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Uplifting photos of manor's history go on display

Chris Lacey Photography The front aspect of Hestercombe House, a grand, beige-gold stoned building that has a tower to the left. In front of the house is a large driveway with an oval of grassy lawn. Fields and trees extend into the distance.Chris Lacey Photography
The grounds of Hestercombe House have been used for many community gatherings and parties

Uplifting photographs of weddings, balls and countryside jollity are being put on display at a historic estate.

The exhibition at Hestercombe House near Taunton in Somerset, titled The Lighter Side, showcases images dating back as far as the late 19th Century.

The collection captures the lives of the estate's owners, the Portman family, who were "very wealthy and didn't hesitate to spend money on their friends and their servants", said Hestercombe's head of archives, Kim Legate.

"It's quite an uplifting photographic journey that really highlights moments of joy and the benefits of living in the countryside," he said.

Hestercombe House Trust A black and white image showing a group of around 20 adults, standing up, in old-fashioned formal clothes, including wide-brimmed hats, long dresses and suits. There is a couple sitting in front of them, with a man holding a top hat in his lap and a woman in a wedding dress. She and several of the standing women are holding large floral bouquets. Behind the group is an orangery with many glass panes. Hestercombe House Trust
A wedding party at Hestercombe in April 2018

Mr Legate said the collection reminds you that Hestercombe "was a very happy place and still is today".

The first written record of the estate was made in 682 in an Anglo–Saxon charter.

The house was bought by the 1st Viscount Portman in 1872, after 500 years in the hands of the Warre family.

Hestercombe House Trust A black and white image of a man in a shirt, with his arms around two women, who are both in a uniform comprising shirts, ties and skirts. They stand in front of stable doors, with a buggy-style vehicle in the background.Hestercombe House Trust
Hestercombe was established as the HQ of the United States 19th District supply services in 1943

Mr Legate said some of the exhibition's photos were donated by former estate workers and their descendants.

"But the largest collection by far, starting from around 1904, is from Mrs Portman's oldest son who took them whilst he was living here," he said.

"He was an enthusiastic amateur photographer."

Hestercombe Gardens Trust A black and white image of an elderly woman in an old-fashioned bodiced dress standing next to a birthday cake that has dozens of long candles.Hestercombe Gardens Trust
A lady's maid celebrates her 70th birthday at the estate

Mr Legate said there were photos of "various balls, personal celebrations and Christmas parties" as well as a "big visual record" of a 31st birthday on the lawn.

The collection shows how Hestercombe served as a "testament to the restorative power of nature, community and shared experiences", he added.

Hestercombe House Trust A man in a dark suit sits on the bottom of a curved stone wall. In the background is a stone banister on top of another stone wall.Hestercombe House Trust
High profile visitors over the years were captured in the photographs, including Ivo Richard Vesey, the 5th Viscount de Vesci

The estate, which from 1954 was the home of Somerset Fire Brigade for 60 years, was awarded museum accreditation status last year.

In 2014, Hestercombe was reopened to the public.

Hestercombe House Trust A small boy in a brimmed hat and an old-fashioned coat with a collar wears an expression of joy, with his mouth wide openHestercombe House Trust
A young boy who grew up to be a tenant farmer at Hestercombe

Managing director of estates and facilities at Hestercombe Gardens Trust, Warren Leavens, said: "We're thrilled to open our first museum-based exhibition.

"Hestercombe House and Gardens has a rich and diverse history and we can't wait to share more of it with visitors and the local community."

The Lighter Side exhibition is open daily from from 11:00 -16:00 GMT.

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