Family ‘mucking in’ to help run historic estate

By Marilyn Barber

If you are responsible for a large estate, which has been in your family for nearly 500 years, lockdown presents some interesting challenges.

The historic Deans Court Estate, which is a stone’s throw from the centre of the town of Wimborne Minster, is run by Sir William and Lady Ali Hanham. The earliest part of the house formed part of the Saxon monastery of Wimborne, which was founded in AD 705.

The estate portfolio includes residential and commercial properties in the town, more than 100 allotments, a vintage lifestyle shop, a health food café and holiday cottages and houses. Deans Court hosts numerous activities including open air theatres, pop-up social suppers, courses, workshops and fly-fishing - and of course these have all come to a halt.

“We haven’t been affected appallingly by the lockdown, although of course income is much reduced,” said Sir William, adding that it was sad to have to furlough staff.

“We were very fortunate as the weekend before the lockdown was announced a number of the members of Ali’s family came to visit.”

It was only supposed to be for the weekend, but they have ended up staying to help out on the estate. The garden extends to 13 acres and each year is opened under the National Garden Scheme. However 2020 dates have been suspended until further notice.

The Hanhams have retained one gardener for the kitchen garden, which was the first organic garden to be accredited by the Soil Association under the supervision of Sir William’s mother Lady Jane Hanham.

“Life is very different, but everyone is mucking in. I have to say we are enjoying the peace and quiet, and with no staff running in and out we have much more privacy.”

Weddings are held in a marquee set alongside the lake, but these have either been postponed until later in the year or to 2021.

“At the moment we are all mucking in and taking it in turns to cook. For instance we have a curry night,” said Sir William.

Lady Ali added, ”We now have a much slower pace of life, and I am sure we will all think about life very differently in the future. We are getting back to nature.”

Environmental issues are hugely important to Sir William and he is working towards a new project.

“We have 130 acres of land south of the River Stour between Canford and Julians bridges, which has been let out to a farmer, who is leaving in October. We hope to re-wild it, returning it to its natural habitat to encourage wildlife. Dorset Wildlife Trust are helping me and we are hoping it will become a new nature reserve, but not for public access.”