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Lunchtime Speaker- Naill Mitchell

December 16, 2024 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Park and gardens in West Clandon.  National Trust property transformed by fire April 2015
Clandon Park, a Grade 1 listed Palladian mansion built around 1730–33 by Thomas Onslow, 2nd Baron Onslow, was designed by Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni. It replaced an earlier Elizabethan mansion on the same site. This red-brick and stone-dressed building boasted interiors completed in the 1740s, including a stunning two-storey Marble Hall adorned with marble chimney pieces by Flemish sculptor Michael Rysbrack and rococo plasterwork ceilings by Italian-Swiss artists Giuseppe Artari and Bagutti.
In 1956, the Onslow family donated the house and gardens to the National Trust (NT), retaining the park. At the time, Clandon Park was in a depleted state and underwent extensive restoration between 1968 and 1972 under interior designer John Fowler. Fowler aimed to evoke the period’s essence rather than replicate exact historical details. By the 2000s, the house showcased significant collections, including the Ivo Meissen collection, Mortlake tapestries, and various antiques.
Tragedy struck on April 29, 2015, when a fire caused by an electrical fault destroyed most of the interior, sparing only the Speaker’s Parlour. While the external structure survived, the National Trust initially planned to restore the ground floor and modernize the upper floors for exhibitions and events. However, in 2022, the Trust revised its plans, deciding to preserve the house in its ruined state except for the Speaker’s Parlour, the external walls, and windows. New walkways and a rooftop terrace will provide visitors insights into the mansion’s construction and views of the countryside.
This decision, citing the unavailability of skilled craftsmen for full restoration, sparked opposition from many NT members. Critics argued for a ground-floor restoration aligned with John Fowler’s earlier efforts, maintaining the building’s historical spirit. Speaker Keith Tatlock emphasized that recreating the ground floor as it appeared before the fire was achievable, even without exact replication of architectural details.
The presentation by Niall Mitchell on Clandon Park concluded with a vote of thanks from Carol, acknowledging his informative talk.

Details

Date:
December 16, 2024
Time:
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Venue

Hoebridge Golf Club
Old Woking Road, Old Woking
Woking, GU22 8JH
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Phone
01483722611
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