Blog

I have some really good news for you all at last. If you have driven, rode or strolled past the Mausoleum in recent weeks you will have noticed things happening.

In November the trench was dug and conduit laid for electric cables, last week the cables were installed and this week the meter will be in place. Very soon after that Steve Wade, electrical contractor, will fix sockets and a light in the west end of the building.

This is our basic starter “kit” and although we will still need to run free-standing cables and lights, we will no longer require a generator! May I again express our thanks to you all for your support and patience during the lengthy time this has taken but we will soon be able to “switch on”. Huge thanks also to Alick Jones and Brian Smethurst who have made this final stage happen, to Steve for gifting his labour and the Cope family and “Trans-sport” for their loan of generators and equipment over the last 5 years.

2019 was indeed a golden year for the Mausoleum. The “On Golden Hill” weekend in June saw us celebrate 50 years of the CCT with a gala event featuring the super talented “Highly Strung” quartet and “The Williams Sisters”. To hear stringed instruments “sing” and feel shivers down the spine hearing the voices of Cerys and Grace was an amazing experience. Then the wonderful weather continued for the Midsummer Tea the following day. Prosecco works just as well as tea with cake!

In September we had the equally successful, but very different, “Hog Roast” with music provided by the very popular local band “Limited Ability”. The year was completed by the Winter Music event in December with handbells ringing out and lots of joyous carol singing!

The team work very hard to bring all the events to fruition and you show your support very generously.

Thank you.

The weekend was a notable one at Milton Mausoleum. Together with some redundant churches nationally, the Mausoleum has been in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).  This year the CCT were celebrating their 50^th anniversary.  The Friends of Milton Mausoleum Committee were one of the volunteer groups asked by CCT to hold a Celebration event to mark this anniversary.

A capacity audience were treated to an evening of classical and popular music performed by a very professional female quartet named Highly Strung.  Supporting the quartet were two delightful young ladies, The Williams Sisters, with a talented performance of solos and duets.  At the interval, on the North Lawn, a group of young people waited on the guests providing them with canapes, fruit sticks and glasses of Prosecco.

The concert continued with more classic and modern music and at one point the setting sun came through the windows and gave a golden glow to the interior.  Peter Aires, CEO of the Churches Conservation Trust thanked the audience for their support stating that it was visitors to events such as those provided at the Mausoleum, which ensured that the buildings continued to be used and brought to life.

After their finale the musicians and singers were given a standing ovation.  A generous raffle completed the evening’s entertainment.

The weekend’s celebrations continued on Sunday afternoon with a Midsummer Tea taking place on the North Lawn of the Mausoleum. The event began with a celebratory glass of Prosecco and the guests were served with cakes and refreshments followed by strawberries and ice cream.

A potted history of the 4^th Duke of Newcastle and his wife Lady Georgiana was given by Julie; and music was played by flautist Stephanie to the delight of everyone. There was a selection of raffle prizes and some beautiful floral arrangements to be won.

The rain kept away to make this weekend a truly memorable one.  The committee would like to thank everyone who helped over the weekend and generously supported our events.