SIR Francis Dashwood, who died on March 9 last year aged 74, vacated the ancestral home at West Wycombe Park in 1999 to Sawmill House in the grounds so that his son and heir Edward could move in with his family.

Sir Francis always said he wanted the house to again become a home for a young family and that is certainly the case.

Sir Edward Dashwood, the 12th Premier Baronet of Great Britain, his wife, Lucinda, Lady Dashwood and their three children Victoria, nine, George, eight, and Bertie, seven, are now happily settled at West Wycombe Park which they have made very much their own.

The major alteration to the 18th century Palladian house and grounds, which were given to the National Trust in 1943, reflects the lifestyle of a young family. The former kitchen just off the Great Hall has been transformed into an airy and comfortable kitchen/family room, decorated with wall paper designed by De Gourney of London, depicting scenes of India which were hand-painted in China.

The kitchen cabinets have been made from local beech and the handrail leading to the cellar and laundry was made by Raymond Good Joinery, copied from the original handrail upstairs.

"Where we can we have used local craftsmen. Meek's (E R Meeks & Son of Lane End) did all the metal work," said Sir Edward.

A new feature for the grounds of West Wycombe Park will be bronzes of the children. Sculpted by Tessa Cole they are being cast at Burleighfield Sculpture Casting Studios in Loudwater.

Sir Edward is planning a memorial for his father in the park and has arranged for a marble memorial tablet at the family mausoleum on West Wycombe Hill.

Sir Edward has now taken over his late father's role as president of the St Lawrence Church Trust and Lady Dashwood is a committee member. She has already arranged three concerts at the church to raise money for a visitors centre. The trust is about to embark on the major fundraising push to raise £200,000 for the work. Lady Dashwood is also very involved with fundraising for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Unfortunately the foot and mouth crisis has put pay to the traditional Daffodil Sundays at West Wycombe Park and the lambing days at Ham Farm, both in aid of the West Wycombe Charitable Trust. Sir Edward is hoping that the annual Easter Sunday sponsored ride at West Wycombe Park will go ahead.

The recent flooding, however, has provided a positive benefit to West Wycombe Park. Sir Francis always took a keen interest in the features of the grounds and their restoration.

"Despite all the problems with flooding he (Sir Francis) would have been thrilled to see the cascade flowing so well and the lake so full," said Sir Edward.