Eastnor Castle News

The Big Chill:  Eastnor Castle Deer Park  5-8 August 2010

The Big Chill which is held at Eastnor Castle Deer Park every August has been sold to Festival Republic.  Festival Republic is responsible for a number of well known festivals including Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading Festival.

Chillfest, the company that owned The Big Chill have gone into administration and Katrina Larkin the co-founder of the festival has said "the festival had become so big and meant so much to a lot of people that we didn't want it to go under, as many have, we felt the responsible thing to do was not to sell tickets but to look for a buyer to guarantee its future."

Eastnor Castle is looking forward to working with Festival Republic and believes the festival will continue to go from strength to strength.

The Big Chill will take place at Eastnor Castle Deer Park from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 August 2010.

Slippery When Wet!

From all walks of life over 400 runners lined up at Eastnor Castle on Sunday 11th October at 11am for the new adventure race ‘Mud Runner’.  This was the chance for athletes looking for the ultimate challenge to run 6 muddy miles (10k) on the Land Rover Experience tracks – a course designed for testing the worlds best all terrain vehicles around the Eastnor Estate.

Despite the lack of rain in the lead up to the event the course was still slippery and there were more than enough sticky bits for competitors to stumble and stagger their way around the course. 

First male competitor across the finishing line into the castle courtyard was Matt James with a time of 50mins 59secs, and the first female was Georgina Jamieson at 58mins 34secs.  The longest time to complete the gruelling course was just short of three hours.

Kester Wilkinson from D3 Events said it had been a successful event and competitors had enjoyed it.  He said: “we had 410 start the race and 408 finish, with some of the runners doing it for their chosen charities Children in Need and the Midland Air Ambulance.  It’s the first time we have run this event and we were really, really pleased wit how it went.  They all seemed to have a great time and there was a good atmosphere all round the course, so we are delighted with it.”

A clay medal made to look like mud and fired at Eastnor Pottery was given to every competitor along with a T-shirt and goody bag.

Next years ‘Mud Runner’ will be taking place on Sunday 17th October 2010.  For race results, photos and video footage please visit www.mudrunner.co.uk.

Saving Britains Past

Eastnor Castle was featured in a programme by the BBC on Monday 7th September at 7.30pm (BBC 2) called 'Saving Britain's Past'.  James Hervey-Bathurst is featured in the programme discussing Eastnor as a success story on moving with the times to survive in an increasingly competitive world.

Visit BBC iplayer link to view the programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00mp4st/Saving_Britains_Past_The_Country_House/

NAPOLEONIC WARS SPECTACULAR

We welcome back due to popular demand 150 members of the Napoleonic Association who will stage a historic re-enactment on Sunday 30th and Bank Holiday Monday 31st August.

This year marks the 200th Anniversary of the Peninsular War that formed part of the Napoleonic Wars.  The first owner of Eastnor Castle - John Somers Cocks was a lieutenant colonel of the Worcester Yeomanry Cavalry who took part in the Napoleonic Wars.  His son fought with Wellington and was killed at Burgos during the Peninsular War.  The obelisk in the Deer Park opposite the castle was erected by the 1st earl to commemorate his son.

This weekend we will see French and English troops in authentic costume camped in the grounds of Eastnor Castle where 200 years ago manoeuvres took place.  The weekend will be filled with re-enactment, high drama and battles in the castle grounds with displays of military life during that time.

The spectacular re-enactment battle will take place within the grounds at 3.30pm each day.

www.n-a.co.uk

CINDERELLA

Childrens Open Air Theatre

Chapterhouse Theatre Company return to Eastnor Castle on Sunday 16th August with another wonderful open air children's production 'Cinderella'.

The story follows Louisa, Milky-White the cow, and all their friends who decide to act out their favourite fairytale 'Cinderella', one summer afternoon.  Full of magical pumpkins, perfect princes and the thrill of the ball, the children lose themselves in this sparkling tale of friendship, fun and fairy godmothers.  Come in fancy dress and join the characters for the excitement of the fairytale parade...

