GIFT TO NATION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 180, 1 August 1944, Page 4

GIFT TO NATION

ANOTHER "STATELY HOME" "HAUNT OF ANCIENT PEACE" LONDON. Lady Montgomery - Massingberd, Major Norman Leith-Hay-Clark, and Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Montgomery Massingberd, as trustees of the Gunby Hall Estate, have presented the hall, its contents, and approximately 1500 acres of land to the National Trust.

Gunby is on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds, near Spilsby, some eight miles from Skegness and not far from Tennyson's home at Somersby. It was of Gunby that Tennyson wrote the lines, "a haunt of -ancient peace." The house is of red brick with stone coins, and was built in 1700 by Sir William Massingberd, whose family had been settled in the neighbourhood since early in the 13th century. The architect is unknown, but the house is typical of the William and Mary period. It has a fine oak staircase of twisted balusters and nearly every room lined with contemporary wainscoting. Included with the contents are numerous deeds and papers of real antiquity and interest connected with the family, and family portraits. Among these are two by Sir Joshua Reynolds—of Bennet Langton, the friend of Dr. Johnson, and of his wife Mary, Countess Dowager of Rothes. Sir Archibald and Lady Montgom-ery-Massmgberd will continue to live at Gunby, which after the war will be open to visitors, and it is hoped the long family association with the place will be retained after their time.