Not a catastrophe

Visited Upton House today, an NT property close to Banbury, its claim to fame was that at the outbreak of the Second World War it hosted the merchant bank M. Samuel & Co allowing it to operate smoothly for the duration. Staff where moved from its headquarters in London's East End up to the property where they carried on their  duties managing the companies core business which was financing the transport of goods around the world as well as funding numerous Government projects.
So important was the work, that they were all the staff were given protection from enlistment into the armed forces. 
Lord Bearsted, its owner and a major shareholder in the bank at the time had a fine art collection which is now on display there as well. 
A great day out.