When I was reminded that the last visit to Brewood Hall by the Brewood Civic Society was in 2004, we agreed to arrange a 'Brewood Hall Revisited' event in December 2008. The Society handled bookings and provided wine and refreshments whilst the informal band of 'Friends of Brewood Hall' helped to make the Hall ready.
With a total of 82 bookings, half of the visitors were asked to arrive at 7.00 p.m. and the remainder at 8.00 p.m. On arrival, the visitors were further divided into two groups of about 20. One group was taken on a conducted tour of part of the house whilst the other group enjoyed wine and mince pies in the dining room. The two groups then exchanged places so that everybody had refreshments and the tour.
Some delay in the arrival of the wine led to a little late running and there was a good-natured crush as the 8.00 p.m. party arrived before the 7.00 p.m. party had completed their visit.
Jan Ford conducted the four tours which visited the principal rooms on the ground floor and first floor with a brief foray to the second floor. The weather was mild enough to allow a short inspection of the conservation work on the garden retaining walls and access steps and a visit to the renovated small barn.
Civic Society members appreciated the opportunity to look around the Hall and were complimentary about the conservation work carried out. Following the visit, the Society made a donation which will support relief work in Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis.
