AN Open Day at Tonedale House in September drew in more than 200 visitors astounding the owners.

The event, part of a week of celebration of Everyday Histories, offered free access to the house and received plaudits praising the house as a “historical gem” and “definitely worth the visit”.

Owners Ben and Victoria Fox wanted to reach out to the community to say thank you. Ben said: “What a successful day with an amazing 200 plus visitors - we thought we might get 30 or 40!

He thanked visitors saying: "Thank you for visiting and making it such a worthwhile event.”

He went on thank the many volunteer helpers who helped make the day a success especially Louise Winborn for her “diligent pre-organising, promotion and work on the day.”

He commented: “But also massive thanks to Louise Perrin, Julian Fox, Colin Spackman, Mike Menhenitt and Meriel Thurstan - you were also the stalwarts of the day!”

Ben Fox welcomed Mayor Cllr Mark Lithgow to the Tonedale House Open Day event that was a runaway success.
Ben Fox welcomed Mayor Cllr Mark Lithgow to the Tonedale House Open Day event that was a runaway success. (PHOTO: Ben Fox)

He also praised colleagues at the house itself including the housekeeping and maintenance teams for the setting up for the day keeping the house and gardens in tip top condition.

Nearby Braziers Coffee Shop was also mentioned for their ability to cope with the “unexpected influx for their wonderful coffee and cakes”.

The Open Day as part of a week of National English Heritage Open Days in collaboration with Wellington Museum offered free access and the chance to explore the home and lives of the Fox Family with self-guided tours.

Visitors had access to their home, collections from their woollen manufacturing business, many heirlooms passed down the generations, and a chance to explore the four acres of landscaped garden with mill stream.

Ben Fox thanked the volunteers, including Wellington Museum, who helped make the day such a success.
Ben Fox thanked the volunteers, including Wellington Museum, who helped make the day such a success. (PHOTO: Ben Fox)

Chairman of Wellington Local History and Museum Society, Mike Menhenitt, said they were both delighted and honoured to be asked by Ben Fox to provide room stewards for the day.

He commented: “For the museum volunteers, we were made most welcome on a preview day so we could get to know the house and on the day itself. It was fantastic to see and talk to so many people who took the opportunity to explore this lovely part of Wellington's history.

“So many people are now interested in their town's history and this is reflected in the number of visitors the museum gets these days.

“There were a lot of visitors to the house also enquiring about Tonedale Mill, attached to the house and sorrow expressed at how the owners have allowed that mill and the site in general to deteriorate so badly.

“Something most towns people also regret and none more so than the volunteers at the museum, whose custodianship of Wellington's history is something they deeply care about.”

Mr Fox is planning an in-house Heritage Day event for next February half-term for those who couldn’t make the Open Day. He added: “Look out for details on local and social media nearer the time. For those who could not get a free Tonedale House guide booklet, please pop into Wellington Museum.”