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THE FRIENDS OF UPTON COUNTRY PARK (Reg. Charity No: 272450)

President: Brian Galpin Chairman: Mike Yeomans

NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2010

www.uptoncountrypark.org

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2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The meeting, held on the 29th March, was attended by 30 members. The meeting considered the normal AGM business, and all the outgoing committee members were re-elected for a further year.

Three new members were welcomed to the Executive Committee, Deana Brown, Mary Carr and David Morris. All had previously been co-opted. This brings our Committee numbers to 19.

A vote of thanks was given to Alan King, who maintains our website.

David Morris thanked our Vice Chairman, also newsletter editor, John Baggs, for all the work he has put in to produce this colourful new format.

Roger Brewer, of Borough of Poole, expressed his thanks to the Friends for their help throughout the year.

After the meeting, an illustrated talk was given by David Price, Poole Community Greenspace Officer, on the A-Z of trees to be found in the Park. This was very well received. He has produced a pamphlet on the subject, which includes some photographs taken by our Chairman, Mike Yeomans. Catherine Taylor – Honorary Secretary

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THE FRIENDS OF UPTON COUNTRY PARK

AUGUST CRAFT SHOW

Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August 2010

10.00am to 4.30pm Upton House, Upton Country Park

Admission £1.00 - Accompanied Children Free

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BRIAN GALPIN Friend, or non-Friend, we will all know Brian Galpin because of his avuncular figure and deep love and knowledge of his home town of Poole, and as President of the Friends of Upton Country Park. Brian is the fourth President of the Friends, having succeeded Miss Mary Llewellin (1976 – 1983), Kenneth W Douie (1983 – 1984), and Gerald T

Bailey (1984 – 1996). At fourteen years, this makes Brian the longest serving President. Probably to his surprise, Brian was not born in Poole. The Second World War played a significant part in his being born in Queen Mary Hospital, West Ham as his father was serving in the RAF at North Weald. Brian moved to Poole in 1939 and because he caught measles, was farmed out to his aunt in the 'village' of Oakdale from 1941 to 1944.. Local interest and local history must have been inherited from his maternal grandfather, A J Tanner, who was the founder of the Society of Poole Men, in 1924. The SPM and the Friends continue to enjoy a good relationship with some being members of both organisations. In 1957 the oldest son of the Llewellin family, W W (Bill) Llewellin decided to give the house and the estate to the Borough of Poole. It must be remembered that the three siblings Bill Llewellin, Lord J J (Jay) Llewellin 1st Baron of Upton, and Miss Mary Llewellin (the first lady Mayor of Poole in 1953) did not marry. As was the custom at that time, the eldest son made the decisions. The local authority was undecided as to the future of Upton House and there were various suggestions as to its use – such as a zoo (proposed by Gerald Durrell, Bournemouth

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resident, who eventually settled on Les Augres Manor in Trinity, Jersey), a residential care home, and holiday accommodation. As you may recall it was infamously let to Prince Carol of Romania. Until the Upton by-pass was built in 1975, the access to Upton House was considered to be too dangerous. This was the impetus for a public meeting in February, 1975 with Councillor Stanley Pearce chairing, at the Civic Centre in Poole. There was much support from the Society of Poole Men, including Brian Galpin, Denis Bodger (temporary Secretary for 17 years!), Bill Rigler and Tom Buckby. Brian's motivation was fuelled by his grandfather, A J Tanner and discussions included the analogy of Brownsea Island, which was re-opened under National Trust ownership in 1963, and the part played by volunteers. The Borough of Poole was indicating that Upton House and grounds would be too costly to maintain and following the foundation of the Friends, the Scouts and Rambler Association members were to be seen busily clearing undergrowth, and making the estate safe. Before they started work the walled garden had brambles so big they had grown everywhere. The front field was a quagmire due to drainage ditches having been built across so as to link Creekmoor to Poole. Brian Galpin became vice-chairman to Bill Rigler and it fell to Brian to organise a team of wardens. The first official day was 15th May, 1975 when Alec Cutler and Doug Jesse from the Borough of Poole Amenities Department showed the Friends of Upton Park team around the grounds (it was not until later that we became the Friends of Upton Country Park). The only areas available to be seen by visitors were parts of the grounds as the House, greenhouses, walled garden and so on were considered too unsuitable for members of the public due to safety issues.

