A country estate on the outskirts of Whitchurch has released its plans on how it will celebrate its restoration centenary.

Combermere Abbey, on the Cheshire/Shropshire border, is celebrating the centenary of the current owner’s family at the helm when Sir Kenneth Crossley bought the estate and moved from Manchester in 1919.

The house is now owned by his great granddaughter Sarah Callander Beckett who took over from her mother Penelope Bostock in 1992 and has worked to make the Abbey one of the most popular wedding venues in the north west.

Sarah said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating one hundred years as custodians of Combermere Abbey.

"The Crossley family has so many amazing stories to tell, and we are looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our friends and supporters with a year of exclusive events.”

To celebrate this historic centenary, a new logo has been created and the estate will be hosting a series of special events: from a vintage car rally to an exclusive lunch with renowned interior designer Nina Campbell, who designed all the luxury interiors of the North Wing at Combermere Abbey. Combermere will also be launching a bespoke series of products inspired the estate produce, including jams, honeys and a Cheshire gin. Guests will be able to purchase them during their stays, and on any of the days the estate opens to the public throughout the year.

In 1870, Sir William Crossley, Sir Kenneth's father, co-founded the Manchester and Salford Boys and Girls Society almost 150 years ago – now known as Together Trust – and it has been chosen as the estate’s centenary charity of the year.

This charity provides special education, residential services, fostering, family support and community services to young people and adults throughout the North West.

A fund has been created and monies from all the activities will support this cause. The staff have created a dedicated committee and two of the gardens team are running the London Marathon for Together Trust.

Kaylie Chapman, community and events fundraiser at Together Trust, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Combermere Abbey for their centenary celebrations.

"To have the support of the estate after Sarah’s great-grandfather first helped to found our organisation all those years ago feels extraordinarily special.”

For more information on Combermere Abbey’s centenary events throughout 2019, visit www.combermereabbey.co.uk/whats-on