Chills and Thrills at Castle Howard

Castle Howard firs Halloween event

Castle Howard will host its first ever Halloween event when the magnificent  grounds of the historic house are transformed into a spooky wonderland for a family friendly ‘Chills and Thrills’ spectacular on Wednesday 30th October 2013.

Walk the flare lit path and catch glimpses of the house and statues rising out of the mist before encountering the headless horseman and his flame bearing guards amongst the trees.  The fire damaged South East wing will be brought to life by our spine-chilling story tellers, whilst terror face painters and magic mirrors will transform you into a frightening sight this Halloween.

The ‘Horses of Halloween’ grand finale will see Yorkshire based Atkinson Action Horses, who have appeared in productions including War Horse, The King’s Speech and Wuthering Heights, perform death defying stunts and breathtaking displays with fire and explosions.

Fire eaters and stilt walkers will appear from the darkness and owls, toads and creepy crawlies will take up residence in the eerie grounds of Castle Howard this Halloween. There’ll be prizes for the most ghoulish costume and best carved pumpkin too.

Katy Pryor, Events Manager said: ‘This is our first ever Halloween event and now that we are putting together the finishing touches we’re all getting very excited. It will be a unique Halloween experience, with Castle Howard making the perfect backdrop for this family friendly evening’

Tickets are on sale now and cost £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and Under 5s go free. Gates open at 4.30pm with tasty Halloween treats on offer throughout the evening.

To find out more, or to book visit www.castlehoward.co.uk

Historic Building Returns To Buckler's Hard

Shipwright's tools

Shipwrightry Workshop - May 2013

Buckler’s Hard, on the banks of the Beaulieu River, could soon become a centre for the teaching and study of traditional shipbuilding with students able to work with large timbers under the supervision of a shipwright. This will soon be a reality thanks to a £3.75m Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust (PNBPT) for its Boatbuilding & Heritage Skills Training Centre project, which includes a Shipwright’s School to be established at Buckler’s Hard.

Mary Montagu-Scott, Director at Buckler’s Hard & Trustee of the IBTC Portsmouth, said: “We are very excited to be working with PNBPT on this project and that our long held wish to revive traditional shipbuilding training at Buckler’s Hard, on the very site where Admiral Lord Nelson’s favourite ship Agamemnon was built, is now close to fruition.”

Plans have been drawn up to build a replica 18th century shipwrights’ workshop in an area at the bottom of the village street, near to the eastern slipways and by an existing display of timber workings.

The timber framed building will be used as a base for the school, which will be run in partnership with the IBTC Portsmouth, based in Boathouse 4 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The training provided will help to ensure the continuation of much needed skills at both a local and national level for the restoration of historic ships and support the traditional boatbuilding industry.  It is hoped that the first student intake will be in April 2015.

The close proximity of woodland with standing timber will present an important opportunity to teach arboriculture techniques and theory, and allow students to learn about the felling, conversion and storage of timber. The first stage of this exciting project will be to construct the workshop using local timber; this build will be a learning exercise in its own right, with students using traditional tools and methods.

Visitors to Buckler’s Hard will also be encouraged to visit the workshop.  By seeing a practical demonstration of shipbuilding methods, it is hoped that everyone will gain a better understanding of the industry which gave the village a place in British naval history.

Autumn in all its Glory at Harewood House: 26th October to 3rd November

Harewood House

Imagination and originality are a major theme this Autumn and this half term’s ‘Autumn Glory’ is bursting with creativity.  Help us build an extraordinary sculptural paper forest, let your ideas run riot and learn without even knowing you are!  We’ve worked hard to ensure there’s something for everyone, inside and out, and surrounded by the glorious colours and shapes of autumn, we’re not short on inspiration.  This year, the colours are forecast to be more fabulous than ever so we’ve pulled out all the stops to ensure that the magnificence of autumn is woven through all of our events and activities.  It’s also your last chance to let off steam in the gardens and grounds, and enjoy a visit to the House ahead of closing for the winter for conservation,  so we can get ready for the big opening in 2014.

