Mike Higginbottom’s talk to the Edwinstowe Historical Society in June focused on the factthat  “English Country Houses are not all what they seem”. Properties age, need maintenance, and tastes change according to the era. One example was Hill Bark, a country house in Bidston, Cheshire built in 1891.  Fewer than 30 years later it was dismantled and re-erected at Frankby, 3½ miles from its original location. Inside is a fireplace dated 1527, stained glass windows by William Morris, church screen door dating from 13 th century, and a fire surround dated 1795 designed by Robert Adam, Then, there is Eltham Palace in S.E London. From the 14 th – 16 th century it was an important royal palace. In 1930 an eccentric millionaire acquired the property and extended it in the Art Deco Style.

Photos of Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak occupy a large part of Edwinstowe Historical Society’s archive, and the announcement that the Major Oak has died has been received with sadness. The tree has been an inspiration for writers, artists and tourists for hundreds of years. People from all corners of the globe have travelled to Sherwood, with children fascinated by the tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Attempts have been made to preserve the tree when she appeared to be showing her age, and while some methods may have been unusual, the desire has always been there to do the best to preserve such a beautiful and treasured oak. See www.edwinstowehistory.org.uk for more information.