Latest news with #Snettisham
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Princess Diana's childhood home left to rot
King Charles has been slammed as 'disrespecting' Princess Diana's legacy as her childhood home falls into disrepair. Diana was born at Park House on the Royals' Norfolk estate in 1961 and lived at the mansion until she was 14. Photos obtained by the Mirror show the once grand property now appears to be abandoned, with overgrown grass, peeling window paint and stained bricks. The outlet reports a dilapidated shed with a caved-in roof and smashed windows, while the swimming pool is surrounded by a metal fence to keep trespassers out. Locals reacted furiously and accused Charles of 'disrespecting' Diana's legacy. Selina Raines, 38, who lives in the nearby village of Snettisham, told the Mirror: 'It's heartbreaking to learn how the house has been left. 'If locals were aware they would be shocked – but you can't see it [the house] from the road so very few know how it's been left, it's really sad.' An unnamed barmaid, who lives on the estate, said: 'It's disrespectful – the house should be restored to how it was. 'The Estate houses that are hidden from public view don't get what they need.' Diana lived at Park House, which her parents rented from the late Queen, until moving to the family's Northamptonshire stately home Althorp in 1975. The 16-bedroom residence was later donated to charity Leonard Cheshire and ran as a respite hotel for adults with disabilities for over 30 years. But in May 2021 the property was handed back to the estate after spiralling costs post-pandemic and has since remained empty. Several locals told the Mirror they would like to see the house returned to a charity to support the community. A retired occupational therapist, who worked with disabled residents at the house before it shuttered, said: 'It was marvellous – it's very sad [that it has been left to rot]. 'Everything was beautiful, all the equipment was new and they had waiting lists. 'I would like to see it returned to what it was like back then, but I don't think with the health service we've got at the moment that it's going to happen.' Park House is just 500 metres away from Charles' 150-bedroom Sandringham House. Over the years, Charles has funded several projects on the estate. Last June, the King was given the green light to open a 25-acre luxury glamping site, complete with 15 'safari tents' and a Motorhome Club campsite. One local said: 'King Charles has money to put into his caravan site but not to put into the house Diana grew up in.' 'And in November the green-fingered monarch installed 2,000 solar panels in a bid to improve the estate's climate footprint.' The Mirror approached Sandringham Estate and Buckingham Palace for comment.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Harry and William's uncle leaves behind eye-watering amount in will after death aged 82 – but neither will get a penny
Prince William and Prince Harry's uncle left £1.5million in his will – but gave neither royal a penny. Lord Robert Fellowes passed almost the entirety of his massive estate to his wife after his death last July, The Sun can reveal. 4 4 4 It meant neither the Prince of Wales nor the estranged Duke of Sussex was left any gifts by the 82-year-old, who was married to Princess Diana's sister, Lady Jane Spencer. Both William, 42, and US-based Harry, 40, attended Lord Fellowes' memorial service in tiny Snettisham, Norfolk, last August. We revealed how they stood 'virtually back to back' at the event to mark the popular Baron's life, but still refused to talk to each other. Documents signed off by the High Court last week reveal Lord Fellowes left an estate worth £1,517,418, including a £4,000 deduction to pay costs and legal fees. In his 2012 will, he passed £1,000 to a local hospice and £500 to St Mary's Church, where his memorial service was held. He also gave £5,000 to Eton College, where he was educated, and £1,000 to handyman Andrew Grange, who helped the couple at their Old Vicarage estate just miles away from royal retreat Sandringham. Yet there were no special gifts for either of his nephews, who have not been seen in the same room since the packed memorial event. The remainder of his estate was handed to his wife, who is Princess Diana's older sister. Lord Fellowes – played by Andrew Havill in Netflix's The Crown – wed Lady Jane in 1978, three years before Diana tied the knot with the then-Prince Charles. The life peer was also a long-time adviser to the princes' grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, serving in her private office from 1977. He was the monarch's private secretary from 1990 to 1999, steering Her Majesty through the royal family's most turbulent period. Reverend Dan Tansley, who led his memorial service, told The Sun at the time: 'It was a lovely service and there were a lot of people who wanted to be there for someone who was really well-respected in the village. 'It was only as I was greeting the congregation on the way out that Prince William was shaking my hand, and then very quickly after Prince Harry did too. 'It wasn't a tremendous shock William was there, as that was always a possibility but I suppose it was more of a surprise that Harry had come." 'I don't recollect them speaking to each other but there were a lot of family members and friends speaking to them. 'It would have meant a lot to Lord Robert to have them both at the service because I know both he and his auntie love them both very much.' 4
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Snettisham and Heacham ringed plover nesting sites vandalised
Ringed plover nest sites threatened by vandalism 6 minutes ago Share Save Yolanda Shirin BBC News, Norfolk Share Save Phill Gwilliam RSPB volunteers monitor the nesting birds each day to ensure disturbances caused by visitors are limited The repeated vandalism of fencing installed to protect beach-nesting ringed plovers has sparked concern from conservationists and the police. Ropes have been cut, fence posts pulled from the ground and signs removed close to special sites at Snettisham and Heacham in Norfolk. Ringed plovers are small wading birds with orange and black tipped beaks. They are red listed in the UK, meaning they are birds of particular conservation concern with declining populations. RSPB ringed plover project officer Wynona Legg said: "The extra threat of the vandalism is only adding to this pressure and making them more vulnerable." RSPB Vandalism has primarily been reported around Heacham dam The fences, installed each spring, protect the nests of ringed plovers and their eggs from beachgoers and dogs off leads. The RSPB said the damage threatened eggs and chicks that nest directly on the sand. The fencing was first introduced in 2021 and was carefully timed to coincide with nesting season, which started in April. This year's high spring tides have already washed away some nests, increasing the pressure on remaining pairs. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Norfolk Police have urged the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The RSPB said the recent vandalism diverted time and resources away from vital conservation and awareness work at a critical time of year. PC Chris Shelley of Norfolk Police said: "We want to remind everyone that disturbing nesting birds is a criminal offence." He confirmed that officers were working closely with RSPB staff and volunteers to protect the birds and monitor the sites. Plovers in Peril, is a project funded by local councils and national conservation bodies and relies heavily on community support. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
