Somerleyton welcomes future heir

Cradled peacefully in the arms of his proud parents, six-week-old Johnny is blissfully unaware of the elegant beauty of the stately home where he will grow up.

But his rather grand full name of John De Bathe Turner Savile Crossley certainly befits his status as the first child of the Hon Hugh Crossley and his wife Lara, who live in Somerleyton Hall.

The newest addition to the family arrived on February 9, just two days after his parents' first wedding anniversary, and is now settling into life as future heir to the 5,000-acre Somerleyton Estate, on the Norfolk and Suffolk border.

Mr Crossley, son of Lord and Lady Somerleyton, said: “We have spent the last six weeks getting used to having a baby around, and it has been great. Johnny is very good and he's been sleeping well through the night, so we're very lucky.”

As twelfth grandchild for Lord and Lady Somerleyton and the first for Mrs Crossley's parents, Johnny has already had lots of attention.

“My mother is very keen to do a bit of babysitting, so I'll definitely be taking her up on that,” said Mrs Crossley. “We've also been very touched by all the cards, gifts and flowers which we've been sent since Johnny arrived, and we are still getting cards in the post even after six weeks.”

Johnny was born at the James Paget University Hospital and the couple were full of praise for the care they received.

Mrs Crossley said: “The staff were really amazing. It's quite daunting having your first child, and everyone there made it a fantastic experience. They were attentive and very kind.”

While caring for a newborn baby has kept the couple very busy, they have also been getting the hall ready to welcome the first public visitors of the year when it opens on Thursday and for all of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

For Somerleyton Hall and Fritton Lake opening times and visitor information, visit www.somerleyton.co.uk.