Garden Changes - Farewell to an old friend

A firm favourite in the garden, a Silver Birch tree that has presided over the Chantry garden for the last 100 years or so was felled this autumn.

We have been monitoring the tree for a few years now and, after doing some work on it over the past 12 months and consulting with the experts, the decision was made to remove the tree for safety reasons.

Over the years it has been a prime firework viewing point for local children, as well as providing a swing to the old playgroup; home to woodpeckers, squirrels and other creatures; and shade for countless parties and its unique shape will be missed.

We have kept the main trunk intact to provide a home, both for the birch polypore fungus that has appeared over the last couple of months, as well as for the various birds and beasts that have been attracted by the wood as it decomposes.

We've also retained some of the branches as minibeast habitat in one of the shaded areas of the garden, as well as keeping the chippings from the smaller branches to pave the paths that run around the wild area at the back.

Our thanks go out to Mike and the team at ARB Treeworks for all their help and advice, as well as for being on board with our plans for keeping as much of the tree on-site as possible!

The Derham Room

You may notice that one of our rooms has recently undergone a name change.

After many years of dedicated service, our brilliant chair Dave Derham resigned his post earlier this year and the Trustees decided to recognise the huge impact made during his tenure by naming a room in his honour.

Dave had a dramatic impact on many of the spaces here at The Chantry, spearheading many of the recent renovations and improvements that have made The Chantry the success it is today, including the most recent changes to the former Lancaster Room, which now bears his name.

We hope you will join us in wishing Dave all the best for the future and we look forward to welcoming you all to the Derham Room.

The Elton Room - NEW SPACE for hire!

Following the departure of the Chantry’s oldest-serving long-term leaseholder, we have decided to offer up this room as a meeting space.

With some help from local companies JK Decorating and Phoenix Flooring, The Elton Room is looking fresh and ready for its new life as a meeting room.

Located on the first floor, opposite the Stuart Room, the Elton Room is a wonderfully light, airy space that overlooks the Walled Garden. It is large enough to seat approximately 25 people in a conference-style seating arrangement, or 15-18 in a boardroom setting. It has ample sockets so is also ideal as a group work space and is great for meetings and presentations.

Information on the Elton Room can be found on Our Facilities page and is available to book via Hallmaster.

If you would like any more information on the Elton Room, or on any of the other spaces available for hire here at the Chantry, please contact the office.