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| The Anne Carpmael Trust |
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Who was
Anne Carpmael?
Anne was born in London, the
youngest of a family of nine
children. As a young women
during WWII she opened a
high-class, second-hand clothes
shop in Knightsbridge and it was
during this time that she met
her first husband, Jock Wise.
Jock was a legendary oarsman;
multiple winner of the Wingfield
Skulls, head coach to the
Balliol VIII, the winning team
in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat
Race in 1950 and President of
the London Rowing club. Anne and
Jock loved the country and
looking for a holiday retreat
discovered Withymead. At that
time it was just a small
cottage, fronting the river. As
the surrounding land came up for
sale, they gradually bought it
to preserve the flora and fauna.
Anne was a keen rower and very
much involved with the London
Rowing Club. When Jock died she
was honoured by being the first
Chairwoman of the London Rowing
Club.
Anne’s second husband, Philip
Carpmael was also a keen
oarsman. He was Captain of the
Jesus College, Cambridge Boat
Club in 1929/30 and rowed in the
winning crews of the Boat Race
in 1930 and 1931. He has been
described as one of the most
distinguished of all Jesus
College oarsmen. |
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The Anne Carpmael
Charitable Trust
Anne lived at Withymead for nearly 60 years.
A keen naturalist, she provided a habitat
that encouraged birds, both native and
migratory. As a result Withymead is now an
important ringing centre in the South of
England. Prior to her death in 2003 a
Charitable Trust (No 1102152) was formed to
preserve the house and it’s riverside land.
These 22 acres now form the Withymead Nature
Reserve.
With a resident warden, the Trust aims to
promote, protect and preserve the wildlife
at Withymead, providing a tranquil haven for
wildlife and inspiration to visitors now and
for future generations.
Since it’s formation, the warden has
welcomed parties of ornithologists,
entomologists, environmentalists, artists
groups, U3A, WI and even a corporate
team-building event.
Entrance to the reserve is free, but the
Trust is dependent on the generous
contributions of visitors and grants from
various organisations to survive. Any
donations, however small, are gratefully
received.
Become a
Friend of Withymead
To arrange a visit phone
01491
872265 or email
info@withymead.co.uk |
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