As National Trust houses start to open their doors to the public again after a long winter, it's time to show our special appreciation for the room stewards and guides. The volunteer-backbone of the Trust's welcome and interpretation, they dedicate their time to making sure that each and every visitor gets the maximum enjoyment and learning out of their visit. As members of the public, we generally only get the chance to look around any house in the Trust's care once, so it is most important that any visit, tour or conversation is both informative and enjoyable.
If you've been to a Trust house and experienced an especially good tour - perhaps your room steward, warden or guide was very funny, dramatic, or informative -then now is the time to show your gratitude by nominating that guide for Country Life's Nation's Favourite National Trust Room Steward or Guide Award. The winner will be selected from the entries by Country Life's Editor, Mark Hedges; Architectural Editor and a former National Trust assistant curator, Jeremy Musson; and author and television presenter Lucinda Lambton.
The prize will be lunch hosted by the judges in a top London restaurant (with travel provided), a year's free subscription to Country Life and a set of six books produced from the extensive archives of the Country Life Picture Library, published by Aurum Press.
Send the name of the National Trust house, the name of your nominee, and up to 100 words saying why you think they qualify by June 22 to Milly Cumming, Country Life, The Blue Fin Building, 110, Southwark Street, SE1 0SU or email holly_kirkwood@ipcmedia.com.
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A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
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The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
