Posted: 21.06.2016
I think JK Rowling missed a trick, because Crazy Paving is a fantastic title, and one that has wriggled its way into Cliveden’s lexicon this past month. But I feel I have jumped ahead without introducing myself. Or indeed explaining what Crazy Paving has to do with anything. Don’t worry – we’ll get there.
Hello, my name is Emily and I’m the Senior Visitor Experience Officer here at Cliveden. Since the beginning of April, we’ve had company down on the South Terrace; new people dedicated to looking after Cliveden as much as we are. The South Terrace is the oldest part of the house (the fires of 1795 and 1849 have consigned the rest to contemporary portraits and description) and, like any tricentenarian, it needs a little looking after.
So an enthusiastic team of workers from Dædalus Conservation come in each day before the rest of us have even had our morning cuppa, and help give the Terrace a new lease of life. It’s a unique challenge; working on such an historic site requires careful planning and sensitive handling, and Ian Gangadeen – site manager – is there to oversee and advise as they go. Ian has also managed to translate their work to me, the Ultimate Layperson and I have to say, it’s amazing what they’re doing.
The South Terrace stands above the Ferneries and the Sounding Chamber, both nestled adjacent to the steps. The former - unsurprisingly - was once used to grow and display ferns, and was perhaps part of the 19th century ‘Pteridomania’ or Fern-Fever. The latter is a bit of a mystery, possibly a music room, possibly an entrance hall, possibly a centre for 17th century astrology, but either way they both lie directly underneath the Terrace and have been the unfortunate beneficiaries of something a bit yucky and incredibly detrimental.
Damp.