Alscot's Friendly Cricket Match
June 2019
On a warm sunny evening, with spectators watching on, the captains of the Alscot X1 and Yelo X1 strode out to the excellent looking wicket at Alscot Park. On winning the toss , Alscot skipper, James Holman-West, nominated to bat. On went the bails and off went the team into the T20 friendly match.
Repairing and Rebuilding the Historic Ha-Ha
June 2018
The 10 year project that has seen the 18th century Ha-Ha completely rebuilt is finally finished! Admittedly, it shouldn’t have taken 10 years but there is the small matter of an Estate to run that comprises another 200 properties to look after.
A Ha-Ha is an ingenious piece of engineering that gives the viewer of the garden the illusion of an unbroken, continuous rolling lawn, whilst providing boundaries for grazing livestock.
Alscot's Alternative to Chelsea
To our visitors delight, whether a botanist, horticulturist or those that simply have a genuine interest in beautiful gardens, the newly established Ziggy garden and recently planted parkland, both featured this year in our popular annual event; Alscot's Alternative to Chelsea.
Held over two days on 12th & 13th June, it was damp but the grounds and gardens looked stunning and were very well received by the 180 visitors.
The Alscot Eye!
Park Life!
In February 2019 feature writer and editor Gill Sutherland met with Emma, at Alscot Park, to discuss the Parkland Restoration Project and to see the progress of the planting for herself. The interview formed a feature that appears in the March 2019 edition of the Stratford Herald Focus Magazine.
Front cover features Emma with two of her three children, James and Isla Holman-West.
Stratford on Avon Conservative Association Patrons Club
Emma was asked to take the position of Chairman of the Patrons Club and is excited at the prospect of what can be achieved.
The Conservative Patrons Club has provided a platform, for over 30 years, for generous backers of the Party to provide financial support, enabling vital funds both in South Warwickshire and further afield.
In 2019 the Club is being re-launched.
Charity Fashion Show & Dinner for Shipston Home Nursing
New Eel Pass on The Weir
Following an Environment Agency Survey and a Heritage Statement that was passed by SDC works took place in December to repair the weir and create an eel pass. Some 70 sheets of tracking was laid in order to protect the parkland from heavy plant machinery. Luckily water levels remained low the works went ahead as scheduled. An eel pass provides assistance to migrating eels travelling up stream where they would normally encounter obstructions such as the weir.
Photo; circa 1800
Interview With BBC Coventry And Warwickshire
Saturday 12th January and “Wedgey” made his way to Alscot to conduct a live interview with Emma Holman-West and Forester, David Arnold. The interview, regarding the Parkland Restoration Project and the re-introduction of the Elm tree to the Estate, featured on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire . If you missed the interview and would like to listen, please follow the link https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p06vy4pw
The Alscot Eye!
Parkland Restoration Scheme
It has been a project long-time in planning and planting has now begun.
We are currently working on a ten year landscape plan, for the outer parkland, which follows a survey carried out by Professor Tom Williamson, University of East Anglia, on the history of the landscape. The survey identifies areas, such as the “Lynches”, and explains that in the middle decades of the eighteenth century this particular area of scrub and woodland was occupied by a detached ‘rococo’ pleasure ground, containing a circuit path and a number of ornamental buildings and structures. It is Emma's ambition to recreate and reinstate some of these historic features and in addition enhance planting across the 100 hectare park.
Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular Supports Stratford Cricket Club
The Estate’s annual Bonfire and Fireworks Spectacular, held at The Bell on Friday 2nd November, proved a huge success with the crowds and for Stratford Cricket Club. The Bell provided a BBQ and bar whilst DJ Bobby Hunt entertained the adults and children alike. Glowing swords, headbands and windmills could be seen in abundance in the dark, the club ran a tombola and the fireworks were a huge hit.
The Alscot Eye!
Emma Holman-West Meets HRH The Princess Royal
Sept 25th, 2018
Alscot held a series of events and fundraising initiatives to support the Stratford Hospital Cancer and Eye Ward £1million Appeal. We were very proud and honoured to be invited to the official opening of the new Stratford Hospital, on 25th Sept, where Emma was introduced to HRH The Princess Royal. Emma was an active part of the board and involved in the furnishing of the wards. It was imperative to Emma that the wards were comfortable for patients, their families and supporters, who can spend many hours at the hospital receiving cancer treatments.