Launch of the 2012 North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival

The 2012 North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival, one of the region’s premier local produce events, will be officially launched on Easter Saturday (7th April) in the stunning setting of Creake Abbey, just south of Burnham Market on the North Norfolk Coast.

Now in its third year, the Festival itself will take place on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd September at Holkham Hall, by kind permission of Viscount & Viscountess Coke. This flagship “foodie” event forms part of the county-wide Norfolk Food and Drink Festival which takes place throughout September. With an impressive 8.500 visitors last year, an increase of 68% on its first year, the organisers are seeking 65 stall holders to gather at Holkham Hall for the two day food and drink celebration.

 

The range of produce is expected to include real ales, fish, meat, honey, chilli products, cakes, fruit, ice cream, cheese, fresh juices and much more. Visitors will also benefit from all of the things to see and do at Holkham Hall. Entry to the Festival is free but a car park charge applies. In a new move for 2012 the festival will offer a food-court area providing everyone with outstanding local food and drink for consumption on site. Children’s activities are also planned.
During the festival weekend the hugely popular Cookery Theatre in its trade-mark octagonal tent in the Courtyard at Holkham Hall will see demonstrations by celebrity chefs, organised and hosted by local food supremo Mary Kemp.

The Easter Saturday launch event will also be the launch-pad for the Festival’s popular Local Food Challenge which has been designed to give chefs, below head chef status, the opportunity to show off their skills and knowledge of local produce and ingredients, the seasons, the producers and the tastes and recipes inspired by their surroundings. It also allows local restaurants and their chefs to promote themselves widely.

The ingredients for the Challenge will be chosen by the chefs on the day, from the 45+ producers at the Creake Abbey Farmers’ Market. Each chef will be given £40 to spend with a shopping basket. Store cupboard ingredients will be provided; four pre-prepared items may be used in each heat.

The mobile cookery theatre will be back at the Creake Abbey Farmers Market and will host the Local Food Challenge heats in May, June, and July with the semi-finals in August. The Final will take place in the Courtyard at Holkham Hall on 2nd September. A panel of distinguished “foodie” judges will make the delicious but difficult decisions regarding who goes through to the next round and, ultimately, who wins.

For the launch on 7th April at the Creake Abbey Farmers’ Market, Mary Kemp has asked Chris Coubrough, TV chef and owner of the Flying Kiwis Inns, and Vanessa Scott, of the multi award-winning Strattons Hotel in Swaffham, to demonstrate their culinary talents using seasonal food.
Once again the organisers are delighted to announce Kettles Foods as lead sponsor. Chairman, Teddy Maufe said “we are delighted to be working in partnership again with this nationally recognised and respected local company”.

Dominic Lowe, Kettle Foods MD says "As a major employer in Norfolk and a supporter of the local produce and agricultural community, we are proud to be sponsoring the North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival once again this year. We are passionate about helping to support our local community and enjoy the opportunity of sharing our great tasting KETTLE® Chips with Norfolk consumers. We look forward to another great festival."

The North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival is organised by a Festival Committee on behalf of the North Norfolk Business Forum and is supported by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) which is funded by Defra and the EU. The project is being delivered through the East of England Development Agency.

Festival sponsors
Headline sponsor: Kettle Foods, Venue sponsor: Holkham Hall, Drinks sponsor: The Real Ale Shop. Other sponsors include Norfolk Food and Drink Festival, Crisp Maltings, The Flying Kiwi Inns, British Sugar, Handelsbanken, Morton’s Event Hire, NFU Mutual, Mary Kemp Cookery Days and Creake Abbey

The mobile cookery theatre
Provided by www.cookerylive.com from Norwich

North Norfolk Business Forum
NNBF is a business-led body formed to support and promote the region’s range of mainly small to medium sized enterprises. Its aim is to provide a business voice to lobby and influence at local regional and national levels on issues that affect the success and prosperity of both employers and employees.