The lower terrace will provide the perfect setting overlooking the lake and is an excellent opportunity for a picnic with friends and family for this afternoon performance.

Fancy Dress parade during the interval - Performance 1hr 45mins.

Tickets are available on 01531 633160 - Adults £11.00, Children £7.00, Family (2+2) £30.00

Performance starts at 3.00pm (gates open at 2pm)

EASTNOR CASTLE HOSTS
‘TWELFTH NIGHT’ -
A Night of Cross-Dressing and Stockings!

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men return to Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury on Friday 24th July with Shakespeare’s romantic summer comedy of mistaken identity, infatuation and broken hearts.

Originally commissioned by none other than Queen Elizabeth I to celebrate the festival of Twelfth Night, the play has always been one of Shakespeare’s funniest and most popular comedies, with plenty of cross-dressing shenanigans and deserved comeuppance all round.

The terrace at Eastnor Castle provides the perfect setting overlooking the lake and is an excellent opportunity for a picnic with friends and family.  This timeless tale of magic and comedy in beautiful surroundings, and performed in the unique style offers a theatrical experience not to be missed.

‘Don’t miss this 5 star company’ - The Guardian

A brief synopsis….shipwrecked and fearing her twin brother dead, Viola is swept onto the shores of Illyria.  Disguising herself as a boy, she takes a post in the Duke’s court and, on his behalf, attempts to woo his loved one, the Lady Olivia. 

Tickets still available

Performance at 7.30pm – Tickets call 01531 633160
Gates open at 6.30pm

Pirate and Princess Day

Sunday 21st June

The Castle will be calling all children to come dressed as their favourite Pirate or Princess on Sunday 21st June.  This is a new event for Eastnor and is sure to be a popular one! 

Bring a magical picnic for all the family to enjoy on the Valley Lawn and there will be some pirate and princess games along with prizes for the best dressed boys and girls.

Admission prices are for the grounds only and castle upgrades will be available making this great value for a family day out.

ARMOURITIS: 

EASTNOR'S OBSESSION FOR COLLECTING ARMOUR

Eastnor will be bringing history to life with a Medieval Re-enactment event for the Bank Holiday weekend called 'Armouritis' on Sunday 24th and Bank Holiday Monday 25th May between 11.00am - 4.30pm.

Eastnor’s famous collection of over 50 suits of armour is the second largest privately-owned collection in Britain.  Charles, 3rd Earl Somers of Eastnor, who collected the armour in the mid-nineteenth century was susceptible to what he jokingly called ‘armouritis’, an incurable disease that gave him an obsession for collecting armour! 

There will be an arms and armour display by ‘The Armoury’ during the weekend along with armour making demonstrations and a chance for people to wear it.  The grounds will come alive with a living history camp showing authentic life in medieval times.  The ‘Kynges Ordynaunce’, the most authentic artillery re-enactment group in Europe, will be giving a spectacular display on the valley lawn along with ‘The Hartley Household’ with military and firing canon displays.  There will be medieval music by ‘The Bubonic Wind Band’, cookery, pewter casting, light hearted talks and dancing around the grounds with plenty of opportunity for the public to ‘join in’.

KIDS COMPETE FOR FAMILY CHALLENGE TITLE

Lawson, who lives in Eastnor village, has been getting plenty of practice and is confident that with help of his eagle-eyed sister Albany (5) and Mum, Lisa, he stands a good chance of finding all of the markers and claiming victory.
The orienteering race is just one of an unrivalled range of exhilarating outdoor activity events planned for the brand new event.
The focus is on fun, with the more adventurous visitors invited to have a go on the Castle’s famous 250m long zip wire.  There will be mountain bikes to borrow with a challenging track set out around the grounds.  Eastnor based Land Rover Experience will be entrusting their top of the range cars to visitors keen to try out the mini-terrapod ‘off road’ course and you can find out if you have the reflexes of Ronaldo and the agility of Johnny Wilkinson by having a go on a Batak, a machine used by Manchester United and the England Rugby Team to improve fitness and reaction times.
Younger visitors can get to grips with the Castle’s assault course, adventure playground, nature trail and Knight’s maze. Cross your fingers for fine weather in which to roam the stunning woodland, picturesque countryside and lakeside and bluebell walks within the grounds but if it does rain there is plenty to see inside the Castle with lavish interiors, medieval armour, fine art and tapestries on display not to mention the Kitchen Café selling delicious homemade lunches, tea and cakes!

