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Archives
2 months ago
**The Hestercombe Archive provides primary source material for scholarly research, teaching support, preservation, and public service, and actively encourages and promotes the use of its collections. It is our privilege, and responsibility, to ensure the careful storage and preservation of these important evidences of the property’s history for future generations.**:
In 2005 the Hestercombe Gardens Trust Archive was established under the direction of **Kim Legate BBA, MLA, MA**, with three main aims: one, to document the historical development of the Hestercombe Estate, the recorded history of which dates to 682; two, to help inform the continuing restoration of both its built and landscape heritage, in particular the Grade II listed Formal and Landscape gardens; and three, to raise awareness of the significant architectural and landscape heritage of the property.
Based in Hestercombe House, the Archive organises, catalogues, stores and preserves images, written sources, maps and plans, artefacts (including archaeological finds), conservation/restoration studies and artworks, whether facsimile or original. These are described on a user friendly central database that now comprises over 11,000 entries.
Images, many of which have been digitized, comprise mainly photographs, slides and drawings that date from 1675 to the present whilst written records embrace a broad range of document types that derive mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries. These include personal correspondence, diaries, family notebooks, parish records, meeting minute books, estate accounts, auction catalogues, probate inventories, wills, census returns, tax and rating assessments, newspaper articles, and marriage settlements.
Special collections include:
- the correspondence and artistic output of C. W. Bampfylde (1720-91), designer of the Landscape Garden and noted amateur landscape painter;
- original Country Life editions from 1906, 1908, and 1927 that trace the development of the Hestercombe Formal Garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll & Edwin Lutyens;
- over 200 plans and drawings that describe the occupation of Hestercombe House and grounds by the Somerset Fire Brigade 1954-2006;
- the De Vesci Album, a timeline of over 300 black and white photographs that portray life on the Estate 1904-39, including the building of the Formal Garden.
Secondary published sources are housed separately in the old Chauffeur’s Cottage, now the executive offices of the Hestercombe Gardens Trust, comprising over 1,100 volumes that range in date from 1731 to 2017 and include some first editions. Noteworthy among them are _The Farmer's Tour Through the East of England_ by Arthur Young (1771), and _The History and Antiquities of the County of Somerset_ by the Revd. John Collinson (1791).
New research is ongoing to address gaps in the historical record, improve interpretation of the estate, and provide data for special exhibitions and in-house publications, the most recent examples of which are _A Gentleman of Taste: A Celebration of the Life of Coplestone Warre Bampfylde_ (2020) and _Recipes and Remedies: An 18th century collection by Margaret Bampfylde of Hestercombe_ (2014).
**Archive Blogs**:
The ‘From the Archives’ series further supports the education goal by disseminating research findings through blogs that address various aspects of Hestercombe’s multi-layered history, for instance the life of E. W. B. [‘Teddy’] Portman (1856-1911), the history of the Medieval Chapel, and the trials and tribulations of The Hestercombe Cricket Club (est. 1893). Read more Archive blogs for further instalments.
More detailed reports are periodically generated to inform the conservation of certain areas of the gardens. Past examples are a replanting plan for the Pergola (2005), a restoration strategy for the Victorian Terrace (2001), and a scheme for reintroducing irises to the East Rill Borders of the Formal Garden (2004).
Assistant Archivist, **Ben Whitworth**, is responsible for slides, scans, photographs, and most recently, the newly formed Conservation Management Plan (CMP) Archive with its rapidly expanding database of conservation management plans from heritage properties across the UK - Ben has catalogued over 600 CMPs to date.
With the help of volunteers from the local community, including The Arts Society Taunton, Ben Whitworth has also greatly improved accessibility to Hestercombe’s historical record by meticulously transcribing over three thousand pages of Warre, Portman and Bampylde family papers, including Coplestone Warre Bampfylde's ninety-five page marriage settlement of 1755; three hundred pages of accounts, chronicling the remodeling of Hestercombe House by Taunton builder, Henry Davis, for Henry Berkeley Portman, 1st Viscount Portman 1874-76; and Thomas Vesey's endearing childhood diary, written 31 Dec 1901 to 4 Aug 1902.
