OUR new season's programme began with a talk by Spencer Trickett, of English Heritage, about Witley Court.

He set the scene by showing us slides of the new paths from the Visitors' Centre, along refurbished Victorian pathways through the woodland walks, to the house.

He explained that English Heritage was very careful when planning this work, to ensure that the wildlife would not be disturbed.

In the grounds can be found adders, slow worms, muntjack deer and five different types of bats. As the bats are protected animals, their roosting sites can restrict both building and access to certain areas.

There has been a dwelling on the site of Witley Court since 1066, when the land was bought for a small manor house, which was completed 20 years later. The medieval undercroft is still in existence under the present building.

For seven generations the house belonged to the Foley family who gained their wealth through nail making, but in1846 the house was inherited by William Humble Ward who later became the first Earl of Dudley.

It was he who developed the house and gardens into one of England's finest country house estates, although it was only one of his properties; the place where he entertained on a lavish scale.

The second Earl of Dudley continued entertaining at Witley and the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) was a frequent visitor.

It is estimated that the family income from coal and iron was around £900,000 a year. However, the property became surplus to the family's requirements and it was sold to Herbert Smith, a carpet manufacturer.

In 1937 a fire started in the bakery underneath part of the house. Unfortunately the house was underinsured. The fire did some, but not a great deal, of damage. The worst damage was done by the next owner of the house, an antiques dealer who stripped the house of everything that could be taken away, and then left it to become a ruin.

By the 1970s the building was declared unsafe and there were plans to clear the site and turn it into a go-cart track. However the Department of the Environment stepped in and began to make the site safe. English Heritage have owned the site since 1984.

Spencer explained that work to preserve the site is ongoing, but the aim will never be to rebuild the house. The gardens are being re-established in the 18th century style, and the wonderful Perseus and Andromeda fountain has been restored and now fires on the hour. This is a truly spectacular and atmospheric ruin which can be visited time and time again.

The next meeting of the Society will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday, October 9 at Webheath Village Hall, when Bernard Pumfrey will speak on Shires and Spires -the story and sights of Oxford.