Lady Florence Antrobus was the wife of Colonel Sir Edmund Antrobus of Amesbury Abbey. They had one son, also named Edmund, who was educated at Eton, then like his father became an officer in the Grenadier Guards.
Sadly he was killed in action in Belgium on 24th October 1914, and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ieper. His father died a few months later almost literally of a broken heart.
Lady Florence, who died in 1923, had determined that her personal belongings, with some of those of her husband and son, should be collected together in a suitable building as a memorial to her son and she appointed Lt-Col Henry Verey as a trustee to carry out her wishes.
He chose Mr Geoffrey Fildes as architect; like young Edmund, he was an Etonian and an officer in the Guards during the war. He was commissioned to design a building in the Queen Anne style as best suited for the purpose for which it was intended.
The contractor was Mr Harry James of Amesbury and the house opened in January 1925.
The Lower hall was for public use, "a place where you can find rest and amusement after hard work, and a place for lecture, festive gatherings and dances", to quote from Mr Verey's speech at the opening. The Upper Hall was a museum containing furniture, pictures, porcelain and books belonging to the Antrobus family.
Also in 1925, Amesbury Bowling Club, as tenants of the Trust, opened a green and clubhouse on land to the rear of the House.
Mr Verey died in 1968 and his sons Philip and Michael became Trustees, but in 1974 they relinquished the Trust in favour of local residents, seven of whom are now trustees.
Some of the artifacts were then sold to provide income for the costly upkeep of the building and the upper hall, now known as the Lady Florence Room, was then opened for public use.
Some of the family porcelain and pictures remain, including a large portrait of Lady Florence on the staircase, and two portraits of Lieutenant Edmund Antrobus in the Edmund Hall, one as a boy and the other in military uniform.
Although the Lady Antrobus Trust is registered as a charity, it is completely self-supporting and is no burden on local rates and it does not have funds to distribute.
Three rooms are available for hire in Antrobus House. The Edmund Hall on the ground floor can accommodate 100 persons dining and 150 persons for lectures, concerts, weddings and dancing. There is a modern kitchen adjacent to it. This room has disabled access.
The Lady Florence Room can accommodate 100 persons (80 seated). It is located on the first floor and is suitable for lectures, cocktail functions and classes. This room is accessed by stairs, and there is no disabled access
A board room or classroom, The Philip Room, is located on the first floor of the house. It is a small room suitable for up to eight people, with a pleasant outlook over the adjoining bowling green. It is particularly suitable for board meetings, small classes and committee meetings. This room is also accessed only by stairs
The house has two acres of formal lawns, trees and park. These can be used by hirers of the rooms in the house at no extra charge and are particularly suitable for photography, or recreation. Please call the caretakers (01980 622435) for details of hire and bookings of all rooms.
The metal railings fronting Salisbury Road were removed early in the Second World War to help the war effort and were replaced in 1999 as the Trust's contribution to the Millennium project.
The whole of the house has been refurbished during 1996-2003 concluding with the upgrading of the toilets and the introduction of a baby-changing unit. The latest work finished is a new entrance providing easy disabled access, and gents toilets as the refurbishment continues.
>
Antrobus House is Amesbury's leading events venue administered by the Lady Antrobus Trust. The building and grounds provide facilities for a range of regular classes, meetings and functions, including weddings, anniversaries and parties. The Lady Antrobus Trust is completely self supporting and receives no assistance from local or national government.
The officers of the Lady Antrobus Trust are.....
| All enquiries to Resident Caretakers: | Paul and Ros Antrobus House 39 Salisbury Road AMESBURY Wilts. SP4 7HH Tel: 01980 622435 antrobushouse@amesburytc.org.uk |
| Chairman: | Mr Vernon P. Smith Fairwinds 8 Edwards Road AMESBURY Wilts. SP4 7LT Tel: 01980 623691 |
| Clerk: | Helen Morrison 46 Salisbury Road AMESBURY Wilts. SP4 7HL Tel: 01980 623939 |
| Amesbury Bowling Club Secretary: | Mr John Humphries 7 Verona Road SALISBURY Wilts. SP1 3JU |
| Other Trustees: | Mr Neil E. Morrison (Vice Chairman) Mrs A.R. Tomblin Mr Richard C. Crook Mr P. C. Monk Mrs D. M. Richards Mrs M. H. Aymes |