On Sunday, July 28th, the grounds of Cumberland Lodge were full of people enjoying a Summer Garden Party with live music from clarinet ensemble No Strings Attached, and the Blue Sky Big Band.

Guests enjoyed a sizzling barbecue and refreshments on the lawn of the Grade 2 listed, 17th-century Lodge, which has been home to an educational foundation that promotes more peaceful, open and inclusive societies, for more than 70 years.

There was face painting and entertainment for children, garden games for young and old, a raffle, horse-drawn carriage rides with Windsor Carriages, and tours of the house throughout the afternoon.

Emma Albery, the Friends, Alumni and Outreach Officer at Cumberland Lodge, said, ‘It was a great day and a wonderful atmosphere, and we raised a good amount of money that will contribute to running our conference series, student programmes and scholarships.

The grounds were buzzing with hundreds of people enjoying themselves. Many of them hadn’t visited Cumberland Lodge before, so we had the chance to tell them more about our charitable work and upcoming events, and to share this beautiful place with them for the first time.’

The event was kindly supported by sponsors, Knight Frank, Savills, and Bonham Property Services.

Cumberland Lodge will be opening its doors once again, over the weekend of 14th-15th September, as part of the Heritage Open Days festival. There will be free tours from 10am till 4pm. Places must be reserved in advance, and reservations will open shortly, at cumberlandlodge.ac.uk .

 

 

Founded in 1947, with the support of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Cumberland Lodge is a charity that empowers people, through dialogue and debate, to tackle the causes and effects of social division. We specialise at bringing together people of every background, generation and perspective, in an inclusive environment, to address pressing social and ethical matters that have the potential to fracture communities.

Through conferences, panel debates, workshops and retreats, Cumberland Lodge generate creative ideas that will influence policy and improve public awareness and understanding. The 2018-19 series focuses on ‘Identities & Belonging’, and draws to a close at the end of August.