Dear Friends,
Another happy month has passed by here at the Castle. We are fortunate enough to have a really cheerful band of colleagues here, which of course makes all the difference in looking forward to coming to work each day. We do! The romance of our wedding season being well and truly underway make the days even better.
We have taken possession of the most beautiful Tudor doll’s house – well actually it is really a model of what a Tudor house could be like. The attention to tiny detail is remarkable as we have commissioned the interior furniture and items such as miniature knives, barrels, family pets and pee pots. All classes of people are represented in the house, up to the aristocracy, and each room tells a different tale. If you would like to see the house and enjoy spotting the jokes that have been secreted in some of the rooms, do call 01283 812129 for the next talk and tour of the Tudor house at £6.50 a head for adults and £5.50 for children. These prices include getting into the Castle so very little extra. These talks will take place once a week on average. Because the doll’s house is in a room not otherwise open to the public, it is only possible to see it on booked tours.
The schools break up soon, so our high season starts on 18th July, which means the Castle will be open six days each week (every day except Mondays). For the August Bank Holiday we will be closed on the Tuesday and that gives us clean up time. If the Castle is to be closed for a special event or VIP security reasons we try to give plenty of warning on the website, so it’s always worth checking first. Do get your tickets for Fairytale days on the Sunday and Monday of the August Bank Holiday, as people every year are disappointed as they have left it too late. The same applies to Bonfire nights and these tickets will be on sale as of August. This event completely sells out every year and we have a riotous time with a gang of Vikings that arrive each year. The ship-burning (well, cut-out ship) with dragon head will still take place in the bonfire, following armed combat and then the breathtaking fireworks. No wonder we sell out each year.
We will be at the Tutbury street market on stall 32 next Sunday (9th July), which is a great event and there will be lots of information about the Castle to find, as well as a plethora of other stalls representing trades and shops in Tutbury. Tutbury is a town with a heart of a village and a strong sense of community, but back in medieval times it was one of the largest towns in Staffordshire. On days like this, with the old market street thronged with stalls and people, that is much easier to imagine!
Finally, do look at coming to our Downton Abbey Revisited event on the evening of 22nd July, when Notty Hornblower will bring a glamorous group of real 1920’s clothes from her museum of fashion, based in the Peak National Park. If you haven’t heard of Notty Hornblower, that is an unforgettable name that matches the women, who is famous all over the country for her knowledge and amazing collection. Tickets are only £15 and include a glass of champagne. The whole event will be happening in our marquee which is for weddings, so you can imagine how glamorous it is.
Do look at other events on our literature or website where you will see me appearing as Boudicca (25th August) Nell Gwynne (30th July) and lots of other characters. Meanwhile, come and bring the children and lie on the grass or have a cream tea – you will be very welcome indeed.
Best wishes and good health to all,
Lesley Smith
CURATOR