Sunday 27th July will see much fun and merrymaking in the grounds of Kingswood House. The Friends of Kingswood House have organised a Festival and everyone is invited.
For those of you who don’t know, Kingswood House is a Grade 2 listed building at the heart of Kingswood Estate in Seeley Drive SE21. It was built by John Lawson Johnson of Bovril fame and was the home of William Vestey when he was ennobled – taking on the title of Baron Vestey of Kingswood.
Entertainment, Stalls and Childrens’ Activities
Jane Wenlock, Secretary of the Friends of Kingswood House, says, “The idea of the Festival is that the local residents and those who attend classes at and near the Estate can have a chance of displaying their talents.”
“Last year Kingsdale School band came and paraded around the Estate encouraging people to come to the Festival and putting on a grand performance. We have had wonderful pageants, and performances of drumming, dancing, singing, and acting over the years from both children and adults.”
“In addition to the entertainment there will be the usual stalls in the grounds, including activities for children, and a fire engine (depending on what other calls there are on it on that day), refreshments, and a display on the history of Bovril.”
London Open House Weekend
Although the House itself will not be open to the public on the festival day, there will be an opportunity to see inside on Sunday 21 September as part of London Open House Weekend. Amongst the many rooms on view will be a great hall which is now a library with an octagonal ‘tea cabin’ room where children can read their books and have stories, a fine billiard room and the Culloden Room, which is supposed to be a reproduction of Queen Mary’s apartment in Holyrood Palace.
There are also embroidered wall hangings, oak panelling, marble floors and fire places, and a galleried staircase. Several of the fire backs are reputed to have come from St Cloud Palace when it was destroyed during the Franco-Prussian War.
Kingswood House needs Friends
Says Jane, “It is wonderful for the Estate to have a beautiful building as its centrepiece; but if it is to survive and flourish the building needs Friends to keep it vibrant and full of activity and to support those who run and maintain it. We assist with the Festival and Open House Day, and in the past have held envisioning exercises, obtained funding for a tapestry and for youth and children’s activities (though not at present as we do not have anyone on our committee who can cope with the paperwork ).”
“We would like the Festival to become an annual event but are not always able to raise sufficient funds. We raise a little money from the £5 Friends membership fee and from having stalls at various events and last year were able to buy a bench for the Estate so that residents can sit on their way to and from the shops and admire the rose garden.”
“We need more Friends who can help with events, give some tender loving care to the rose garden,which was planted in memory of JF Kennedy, help on the committee, bring the website – www.kingswoodcommunity.org.uk – up to date -we have not been able to do so for a year, help with fund raising, and generally support those who run an ageing but loved House which also has to contend with the modern scourges of vandalism and lead pilfering.”
Any Dulwich groups who might want to join in this year’s Festival or future events can contact Jane Wenlock at: wenlockrj@aol.com .
The Festival is on Sunday 27 July from 1pm at Kingswood House, Seeley Drive, SE21.
You can see inside Kingswood House on Sunday 21 September from 1pm to 4.30pm as part of London Open House weekend.
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