Photo Caption: Left to Right, George Kipper (8), Albany Pugh (5) and Lawson Pugh (8) practice their orienteering skills in readiness for the Eastnor Family Challenge, Bank Holiday Weekend (3-4 May), Eastnor Castle.
Editors Notes
* Orienteering teams must include 3 and 5 people with at least one team member aged between 5 and 15 years old. Recommended minimum age is 5 years – the course is not suitable for prams and pushchairs.
* The zip wire will be available from 11.30am each day for an additional charge of £10.

Eastnor Castle’s popular family treasure hunt will be taking place over the Easter weekend every day between Good Friday 10th April and Bank Holiday Monday 13th April. This year the event will have a celebrity twist and families will take part in a clue trail around the castle and grounds, where they will have to find and identify a whole host of carefully hidden celebrity chicken and bunny pop stars.

Every child taking part in the Eggs Factor Hunt will win a chocolate bunny, and there will be a draw at the end of each day, one lucky family will win a giant chocolate chicken in a basket! In addition, Wizard Wonky will be entertaining children with his much-loved mixture of humour and magic and there will a fabulous local Pig Roast available in the castle courtyard.

The owner, James Hervey-Bathurst, has been given a CBE in the New Year's Honours List.

The award recognises his contribution to the cause of the country's heritage, through his work with the Historic Houses Association.

Mr James Hervey-Bathurst has been president of the association for the past five years and served as deputy president for five years before that.

The Historic Houses Association represents the interests of the owners of 1,500 properties across Britain, ranging from grand mansions and castles such as Eastnor, to more modest but equally venerable properties such as Anne Hathaway's cottage in Stratford.

"The big issue of the last five years has been, jointly with the National Trust and English Heritage, to persuade the Government of the value and importance of our built heritage," he said.

"It's been a struggle but I think we've improved their perception of heritage."

However, he warned that along with every other sector, the heritage industry is being hit by the current economic climate.

"It will be more difficult in the future.  It would be nice to think the Government will continue to support us, but I suspect that we will suffer along with everybody else."

But he said he was delighted with the award, not only for himself but for the organisation.

"This honour should be seen as a reflection of the hard work of all the owners of private historic houses, and their contribution to UK tourism, culture and education,". 

Original Source, one of the UK's fastest growing washing and bathing brands, has announced a three-year title sponsorship of Mountain Mayhem.

The partnership with the world's biggest 24-hour mountain biking endurance event will launch this June.

Original Source has sponsored the event as part of an ongoing campaign to align the brand with extreme sports, while targeting its core audience of those who love intense experiences.

Following the announcement, Philippa Heywood, Senior Brand Manager at Original Source, commented:  "This is the perfect fit for Original Source.  We're getting the brand involved in what its users naturally love to do.  It also makes absolute sense for Original Source washing products to have a presence at one of the muddiest and most intense events in the UK and provide some light relief to our saddle-weary warriors!"

The established event, which will be re-named 'Original Source Mountain Mayhem' as part of the sponsorship deal, is in its twelfth year and attracts an audience of 15,000 spectators.

Taking place at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire, the race sees both riders and non-riders competing solo or as part of a team at the festival-style event.

Patrick Adams of Pacific Edge Events, owners and organisers of Mountain Mayhem, added: "Given they type of brand that Original Source is, it's not only a great match for Mountain Mayhem, but opens up a realm of exciting possibilities for what we do this year.  Expect surprises, excitement and one of the best Mountain Mayhems to date."