Copper and Lace

Fantastic feature of the grounds here at High Leigh are the trees - the size and variety of them. This is a copper beech. Looking back to the house, the original parts were built by a Mr Webb who made his fortune in gold lace during the Crimean War (why would gold lace be a hit during a war??).

This was then bought in 1871 by Robert Barclay of the missionary and banking family, who much improved it and gave it the name it has today. Since 1921, it has been a Christian Conference Centre - along with its two sister centres, at Swanwick and Belsey Bridge in E Anglia.

Walked down memory lane today as went to see our alma mater, All Nations, where M and I met - another beautiful building.