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Chartered Institute of
Arbitrators South East Branch Friday 28th September 2007
Barnett Hill is a beautiful Queen Anne-style mansion set in 26 acres of stunning landscaped gardens and woodlands, surprisingly just 5 minutes outside Guildford. It was nothing more than a wooded hilltop when Frank Cook, the grandson of the famous travel agent Thomas Cook, bought the site in 1905. He built the house for the princely sum of £35,000. In 1940, the then widowed Mrs Cook handed the house over to the Red Cross and St John War Organisation to use as a convalescent hospital. Four years later she handed the deeds of the house to the British Red Cross, who after the war turned Barnett Hill into their National Training Centre. Due to the high running cost of the centre, in the mid-1970s the Red Cross decided to open the doors to the business world and special occasions, commercial courses, conferences and latterly weddings have been held here since 1976. The stunning architecture has been carefully maintained, and the house and grounds are continually evolving - many projects are always taking place on the estate, but the overall ambience is kept and many of the original features can still be seen. The summer house, tea house and greenhouse are all in original condition and the yew hedges, lily pond and many mature trees show how the estate looked in the days of the Cooks. The grounds are 360ft above sea level, with
magnificent views over the Surrey hills. From the Camellia bank Charterhouse
School can be seen, and Guildford Cathedral can be viewed from the Woodland
Walk. The architecture has been meticulously enhanced with beautiful decor,
creating a timeless world of elegance and serenity that makes Barnett Hill a
very special venue.
Our dinner will be held in the Oak Hall, a stunning oak-panelled room overlooking the attractive lawns and woodland. As beautiful today as it was 100 years ago, the Oak Hall bestows its turn-of-the-century charm upon every occasion it hosts. The combination of superb food, first-rate service and spectacular location will make this year's Branch Dinner at Barnett Hill a truly memorable occasion for all the right reasons. Tickets for the Dinner cost £62.50 per person, to include pre-dinner drinks, a four course dinner prepared by Barnett Hill's superb chefs and, of course, wine with our meal. We are also delighted that Barnett Hill will offer members and their guests a very reasonable preferential rate for overnight accommodation should they wish to stay after the dinner. We have been offered a rate of £95 B&B for a double room and £75 B&B for a single room. Bookings for accommodation are subject to availability and should be made directly with Barnett Hill (tel. 01483 893361). Please mention that you are attending the CIArb South East Branch Dinner to ensure that you are offered the correct price. If you would like to join your fellow members and their guests at this year's delightful Annual Dinner, please download and complete the Booking Form and return it as soon as possible to Helena Brown, Branch Chairman CIArb South East Branch, c/o MCMS Limited, 45 Tabernacle Street, London EC2A 4AA. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on 21st October. Do check out the following web links; Click here to Download a PDF to view the history of Barnett HillHelena Brown |
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We are delighted that this year's CIArb South East
Branch Annual Dinner will be held at Barnett Hill, an intimate and elegant
country house tucked away in the peaceful, densely wooded Surrey countryside.