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£18,000 was spent on fences, security, chemical toilets, notices, the small car park . . . . The park was open at weekends when wardened. Word of mouth spread the news and gradually more people came to look at what was on their doorstep, but maybe had not realised was there. At one time during the early days, a refreshment concessionaire brought his mobile cafe at weekends, but as the visitor numbers were somewhat lacking, this facility did not survive. Brian was involved with Denis Bodger on the first fund raising event, which was for the walled garden. An operational base was established in the morning room with all the doors - except one! - nailed shut so that wandering around the dangerous House could be prevented. Denis and the Dorset Naturalist Trust produced the first nature trail, which followed numbered points around the grounds. If you didn't follow the numbers, the undergrowth would have consumed you! Sufficient funds were raised which allowed the Friends to call upon the Manpower Services Commission to provide the labour. Three men, for nine months, cleaned all of the walled garden brickwork, re-laying the top nine courses. This was finished in early 1979, and the handing over ceremony took place in May, 1979. Bill Rigler had persuaded the well respected firm of Insurance Brokers, W H Foot, to provide the decorative metal gates to the walled garden, which are very much in evidence today. Then there was the first Country Fair, for which Bill Rigler again used his persuasive powers and BK Bluebird caravans supplied scrap wood which was used to make picnic tables. Major Graham Yeatman made a presentation to the Mayor. This occasion is notable in that it was the first time that Brian and Audrey Galpin had 'properly' seen the inside of the House. Outside of the Friends, Brian is Mr Poole when giving his guided walking tours around the old town. He is also very

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involved – with Brian it seems unlikely that he joins an organisation and just sits back! - as a Trustee for the Poole Historical Trust, the Dorset Family History Society, and the Wessex Newfoundland Society.

In his spare time, he has been known to make a video 'The story of Poole, Dorset' with Ray Joyce, and writes on local matters for the Dorset Year Book (published by the Society of Dorset Men). When we have Beating of the Bounds, Brian is to be found resplendently dressed in period costume as the Honorary Secretary to the Admiral of Poole. This man of many parts married Audrey in 1960, and in her final years became her carer, having to learn many domestic functions previously unknown to him! His cooking specialities include ginger cakes and caraway seed cakes.

As Brian himself says he 'falls asleep in meetings, but only requires six hours of sleep a night'! And the final comment from Brian is that he used to be shy as a boy, but having overcome shyness, he enjoys public speaking. David Morris

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THE FRIENDS OF UPTON COUNTRY PARK

LATE SUMMER PLANT & GARDEN FAIR

SUNDAY 5th September 2010 10.00am to 4.30pm

in The Walled Garden – Upton Country Park

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EASTER CRAFT SHOW The Easter Craft Show was very good with 34 tables booked by craft people from Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Wareham areas also the usual lady from Rugby. During the two days, we had 1379 paying visitors. The raffle took £163.20, many thanks to those who donated prizes. The total profit was £2749.46 Many thanks to all the "Friends" who helped before and during the show. Rosemary & Jim Sinclair- Craft Show Organisers

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POOLE TWINNING PETANQUE CLUB After a very close finish Poole retained the twinning league trophy in 2009 by beating Sturminster Newton 3-1 in the final game of the season. The Sturminster Newton open tournament held on the 19th September proved a successful day out for Poole players with Roger and Tony Wojciechowski winning the main event and Dennis and Carole Williams the plate. George and Pat East made off with the wooden spoon to complete a clean sweep of the prizes on offer. The Cooksey trophy was held on the 4th October and fittingly won by Joan Cooksey and her doubles partner Brian Joy. We held an end of season tournament at Upton House for all the players in the twinning league and Poole provided a player in each of the pairs in the final. The last event was the Shaftesbury open tournament and Poole provided 4 of the 7 teams with our ’Boules Babes’ retaining the shield which they won last year.

