Wheathampstead Magazine

 

Built in 1611, Hatfield House is a country house set in a large park, the Great Park, on the eastern side of Hatfield only about 7 miles from Wheathampstead.

The present Jacobean house was built by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I and has been the home of the Cecil family ever since. The estate includes extensive grounds and surviving parts of an earlier palace. The house is currently the home of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury, and it is open to the public.

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The weather was very kind when the Wheathampstead Dementia Wellbeing Group ('WDWG') visited Hatfield house. The eighteen strong group, including around five helpers, enjoyed the visit touring the gardens and the house itself, stopping off for lunch along the way in the River Cottage Restaurant.

One of the group’s supporters on the day told MiniMagazines, “The day was a great success and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff were very helpful, cheerful and efficient, which gave the extra touches to our visit. The buggy service was a welcomed addition, making the trip available to all of our party as they took some of us from the car parking area to the Stable Yard/River Cottage Restaurant and Coffee shop and then onto the House and gardens. The tour guides were interesting and helpful, especially with our wheelchair users who facilitated the lifts available in the House.” 

 

It seems that WDWG are a lively, supportive and welcoming group who organise various outings, visits and lunches through the year. With the aim of increasing awareness of this year one of the group, members devised a quiz with questions about Dementia as well as local history for Village Day. Around 100 quiz sheets were picked up from the WDWG' stall on the day and a winner, Bel Bluemel, came from the many entries received.

 

The Group are always keen to welcome new members, so do go along to one of the regular Coffee Mornings which are held at the Mead Hall on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, 10.30 to 12 pm.