Weird and Wonderful Wood - Haughley Park

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Weird and Wonderful Wood is an annual event that we had intended to visit in the past, but somehow not managed to make it. Not so this year, as the whole family met in Haughley Park, Wetherden. The event showcases everything wood and includes craftsmen and women with every conceivable skill in wood. Amazing, is my summary of the day. A re-visit next year penciled in!
Demonstrations included furniture making, musical instrument making, displays by traditional fletchers and bowyers (think Middle Ages).


How on earth do they cut such intricate details with a chain saw! With lots of skill to be sure.


Chain saw carving (could have watched for hours) A small mole having a look around. 
Included also, wheel wright, hurdle making, wood turning, pole lathe turning, sign writing, labyrinth making, flute maker as well as coracle making and traditional gypsy caravan displays. On top of which there was a wealth of excellent locally sourced and produced food and drink. A brilliant day out. Beside all this, there were entertainers around the grounds and here are a few images of just a small fraction of what was on show. 



This contraption had various handles for the kids to turn and bubbles then emerged from all sorts of places. The kid loved it.


How about that for a flowered dress!


Haughley Park House in Stowmarket, Suffolk is an historical house of significance listed in the English Heritage Register. It is a large red brick country house built in about 1620 for the Sulyard family who were very prominent landowners in this area. The property remained with this family for two centuries after which it was sold. Today it is a private residence but at certain times of the year the gardens are open for viewing. The barn and gardens are also available for weddings. What a great spot!
Built on the site of a royal hunting ground attached to Haughley castle, the land was granted by Henry VIII to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk who later surrendered it to the Crown. The land was then granted to Sir John Sulyard by Queen Mary (Bloody Mary to most of us) because of the loyalty he had shown when she was deposed. John was a staunch catholic and Lord Chief Justice of England's. The house was subsequently built in the reign of King James I and generations of Sulyards lived there until the end of the 18th century. 
Fast forward to the 20th century and the property was bought in 1924 by Turner Henderson who was the second son of John Henderson owner of Studley Priory in Oxfordshire. 
When he died in 1956 he left Haughley Park to the Zoological Society to be used as a zoological establishment but they declined his offer. Instead Alfred Williams bought the Park to be used as for his poultry processing business. A devastating fire in 1961 gutted some of the house. However it was fully restored by the family three years later. The poultry business was sold but the Williams family still retain ownership of the Park. 
In 2019, plans to build new homes on the former poultry processing site were rejected by the local authority. 


For those who choose to use the exclusive and relaxed hire offered at the Barn, the Farmhouse is the ideal place to be together with family and friends and enhance the enjoyment of your special occasion. Make yourselves at home in this large Victorian property, surrounded by its own spacious gardens. There is plenty of room, outside and in, for guests to unwind and relax.`
So runs the advertising blurb, but by the looks of the farmhouse it would be a great place to spend a few days anytime. I believe this Victorian Farmhouse is only about 75 m from the actual Barn used for the weddings.
This was the view I had from the Weird and Wonderful Wood event we were visiting today.

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