**Get in touch**:
The Hestercombe Archive is a key point of contact with the general public, researchers, st
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Head of Archive
3 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom UK Hydrographic Office Full time**Details**: **Reference number**: - 326465**Salary**: - £57,686- Further information can be found in the attached Document “Additional Pay Information”.- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**: - Grade 7**Contract type**: - Permanent**Business area**: - UKHO - Corporate Services and Finance**Type of...
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The Latest News From The Archives... What The Press
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeLegate’s pleasure in relating the complexities of English village cricket is contagious and he tells a deeply satisfying story..._ - VLADIVOSTOK VIXEN - Fans of Kim Legate live for his complex historical thrillers, but now and then he serves up something unexpected. That’s exactly what he does with great success, in Cricket Anyone?. _- USA TODAY - Score...
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From The Archives: The Hestercombe Estate in 1720
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe Hestercombe archives are bursting at the seams with facts, pictures and accounts of the history of Hestercombe and those who lived and worked here. In this installment of _Memories of Hestercombe_ we take a step back almost 300 years and explore the Hestercombe estate as it was in 1720. _Written by Kim Legate, Archivist_ Fig. 4 - John Bampfylde's...
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From The Archives: Memories of Hestercombe
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe Hestercombe archives are bursting at the seams with facts, pictures and accounts of the history of Hestercombe and those who lived and worked here. In this installment of Memories of Hestercombe we hear about the Grand Ball which took place in January 1897 - and the star studded Taunton guest list in attendance. _Written by Kim Legate, Archivist_ - On...
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From The Archives: Memories of Hestercombe
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe Hestercombe archives are bursting at the seams with facts, pictures and accounts of the history of Hestercombe and those who lived and worked here. This post is the first of a series called 'Memories of Hestercombe', where we uncover lost and forgotten characters of the estate. - Written by Kim Legate, Archivist_ - Figure 1 - Thomas ‘James’ Tooze &...
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From The Archives: Upstairs Downstairs
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe Hestercombe archives are bursting at the seams with facts, pictures and accounts of the history of Hestercombe and those who lived and worked here. In this installment of _Memories of Hestercombe_ we find out about the domestic structure of Hestercombe - who the domestic servants were, and how they kept Hestercombe and its estate running smoothly. ...
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From The Archives: Hestercombe, The Early Years
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**The next instalment from the Hestercombe Archives explores the fascinating early history of 'Haegsta’descumb', from 682 - 1391**: **_Written by_**_ _**_Kim Legate, Senior Archivist_**: As far as the valley of Helsdena (Hel... ‘s Valley). Then by a brook to the ford which is called Wealaford (Ford of the Welsh or Celts). And so along the course of that...
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Archive Update
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**Extract from The 1873-77 Remodelling Of Hestercombe House**: **Written by Kim Legate, Head Archivist**: In January 1873, London based architect, Henry Hall (1829-1909), who had established ‘a large and comfortable’ country practice, primarily in Somerset and Dorset, was contracted by Lord Portman to make designs ‘for a first class mansion’. A...
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Gallery News: Trish Morrissey
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeMiss Warre (cascade)_, C-type print, 2017 © Trish Morrissey This autumn (opens 18 Nov) the Hestercombe Gallery is privileged to welcome acclaimed photographer Trish Morrissey to its exciting contemporary arts programme. Having exhibited extensively in solo and group shows in the UK and internationally, her work is in major private and public collections....
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Looking Forward to The Future
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**Philip White shares thoughts on the evolution of the members' newsletters found in the archive.**: **Today is a Red Letter day as the first time in nearly thirty years that our Hestercombe Newsletter has gone completely digital.**: I took the opportunity to delve into our archive where I was delighted to discover that we appear to have all, or nearly all,...
