Among Pioneers: Maurice Egerton and Early Flight
exhibition
March 22, 2012
Let your imagination take flight with a
new exhibition in the mansion at
Tatton Park, marking the re-opening of the house for
spring.
‘Among Pioneers: Maurice Egerton and
Early Flight’, opens on Saturday, March 24 and explores
the fascinating story of the development of aeroplane flight during
the early 20th century.
Central to the story the exhibition uncovers
is the passionate involvement of Maurice Egerton during this
intense period of exploration into early flight. Maurice,
4th and last Baron Egerton of Tatton (1874-1958) was a
pioneer aviator, photographer, filmmaker, traveller and
motorist.
In 1903 the American Wright brothers made the first controlled,
powered and sustained, heavier-than-air, human flight
in an aeroplane. Inspired by this great event Maurice devoted
a decade of his life to pioneering aviation work, at first
developing his own aircraft, then testing and flying planes,
eventually for the Royal Navy.
The exhibition explores Maurice’s friendships
with some of these early aviators and his personal journey to make
his own ambitions to quite literally, take flight.
Original material from Maurice’s archive and
photographic collection will also be on display.
The exhibition is a collaboration between
Tatton Park and Jim Rait, an aero-engine designer and expert in
aviation history. The exhibition will be supplemented by a
special talk by Jim on Wednesday, September 20, ‘Invention and
adventure – early flight and technology’. Further details can
be found below and on the Tatton
Park website.
Mansion and collections manager Caroline
Schofield said: “Maurice Egerton is something of an enigma. This
quiet, unassuming and shy man is found among the ranks of the
pioneers in the development of early aeroplanes in Britain. Though
a terrible flying accident curtailed feats of daring, he continued
to test and fly aeroplanes during the First World War, employing
his meticulous eye for detail in support of the war effort. ”
‘Among Pioneers: Maurice Egerton
and Early Flight’ exhibition
Saturday, March 24 to Sunday, May 6 2012
(closed Mondays). The Mansion is open from 1pm-5pm (last entry
4pm).
Prices
Adult £5.50, child £3.50 (4-15 years), family
£14.50 (two adults and up to three children). Totally Tatton
tickets (entry to mansion, gardens and farm): adult £10, child £5,
family £14.50. Group discounts for 12 or more people
available if booked in advance. Entrance to the mansion is free for
National Trust members. Park entry charge of £5 per car applies to
all.
‘Invention and adventure – early
flight and technology’ talk:
Wednesday, September 20. 11am-noon. £7.50 per
person.
Jim Rait, aero-engine designer and expert in
aviation history has researched the life and aviation exploits of
Maurice Egerton. Tatton Park’s photographic collection and
Maurice Egerton’s flight-log provides a fascinating insight into
Egerton’s first attempts as a pilot and relations with the aviator
Orville Wright.
Booking in advance essential. Please
call 01625 374428 to book.
For further information about this
release contact:
Eleanor Gorsuch, Marketing
Department
Tel: 01625 374447 / Email:
eleanor.gorsuch@cheshireeast.gov.uk
http://www.tattonpark.org.uk/
Tatton Park is managed and financed by
Cheshire East Council on behalf of the National Trust.
This impressive historic estate receives in
the region of 750,000 visitors every year all of whom come to enjoy
its Georgian mansion, Tudor Old Hall, award- winning gardens and
1930s rare breeds farm. The 1,000-acre deer park is home to
red and fallow deer and the estate also boasts speciality shops,
adventure playground, restaurant and year-round events
programme.
Tatton Park is one of Cheshire’s
leading Gardens of Distinction.
Cheshire’s Gardens of
Distinction programme celebrates the richness and
diversity of Cheshire’s horticultural heritage and green
spaces. Building on the success of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens
08 marketing programme, the project aims to continue to achieve
significant impact for the regional tourism industry from local,
national and international markets. For more information
visit www.visitcheshire.com/gardens
Supported by the European Regional
Development Fund.
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real
difference to people and businesses in the North West. With €755
million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the
competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in
enterprise and employment.
ERDF in the North West is managed by the
Department for Communities and Local Government – for further
information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf.