VISIT TO LYDNEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 August 1942, Page 5

VISIT TO LYDNEY

MR NASH ENTERTAINED BY THE BLEDISLOES London, Aug. 10. En route to Kidderminster, Mr Nash was entertained at Lydney by Lord and Lady Bledisloe. Mr Nash was greatly interested to see a stained glass window which Lord Bledisloe presented to the ancient Lydney Church, which has a steeple built by Wren. The window reproduces a view of Mount Cook and the Franz Josef Glacier seen from the Waiho Church altar. It includes figures of Christ and worshipping angels, a Maori maiden, and a pilgrim, with the inscription, “I will lift up mine eyes to the hills.” It is a unique window in Britain, and will perpetuate the link between New Zealand and Lydney. Mr Nash was also greatly interested in Lord Bledisloe’s fine New Zealand museum, which includes many New Zealand presentations and Maggie Papakura’s greenstone mere, also kauri and rata bowls. Mr Nash learned that Lord Bledisloe produced a record crop of wheat, 60 bushels to the acre, while also growing such varied crops as lucerne, sunflowers for poultry, and frost-resisting beans. He saw Lydney Park’s herd of deer, now greatly reduced owing to the war. He was photographed with Lord and Lady Bledisloe in front of a bed of New Zealand dahlias, of which the Bledisloes are justifiably proud, and which Queen Mary greatly admired last year.