Eastnor is a great place for outdoor action with woods, hidden valleys, hills and open parkland inviting the adventurous and energetic to organised events. We have had mountain bike races and triathlons as well as local cadet forces and others training on our land. The first major outdoor event was probably a Scout Jamboree in 1937, which was attended by Lord Baden Powell himself and is commemorated by a grove of oaks planted in the Park.

Two weeks ago, our colleagues from D3 held the first Eastnor Mud Runner challenge, a gruelling 6 mile race in a winding and heavily undulating course through the estate. We knew off-road driving in the mud worked for Land Rover: would it also appeal to athletes? A muddy face on the leaflets and posters seemed to have remarkable appeal, and by the big day we had over 300 entries.

That was all good news. The organisation was good and everyone turned up at the right place. But there was a concern, after a month without rain, that there would not be enough mud and we would disappoint our contestants. In the event, all went well.

The springs in the woods were still working and a final section across a shallow part of the lake ensured that there was lots of mud to be hosed off afterwards when the contestants finished in the castle courtyard.

A local team won more prizes than the rest, and we are looking forward to hosting another event like this next autumn on 17th October 2010 …. and possibly one earlier if we can.

Start training NOW if you are interested!                 JH-B

We finished our visitor season in a puff of smoke, with 10 traction engines, steam rollers and wagons on parade and in steam, of course, in the Courtyard. It was a good display, and it was good to see a Herefordshire Council steam roller, which I remember working in the 1960s, in the line up.

Three engines were from the Eastnor collection, with the roller which we still use from time to time on the estate roads and the Foden steam tractor I restored in the 1970s. There was even a Foden wagon that had gone to repair roads behind the lines in the 1st World War and stayed on afterwards, with the convenience of having been built with left-hand drive.

 The day before, the drivers lit their fires and had a road run to the Farmer’s Arms in Castlemorton, involving a challenging climb and descent over the Malvern Hills, but with more than adequate refreshment for the men at their destination-and water for the engines.

We had over 600 visitors on the Sunday, and everyone seemed to appreciate the friendly and informal atmosphere. A few years ago, we were lucky enough to get Fred Dibnah to meet the visitors, and there were long queues for his autograph and the chance to hear his inimitable tones first hand. He was a great enthusiast for old machines, steam and old houses, not to mention fine ale, and did much to explain to a wider audience the interest and appeal of this part of the heritage. He is much missed, but, of course, the TV programmes he made which included Eastnor keep his memory alive.        JH-B