You are invited ...

... to Christmas at Polesden Lacey.

In recent years I have "attended" the Christmas extravaganza hosted by Mrs Greville, the Edwardian socialite who hosted house parties for the rich and famous, including royalty.  King Edward VII was a member of the first house party in 1909.  On her death in 1942 she passed the house to the National Trust.

With the current difficult situation it was doubtful whether this year's visit would be possible, however despite no budget and restrictions in numbers allowed the Staff and Volunteers went "back to basics" and decorated the house using evergreens from the estate, decorations "from the attics" and ingenuity to create a charming, old fashioned Christmas.

This is the Billiard Room, which has been set up for play by any children of the houseparty.  The billiard table itself has been covered with a snowy village scene built from paper (actually old music print).  All a far cry from last year's modernistic take on the theme which had very mixed reviews!

I count myself lucky to have managed to visit as next week the area goes into England's Tier 3 restrictions and the house will once again have to close.  That I also managed my visit on the best day weather-wise this week was another blessing (extra)! So here's hoping the restrictions are only temporary, and that once we are over this hump, and with the vaacine, things will start to get back to normal.