Summer 2010 at Tattershall Castle

As summer kicks off after a hectic winter, we are just putting the final touches to the preparation for our summer season of events. Below is a list of what we've got lined up for the upcoming season; all we need now is the sunshine:

Wildlife Day

Sunday 9^th May

We are hosting a weekend which will celebrate and examine a multitude of the fascinating aspects of the local environment and wildlife. This will include wildlife themed activities for children, talks, walks and demonstrations.

The Sleaford Beekeeping Association will be on site to demonstrate and discuss the popular hobby of beekeeping, with demonstration hives, suits to try on and beeswax candles to make. Additionally there will be a captive bat display, some hedgehogs saved by a local charity, wildflower walks led by an expert and pond dipping displays.

In the afternoon a photography workshop will show keen amateur photographers how to get the best from their nature and wildlife photography.

There will be a small charge for art and craft activities to cover the cost of materials. Booking for the photography workshop is essential.

Father’s Day – Boys and Their Toys at Tattershall Castle

Sunday 20^th June

A boys and their toys event will take place at Tattershall Castle to celebrate father’s day, and will focus on the nostalgic aspect of traditional boy’s toys and pursuits. This will include activities for fathers and their children alike, plus demostrations and exhibitions from a multitude of time-honoured male hobbies.

A demonstration from a local toy and model shop will encourage you to join in with remote control cars and model trains. Local enthusiast group the Bardney Flyers will be on site demonstrating their equipment; which will include a flying display at the back of the Castle and a flight simulator in the Castle’s Parlour Room.

There will be a small charge for art and craft activities to cover the cost of materials.

Summer Solstice Picnic

Monday 21^st June

Celebrate Midsummer’s Eve in the beautiful suuroundings of Tattershall Castle. Visitors are encouraged to bring along a picnic to enjoy in the Castle grounds, where a range of entertainment will create a charming atmosphere for a lovely summer picnic.

Summer Sunday Picnics

Sunday afternoons throughout July and August

Throughout July and August the National Trust are encouraging to enjoy a picnic within the wonderful grounds of Tattershall Castle. Each Sunday throughout July and August there will be a range of amusements and distractions offered on the Inner Ward in front of the imposing Castle structure. Entertainment will range from musicians to magicians, incorporating storytellers and jesters too.

Celebrate Lincolnshire Weekend

Saturday 31^st July & Sunday 1^st August

Tattershall Castle is hosting a celebration of the food, history and heritage of Lincolnshire. The weekend will incorporate a wide range of events, activities and discussions and hopes to mark the very best that Lincolnshire has to offer.

Heritage Lincolnshire will be on site demonstrating Lincolnshire’s heritage and highlighting the work the organisation does. An expert in the field, David Hopkins, will present a display of the very best of Lincolnshire’s fruit and vegetable, unearthing a few hidden gems. There will be talks on Lincolnshire, including history, farming, the accent and the RAF. Plus a wide range of food and drink from local suppliers and producers.

There will be a small charge for art and craft activities to cover the cost of materials.

Tower Hamlets Trayned Bandes -English Civil War Reenactment Weekend

August 14^th & 15th

The Tower Hamlets Trayned Bandes will be on site over the whole weekend and will put on a range of historic civil war period reenactments and displays.

The group will be dressed in authentic seventeenth century clothing and the members include soldiers and civilians. On Sunday afternoon a skirmish will take place within which one group try to siege the Castle and another has to defend it.

All events are subject to change, please check the official Tattershall Castle website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tattershall for the most up to date details.

Red Arrows fly past

Today is our first weekday open to the public since way back when but we got a nice surprise this morning when we were treated to a fly past from the Red Arrows. The sun was shining bright over the site and the planes looked spectacular as they loomed closely over the Castle.

Free entry for Mums on Mothering Sunday

This Sunday 14^th March 2010, Tattershall Castle is encouraging visitors to join in on a day of spoiling mum; Mothers are invited to come along and enjoy the historic property for free to celebrate Mother’s Day.

In the Castle’s Parlour Room a local beauty therapist will be setting up a treatment centre offering visiting mothers a free make-up makeover or hand massage in addition to a range of paid for treatments. Furthermore, there will be a range of arts and crafts activities available for children to keep them entertained and make a present for mum; including Mother’s Day cards and bookmarks.

