Memories Needed for Research on Croome Court

BY: STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Jul 23, WORCESTER, UK (MALVERN GAZETTE) — People who remember the Hare Krishna presence in the area during the early 1980s are being sought as part of a new research project. The National Trust is hoping to piece together information about the devotees when they lived at Croome Court, near Upton, from the late 1970s to mid 1980s.

Croome Court was purchased by the Hare Krishna’s in the late 1970s and became the British Headquarters of ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness), and known as Chaitanya College.

All of the British administration, including a novice training programme and a school, were set up there and The Chapel was turned into a temple room. More than 150 devotees lived at Croome Court, and a number of married couples lived in the Worcester suburbs.

Now local historian Chris Upton is recording people’s memories of that period to create an oral history that will be kept in Croome’s archives for generations to come. Anyone who wishes to share their memories is urged to attend “Memory Days” taking place from 10am-3pm on Thursday (July 30) in Pershore and the same times the following day (July 31) in Worcester.

Dr. Upton explained: “I’m really excited to be involved in this project which is giving me a fascinating insight into the Hare Krishna movement. “I hope that as many people as possible who remember the devotees being in Worcestershire, will attend the drop-in days and share their memories.”

The scheme is part of the National Trust’s “Whose Story?” project, which aims to reveal the hidden cultural histories of West Midlands properties.

Project outreach officer Joyce Wallace said: “We are calling on the public to help us raise the profile of this important part of Croome Park’s history.”

For more information call 0791 112 2974 or email joyce.wallace@nationaltrust.org.uk

About Croome Court:

Croome Court is said to be one of the best houses of its era to be designed by Capability Brown and Robert Adam. It was Brown's first private commission, which he designed in his Palladian style. The interiors by Robert Adam served as a prototype for his other great landscapes, including Chatsworth House and Blenheim Palace.

Croome Court was visited by George III, Queen Victoria and George V. During the Second World War it housed the Dutch Royal family, who were escaping the Nazi occupation of Holland. In the 1940's the Coventry family had to sell the Court. It was subsequently used as a school, and then became a Hare Krishna community asrama. It then laid empty for 12 years until again becoming a private home.

In 2007, Croome Court was bought from the private owner by The Croome Heritage Trust, which now manages the property along with the National Trust. The Mansion is now open to the public and is being renovated.