The late Graham Stansfield was an avid researcher and collector of historical material concerning Witley Court. This gallery is dedicated to Graham's memory. I am most grateful to Graham's widow Nancy, who has very kindly allowed me to illustrate a selection of his photographs here. Tuesday 30 June 2009: The late Graham Stansfield was an avid researcher and collector of historical material concerning Witley Court. This gallery is dedicated to Graham's memory. I am most grateful to Graham's widow Nancy, who has very kindly allowed me to illustrate a selection of his photographs here.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Tue Jun 30 2009 A Miscellany of Photo's, Maps, Diagrams etc. http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1716595.html A miscellany of assorted old photographs, documents, maps, plans, sketches and diagrams etc. appertaining to Witley Court Tuesday 23 June 2009: A miscellany of assorted old photographs, documents, maps, plans, sketches and diagrams etc. appertaining to Witley Court

Witley Court Floor Plan William Ward, 1st. Earl of Dudley Ward family, selected genealogy. Witley Court Location Detail Witley Court and Surrounding Area Details of Witley Court and Surrounding Parkland.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Tue Jun 23 2009 Himley: The Hall, St.Michaels Church and the Garden of Remembrance. http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1715322.html Both before and after the Ward family's residency at Witley Court, the principal family seat was Himley Hall in the south of Staffordshire. This residence was close to the industrial heartland of the West Midlands in the area referred to as the "Black Country", much of the business and industry of which was under the control of the Dudley's. After the second world war, Eric Dudley, the third Earl, sold the premises to the government and it subsequently became the headquarters of the National Coal Board. In 1974 Himley's ownership was transferred to the local government office in the newly created county of West Midlands and remains in the administration of Dudley council to this day. The nearby parish church of St.Michael is steeped with the history of the Ward family, as is the adjacent Garden of Remembrance. Sunday 21 June 2009: Both before and after the Ward family's residency at Witley Court, the principal family seat was Himley Hall in the south of Staffordshire. This residence was close to the industrial heartland of the West Midlands in the area referred to as the "Black Country", much of the business and industry of which was under the control of the Dudley's. After the second world war, Eric Dudley, the third Earl, sold the premises to the government and it subsequently became the headquarters of the National Coal Board. In 1974 Himley's ownership was transferred to the local government office in the newly created county of West Midlands and remains in the administration of Dudley council to this day. The nearby parish church of St.Michael is steeped with the history of the Ward family, as is the adjacent Garden of Remembrance.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Sun Jun 21 2009 Clergy and churchfolk at Great Witley http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1710333.html This collection gives brief biographies of the various members of the clergy incumbent at Great Witley over the centuries, many of whom became famous people in thier own right. Monday 1 June 2009: This collection gives brief biographies of the various members of the clergy incumbent at Great Witley over the centuries, many of whom became famous people in thier own right.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Mon Jun 1 2009 Behind The Scenes: A Tour of the Lesser Visited Parts http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1703448.html General access at Witley Court is somewhat restricted in respect of the buildings themselves, however special tours are given on a regular basis so that visitors can see the remains of other parts of the site not normally open to the public. This gallery illustrates one such event that took me "behind the scenes" to this fascinating part of Witley Court. There are quite a few pictures here as this reflects both the rarity of the event and the scope of such a visit, as this element of the site is surprisingly larger than the residential side of the house. Tuesday 26 May 2009: General access at Witley Court is somewhat restricted in respect of the buildings themselves, however special tours are given on a regular basis so that visitors can see the remains of other parts of the site not normally open to the public. This gallery illustrates one such event that took me "behind the scenes" to this fascinating part of Witley Court. There are quite a few pictures here as this reflects both the rarity of the event and the scope of such a visit, as this element of the site is surprisingly larger than the residential side of the house.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Tue May 26 2009 Architects, Designers, Craftsmen & Builders http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1699910.html A brief summary of some of the principal professionals and artisans who helped create the fabric of Witley Court and its surroundings. Tuesday 19 May 2009: A brief summary of some of the principal professionals and artisans who helped create the fabric of Witley Court and its surroundings.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Tue May 19 2009 Spring 2009: An illustrated tour around Witley Court. http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1671158.html A fine early spring day around Witley Court as the house and grounds begin to awake from the grip of winter. There are plenty of scents to enjoy, as well as the early promise of attractive spring flowers, not forgetting the ubiquitous rhodedendron beginning to make an appearance. The parterre's already look splendid, even wilst awaiting planting. I took advantage of calm conditions to illustrate some reflections in the fountain basins which were being filled after thier annual winter maintenance. Visitors can look forward to seeing the magnificent spectacle of the Poseidon fountain coming to life once more when firing begins again soon. Saturday 21 March 2009: A fine early spring day around Witley Court as the house and grounds begin to awake from the grip of winter. There are plenty of scents to enjoy, as well as the early promise of attractive spring flowers, not forgetting the ubiquitous rhodedendron beginning to make an appearance. The parterre's already look splendid, even wilst awaiting planting. I took advantage of calm conditions to illustrate some reflections in the fountain basins which were being filled after thier annual winter maintenance. Visitors can look forward to seeing the magnificent spectacle of the Poseidon fountain coming to life once more when firing begins again soon.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Sat Mar 21 2009 A Winter's Day at Witley Court. http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1648217.html A selection of pictures taken on the 3rd. February 2009 after the first significant fall of winter snow. Tuesday 3 February 2009: A selection of pictures taken on the 3rd. February 2009 after the first significant fall of winter snow.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Tue Feb 3 2009 Work in Progress http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1579756.html Work in Progress - A selection of images taken during the early nineteen-nineties at a time when restoration work on Witley Court began to gather momentum. Digital scans from 35mm. colour transparencies Tuesday 16 September 2008: Work in Progress - A selection of images taken during the early nineteen-nineties at a time when restoration work on Witley Court began to gather momentum. Digital scans from 35mm. colour transparencies

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Tue Sep 16 2008 Witley Court - A View From The Past http://witleycourt.fotopic.net/c1270461.html A number of famous local aristocratic families have owned Witley Court down the ages. What began as a fairly modest manorial abode in the late middle ages was successively developed by wealthier owners, culminating in the mid-nineteenth century embellishments for the Earl of Dudley, the ruined shell of which can be seen today, together with parts of the original structure. This collection provides illustrations and brief descriptions of the owners and families who have occupied Witley Court, together with a few items of connected interest. Tuesday 1 May 2007: A number of famous local aristocratic families have owned Witley Court down the ages. What began as a fairly modest manorial abode in the late middle ages was successively developed by wealthier owners, culminating in the mid-nineteenth century embellishments for the Earl of Dudley, the ruined shell of which can be seen today, together with parts of the original structure. This collection provides illustrations and brief descriptions of the owners and families who have occupied Witley Court, together with a few items of connected interest.

Published in Witley Court, Worcestershire: A pictorial survey by David Pagett.

]]> Tue May 1 2007