Lord Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey, took time out of his busy schedule to visit Haven House on Friday 14 July.

The award-winning actor, novelist and screenwriter, was accompanied by his wife, Lady Fellowes, and Haven House Patron Iain Duncan Smith MP.

Lord and Lady Fellowes received a tour of the hospice and Holistic Care Centre by Mr Duncan Smith and Chief Executive Mike Palfreman.

They were also shown Haven House’s grounds and arboretum of more than 100 trees planted by notable public figures, including Margaret Thatcher and Sir Winston Churchill.

The tradition of tree-planting - which started when the Mallinson Park estate was home to the Mallinson family - was brought back to Haven House last month when the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, planted a Paper Birch in its sensory garden.

Lord Fellowes said: “I found Haven House very inspirational. Although it our greatest fear our child should fall ill, it is wonderful to know that there are places like this where they could be cared for.”

Haven House Patron Iain Duncan Smith MP said: “It was a huge pleasure to show my good friends Lord and Lady Fellowes the hospice and its grounds.

“In my 22 years as a Patron of Haven House, the incredible history of the grounds never ceases to amaze me.

“Lord and Lady Fellowes are great supporters of the hospice movement and I look forward to seeing them at one of our events in the future.”

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