Norfolk Food and Drink Festival
The North Norfolk Food and Drink Festival forms part of the county-wide Eastern Daily Press Adnams Norfolk Food and Drink Festival in association with Norfolk County Council. Taking place throughout September, it is the largest event of its kind in the UK.

www.norfolkfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

SHIPWRIGHTRY AT BUCKLER’S HARD 5TH – 7TH MAY 2012

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, 5th – 7th May, archaeology students from the University of Southampton will take a step back in time to the days of Britain’s most famous Royal Navy flag officer, Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson.  They will spend the weekend at the historic village of Buckler’s Hard, where ships for Nelson’s Trafalgar fleet were built, getting hands-on experience of using tools and shipbuilding techniques from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Visitors can watch as the students convert oak timbers from the Beaulieu Estate, into the main components of the framework of a ship, discovering the challenges faced by shipbuilders of the time, and how they overcame them.

Living History Guides will be on hand to tell visitors what life was like, living and working in the village during its shipbuilding years.

Originally called ‘Montagu Town’ by John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, Buckler’s Hard nestles on the banks of the Beaulieu River, in the heart of the New Forest National Park. A visit to the Maritime Museum reveals the story of this unique village, bringing to life the characters who lived here at the time of Henry Adams, the Master Shipbuilder at Buckler’s Hard between 1744 and 1805. The redisplayed museum offers a new interpretation of Buckler’s Hard and the Beaulieu River, focusing on its ships, which have been the inspiration for a wealth of art, literature and films.

Historic displays in the Labourer’s and Shipwright’s cottages show how the village would have looked in the early 1800s and in the New Inn, you can hear residents from the time gossiping about local matters.

Following the Woodland Walk, children can learn how the local timber at Buckler’s Hard was used to construct ships in the 18th & 19th centuries and the whole family can enjoy a tranquil River Cruise, which transports you on a journey along the river with a commentary revealing the history of the Beaulieu River and the abundant wildlife that inhabits its riverbanks.

Don’t miss the most recent addition to Buckler’s Hard; the indigenous boat used by Daniel Craig’s Bond in Quantum Of Solace. Now displayed on the river bank close to the shipwrightry display area, the boat was used in a daring stunt sequence in which Bond landed on the boat on a motorcycle and took part in a gunfight at high speeds on choppy water, followed by a dramatic water chase. The boat has been put on display as part of the celebrations to mark the 50th year of James Bond films, and complements an exhibition of 50 James Bond vehicles being hosted by sister attraction, Beaulieu, during 2012.

Buckler’s Hard is a place for relaxation, as well as exploration. The Captain’s Cabin Tea Rooms serves a range of light refreshments and drinks, including delicious cream teas, throughout the day.  The Master Builder’s House Hotel, situated at the bottom of the street, offers a bar and restaurant with river views.

Buckler’s Hard is open every day from 10am.

For more information visit www.bucklershard.co.uk

CREATIVE CREEPY CRAWLY WORKSHOP at Holkham Hall

Children can get creative and make their own creepy crawlies at a special Bugs and Butterflies Workshop at Holkham Hall on Tuesday (April 10).

Children can be as inventive as they like and create anything from green monsters to dainty butterflies. They will then have the chance to take their creations up to the Victorian greenhouses in the walled gardens, where they can take pictures of them in the glass houses or in the flower beds. The children can take their creepy crawly creations home with them at the end of the day.

There are two workshops, one running from 10am until 12 noon and another from
2pm until 4pm. 

The workshops are suitable for children aged five to16 years. 

Tickets are £15 per child with one accompanying adult free and this includes a visit to the walled garden to see the creative displays. 

For further details or to book a place contact the ticket office on 01328 713111 or email ticketoffice@holkham.co.uk
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Holkham Hall is a member of the Treasure Houses of England, ten of the most magnificent palaces, stately homes and castles in England.

Woburn Abbey unveils Rembrandt Masterpiece

A newly authenticated Rembrandt masterpiece has been revealed for the first time at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire.  Until recently the original oil painting entitled Portrait of an Old Man or The Old Rabbi had hung in a private room at the home of the 15th Duke and Duchess of Bedford.  On public display from 30th March, visitors to Woburn Abbey will have an unparalleled opportunity to view this ‘new’ Rembrandt up close.

Professor Ernst van de Wetering, acknowledged as a world authority on Rembrandt, was invited to Woburn last year to study the portrait.  His conclusion was that the quality and style of work proves it could only have been painted by the Dutch old master Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn.

