Witley Court gown has been part of our family for four generations

7:52am Tuesday 20th May 2008

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THE proposed sale of historic Witley Court has brought back cherished memories for a Worcester family.

In 1915 newlyweds William and Ada Francis - who worked at the grand country estate - were given a beautiful hand-made christening gown. It had been made a few years earlier for baby George Reginald Ward, the third Earl of Dudley.

When their daughter Mary Francis was born, she too was christened in the gown and so began a family tradition that has lasted four generations.

The embroided cotton gown is being looking after by Mary's daughter, 72-year-old Nora Bishop, of Kielder Rise, St John's.

"My grandparents used to talk about Witley Court an awful lot," said Mrs Bishop, who was christened in the gown, as was her sister, her three children, her seven nephews and nieces, and grandchildren.

"They had left by the time of the fire but my grandad was really upset to see it end like that."

William Francis worked in the Witley Court gardens, while his wife worked in the kitchen.

The gown, given to them by the seamstress who made it, was last used 18 years ago and Mrs Bishop is keeping it safe until it is needed again.

"It's broderie anglaise with short sleeves and it's very long," she said.

"Each time I wash it it comes up beautifully white again. It's just perfect."

As revealed by your Worcester News, the Witley Court estate was put up for sale by the current owners, the Wigington family, last month.

It is being sold in seven lots, ranging in price from £15,000 to £150,000.

Lot seven - the ruined 19th-century mansion and spectacular Perseus and Andromeda fountain - will remain under the legal guardianship of English Heritage.

The other six, however, could be developed by new owners.

Jonathan Mountford, associate director of Andrew Grant estate agent's commercial section which is handling the sale, said there has been a steady flow of interest. "There has been interest from the local parish and from St Michael and All Angels Church next door to the mansion," said Mr Mountford.

"Some people don't want to see it broken up and some people are looking at different angles."