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From The Archives: Memories of Hestercombe
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**MEMORIES OF HESTERCOMBE: THE 1873-77 REMODELLING OF HESTERCOMBE HOUSE**: The moulded stone arch that frames the east entrance to the Gallery Shop, originally the Great Hall, probably formed part of the rear wall of the original, early medieval house at Hestercombe. By the late 17th century the increasingly substantial residence of the Warre family...
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Memories of Hestercombe...part 17.2
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**Memories of Hestercombe - The Portman Chapel - **_criticism from a variety of media & magazines..._** Characters that no reader will forget... prose as clean and strong as any Legate has yet laid down... and a drop-dead evocation of a time and place that will mark this article as a classic slice of Edwardiana - Prague Post The plot surges forward,...
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Head of Development and Partnerships
3 days ago
Taunton, United Kingdom South West Heritage Trust Full timeWe are seeking an outstanding individual to lead the development and delivery of business, commercial and enterprise activities within the South West Heritage Trust. You will be a person with an excellent record of achievement at senior level within a charity or cultural organisation, and with an ability to build funding and other partnerships, motivate...
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Head of Development and Partnerships
1 week ago
Taunton, United Kingdom South West Heritage Trust Full timeWe are seeking an outstanding individual to lead the development and delivery of business, commercial and enterprise activities within the South West Heritage Trust. You will be a person with an excellent record of achievement at senior level within a charity or cultural organisation, and with an ability to build funding and other partnerships, motivate...
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From The Archives: Hestercombe's Octagon Summerhouse
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full time**Rediscovering and Restoring the Octagon Summerhouse**: - by Assistant Archivist, Ben Whitworth_ The restoration of Hestercombe's Landscape Garden calls for a wide range of skills. For example, an Octagon Summerhouse is known to have existed in 1761 when someone listed it among the seats and alcoves within the Garden. However, it was subsequently...
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Business Services Administrator
3 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hawk 3 Talent Solutions Full time**BUSINESS SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR / TAUNTON OR GLASTONBURY** **Location**: Taunton or Glastonbury **Job type**: Maternity cover **Reports to**: Administration Manager **Hours**: Monday to Friday 09:00am - 17:00pm **Salary**: Up to £24,000 per annum Hawk 3 Talent Solutions, operating as an employment agency, are currently recruiting for a Business Service...
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Conveyancing Assistant
3 weeks ago
Taunton, United Kingdom TN United Kingdom Remote Work Freelance Full timePermanent, full time Conveyancing Assistant required for a solicitor’s firm based in Taunton, TA1 Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm 1 hour lunch break (unpaid) £23,000 per annum About the role Audio typing Opening new files and managing the file throughout the transaction with the fee earner Updating client databases – meeting with them to collect ID...
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Conveyancing Assistant
3 weeks ago
Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom TN United Kingdom Full timePermanent, full time Conveyancing Assistant required for a solicitor's firm based in Taunton, TA1 Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm 1 hour lunch break (unpaid) £23,000 per annum About the role Audio typing Opening new files and managing the file throughout the transaction with the fee earner Updating client databases – meeting with them to collect ID...
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New Ghs Project to Harness Conservation Management
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeThe Garden History Society is working to compile a reference list of Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) and related research for historic designed landscapes. - Site name and location (including county) - EH Register grade, if applicable - Author/Consultants - Date - Title - Status e.g. draft, final - Where to find a reference copy (preferably a public...
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A Blast From The Past
2 months ago
Taunton, United Kingdom Hestercombe Gardens Full timeI thought you might appreciate this photo of Hestercombe House taken in 1953, just as the Somerset Fire Brigade (est. 1948) was about to move in and make it their headquarters. Somerset County Council leased Hestercombe House for £500 per year in September and would eventually (1977) purchase the House and adjoining 11 acres of land, including the Formal...