Woburn Abbey General Manager Jonathan Irby said: “This is a discovery and a fine addition to the Abbey’s wonderful collection of Dutch art.

“We are very excited about bringing this exquisite painting into the public eye, especially since visitors will be able to get within a few inches of it.  The opportunity to discover a ‘new’ Rembrandt will provide an even more memorable day for our visitors in 2012.”

The first written reference to the painting in the Abbey records is in 1791, showing it was cleaned that year.  Along with two other portraits, it was initially accepted as a Rembrandt.  Over time studies of the three portraits resulted in uncertainty.  However, curatorial staff believed Portrait of an Old Man had virtues that made it stand out as something special.

As Professor van de Wetering has highlighted: “This painting is one of Rembrandt’s most impressive evocations of dignity in old age. The way the light makes the figure emerge from the dusky space and illuminates the wrinkled skin of the face, and the hands resting on a stick, makes it an outstanding specimen of Rembrandt’s art.”  It is therefore implied that this is more than a study of old age.   It is believed that the Woburn picture and a painting in the Gemaldegalerie, Berlin (thought to be a portrait of Rembrandt’s wife, Saskia) were intended as a pair.  Both were painted in 1643 on a mahogany panel taken from the same sugar case.  This along with the similarities of design and biblical style: the prominent hands each displaying a ring on the little finger, the black hat with fine decoration and the decorative chains has led to the suggestion from Professor van de Wetering that the pair are depicting the Old Testament biblical story of Boaz and Ruth.

For more information on Woburn Abbey, visit www.woburn.co.uk/abbey or call 01525 290333

Woburn Abbey’s outstanding art collection

Woburn Abbey has been the family home of the Earls and Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years and is currently the home of the 15th Duke and his family.   The Abbey houses one of the most important private art collections in the world with over 250 works by artists including Gainsborough, Reynolds, Van Dyck and Cuyp. 

  

The most popular painting in the collection is the iconic portrait of Elizabeth I attributed to George Gower in 1588.  Known as 'The Armada Portrait' it commemorates the great victorious sea battle the same year against the Spanish invasion fleet.   A statement of power and authority, Elizabeth is portrayed as Empress of the world and commander of the seas.  

The Dining Room at Woburn Abbey contains the largest private collection of Venetian views by Canaletto (1697 – 1768), being 21 paintings displayed in one room. The future Fourth Duke of Bedford visited Venice while on the Grand Tour in 1731 and the paintings were subsequently commissioned. These outstanding paintings remind us of the fascination of this beautiful city for the traveller.

2012 is the third year of the Woburn ArtBeat exhibition.   The village of Woburn and Woburn Abbey join together to promote high quality original art by transforming the village into an art gallery from the 6th April until the 27th April and a large contemporary outdoor sculpture exhibition in the gardens of Woburn Abbey from the 6th April until 31st August.    Works on display in the Abbey Gardens are by artists as varied as Maurice Blik, Philip Blacker, Nicolas Moreton, Paul Vanstone, Peter Randall-Page and William Peers.

Location

Just south east of Milton Keynes, Woburn Abbey is signposted from junctions 12 and 13 of the M1. It is also easily accessible from the A5.

Woburn Abbey Timeline

1145

Hugh de Bolebec founds Woburn Abbey, with monks from Fountains Abbey

1538

Abbot Robert Hobbes executed for treason by Henry VIII and Woburn Abbey dissolved

1630s

Francis, Fourth Earl builds two-storey north wing, with the grottos. Both still part of the house today

1647

Charles I twice previously visited as a guest but this time as a prisoner and had a fateful meeting with Oliver Cromwell

1683

Execution of Lord William Russell for involvement in the Rye House Plot

1694

Posthumous pardon issued for execution and Earldom elevated to Dukedom

1731

4^th Duke’s Grand Tour takes him to Venice.   Commissions paintings by Canaletto as a souvenir.