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Brian and Joan Joy receiving the trophy from Claire and Lawrence Mizen

On Sunday the 13th June we held our Mizen trophy competition and despite organizing the draw to ensure that

the pairs were of mixed ability, two of our strongest pairs managed to find themselves drawn together. Eight pairs contested the first round leaving four semi finalists and the two strongest pairs meeting in the final. Brian and Joan Joy

managed to overcome Roger and Penny Wozciechowski and will hold the trophy for the next twelve months. Coming to 2010, we have continued to play our regular Sunday and Wednesday afternoon sessions, and had 25 members at our AGM on the 11th March. Our annual trip to Bedhampton in March saw our twelve players retain the trophy, and on the 23rd May we entertained a party of 20 visitors from the Bransgore twinning association and their French counterparts. Many people were introduced to the game and we received a pleasant letter from their organisers thanking us for our hospitality. Hopefully this will lead to further visits in the future. The twinning league is now in full swing and so far we have won 2 games and lost 1. With 27 players of mixed ability all having a go we will find it hard to retain the shield this season. But the pleasure of visiting the far corners of our beautiful county far outweighs any disappointment at losing a game. If you would like to try the game or seek further details please ring Alan Linge Alan Linge

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UPTON HOUSE AND THE TICHBORNE CLAIMANT The longest Court case in Victorian times has a connection with Upton House. Capturing the imagination of the British public in the late 1800s was, some say, an impostor laying claim to the extensive Tichborne Estates. With a cast of thousands, many of whom came to the UK as witnesses, Sir Roger Tichborne became known as the Tichborne Claimant. Upton House was part of the Tichborne Estates. In 1845, as a condition of inheritance, Edward Tichborne had to take the name Doughty. We know of Pergin's Island today; previously it was known as Doughty's Island. There are several books available about the Tichborne trial. Some are easier to read than others, and Robyn Annear's book 'The Man Who Lost Himself' falls in to the first category. The story ranges from Hampshire, to South America, followed by Australia, and then to the English legal system and a Court case in London. According to Annear's book, Upton House has a small starring role. Roger Tichborne, who quit the army following his inability to obtain an overseas posting, required somewhere to live over the winter period. His uncle, Edward Doughty accommodated Roger at Upton from October, 1852, during which time Roger became 'close' to his cousin Katherine (Kattie). 'Just a few hundred yards off shore from Upton, in Poole Harbour, was a tiny island which, for his amusement, Roger stocked with twenty-five rabbits’ Within a day of the rabbits' release, however, the island teemed with poachers and Roger became the talk of the county when he gave chase to a pair of them – first by boat and then on foot, drenched, through the streets of Poole.'

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At Upton House, ‘there was pretty Martha Fisher, the laundress from Bath. Roger used to gossip with her and the kitchen staff in the pantry and he tipped her handsomely'. You can picture the scene yourself if you have been down the stairs to the basement! Roger Tichborne left for South America in early 1853 and disappears, or re-emerges as Thomas Castro in Australia. As you can imagine, the speed of communication between England and Australia was a little slower than we now experience. Thomas Castro / Roger Tichborne became aware of the death of Sir James Tichborne (his father?) from an old newspaper cutting and decided to claim his inheritance. Whilst James Tichborne's widow claimed that Thomas Castro and Roger Tichborne were one and the same, others were not so sure! Other local connections with the Tichborne Claimant story include the burial of Andrew Bogle, a servant of the Tichborne family, who had vouched for the claimant, in Hamworthy churchyard. As part of a 'travelling circus' to raise money to support the claimant's case, there was meeting in Bournemouth where the Great Wizard, Professor Anderson confirmed that Castro was Sir Roger Tichborne, having seen him in Melbourne 'as the finest horseman in the colonies'. The Man Who Lost Himself – The Unbelievable Story of the Tichborne Claimant Copy right Robyn Annear 2002 Constable and Robinson ISBN 1-84119-799-8 David Morris

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RAISING OUR PROFILE The first week of June was National Volunteer week and in an attempt to gain some more helpers, we manned a stand in the Dolphin Centre on Thursday 3rd June. We had some enquiries to follow up and also made some useful connections with staff from the Poole Volunteer Centre. We also staged a display, shown below, in Upton Library for the first part of June.

