The National Forest’s LANDshapes project interview with Robin Neilson

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LANt003 Robin Neilson
LANDshapes Oral History interview summary

"If someone walks into my office with some crazy idea, my first reaction is 'Yes', until I can find some reason why not." Robin Neilson's family have been at Catton since 1405, but Robin is no stick in the mud traditionalist! Since moving to the sadly run-down ancestral home of Catton Hall at the age of 9 Robin has seen a lot of changes. In this recording he tells us about the necessary economic diversification of the estate that has proved such an exciting challenge. Detailing some of the changes that have occurred in farming in recent years Robin tells us how Catton was one of the first National Forest Tender Schemes, and talks eloquently of future hopes and plans for Catton Hall. However Robin keeps a 'weather eye' on the past too, reminding us about the settlement at Catton mentioned in Domesday Book, and the mysterious 'lost manor' that predates the present Hall.

Interviewer: Roger Kitchen.
Interview Date: 08/02/2005
Landshape Zone: Mease and Sence Lowlands
Parish: Walton-upon-Trent
Location: Walton upon Trent, Derbyshire,
Date of birth: 1947
Location of Original: Originals held with The National Forest Company.
Reference LANt003

Last updated: 15/9/2005
East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer
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