News| Leeds Castle
downsmail.co.uk A new future for Bael Hall
WORK to turn historic Battel Hall in Leeds village into an exclusive venue for weddings and pri- vate dinners is expected to be complete by spring next year.
Until recently, the 14th century
listed hall house in Burberry Lane was used by the previous chief exec- utive, Victoria Wallace, as a family home. It willnowform an important new revenue stream within the es- tate’s property porfolio. Its traditional drawing rooms and
wood panelling mean it is perfectly suited to entertaining guests, while the upstairs will feature five luxuri- ous en-suite guest bedrooms offer- ing views of the gardens, North Downs and glimpses of Leeds Cas- tle. The adjacent grade two listed Battel Oast is also being improved to offer another six en-suite rooms, in- cluding an accessible ground floor bedroom. Workon the medieval hall, which
is said to be unique in England for its architectural features, is being car- ried out under the guidance of Leeds Castle’s heritage consultant, Historic England, and Maidstone Council’s conservation officer. The castle says it hopes the restoration of both buildings, which includes roof repairs and general renovation to the fabric of the build- ing, will better reflect their past glory.Workoutside, which includes a new car park, is expected to be fin- ished by the autumn, with the inter- nal alterations continuing to next spring 2017, with a proposed open- ing date set forsummer2017, subject to the outcome of the planning ap- plication. Bill Lash, project director at Leeds
Concert ticket
sales falter THE organisers of Leeds Castle’s summer concert blamed Brexit un- certainty for stalling ticket sales. Heritage Events said that while
the usual last-minute demand for tickets failed to materialise, sales overall remained on a par with 2015, at 10,135 – down less than 100 on last year – in spite of suggestions that the event was less well sup- ported. Aspokesman said: “Tickets sales
were definitely not as busy in the last two weeks but the final num- bers were pretty much the same as last year.” “I think Brexit had an impact,
with people waiting to see what happens with the economy.” The concert boasted a new celebrity compere, Aled Jones, with the traditional flyby and fireworks proving show-stoppers for the con- cert by the Royal Philharmonic Or- chestra. Guest appearances included The Definitive Rat Pack and their glamorous backing singers The Golddiggers.
8 Maidstone East August 2016
History of high status home
A MEDIEVAL building dating from the early 14th century, Bat- tel Hall is a fine example of Kent architecture from the Middle Ages. Built by Thomas de la Bataille,
The living room at Battel Hall, which is being refurbished (right)
Castle, said:“We intend to open Bat- tel Hall as an attractive, tranquil and elegant 14th century accommoda- tion and private functions facility in summer 2017 subject to the outcome of our planning application. “Preserving historical features and opening up properties such as Battel Hall and Battel Oast allows Leeds Castle Foundation to preserve his- torical buildings and features for the enjoyment of guests and to create revenue streams that secure the long-term future of the 900-year-old castle.” He has met Leeds parish council-
lors to give an assurance that the im- pact on the village will be minimal. He said: “Indeed, we hope that the development of this wonderful duo of buildings will enhance the bound- ary of the village and the estate”.
the master mason to King Ed- ward II, its fine architectural fea- tures suggest it was specifically intended for a person of high sta- tus, and was probably occupied by a senior member of Queen Is- abella’s retinue during her own- ership of Leeds Castle and the manor from 1327 to 1358. The panelling in its dining
Mrs Wallace lived in the house
with husband Sean and daughters Emily and Georgia for much of the decade shewas in charge at the cas- tle. They now live near Mote Park in Maidstone. Both daughters are pupils at Invicta Grammar School. MrsWallace left the castle to take
up her role as director general of Commonwealth War Graves Com- mission. TheWallaces still take an active in- terest in village life in Leeds.
room – installed in the 1950s – was that removed from Leeds Castle’s library by the castle’s last private owner, Lady Baillie, who stored it in a barn until a use could be found for it. It was clev- erly recut by her designer, Stephane Boudin, to fit its new home. Subject to planning approval,
Battel Hall, which is cloaked in a beautiful 100-year-old wisteria, will become a venue for all sea- sons, with open fires in the winter and doors from the library open- ing to its extensive gardens for occasions in summer.
Meet castle’s new residents
IT MIGHT be hard to believe but these scrawny, featherless fledglings will one day soon be magnificent kookaburras. The pair were born in captiv-
ity at Leeds Castle to their par- ents, called Melman and Sydney. They are the first of their kind to be bred at the tourist attraction. The birds – one of which has
The scrawny fledglings, above, will soon turn into handsome kookaburras like those pictured left
been named Irwin after the nat- uralist Steve Irwin – will be trained and eventually used in falconry displays. The kookaburra is a native kingfisher in Australia and New Guinea. The bird derives its name
from the distinctive “laughing” call it makes, usually at dawn when it is in the wild. Whilst it is an excellent fish- hunter, it will take a variety of prey, including snakes, insects and birds.
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