Royal Pageant at Beaulieu

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation, a new exhibition has been unveiled in Palace House. Royal Pageant highlights the connections between Beaulieu and the Montagu family with royalty, stretching back over eight hundred years. Items on display include personal gifts given to the family by members of the Royal Family during their visits to Beaulieu and mementos from royal occasions the family has attended.

The story starts with the founding of Beaulieu Abbey by King John in 1204 and goes on to record the sale of the estate by Henry VIII to Thomas Wriothesley, the 1st Earl of Southampton at the time of the Dissolution in 1538. The family’s lineage is traced back to Royalty, through Lord Montagu’s direct ancestor, James, Duke of Monmouth, eldest illegitimate son of Charles II.
A display of photographs from the late 1800s record a number of significant royal visits, including the then Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, taking his first ride in a motor car with John Montagu in 1899, an impromptu visit by the German Emperor, Wilheim II, to Palace House in 1907, several visits by Queen Mary to Buckler’s Hard during Cowes week between 1926-1928 and George VI’s visit to the Beaulieu River to see preparations for the D-Day landings in 1944.

Coronation robes and coronets

Also on display are the coronation robes and coronets worn by generations of the Montagu family at every coronation since 1821 with the exception of George VI’s in 1937 as they were too big for the then, 10 year old Edward, the current Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. Instead, he wore a black velvet suit and carried a matching velvet bag containing sandwiches to sustain him through the long service. The coronation robes were last worn by Lord Montagu at Her Majesty, the Queen’s coronation in 1953.

Lord Montagu said: “My family and the Beaulieu Estate have connections with royalty going back over 800 years. We are direct descendents of William the Conqueror and Beaulieu Abbey was a royal foundation created by King John. Its dissolution was also a royal act, leading to the sale of the estate to my ancestor, since when the family has served King, Queen and country in various ways through the centuries.

“This exhibition illustrates these connections and stands as our small tribute to the dedication of our present Queen in serving the nation for over 60 years.”

Royal Pageant is on display in Palace House and can be viewed as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction. For further information on the exhibition visit www.beaulieu.co.uk

Living Crafts 2013 A craft experience not to be missed!

Living Crafts is a great opportunity to buy direct from specially selected British designer-makers and is taking place at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire from 9th – 12th May. Visitors to the show will also be able to enjoy an exhibition of contemporary sculptures from the Royal Academy, staged in the award-winning West Garden. From innovative studio glass, textiles and cutting edge jewellery design to bodging, stickdressing and weaving, Living Crafts is the largest consumer craft event of its kind in Europe.

Living Crafts is well established with an enviable reputation for the quality and originality of work, attracting hundreds of designer-makers and thousands of visitors from across the country. Celebrating and promoting a wide range of handmade, contemporary and traditional British craft, the show continues to evolve. The Craft&Design Month Tent will be hosting established makers, including a textile artist, enameller, weaver and an historical jewellery maker, who will all be demonstrating their skills, while fresh talent will be showcasing contemporary design in the Emerging Designers Pavilion. Local and national craft organisations will also be sharing their expertise with informative displays and demonstrations.

Event highlights include The Print Centre, The Sculpture School, a Sculpture Park, and an Art Centre with art materials and lectures, together with host of demonstrations and popular masterclasses led by specialist makers. There are plenty of opportunities for visitors to ‘have a go’ and new workshops feature willow weaving, faux woodgrain and marbling, textile block printing and acrylic painting. Enjoy the vibrant and creative atmosphere with daily entertainment provided by jazz and brass bands and traditional dancing displays.

Entry to the world famous gardens and Old Palace, childhood home of Queen Elizabeth 1, is included in the ticket cost and Hatfield House itself may be visited for a small additional charge. These are only a stroll away through the magnificent parkland.

Be inspired by the passion and skill on show at Living Crafts.

Norfolk Estate’s Jubilee Celebrations to Launch with Charity Concert in aid of Local Hospital

 A Norfolk country estate will be launching its Jubilee celebrations with music from the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and our present Queen in a charity concert in aid of King's Lynn Hospital League of Friends.

On Friday June 1 at 7pm Holkham Hall will be hosting the concert ‘Long May She Reign’, marking the start of its Diamond Jubilee celebrations with music performed by an impressive line-up of talented musicians.

Funds from the concert will go towards King's Lynn Hospital League of Friends, whose main objective is to raise money for the purchase of equipment and amenities in local hospitals.

Performers include the tenor Stephen Miles, pianist Gill Smith, lutenist Peter Trent, the Wensum Chorale and Holborne Recorder Consort, who will make a fitting musical launch to three days of Jubilee celebrations at the hall. Music will include Britten folk songs, lute solos and madrigals from the reign of Elizabeth I and music from the 1950s onwards in a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II.   