We like creativity, so this year, visitors to Harewood can take part in The Big Draw.  This inspirational campaign is designed to get everyone drawing, from professionals to amateurs, whether you’re adept or amateur, enthused or just inquisitive about what you can create.  Help Harewood build a ‘sculptural forest’ by designing and decorating your own leaf to hang on twine branches which, when complete, will form a great communal paper forest.  Held in the Education Suite at Harewood, you can either join in the fun there, or visit the website for a template and let your creativity flow.  The Big Draw is part of the first ever Family Arts Festival, a national programme designed with families in mind and which takes place in late October to early November.  The Big Draw aims to encourage the nation to celebrate and get drawing, whatever your skills and whatever your age.  Free to Harewood members, entry to Autumn Glory is included in a Grounds ticket for all other visitors – which includes access to Below Stairs. (Upgrade available for entry to the House).

In addition, there are the traditional activities for everyone, from children’s craft activities including potato and leaf printing, seasonal food demonstrations in the Old Kitchen with an amazing range of apples from the Northern Fruit Group and Harewood’s orchards, an interactive literature trail, storytelling in the bookshop and a carved pumpkin display.  Plus there are our feathered friends in the Bird Garden, the Adventure Playground, the extraordinary ruins of Harewood Castle and walks to enjoy.   

Have A Hauntingly Good Half Term At Beaulieu - 26th October – 3rd November 2013

Halloween at Beaulieu

Look out for some strange happenings in the neighbourhood at Beaulieu this October Half Term – it will be quite a spectre-cle!

Beaulieu is reputed to be one of Britain’s most haunted places and ghosts have often been seen and heard in its 13th century Abbey and at Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538.  Hear Spooky Stories from the costumed guides in Palace House, and children can take a lucky dip in the Witches Cauldron and be given a Gruesome Face Painting.

All children who get into the ‘spirit’ of the holidays and come to Beaulieu in Halloween fancy dress will receive special half price admission.

In the National Motor Museum, you can follow the Halloween Trail and see some of the 250 vehicles on show, from early motor cars to Land Speed Record Breakers. Don’t miss one of the last chances to see BOND IN MOTION, displaying 50 of the best-loved and most iconic vehicles from the James Bond films. This fantastic, one-off exhibition will be closing on the 5th January 2014. See the quirky Crocodile Submarine used by Bond in Octopussy, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, with its adaptive camouflage system from Die Another Day and the ever iconic Aston Martin DB5 used in Goldeneye, plus watch fantastic film clips and behind-the-scenes footage from some of the most thrilling vehicle stunt sequences in the film series.

Have a ride on ‘Wheels’, a pod ride through 100 years of motoring history and take a trip on the high-level Beaulieu Moan-o-rail which passes through the roof of the Motor Museum.

Become a part of the world’s greatest car show with Beaulieu’s ‘World of Top Gear’.  Enter the Top Gear Enormodrome to see actual cars from some of the presenter’s most ambitious challenges, hear the stories behind them and enjoy clips of some of the best Top Gear moments.

Beaulieu is open daily from 10am – 5pm. For more information, please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

Healthy Eating Expert Shares Her Tips And Tricks At Castle Howard

Stock up on fresh fruit, vegetables, beans and pulses from Castle Howard’s Farm Shop and learn how to ‘Eat Yourself Young’ when author and celebrity naturopath, Elizabeth Peyton Jones visits the historic house on Tuesday 8 October.

Elizabeth, who recently featured on Channel 4’s ‘How Not To Get Old’ series, will reveal secrets from her new book and discuss the ageing properties of different foods in this talk and tasting session.

She said: “My aim is to help people eat delicious, super-healthy food which will make them look and feel years younger, full of energy and vitality. I’m really excited about the talk at Castle Howard and will be bringing along some of my aduki bean brownies for everyone to try.”

