Mansion’s hidden wartime heritage brought back to life

Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, near York, has been awarded more than £42,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards a series of displays, exhibitions and events telling the stories of the men and women based at the Georgian house during the Second World War.

Beningbrough at War will mark the 70th anniversary of the estate’s use as a billet and mess for the Royal Canadian Air Force, having first been a billet for RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

The project was launched yesterday as visitors helped to dig for victory in a new vegetable patch in the walled garden.

Wendy Taylor, Beningbrough at War project officer, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and are excited about creating a Dig for Victory allotment. This will form the first part of the trail through the house and gardens telling the story of Beningbrough at War.”

Fiona Spiers, head of the HLF in Yorkshire, said: “It’s important to remember the huge impact conflicts have at home and abroad. Beningbrough at War will investigate the effect of the Second World War on the hall and its community, exploring the stories of local people and improving the hall’s interpretation of the period.”