Thanks are due to Mary Carr and Brenda Baggs for manning the Dolphin Centre stand and to Wendy Ivey and Christine Wright for organising the Upton Library display. Also to Mike Yeomans for the photographs

and design of the new poster shown on the opposite page. We need to find many more helpers if we are to maintain our major fund raising activities. We are managing to open the Kiosk most days of the week, but are heavily reliant on only a few people. We urgently need some assistance here, if only as back up to be called in when needed. The Plant Centre and House Stewarding can always accommodate new help; again it would be nice to have the luxury of a ‘back up team’. If you know of anyone who could help us please give me a ring. Please spread the word. John Baggs –Vice Chairman

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THE PLANT CENTRE After a number of problems during the summer with the planning application, we completed the paperwork for our

new wooden building and a power supply to be installed. Planning Permission was granted on the 30th December 2009 for a new wooden Building and to install a new power supply to the Plant Centre.

In the first week in February 2010 the base for our new wooden building was completed, and the building was installed on the 17th February. During March the building was fitted out by John Baggs, Mike Yeomans, Pete Moore, and Terry James. The power cable was laid from the Walled Garden to the Plant Centre by the Borough of Poole.

The power was connected by the end of March and the electrics were installed and tested. At the end of March work was completed to the access to Plant Centre building and a

new path and handrail was installed. A new layer of mulch was laid over the Plant Centre.

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The Plant Centre Team was working hard in the green house growing new plants to build up the stock ready for the opening of the Plant Centre. The Plant Centre

opened to the public on Sunday 21st March, but there were still some tasks to complete, which were completed by the end of May. Sales during the first three months have been very good. The Plant centre Team are still looking for Volunteers to help in the Plant Centre during the year, which will include selling plants, painting the shed, repainting the display stands, growing new plants to sell and other jobs.

If it is only a few hours a week, one or two days a week or any time at all. You would meet new friends and help in promoting Upton Country Park to our visitors.

Mike Yeomans- Chairman

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FROM THE HOUSE STEWARDS Our Book Sale on Good Friday was a little hampered by the very wet start to the day. Consequently, the normal queue of people prior to opening time was absent this year. However, when I braved the elements to put out our signs beforehand, I was pleased to find many of our regular supporters waiting in their cars. In a very short time after opening, the House was filled with people searching out a bargain. The weather improved during the latter part of the day, and sales picked up again during the afternoon. We had lots of books to satisfy everyone and the funds raised for the event were just over £750, which although a little down on last year, was still very pleasing and made it all very worthwhile for us all. The event was only made possible by the efforts of all those who assisted both before and on the day. The names are too numerous to mention but I should like to thank all who helped to make this event again such a success. Our House openings for sales of books and souvenirs and guided tours, continue to be very popular, and are making significant contributions to funds. Since the beginning of the year these have already added a further £800. Our success is reducing our book stocks, and we are now in urgent need of good quality paperback and children’s books. If you have any of these which you would like to donate, please give me a call to arrange collection. Our scheduled openings for the remainder of the year are:- Sunday 4th and 18th July, Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th , and 22nd August, Sunday 5th,12th and 26th September. We are attempting to be open from 12.00pm through to 4.30pm, much dependent upon staff and weather. Also, if you would like to join our happy team, even if only to assist with setting up on some days, please give me a ring.

John Baggs –Vice Chairman

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NOCTURNAL SUPERSTAR AT UPTON COUNTRY PARK Members of Dorset Bat Group encountered a furry, flying rarity during a batting session at Upton Country Park in early June. A rare male Bechstein’s bat was caught in a special trap designed to catch bats without injury so that they can then be released unharmed. A member of the Dorset Bat Group said “Bechstein’s bats are very rare nationally, although Dorset is a stronghold for them, and these bats are usually found in ancient woodland deep in the countryside. We suspected that Bechstein’s bats may be living in the woods at Upton Country Park and we are delighted that we have been able to prove this to be true. The staff and Friends of Upton Country Park have been very supportive of the Dorset Bat Group and this is great news for them”. A male Natterer’s bat, two male Brown Long-eared bats and a male Daubenton’s bat were also caught during the evening. Further details about the Bat Conservation Trust’s Bechstein’s Bat Project can be viewed on www.bats.org.uk.

