As the first brisk morning of fall 2022 filled North Texas, the Dallas Arboretum was already starting to bulge with cars lining up for parking on Tuesday, October 18.
But a few cars were directed over to A Tasteful Place where the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum‘s A Writer’s Garden VIP reception was taking place with the big draw being a photo opp with A Writer’s Garden’s keynote speaker Lady Fiona Carnarvon of Highclere Castle (the real “Downton Abbey”).
Like the night before at the event’s patron party, guests decided to be early birds and queued up for champagne, coffee, and chocolate, pumpkin, spice and bacon and egg and cheese cake balls. Instead of the traditional straight lineup for a step-and-repeat with the guest of honor, the arrangement had a Six Flags style round-about leading to Lady C seated in front of a backdrop with a vase of flowers.
After just a couple of test shots, Lady C asked if she could take a moment to get a cup of coffee, where she joined Venise Stuart and Jan Harbour. There was something so affable about the first lady of Highclere that, almost immediately, everyone was feeling like they were old friends catching up.
As she returned to her chair, an efficient volunteer herded guests including Anne Stodghill, Kristina Wrenn, Jolie Humphrey, Nikki Beneke, Stacey Wiggins, Lisa Meyer, Linda Spina, Cathey Humphreys and Presenting Co-Sponsor Dr. Linda Burk for their brief moment (“We only have two seconds per person”) with her ladyship.
Unfortunately, the layout of the photo session had a brief opening between the entry and the photo setup, inducing many to shortcut straight from walking in the door to commandeering a high top near the spread of champagne flutes to chat and watch Lady C. Pretty soon this area became so crowded that the volunteer scooted them out the door like a drill sergeant.
It was a bit unnecessary, since there were rarely more than four people in line waiting for a photo. The mass of guests was still munching their way along the buffet setup and a bit confused about filling out cards for their moment with her ladyship.
At one point there was no one in line, and Lady C’s agents were having their photos taken with her when the sarge again did a sweeping away of the area. Only this time her gracious factor was not so royal, much to the chagrin of Women’s Council President Sarah Jo Hardin and Writer’s Garden Co-Chairs Therese Rourk and Dyann Skelton, who quickly apologized for the situation.
Eventually, the VIP’s made their way to Rosine Hall for lunch and a presentation by Lady C that included:
- “I’m taking you to a different world,” inside Highclere Castle, which we’ve all seen with Downton Abbey. But now, we’re exploring the four seasons of the grounds of Highclere – the new book is called “Seasons at Highclere.”
- Everywhere you look are beautiful views with paths made on purpose not only for humans to enjoy, but also for wildlife; trees placed to encourage wandering; flowers planted to encourage insect and bee habitat.
- The grounds include nine miles of roads, arboretums, gardens, and ancient woodlands.
- All of the grounds are planted with the changing of the seasons in mind. There’s an area for each season.
- In 1908 there were 100 gardeners. There are 4 today. Lady C is very involved in planting. Even her husband plants with her at times when she knows he needs to get away. She brings him outside and they plant together.
- A garden living space for all of us to enjoy.
- She loves walking her seven dogs.
- Among the menagerie residing at Highclere are Lady Mary, the Pig and horses, sheep and lambs named after characters in Downtown Abbey. Chickens have the names of characters from Jane Austen books.
- Lady C admits to having an obsession with gardens. After WWII, there were very small, slim gardens. She has reinstated much of the gardens and is continuing to expand them in very thoughtful ways.
- She and her husband love to “Beat the Bounds,” which means walk the boundaries.
- Walking around the property, you never know what you are going to find: A grove of trees… a field of flowers… rolling hills. There are both productive and ornamental gardens and 200 acres to mow.
- There is a rose arbor that Lady C works on herself in honor of her mother.
- Now is the time she’s getting ready for the holidays, with 60 Christmas trees. The main one they had last year was taller than the ones at Windsor or Buckingham Palace.
- They plant their own plants. “Just getting your hands dirty I find fills the soul.”
- There are greenhouses for tropical fruits, plus an orangery and an lemonary.
- Lady C launched the Lady Carnarvon Rose and Highclere Castle Rose.
- She loves taking the time to stand and stare at the mists over the rolling hills, across the flowers and through the trees, especially in autumn. She loves to sit and enjoy the glades of color.
- She has built 12 follies around the grounds for people to gather, have a picnic, enjoy the view and each other’s company. They even create picnics with food from the land to the table.
- What they can’t grow at Highclere, they outsource locally.
- Highclere Castle Gin has won 74 gold and platinum awards … in partnership with USA. The bottle is a purply blue, which is the Bishop’s color.
- She is looking forward to Chateau Highclere vineyards developing a pink sparkling wine.
- An Egyptian History Festival to celebrate her next book — “The Earl and the Pharaoh.”
- “Highclere Castle is a home much loved by people beyond its boundaries.”
- She invited guests to become Friends of Highclere. Friends have access to 2D and 3D opportunities, so they can put them on and feel like they’re actually being served dinner inside Highclere.
She ended her talk with the Old Irish Blessing:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
An hour after the talk had begun, guests were still wanting more. But then there was the live auction that achieved nearly $20K and Lady C’s signing books that quickly sold out. But not to disappoint, she signed bookplates.
* Graphic provided by Women's Council of the Dallas Arboretum