Norwood Park is set to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a charity Afternoon Tea event to raise vital funds for the British Red Cross while paying tribute to its lesser-known role in the war effort.
Taking place on Thursday 8th May, the event will bring together local residents, historians, and members of the community to honour the courage, sacrifice, and spirit of those who served both on and off the battlefield.
A Community Celebration of Service and Remembrance
Guests will be welcomed to the historic Norwood Hall for an afternoon tea-style buffet, accompanied by a display of wartime memorabilia, historic photographs, live performances from the Mansfield Male Voice Choir with representatives from the Red Cross in attendance.
Additional informative talks will share untold stories of Norwood Park’s history and role during WWII while the estate’s resident metal detectorist will display finds uncovered across the estate, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past beneath our feet.
Speaking on the upcoming celebration, Madeleine Walker, General Manager at Norwood Park, said: “We are incredibly proud to be hosting this event. It’s a chance to bring the community together, honour our estate’s connection to the war effort, and shine a light on the quiet acts of service carried out behind the scenes.”
Honouring Norwood Park’s Wartime History
During the Second World War, Norwood Hall served as a convalescent home for wounded servicemen, under the care of the British Red Cross Society. Between 1942 and 1946, the estate provided a place of recovery, rehabilitation, and rest for those returning from the frontline.
The Hall was fitted with 100 hospital beds, 12 of which were located in the Drawing Room which is most regularly used today as a ceremony space for weddings, while nurses worked tirelessly to care for the wounded.
Over the course of the war, the estate is estimated to have housed well over 1,000 servicemen. Soldiers arrived at the Norwood Estate, from Harlow Wood Orthopaedic hospital, many having sustained significant injuries. In their initial stay at Norwood, many patients arrived in plaster casts, some were bed bound and some hobbled about on crutches and walking sticks, making the best of it.
After 4-6 weeks of rest and rehabilitation under the care of Red Cross nurses, patients were transferred back to Harlow Wood Orthopaedic Hospital to have their casts removed after which they returned to Norwood to undertake a programme of physical rehabilitation and PT on the estate lawn under the watchful eye of Sargent Bradley, the Physical Training Officer stationed at Norwood Park.
Wartime Memories
Sir John Starkey Bt, who is the current custodian of the Norwood Park Estate was just a young boy during the war, but remembers the era vividly: “As a child, I was fascinated by the plaster casts the servicemen wore and used to plead with them to bring one back after their hospital visit so I could try them on for size. Sadly, none ever did, though I suppose they weren’t allowed to!”
Reminiscing about the period, Sir John added: “The servicemen living on the estate were incredibly kind to us children. For my fourth birthday, they crafted a Greenline Double Decker Bus out of wood, which I still have to this day. I believe they made a wheelbarrow for my sister, too — a more practical gift so she could help the gardener in the kitchen garden!”
In a touching gesture, Sir John will also be celebrating his 87th birthday on the day—inviting fellow residents to join in marking the occasion with a slice of birthday cake. He remarked: “As a seven-year-old, I remember the excitement of VE Day so clearly — I hung Union Jack flags in my bedroom, and we celebrated all around the house.
“It’s a date that has always held great personal significance for me, feeling even more meaningful that my birthday falls on the day. Marking the date with this anniversary event will be an incredible moment of remembrance and celebration.”
Unsung Heroes
Alongside the incredible contributions of those on the frontline, the contributions and support of those at home was paramount. Among those quietly supporting the war effort from home was Frank Jordan, a WWI veteran himself, who tended Norwood’s wartime Kitchen Garden supplying the House chefs with fresh produce used to feed the recovering servicemen throughout their stay on the estate. His daily work is a further example of the many unsung heroes who contributed behind the scenes.
Call for Memorabilia and Local Involvement
Norwood Park is inviting local historical societies and residents to participate by showcasing their own wartime memorabilia. Guests are encouraged to wear or bring items of historical significance—whether personal heirlooms, medals, or photographs—as a way of sharing stories and keeping memories alive.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday 8th May 2025
- Time: Guests are welcome from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, afternoon tea served at 3:00pm
- Location: Norwood Hall, Norwood Park Estate, Halam Road, Southwell, NG25 0PF
- Tickets: Minimum donation of £15 per adult / £5 per child
- Proceeds: All profits to be donated to the British Red Cross
- Booking: Visit norwoodpark.co.uk/whatson or contact events@norwoodpark.co.uk / 01636 302099
Main image shows Norwood Park Estate. Photo credit – Rachael Phillips Photography.