The talk takes place on Tuesday 8 October, from 11am to 12.30pm in the Courtyard Cafe. Tickets cost £10 or £20 to include a copy of Elizabeth’s new book ‘Eat Yourself Young’ and are available online at www.castlehoward.co.uk

For more information on the eating plan visit: http://www.epjhealth.com

Sustainable MotoExpo at Beaulieu is postponed

Sustainable MotoExpo due to take place on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th September 2013 at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire has been postponed and provisionally rescheduled to Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th April 2014

A spokesman for Eco Motorsport, the event organisers, said ‘Whilst the decision to postpone the weekend has been a difficult one – it is the right one.  During the final preparations for the Expo, we were notified of the postponement of one of its major attractions. We would rather move the event date, than disappoint visitors. It has always been our intention to deliver an Expo with innovative and exciting content that truly showcases the latest advances in green technologies, engineering and motor sport. We have a long-term business plan to make Sustainable MotoExpo an annual show for years to come, but to pull off such an event, we must ensure that all the key elements are in place as promised. We’d like to thank all of those who had committed to attend the weekend, and that have continued to support us with our decision”.

The rescheduling has been welcomed by a number of organisations that were originally unable to attend. Firm commitments have been made by several leading businesses to showcase electric & hybrid cars , endurance, land speed, karting & Formula e racing cars and motorcycles. 2014 is a landmark year for several significant motor sport anniversaries, all of which will be recognised and celebrated at the event.

Engineering and education have always been at the heart of the Sustainable MotoExpo. The event will continue to have a strong presence from a number of Universities and Colleges with a focus on automotive and motorsports engineering, who will be exhibiting their latest research and technology.

Tickets
Customers and exhibitors who have purchased tickets or other packages for the 2013 event, have the opportunity to either transfer to the new show date, or obtain refunds. For further enquiries, please contact the company you purchased your tickets from: Beaulieu on Tel: 01590 612888. Or from Tickets South, please visit: at: www.ticketsouth.co.uk/MotoExpo or Tel: 023 8071 1818. In person: The Ticket South shop in The Marlands Shopping Centre, Southampton.

New additions galore to sustainable Motoexpo programme (Event now postponed - see post above)

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September 2013 at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

One of the largest and most varied sustainable and eco-friendly motoring events take place at the internationally renowned National Motor Museum, Beaulieu next month. The organisers are delighted to confirm a number of new additions to the already packed programme:

* The Rt Hon Vince Cable MP Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, will unveil the new Bluebird DC50 electric sports car and Bluebird GTL electric race car at 15:00 on Saturday 28 September.

* Kingston University Electric Bike Phoenix will be on display having recently achieved 160mph at Elvington Airfield, York (A non-official UK Land Speed Record). The team is aiming to break the 200mph barrier. Kingston University has been developing world class electric bikes since 2009, and are actively competing on a world stage at the Isle of Man TT. They hope to return to the TT in 2014.

* Surrey-based Team Green MotorSport will display its Peugeot ION that recently completed the World Advanced Vehicle Expedition, WAVE 2013. A rally where forty teams from all over the world drove from Vienna to Zürich, powered by renewable energy. The team collected first prize for Best Car Decoration and were awarded 3rd for the most efficient drive. The Peugeot ION hosts a 16 KWh Lithium-Ion battery (220 V) and comes equipped with rapid charge port, enabling the car to be fast charged in less than 20 minutes to 85%. The total weight is 1195 kg. The maximum power of the synchronous motor is 49 kW delivering a maximum torque of 180 Nm EU standard.  Green MotorSport visited many European cities en route, completing a total recorded distance over 2600 km powered only by electricity generated from renewable sources. The Moss Solar Trust supplied solar energy, and over 600 kW hours of energy were isolated for the journey making their efforts carbon zero.