Outside the Castle away from the Mother’s Day themed activities, the grounds will be full of springtime colour, including an assortment of in bloom daffodils and snowdrops.

snow drops at Tattershall

I just wanted to put a picture of the lovely snow drops in the grounds of the castle. Clive has done a really great job of planting them

Archiving

I have recently begun volunteering at Tattershall, I'm helping to archive some of the castles paper work and books, strangly, letters written mostly by the 1960's castle committee. Maybe the fact that these letters survived and others havent is because the head of the committee owned a post office so was fastidious about keeping documents, even down to the price of toilet rolls!! many of the letters seem to echo problems that continue today at the castle, such as sagging beams (gravity isnt kind to castles either), keeping the moat topped up and reigning in the wayward peacocks (which have now been got rid of, due to their apparent adventures in other people gardens and green houses!).

As shown in the pictures above (from left to right) Clive, myself and Lee have also been going around the castle making sure all the objects, pictures and furniture have been catalogued, photographed and measured. coming up with descriptions for objects and not always knowing the technical word for a particular type of decoration leads to some imaginative results.

It turns out that my efforts to not come accross too girly when working with two burley men in a castle weren't neccessarily needed, as Lee appears to be scared of spiders and Clive of mice!! Two tiny mice trapped in the bird seed bin, had Clive calling me brave to go any where near! (blimey are mice fast and can really jump when they want to!)

My New Toy Has Arrived

She's finally arrived, my new ride on mower. Having waited all winter to test the baby out she came this week courtesy of Charles Hill of Horsington. Unlike the old model she's a 4x4, she's got headlights, (as if I'll still be working after dark), hydraulic deck lift, a box to put my lunch in, and a drinks holder. It can turn as you see on a sixpence, albeit a large one.

All I need now is for the grass to start growing, and for that we need some warmer weather.

Volunteer Recruitment

Here at Tattershall Castle we are currently undertaking a volunteer recruitment drive in a bid to get more people involved and participating with everything involved in the running of this historic building. The Castle was visited by over forty thousand people last year and this is only made possible by the team of over thirty volunteers, who all help out in a number of different ways.

Operations Manager Stuart Crow believes that volunteers are integral to the running of the property “It is not an exaggeration to say that without our volunteers the Castle wouldn’t be able to function in that way it does. We hope that this season’s volunteer recruitment will help us get more people from the local community involved. We need extra help in all areas of the running of the property.”

There are various volunteer opportunities available, including everything from room guides, learning assistants, shop assistants and general visitor engagement positions. In particular we are looking for people to help out with the work that goes into organising and running events, distribution of promotional material and assistance with the other promotion of the Castle. We would be especially keen to talk to anybody with a keen interest in wildlife, with a specialist interest in wildlife, invertebrates or wild flowers.

These volunteer opportunities would suit people interested in historic buildings; people who enjoy gardening and meeting people or someone looking to gain work experience. The time commitment involved can range from half a day every month to one day a week or more. After 50 hours of volunteering volunteers earn a volunteer card that gives them free access to any National Trust property (when open), and a 20% discount on any purchase in a National Trust shop. The Trust also pays a mileage allowance towards travel expenses and organises regular social events.

Anybody interested in becoming part of the Tattershall Castle team can contact the property for further details or an informal chat on 01526 342543, or email at tattershallcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

'Bonus Time' Weekend

The National Trust is opening the doors to its properties for free this spring over the weekend of 20-21 March 2010. In addition to Tattershall Castle, visitors will be able to access 300 of the extraordinary places the Trust cares for throughout the country.

The Bonus Time initiative was launched by National Trust Director General Fiona Reynolds, who said 'This is the perfect excuse to discover what’s on your doorstep, perhaps re-visit somewhere you pass regularly or explore somewhere totally new.'

To make the most of this offer, visitors should download this voucher. All National Trust pay for entry properties, countryside and coastal car parks that are normally open over 20 - 21 March will be participating in the offer.

NB: There will be a number of excluded properties which will be listed here from 1 March 2010