Festivities will continue throughout the weekend with a 1950s inspired fun, fashion and food event. On Sunday 3, Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 the Hall, Bygones Museum and courtyard will be alive with activities and events including period cooking demonstrations, a fashion show and rock and roll music – promising to create a lively party atmosphere.

Inspired by the Queen’s 1,000 boat flotilla on the Thames, younger visitors will have the chance to help build Holkham’s own royal flotilla, which will be floated on the lake on Tuesday June 5.

Concert tickets cost £20 and include a glass of wine in The Saloon during the interval. Tickets for the flotilla workshop cost £15 per child.  Normal admission prices apply for the 1950s inspired celebrations. For more information visit www.holkham.co.uk or call 01328 713111.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations at the Treasure Houses of England

Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in classic Royal style at the magnificent Treasure Houses of England. Hosting an array of eclectic events – and with intrinsic links to the monarchy - the historic houses make the perfect venues to mark this momentous occasion. 

Beaulieu’s fabulous 50’s themed event features a range of entertainment for all the family (2nd-5th June), including a drive-in of 50’s vehicles, live jazz from Riverboat Days and old style fun fair rides and stalls. 

A Jubilee Bank Holiday Celebration Weekend will amaze all visitors to Blenheim Palace (2nd-5th June). With children’s characters Rupert the Bear and Noddy & Big Ears delighting the crowds on 3rd, Bunbury’s Celebrity Cricket Match and afternoon tea on 4th and Massed Brass Bands on 5th – it look set be to a wondrous weekend out.

Follow in the footsteps of the Queen herself who is scheduled to visit Burghley House as a part of her Jubilee Tour. Admire its gorgeous Elizabethan architecture, ‘Capability Brown’ landscaped parklands and internationally revered collections.  A Jubilee Jamboree (2nd – 10th June) will offer summer activities for youngsters at an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed festival, boasting tea parties, sporting events and have-a-go fun, including painting your own teacups!

Commemorate Half Term at Chatsworth (2nd - 10th June) with a 1950s extravaganza of events and activities to amuse and enthral the family in true celebratory style. Their four day British summer fete and street party (2nd –5th June) will recreate the original Coronation via a giant street party in the garden complete with fancy dress, bunting and flag decorations, and village fete.   Also hosting Royal walking tours, wool spinning crafts and giant TV screen to transmit the live action and procession as it happens; Chatsworth will deliver an inspired and memorable event for all.

Don’t miss Harewood House’s spectacular street party (2nd 5th June, 10am-4pm). Displaying exciting TV coverage on screens placed throughout the venue, enjoy quintessentially English food, craft activities and several special exhibitions (31st March – 17th June). ‘Royal Harewood: Celebrating the Life of The Yorkshire Princess’, and ‘Marcus Adams: Royal Photographer, photographs from the Royal Collection’ offers a unique insight into the life of HRH Princess Mary in Yorkshire, including some previously unseen items from her Faberge and Fan collection, many given as gifts when Harewood was a Royal Household.  In the Terrace Gallery, intimate photographs of a young Monarch to-be will be on view for the first time in the UK in 2012 to celebrate this special year.

Holkham Hall’s new exhibition highlights the 400-year long royal connection between the monarchy and Holkham’s Coke family establishment (April-October). Delve into the archives, library, personal records and photos to discover original items that illustrate the spellbinding story.  In addition, Holkham and Black Knight Historical celebrate the Jubilee (3rd - 5th June) with a true party atmosphere as the Hall, Bygones Museum and Courtyard become alive teeming with activities and events inspired by the 1950s such as a flotilla workshop and 1950s café menu.

 

For a distinctly British party, head to Leeds Castle for their Diamond Jubilee 1950s Weekend (2nd & 3rd June). Relish cream teas, 1950s cars and engines and picnic in style as the Thames Pageant is broadcast on a big screen.

In the evening, enjoy a vintage newsreel of the Coronation, highlights of the day’s events and 1950s blockbuster Grease ahead of fantastic fireworks accompanied by music.  Leeds Castle will also be staging a Jousting Tournament (5th - 10th June) where Medieval activities – including a craft marquee for children - and various entertainment will wow the masses as they are treated to twice-daily jousting tournaments from knights on horseback in the grounds of the incredible 900-year old castle.

Head to Hatfield House on Monday 4th June as they light a jubilee beacon as part of the celebrations.

Woburn Abbey will have a special trail around the house allowing children to investigate the many links between Woburn, the Dukes of Bedford and the Royal Family.  There will be lots to please all the family, from lawn games to a special Jubilee Afternoon Tea and the opportunity to find yourself in our 19th century Hornbeam Maze (not normally open to the public).

For more information on other events visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk