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Number 2 on our National Trust tea room trail – Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire. An atmospheric moated manor house dat...
07/15/2026

Number 2 on our National Trust tea room trail – Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire.

An atmospheric moated manor house dating back to the 15th century. Inside, the house is dark and brooding with priest holes and panelling; outside, the gardens, greenhouses, vegetable patches and parkland offer a delightful contrast. In the same family for over 500 years, the last private owner, Tommy Ferrers-Walker inherited it in 1970 and spent
the next 10 years doggedly lobbying the NT to take it over.

He was a Royal Navy reservist, having served in WWII. Following his discharge, he channelled his passion for the sea and became the greatest private collector of RN artefacts in British history.

Amongst all the amazing things to see at Baddesley, one that caught my eye was the carved and painted wooden crown which had been mounted on
the mast of HMS Vanguard when it took the Royal Family on their first post-war overseas trip to South Africa.

Baddesley Clinton also boasts an excellent book store housed in the old stables, knowledgeable and engaging room guides, great swathes of mistletoe on two of the apple trees in the orchard and CAKE! Delicious Victoria sandwich which I remembered to photograph before it disappeared!

NT Baddesley Clinton and Packwood National Trust Royal Naval Reserve

To Hagley Hall, Worcestershire, where on 11 July 1987, we enjoyed our wedding breakfast. What better way to celebrate 39...
07/10/2026

To Hagley Hall, Worcestershire, where on 11 July 1987, we enjoyed our wedding breakfast. What better way to celebrate 39 years of fun and frolics! The State Rooms had hardly changed and we enjoyed re-enacting some of the photographs. Thanks to Hagley Hall and Benitta for facilitating our private tour.

One of the questions we were asked most often while living in Canada was, “What do you miss most about the UK?”My answer...
07/05/2026

One of the questions we were asked most often while living in Canada was, “What do you miss most about the UK?”

My answer was always the same: old buildings.

That somehow escalated into a slightly ridiculous challenge. On our return, we decided we’d visit every National Trust property in England. All 500 of them.

Fortunately, common sense prevailed and we’ve now revised the target to a much more achievable 244… the ones with tea rooms. ☕🍰

Yesterday we ticked off No. 1: Hanbury Hall. A beautiful house, glorious gardens, excellent cake, and a very promising start to our entirely scientific research into the nation’s finest National Trust tea rooms.

National Trust Hanbury Hall

As we approach tomorrow’s 4 July celebrations, some images from last month, when I was delighted to be invited by City o...
07/03/2026

As we approach tomorrow’s 4 July celebrations, some images from last month, when I was delighted to be invited by City of London Corporation to a Choral Evensong and reception at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 250th anniversary of US Independence.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues from my time in the City, including the ever-bouncy of the Illustrated London News @ iln_official;
the glorious Superwoman, Assistant Remembrancer (Protocol) Fiona Hoban;
the all-knowing former Remembrancer, Paul Double;
and a clutch of Lord Mayors (what is the collective noun?).

Btw, have included the image of Nelson’s tomb in the crypts because I think it’s just magnificent.

Freemen North America

Back to the County in which I grew up …… to Bromsgrove for their Court Leet Fair Day. Those who know me will know I love...
06/20/2026

Back to the County in which I grew up …… to Bromsgrove for their Court Leet Fair Day. Those who know me will know I love a centuries-old tradition; this celebrates the Royal Charter granted by King John in 1199, allowing the town to hold a market on the feast day of the town’s patron saint, St John the Baptist, when the members of Bromsgrove Court Leet process with visiting dignitaries. Good to meet with the High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Maynard Burton, who sported a magnificent decorative sword (it may also have been functional but luckily it wasn’t put to the test!).

Bradley Thomas MP
Visit Worcestershire Freemen North America

First ‘appearance’ in my new role as Honorary London Clerk of - and a very welcome one. Delighted to support member as...
05/29/2026

First ‘appearance’ in my new role as Honorary London Clerk of - and a very welcome one. Delighted to support member as he was admitted to the Freedom of the City of London. Thanks to for conducting the ceremony.
Although it was the hottest day of the year 🥵!

An update - Back to the UK for good after five very interesting years in Canada, originally in Prince Edward County and ...
05/29/2026

An update -

Back to the UK for good after five very interesting years in Canada, originally in Prince Edward County and then in Toronto.

It’s been rather a whirlwind lately, with much to do, but one of the recent highlights has to be the Masters’ Banquet for , when I became the Immediate Past Master and also Honorary London Clerk, allowing me to continue my work for the Company in the UK.

I was thrilled to be able to welcome our honoured guests to the :

Representing - Chris Hayward and David Vandivier, , the British High Commissioner to Canada, Master Stephen Osborne of the Guild of Freemen of the City of London and consort, and Roshni Prasad.

And invest our new members, .ine.ss Patrick Shea and Dheeraj Bhasin.

A wonderful evening to mark the end of our 🇨🇦 Canadian.

Such an enjoyable evening last week at the British Consul General’s Christmas Party, invited on behalf of . Thank you ....
12/17/2025

Such an enjoyable evening last week at the British Consul General’s Christmas Party, invited on behalf of .
Thank you .younis - you always throw a good party 🎄.

When I suggested that we should relax the dress code for this year’s Christmas gathering of , I’m not sure this is quite...
12/17/2025

When I suggested that we should relax the dress code for this year’s Christmas gathering of , I’m not sure this is quite what I had in mind 🎄🦌 (but they did change later).

We all had so much fun, with great food and service, thanks to , and everyone entered into the party spirit, starting off with a hilarious round of Pass the Parcel. Thanks to everyone who attended and made the evening the success it undoubtedly was. Thanks too to for being such a fantastic prize distributor!



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