Private manor home opens for exclusive summer party with Baroness Butler-Sloss in aid of Hospiscare

An exclusive tea-party was organised by Hospiscare at Knightstone Manor and sponsored by wealth management company Brewin Dolphin, Exeter office. The seventy special guests were Invited to join The Rt. Hon. Baroness Butler-Sloss GBE, Vice-President of the charity, for a traditional afternoon English tea. Kindly hosted at Knightstone Manor, located on the outskirts of Ottery St. Mary, the historical house is the private home of Jan-Eric and Jennifer Österlund.

The popular annual summer tea party to meet Baroness Butler-Sloss, is held at various beautiful locations around the region to raise funds for Hospiscare. This year Mr Österlund kindly offered to open his beautiful home and garden at Knightstone Manor in support of the charity which helped to raise £2,567 Mr Österlund, originally from Sweden, bought Knightstone in 2000 as the family home.

Guests enjoyed a sparkling wine reception in the garden and traditional afternoon English high-tea catered by Hospiscare’s Honiton Support Group held in the Great Hall. The Baroness gave a welcome address, followed by a talk from Mr Österlund. He enthralled the captive audience with a brief history of the manor, before inviting them to look around the house and enjoy the magnificent grounds. Knightstone Manor was built by Thomas de Bittlesgate in 1380, and today it is one of the best preserved medieval houses in Great Britain. Two wings together with the main house create a central courtyard. At one end is the former chapel, converted in the 16th century to more living areas. The chapel was consecrated by the Bishop of Exeter in 1381.

Hospiscare is a local charity, delivering specialist palliative care, easing pain for people with terminal illnesses and providing emotional and social support to their loved ones. Working across Exeter, mid and east Devon, the charity cares for patients who are terminally ill and is there to help people make the most of their lives despite the limited time they have left.

Hospiscare is the chosen charity of the year for Brewin Dolphin Exeter Office. Jon Crompton Divisional Director Brewin Dolphin comments: “We chose Hospiscare as our charity of the year because they have a high profile in the local community and give outstanding care and support. They are a very proactive charity and we enjoy working with them and supporting them wherever we can. We were delighted to sponsor this very special event with Baroness Butler-Sloss at the prestigious Knightstone Manor, which was both unique and highly successful, and naturally very pleased it has helped to raise much needed funds for this worthy cause.”

Baroness Butler-Sloss – Vice President Hospicare said: ‘Knightstone Manor was a really marvellous setting for our annual Tea Party for Hospiscare and we are enormously grateful to the Osterlund family for hosting the event this year. The weather was perfect and the afternoon a memorable occasion. We are also incredibly grateful to Brewin Dolphin for sponsoring the event, who are supporting Hospiscare this year as its chosen charity.’