Jan Freeborne – Dorset Wildlife Trust

Harp Trap

Bechstein’s bat

Daubenton’s bat

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Hamworthy First School getting up

close with the minibeasts

Family ‘Now in Colour’ Activity

FROM THE GEENSPACE COMMUNITY TEAM Top Marks for Upton Country Park! Our onsite Education Centre has been awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge. The Education Centre itself was opened in 2002, with a contribution of £84,000 having been provided by The Friends of Upton Country Park. The range of activities we provide for all ages includes the ever-popular pond dipping, bug hunting, scavenger hunts and tree games. The activities and facilities have been recognised as safe, inclusive and sustainable. The quality badge was developed as part a national initiative to ensure young people are given more opportunities to have these high quality outdoor experiences as part of the curriculum.

Our family activities are now in full swing with the sunshine encouraging many people to come and join us. We had a fantastic turn out for the Great Dorset Beach Clean. 55

volunteers collecting 80 bags of waste from the shore. Many thanks to those who helped out! Our most recent activity was a colourful extravaganza with families exploring the park, having fun learning why plants and animals are a certain colour.

The new Tree Trail can now be purchased for £1 from the Peacock Tearooms, Kiosk, the Plant Centre or Poole Tourism on the Quay. This provides an A-Z of the trees with a map to help you discover the hidden secrets of the country park. This will add a bit of fun and further interest to your next walk around the park.

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LUSH Helpers in front of

the newly painted Bird Hide

We have had some invaluable help from volunteers to improve the park. Some of the things that volunteers have done in the past few months include clearing rhododendron to open up the path through the Grove woodland, coppicing willow, repairing the boardwalk, planting wildflowers, improving the pond dipping pond and painting the bird hide. Our summer activities are listed below. As ever we hope for a large turnout for the Wildlife Funday on the 4th August. If any of you would like to lend a hand at this fun event your help would be greatly appreciated. Please get in touch and we will certainly find a job for you whether it be taking money for the programmes, putting up bunting or ensuring volunteers get that all important cup of tea! Love Parks Week – Celebrate your park! Festival of British Archaeology Sat 24th July, 11.00-3.00 pm Discover Upton Country Park’s Romano farm on this iron-age and roman day. Storytelling Wednesday 28th July, 10.30 -1.30 Bring the family to explore the Country Park and woodland grottoes. Meet: Education Centre. £1 per child Intriguing Trees Thursday 29th July, 10.30-12.30 Meet and greet generous giants, exotic beauties and huggable hunks. Meet: By the sundial at the back of Upton House

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Gorgeous Gardens Thursday 29th July, 1.00 - 2.30 Continue to explore the historic grounds of Upton Country Park with a tour of the gardens with the estate worker who has worked in the Country Park for 36 years! Meet: By the sundial at the back of Upton House

Wild Family Fun Quiz and Games Tuesday 27th July Test your knowledge of nature. There are prizes for all! Meet: Education Centre. £1 per child Wild Family Fun Nature Trek Tuesday 27th July, 2.00 – 3.00pm Join the RSPB on a nature trek around the park, looking for bugs, butterflies and birds. Meet: Education Centre. £1 per child Upton Country Park Wildlife Funday Wednesday 4th August, 10.30 – 4.00pm Lots of fun wildlife activities from a host of organisations. Meet: Back of Upton House. £1 per child Wild Family Quiz and Games Thursday 19th August, 10.30 – 12.00pm Test your knowledge of nature. There are prizes for all! Meet: Education Centre. £1 per child Wild Family Fun Nature Trek Thursday 19th August, 2.00 – 3.00pm Join the RSPB on a trek looking for bugs, butterflies and birds. Meet: Education Centre. £1 per child Caroline Smart – Greenspace Community Officer

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STOP PRESS!! – TREE FALLS IN THE PARK Sometime between Friday morning 18th June and Sunday 20th, a large oak tree fell to the ground. It was at the back of the House, towards the pond.