* Taking to the circuit will be two Tesla Model S electric sedans, one of which will be driven to the event by Carl Nielsen, CEO of Clear Drive in Copenhagen, a company that is setting up a Tesla S Limo Service in Copenhagen. The Tesla Model S has been popping up in cities throughout the world as a viable replacement for traditional cabs, bringing another green transportation alternative to the public realm. The car can drive up to 265 miles on a single charge, and its supercharger can juice up the battery in just an hour, while the spacious interior can seat up to seven people, making it an attractive alternative to a traditional cab. There are three battery options – 40 kWh, 60 kWh and 85 kWh Model S, each delivering unprecedented range.  The Model S comes standard with everything you need to plug into the most common 240-volt outlet.

* Stephen Vine, from New Forest Environmental, which runs a fleet of Twizy two-seater electric cars, will be providing hour-long drive experiences. The New Forest is the country's first destination to offer a fleet of Twizy electric vehicles with a comprehensive charge point network as a fun and innovative way to explore the stunning scenery. The Twizy two-seaters offer a truly 'green' stay for visitors who can arrive at the main train station at Brockenhurst, hire a Twizy and make use of a network of 20 charge points at hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks and attractions throughout the New Forest, and benefit from great money-saving discounts at all places.

* As well as live electric vehicle demonstrations and passenger rides on a 400m circuit, there will now be an electric kart trophy university challenge.

Together with live electric vehicle (EV) demonstrations, displays of the latest electric and hybrid cycles, cars and motorbikes plus a programme of debates in regards to UK Motor Sport in 2013 and Beyond.

Organised by Eco-Motorsport Ltd, Sustainable MotoExpo will include a strong presence from universities and colleges which focus on automotive and motor sport engineering showcasing their latest research and technology. For anyone thinking about pursuing a career in the automotive and/or motor sports industry, course leaders, career advisors and students will be on hand throughout the weekend to provide advice on the various options available.

Tickets:  
One-day admission price, valid on either day, if purchased in advance up to 5pm on Friday,  27th September, 2013:
Adult/Senior  £14.00,
Child/Youth   £9.00
Family           £40.00
Under 5's      FOC

Entry includes access into all of the Sustainable MotoExpo talks and seminars running over the weekend, plus entry to the National Motor Museum including the BOND IN MOTION exhibition, Palace House and Gardens, Beaulieu Abbey and World of Top Gear.

Tickets are available from the following places:
National Motor Museum, Beaulieu online shop, visit: www.beaulieuevents.co.uk or Tel: 01590 612888

Or from Tickets South, please visit: at: www.ticketsouth.co.uk/MotoExpo or Tel: 023 8071 1818.

In person: The Ticket South shop in The Marlands Shopping Centre, Southampton

Eco-Motorsport Ltd
Eco-Motorsport Ltd is a joint venture between Cheltenham MotorSports Ltd and Concession Cirkitz International. The team has a track record in staging Sustainable MotoExpo events, combining the latest in low carbon, energy efficient race and road cars, motorbikes, bicycles and go karts and eco motorsport. Cheltenham MotorSports provides the academic, industry and Government eco-system and race series development, while Concession Cirkitz International contributes the design and engineering expertise of IAAP award winning go-karts. Sustainable MotoExpo 2013 is the next step on our journey to develop a future eco motorsports race series and share the latest in low carbon technology and sustainable transport.

Beaulieu
Beaulieu is one of the South of England’s top day visitor attractions and is set in the heart of the New Forest National Park. It is a guaranteed great family day out with lots for everyone to enjoy including the world famous National Motor Museum, home to a stunning collection of automobiles telling the history of motoringfrom the dawn of motoring to the present day, Palace House, home of the Montagu family, historic Beaulieu Abbey which was founded in 1204 by Cistercian Monks, BOND IN MOTION, the world’s largest official collection of original James Bond vehicles, World of Top Gear featuring vehicles from some of the presenters’ most ambitious challenges.

Sponsored by Next Green Car, the UK’s leading green car website providing independent and expert advice to help people find a more economical and environmentally friendly car.   With all the latest news and reviews, a comprehensive database of new and used cars and the unique Green Car Rating enabling comparison across technologies - Next Green Car is an essential destination for those researching a greener car. http://www.nextgreencar.com

More information: www.sustainable-motoexpo.com www.beaulieuevents.co.uk