1763

4^th Duke negotiated the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Seven Years’ War. Louis XV gifts Sèvres porcelain service in appreciation

1747

4^th Duke employs Henry Flitcroft to rebuild the West Wing, turning Woburn Abbey into a graceful Palladian house

1802

John, 6^th Duke employs Humphrey Repton to landscape the park

1816

The gardens are the site of the world’s first ecological experiments and results will later influence Darwin’s argument on the origin of the species

1832

Lord John Russell passes Reform Bill through parliament and twice becomes prime minister during Queen Victoria’s reign

1841

Royal visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

1872 – 1891

Hastings, 9^th Duke contributes to agricultural experiments, school improvements and tenant welfare

1914

Mary, wife of the 11^th Duke takes on role of nurse and turns Woburn Abbey into a military hospital

1937

After several record breaking flights in previous years, Mary disappears on solo flight to Norfolk

1939 – 1945

Woburn estates taken over as centre for black propaganda and billeting of Wrens from Bletchley Park

1955

The Abbey opens to public visitors

1970

Woburn Safari Park opens to the public on the 20^th May 1970

1974

The 14^th Duke creates a world class golf facility with Woburn Golf Club.   1976 saw the opening of the first of the three courses: The Duke’s.

1999 – 2002

The 14^th Duke and Duchess become television favourites on the TV series ‘Country House’

2003

Andrew, the 15^th and present Duke inherits the Estate

Sticky Fingers and Rosy Cheeks at Harewood this Easter

Friday 6th – Monday 9th April, 10am to 4pm

Sticky fingers and rosy cheeks abound at Harewood this Easter Weekend from 6th – 9th April.  Celebrating Easter traditions from across the world, Harewood goes global with a unique mix of activities and crafts, inside and out for all the family.

Photography Shirley Elliot

Visit the superb Children’s Craft Village where children can take part in biscuit decorating, palm leaf weaving, and the chance to make Mardi Gras masks, carnival head dresses, Easter bonnets and Easter baskets.  There will be Easter egg trails through the bird garden and the famous Easter egg hunt around the grounds. Relax and enjoy Morris Dancers, music from the New World Steel Orchestra and Harrogate International Youth Festival in the Courtyard, and donkey rides and an Animal Petting Zoo outside.  If traditional is more your thing and you need a sugar boost, then there’s the chance to see Harewood’s very own chef, Danny, demonstrating traditional chocolate egg making and foods from far and wide Below Stairs in the Old Kitchen.
Plus there are Easter Parades with a difference, combining the traditions of the Brazilian carnival and the Italian carnivale, all wrapped up within a classic British parade.  Children who have taken part in crafts, can then take part in the parades which will be led by musicians in true Carnival style.  The fun culminates on Monday with the lighting of the traditional German Easter Bonfire to shake off the winter season and make way for Spring.

Entry prices to the Harewood Grounds and Below Stairs are Adult £10 (£11 gift aid), Senior Citizen £9 (£9.90), Child/Student £6 (£6.60) and Family £30 (£33). Free to Harewood Members.

Upgrades available to enter the State Floor of the House.  Ticket entry are as per Grounds and Below Stairs prices.  Some activities may require a small additional spend. Visit http://www.harewood.org/whats-on/events/2/808 Grounds close at 6pm.
Harewood Opens for the Full Open season from 31 March 10am – 6pm.

Visit www.harewood.org
Harewood House Trust, Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
Email: info@harewood.org
Tel:  0113 218 1010

Blenheim Palace Wildlife Blog: Breakfast at Blenheim

Blenheim Palace Wildlife Blog: Breakfast at Blenheim: This bold little nuthatch was recently spotted helping himself to an alfresco breakfast...

EASTER HOLIDAY FUN. DAYS OUT AT THE TREASURE HOUSES OF ENGLAND

Promising a mesmerising mix of entertainment especially for children, The Treasure Houses of England are poised to deliver a fabulous feast of family fun this Easter Holidays.

Expect an Easter egg extravaganza at a multitude of venues, such as with BlenheimPalace with their enticing Easter Egg Challenge (6-7 April) around their glorious Pleasure Gardens.  BAFTA award-winning TV series characters Peppa Pig and George with The Piplings will be at Blenheim Palace to meet families (8-9 April). Piplings Yojojo, Lau Lau, Nok Tok and De Li also invite you to join the fun for their interactive yoga sessions (8-9 April).

During the Easter holidays, 31st March – 15th April, young visitors to Beaulieu can join in a Hare-Brained Easter Trail. Look for the hares, find the answers to the clues and collect a sweet treat at the end of the trail.

