Text Box: Note from the Editor. I would like to apologise for any short comings in this newsletter due to family illness in December, that only really improved just before Christmas, the normal preparations have been squashed into a few days. Text Box: MEMBERSHIP FEES. As you can see from the membership form the fees have risen by 50p in each category. It is the first rise since we started in 1996 and has become necessary due to rising postal costs. The new levels will be:- FAMILY: £5.50 SINGLE: £3.00 SENIOR CITIZEN/STUDENT/UNWAGED: £2.00 Any new members who joined in October, November and December 2008 are counted as a paid up member for 2009. If you have renewal form by mistake please just ignore it. Text Box: A Happy New Year to all our members and visitors. Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and is surviving the current cold weather. Text Box: The opening of the Visitor Centre. We have heard a rumour that after a recent survey of the Mansion, it will be necessary to close the building for some work to be carried out in various areas. As yet we don’t know when or how long it would take. So if anyone comes along one Sunday and the place is shut apologises in advance.