It was a ‘Turkey Oak’, named because the leaves may contain up to five lobes but usually only have three lobes

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which resemble a turkey's foot. The Turkey Oak is an important food source for wildlife. Turkey Oak acorns are very small and are readily eaten by many species of smaller mouthed birds.

From the pictures, it can be seen that all the growth has been in one direction, probably due to being shaded by other trees, which may have contributed to making the tree unbalanced.

John Baggs – Vice Chairman

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WEDDING FAIR The Wedding Fair was held in March and was organised by ‘The Friends’ and the Borough of Poole it was a great success, our best fair yet. Booking forms have been sent out for the next Wedding Fairs in October 2010 and March 2011, and are slowly coming back in, if any one knows of any other contacts, please let the Wedding team know. Mike Yeomans – Chairman

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LYTCHETT MINSTER AND UPTON FLORAL CLUB In conjunction with the Friends of Upton Country Park It’s that time of year again. To get out your calendar, and write the date and time of the Annual Flower Arranging Show held in the House and grounds . The weekend of July 24th and 25th 2010 is the time to visit the park, pay your £1.00 and come into the House to see it filled with flower arrangements. This year the title of the show is

“NATURE’S DIVERSITY” Which should test the skills of the club members, just where would YOU start if the title of the arrangement is”RIOT of COLOUR” “BIZARRE and BEAUTIFUL” or “FROSTY MORNING”. Last year there were over fifty designs for you to look, and hopefully this year there will be even more. We like our visitors to tell us just which design is the one that you like most, so there will be a Visitors Choice, and at the end of each day the member who had the design with most points will receive a small prize. The £1.00 entrance price is in my opinion good value as there will be at least three possibly four rooms filled with arrangements. Plus Stalls in the house include: Tombola -- New To You jewellery, scarves and hand crafted shopping bags, also a Flower Arranging accessories table, a Hamper Raffle, A PRIZE EVERY TIME RAFFLE and a Card and Gift stall. Now what more could you ask for? As well as the flowers and stalls in the house there will be stalls on the lawn selling Plants, Bric-a Brac. So come to say hello, admire the Arrangements and enjoy your Visit

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Now don’t forget the date. SATURDAY JULY 24th 12.30pm to 4.30pm and SUNDAY JULY 25th 10.30pm to 4.00pm Looking forward to seeing you there. Chris Wright – LM&UFC

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NEW MEMBERS We welcome the following new members who have joined us over the last year:- Mrs Andrews Mrs Bailey Mrs Camm Mrs Churchill Mr & Mrs Clarke Mr& Mrs Clayton Mr & Mrs Cole Mrs Crocker Mr & Mrs East Mr& Mrs Edgson Mr & Mrs Evans Ms Ford Mrs Fosbrook Mrs Froude Mrs Hescoff Mr Holland Mr & Mrs Huddy Mrs Hume Mrs Lucas Mrs Pearce Mr & Mrs Rimmington Mrs Rowe Mrs Sayer Mrs Segal Mr & Mrs P Wojciechowski Mr T Wojciechowski Terry James – Membership Secretary

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THE FRIENDS OF UPTON COUNTRY PARK

FUTURE EVENTS at UPTON COUNTRY PARK

FLOWER SHOW

(Lytchett Minster and Upton Floral Club) Saturday 24th July 2010 12.00pm to 4.30pm & Sunday 25th July 2010 10.30am to 4.00pm

Details: Christine Wright

AUGUST CRAFT SHOW Sunday 29th & Monday 30th August 2010

10.00am to 4.30pm Details: Rosemary Sinclair

PLANT FAIR Sunday 5th September 2010

10.00am to 4.30pm Details: Mike Yeomans

WEDDING FAIR Sunday 3rd October 2010

11.00am to 4.00pm Details: Mike Yeomans

CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st November 2010

10.00am to 4.30pm Details: Rosemary Sinclair

Email Address: thefriends.ucp@ntlworld.com