Easter at Chatsworth

Explore the superb Sculpture Garden and Garden of Surprises at Burghley’s Easter Egg Hunt (8 April); and get involved with Chatsworth’s Easter Eggstravaganza (31 March – 15 April), featuring trails in the house, garden and farmyard, as well as themed crafts and much more.

CastleHoward’s Traditional Easter Fair (6-9 April) will see an old-fashioned dray pulled by Shire horses that will deliver you to a bevy of fantastic fair rides and the huge adventure playground. Enjoy lunch at the Boathouse and become transformed into some wild and imaginative creatures courtesy of the incredible face painters for a fun-filled and adventurous day out.

Sticky fingers and rosy cheeks abound at Harewood this Easter Weekend (6-9 April) Celebrating Easter traditions from across the world, there’s some unique activities inside and out for all the family.  We’ve made Easter at Harewood the best place to get in the Easter spirit, with a superb Children’s Craft Village, Easter egg trails through the bird garden, a now famous Easter Egg hunt around the grounds and the chance to see Harewood’s very own chef demonstrating traditional chocolate egg making.

There’s lots of Easter Fun for children at Holkham Hall (6-9 April) with an ‘Egg-stacle’ course in the beautiful walled garden and appearances of the Bouncing Bunny or Mad Hatter, with crafts and egg-citing Easter fun in the Bygones Musuem.  On Easter Sunday 8th April and Easter Monday 9th  Holkham is turning back the clocks to the Edwardian era commemorating the sinking of The Titanic with “titanic Tea-time Treats” bringing historic cookery to life in the Old Kitchen of the hall. 

Easter at Leeds Castle

Children can follow a trail through the grounds of Leeds Castle to collect a chocolate Easter egg from the Bunny Burrows.  With lots of animal fun, crafts and even Easter Egg Archery! (6-9 April)

Revel in the beautiful outdoors of WoburnAbbey (reopening 30 March) and explore their magnificent Deer Park and Abbey Grounds as well as following the Easter Egg Trail in the Abbey Gardens.  The 19th century Hornbeam maze is open for the Easter weekend providing a fun challenge for adults and children alike (additional charge).

The Treasure Houses of England (THE) is a consortium of 10 of the country’s finest palaces, historic houses and castles. Unique in character, each property has its own magical blend of magnificent architecture, fabulous surroundings, world class collections and family attractions to enjoy.

For more information visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk

Chatsworth Delighted to Welcome the Olympic Flame To the Derbyshire Estate

It has been announced this week that the Olympic Flame will travel to Chatsworth on Friday June 29 as part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay tour of the region.

The torch will be carried into the garden onto the south lawn for a photo opportunity against the backdrop of the restored south façade of the house renewed with re-gilded paintwork and sparklingly clean stonework. Visitors will also be able to see the torch from the parkland being carried in front of the Bastion Wall in front of the West Front of the House.

The Duke of Devonshire said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the Olympic Flame to Chatsworth. The relay is a fantastic way for us to share in the excitement of the Olympics and is a great opportunity to showcase some of the most beautiful landmarks across the country.”

David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, added: “It’s great to see that, as well as taking in so much of our varied and beautiful area, the detailed torch relay route includes some of our premier tourist attractions, such as Chatsworth and the Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath. 

“Excitement is building as the torch relay draws ever closer, and we’re hoping that both local people and visitors will make the most of this unique chance to enjoy the pre-Olympic fun. We are encouraging local tourism businesses and attractions to capitalise by offering special deals and promotions to bring people into the area to join in the celebrations.”

An average of 115 Torchbearers a day will carry the Olympic Flame during its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July 2012 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Schools across the UK can now access free learning resources linked to the Olympic Torch Relay through Get Set (london2012.com/getset), the official London 2012 education programme. The activities are designed to help schools and colleges make the most of the Relay by lining the route, and cheering on their local Torchbearers. Resources include ideas for making Flame hats and shakers to welcome the Flame, an assembly presentation to get the school behind a Torchbearer and a film showing one Get Set network school's preparations for the Relay.

Chatsworth house, garden, farmyard and adventure playground opened on March 11 2012. For more information and ticketing options including a 10 percent discount for online booking, visit www.chatsworth.org

www.treasurehouses.co.uk