PALACE HOUSE BLOG: Part Eleven – Celebrating Beaulieu Jazz Festivals in Circus Room turret

The turret in the newly created Circus Room offers the perfect sideshow commemorating Beaulieu Jazz Festivals. As we continue our series, Lord Montagu explains why he chose a carousel horse as the centrepiece and designed his own artwork.

An old merry-go-round was used as the stage for Beaulieu Jazz Festivals which took place just outside these windows on the front lawn of Palace House between 1956 and 1961, with a one-off revival in 1977.

They featured major British and international jazz artists and big bands of the day but unfortunately their popularity proved to be their downfall, as the numbers were too great to manage and they attracted some unruly elements. 

The sole surviving carousel horse now takes pride of place in the room. The galloper named Rama has been immaculately restored by local signwriter Phil Gofton, who has finished him in fairground style colours with flourishes in gold leaf. My mother loved horses, as well as showground culture, so this is a particularly appropriate place to put Rama.

I designed the large hanging which lists the names of all those who performed at Beaulieu, including big band leader Ted Heath, Humphrey Lyttleton, Acker Bilk, Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine. In the background, Beaulieu visitors will hear the sound of two Beaulieu-themed LPs released by bands which performed at the festival. Both contained tracks specially written for the festival, such as Ted Heath’s Vintage Veterans and Vic Lewis’s Beaulieu Blues.

But the turret isn’t just a display space, it is also where house guests will be able to take a bath, using a large red tub mounted on a podium. Alongside it, an old washstand features a specially created splashback decorated with the carousel’s Beaulieu Jazz Festival motif from the festival stage. Lighting the room is a specially made chandelier, based on a sketch by Lady Belinda and crafted by metal sculptor Gary Boulton, who lives on the estate, with glass beads decoration by Jane Yapp.

Follow Lord Montagu’s tour here: https://youtu.be/UQb1Hrvg510