Comments on: The Hermitage, Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutland

By: The Burley Hermitage – Rutland County Museum

The Burley Hermitage – Rutland County Museum — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 10:27:49 +0000

[…] The Folly Flaneuse visited us in 2025 and wrote a very interesting piece about the Burley Hermitage which provides more information. – The Hermitage at Burley […]

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 11:05:00 +0000

In reply to TOM GARDNER. Hello Tom. I did read somewhere this week that the Cambridge English Dictionary gives the main definition of ‘den’ as a room in a house where people read or watch tv. The author of the article (I wish I could remember where I saw it and give a credit) was of a certain age, and defined a den as a makeshift structure in the garden or woods, just as you describe. I too spent hours creating such hideouts with friends, so I enjoyed your reply.

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 10:59:54 +0000

In reply to dr sarah f baylis. Hello Sarah. I’m pleased to hear that you enjoyed the story of the hermitage. I did wonder about the ‘Billy Bennett’ pseudonym adopted by the model-maker, and if he became associated with the building in the 20th century. I’m hoping that this post will be seen by locals who can add to the story. Please do share if you have contacts.

By: TOM GARDNER

TOM GARDNER — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 16:33:01 +0000

TOM (NYC)
IN MY YOUTHFUL GRAMMAR SCHOOL DAYS – THE 1950’s, (AGES 8 – 10), WITH MY BEST PAL, PETER HEISEN, WE WOULD BUILD OUR ‘FORTS’ … ‘FIRST COUSIN’ TO … THE ‘HERMITAGE’. WE USED THE SAME MATERIALS, BUT ALSO INCLUDED ANY … LARGE CARDBOARD BOXES, THROWN OUT – FROM NEW APPLIANCES.
THERE WAS SOMETHING : ‘TOM SAWYER – HUCK FINN’ ABOUT OUR DESIGN.
PETER’S PROPERTY HAD WHAT WE CALLED: ‘THE BACK / BACK YARD’ PROPERTY
THAT BELONGED TO THE CITY, BUT WAS NOT BUILT UPON.
THOSE HOURS: BUILDING, REPAIRING, ‘FURNISHING’ – WERE AND ARE, FOREVER MEMORABLE, AND WORTH MORE THAN ANY OF MY FORMER ABODES.
YOUR OFFERING ALLOWED ME TO REVISIT A MOST PRECIOUS TIME IN MY LIFE.
THANK YOU.
TOM

By: dr sarah f baylis

dr sarah f baylis — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 15:28:05 +0000

Thankyou for shedding some light on ‘Mr Bennet the hermit’ after all these years … Was he also the model maker ?

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:59:11 +0000

In reply to Sally Paque. Hello Sally. You can be sure of a great setting if Kit Martin has been involved. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it.

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:56:34 +0000

In reply to Sally. Don’t worry, it’s easy to edit!

By: Sally

Sally — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:48:41 +0000

Apologies for the double entry!

By: Sally Paque

Sally Paque — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:47:40 +0000

Thankyou for a great read, as always, & the mention of Kit Martin brought to mind that memorable FF visit to Gunton Park.

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 07:08:06 +0000

In reply to Jonathan Holt. Thank you Jonathan. It was a most enjoyable piece of research and I appreciate your comment.