Waterton descendants to travel to Wakefield from Australia for WallFest 26
Members of Charles Waterton’s family will travel more than 9,000 miles from Australia to Walton this month as part of the WallFest 26 celebrations.
Descendants of the pioneering naturalist and conservationist will travel from Perth, Western Australia, to attend the month-long festival celebrating the bicentenary of the historic boundary wall surrounding Walton Hall.
Organisers say the family’s visit will be one of the standout moments of this year’s celebrations, which have already included guided walks, exhibitions, workshops and heritage events across the Wakefield district.
Charles Waterton, great-great-great-grandson of the Victorian conservation pioneer, said his ancestor would have been “absolutely thrilled” to see people gathering to celebrate the wall and its environmental legacy.
He said: “What do you think ‘The Old Gentleman’ Squire Charles Waterton would have made of WallFest? He would have been absolutely thrilled to see all these people coming to celebrate the fruit of his labours and the landmark it forms in the history of preserving that most beautiful treasure, the English countryside.”
He also praised volunteers from Friends of Waterton’s Wall for their work preserving the structure.
He said: “On behalf of the Waterton family and Friends of Waterton’s Wall, thank you to the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to renovate and preserve his wall.”
John Smith, chair of Friends of Waterton’s Wall, said organisers were delighted to welcome members of the family to the celebrations.
He said: “This celebration is not only about the wall itself, but about recognising Charles Waterton’s pioneering vision and ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.”
Waterton’s Wall, completed in 1826, surrounds Walton Hall and is widely recognised the world’s first nature reserve.