to the public. Cropthorne is on the Vale of Evesham Blossom Trail that takes place during the two weeks in the spring when all the apple, pear, and cherry trees are in bloom. Cropthorne has its own Holland House (not to be confused with the one in Kensington). Set in gardens on the edge of the River Avon, the black and white timbered Tudor buildings offer a ‘safe space’ where people are encouraged to feel at home and allowed to get on with what they came to do, whether it is a conference, retreat or training. Notable residents Minnie Holland (d. 1942), local photographer known for her images of Cropthorne. Michael Spicer, a former MP for the conservative party. Richard Cadbury Barrow and George Corbyn Barrow, both Lord Mayors of Birmingham: the Cropthorne Mill has been in the Barrow Cadbury family for over 150 years. Henry Howard Avery - a member of the family of Victorian Entrepreneurs W&T Avery (makers of a wide variety of weighing machines and scales (Avery Scales) based in Birmingham - see W & T Avery) lived in the village during the late 19th, early 20th centuries. Avery lived in a large black & white timber-framed house known as "The Den", now known as "Holland House" - currently a Christian Retreat Centre (www.hollandhouse.org). Avery built an extension to the original 16th century building and had the architect carve "HH AVERY 1904" on an external lintel which can easily be seen from the garden. He also re-designed the garden and grounds which contain an impressive "sunken garden" attributed to Sir Edwin Lutyens (see Butlers "The Architecture of Sir William Lutyens" 1900 - note "Garden at the Den, Pershore for Mr H Avery") Avery Scales are now part of Avery-Berkel who manufacture the scales UK Post Offices use to weigh letters and post, and Averyweigh-tronix. Sir William Lawson Tate, an eminent surgeon and pioneer of abdominal surgery lived in the village, also in "The Den" in the later part of the 19th Century. His residence was also "The Den", which he eventually sold to Henry Howard Avery for around £500. Sir Lawson Tait was an extraordinary man (see the Wikipedia link below). Lawson Tait, born Robert Lawson Tait (1 May 1845 – 13 June 1899) was a pioneer in pelvic and abdominal surgery and developed new techniques and procedures. He emphasized asepsis and introduced and advocated for surgical