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Glimpses of an International Life by Sir John Holmes

John HolmesJohn Holmes, a former British diplomat and, until Summer 2016, the Director of the Ditchley Foundation gave us a brief picture of his fascinating life in the Foreign Office during which time he was our Ambassador in Lisbon and Paris; at No 10 where he became Private Secretary to both John Major and Tony Blair; at the United Nations where he was Deputy Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs; and finally at Ditchley Park where he was Director for 6 years and responsible for numerous international conferences.Ditchley Park

We have been working on a new exhibition for some time – the Heritage Centre has always boasted of its four important ‘sons’ but now it is time for the women of the village to be celebrated.  Each in her own way has changed lives both in Churchill and in the wider world.

OUR Four remarkable women

 Elizabeth Bourne (1549-1599)
Who controversially petitioned for divorce from her philandering husband and left letters which are now considered a most significant and valuable historical source of early modern literature and inform a greater understanding of women’s negotiations for legal autonomy in the sixteenth century.
A seventeenth-century eccentric

Anne Walter (Unknown – 1707)
Who lived in fear of being murdered but left a trust which is still providing grants for education purposes.
A nineteenth-century grocer

Emily Jennings (1814-1885)
Whose legacy launched a village charity.
A twentieth-century High Sheriff

Judy Hutchinson (1916-1989)
Whose secret war work has never been fully acknowledged.

From Our Guest Book

  • "Why haven't we been here earlier? We shall certainly return!"

  • "Great building, well restored. Charming!"

  • "Fantastic, absolutely first class. Most interesting and informative."

  • "A fine chance discovery"

  • "Beautiful restoration, very nicely done! Unexpected hive of information."

  • "Beautiful setting, very peaceful & informative"

  • "Such a wonderful enterprise. The locality should be proud of it."

  • "Congratulations to all on this initiative.  So well-organised and user-friendly."

  • "A fascinating display in a very beautiful setting."

  • "Very good new interactive displays, very comprehensive."

  • "A fascinating visit. William Smith was a wonderful man! "

  • "A little gem I didn't know existed."

  • "Excellent to have this centre as a focus for Churchill's history - especially in relation to William Smith."

  • "Lovely spot, so grateful this part of the old church was saved."

  • "What a lovely treat to stumble upon. Thank you for preserving a part of our Heritage"