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Castle Howard SummerLate Summer 2013 2013 (Issue 51) (Issue 51)

DUTY CALLS: IN TIME OF WAR See pages 4 and 5

Christopher Howard (third from left) and his crew in front of their Boston light bomber in 1942

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter - Late Summer 2013 Page 2 HOWARDIAN HILLS JUBILEE

Last year marked 25 years since the Howardian Bridge or the Gatehouse. Hills was officially designated as an Area of The seats are made from a length of natural oak Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). branch wood, sourced from the Castle Howard To mark the jubilee year, the AONB Committee Estate and secured to the ground with stout stakes; is installing 25 natural log seats at viewpoints providing a welcome resting spot which is in throughout the area. The first was installed in keeping with the surroundings. December last year and overlooks the Mausoleum Wet ground conditions and the need to cross at Castle Howard. farmers’ arable fields has meant a slight delay in the The site was chosen by Nick Cooke, Forestry seat installation but the remaining log seats are Manager and is situated just by East Moor Banks hoped to be in place by the end of summer and will Woods within easy walking distance of the Castle be spread throughout the 16 mile west-to-east Howard car park and grounds via the New River length of the AONB. Paul Jackson, Howardian Hills AONB Manager

Rest a while and take in one of www.howardianhills.org Nick Cooke’s favourite views As one of the areas of landscape recognised in the late 1940s as being worthy of national protection; the Howardian Hills was officially recognised as an AONB in October 1987. It covers a total area of 75 square miles stretching from to Malton, Howsham to Husthwaite and is one of 47 AONBs in , and . Other North AONBs include Nidderdale and the . ‘OSCAR’ NOMINATION I am pleased to announce Castle Howard has visitor offer which includes our ‘added-value’ events been shortlisted for a tourism ‘Oscar’! The annual programme, a new Coffee Shop & improved White Rose Awards organised by Welcome to Boathouse Café, as well as the recent work Yorkshire, are the highest official recognition a undertaken by the Castle Howard Arboretum Trust tourism provider can achieve. to reinstate the 18th-century pathways in Ray The awards recognise excellence in visitor Wood. experience, product development and customer The awards ceremony takes place on Monday service. Our entry in the Large Visitor Attraction 11th November in Leeds. We are keeping our category, highlights recent improvements to our fingers crossed! www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter—Late Summer 2013 Page 3 BOUGHT WITH LOVE: BRITAIN’S ART HISTORY

A new BBC 4 mini-series aired in July featuring national collection. Castle Howard and the contribution made by the In the final episode, shown on Wednesday 31st 5th Earl to Britain’s art history. July, Helen met the Hon Simon Howard and ‘Bought With Love: The Secret History of Dr Chris Ridgway to discuss the 5th Earl’s love of British Art Collections’ saw art historian Helen art and the part he played in shaping the history of Rosslyn explore how passionate collectors brought art of our nation. great art into Britain. She revealed the stories of the Catch all three episodes on BBC iPlayer. men and women whose enthusiasm for art, sense of Rachel Underwood, Marketing Manager adventure and powerful wealth built Britain’s

WHEN MR DARCY CAME TO VISIT

If you visited the House between Sunday 30th June and Friday 12th July you will not have failed to notice the large number of TV vehicles, scaffolding and lighting rigs outside the house - not to mention the many elegant characters in costume Guide Gwynne Hoss has her Mr Darcy lounging in the sunshine on the South Front . moment - with Matthew Rhys We were delighted to be chosen as one of the main locations for a new three-part drama ‘Death (Elizabeth), Matthew Rhys (Darcy), Matthew Comes to Pemberley’, which is to be shown at Goode (Wickham), Penelope Keith (Lady Catherine Christmas on the BBC. de Bourgh) and Trevor Eve (Sir Selwyn Hardcastle). ‘Death Comes to Pemberley’ is adapted from The director Daniel Percival thanked the PD James's international bestselling novel of the and staff for their “kindness, same name. Written as a ‘sequel’ to Jane Austen’s patience and support” as the cast and crew Pride and Prejudice, it picks up the story of undertook a mammoth eleven day shoot, with Elizabeth and Darcy six years into their marriage. many scenes wrapped in the early hours of the Filming took place in the bedrooms and South morning. Front rooms, as well as in the Walled Garden and After leaving Castle Howard the crew headed Temple of the Four Winds. south to film at Chatsworth. Other locations for Castle Howard played host to a star-studded the drama include , Newby Hall cast, which included Anna Maxwell Martin and .

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter - Late Summer 2013 Page 4 DUTY CALLS: CASTLE HOWARD IN TIME OF WAR

Our new exhibition ‘Duty Calls: Castle Howard story of her son Geoffrey commanding a fleet of in Time of War’ opened in May as part of a series buses in Belgium that ferried troops to the of linked exhibitions running across the member front (blind in one eye he was not able to fight in houses of the Yorkshire Country House Partnership the trenches); the tragic death of his younger throughout 2013 and 2014. brother Michael at Passchendaele in 1917; and The exhibition looks at the impact of conflict most surprising of all, the extraordinary little diary on Castle Howard; for both the family and wider of Private James Prest from his time as a prisoner of community. The stories encompass the lives of war in 1918, generously loaned by his son John those left behind as well as those fighting and of the who lives in Coneysthorpe. staff, tenants and family alike. These were just a few of the stories we could Intensive research for the exhibition began in present and illustrate with documents and late February and there was some trepidation as to photographs. But we had to leave out the touching whether we had enough material to make a good episode of how the estate horses were requisitioned exhibition. These anxieties quickly vanished as a by the army in 1914, with the request by the agent huge amount of material began to emerge from the that the children’s ponies be returned after the archives as well as from individuals keen to share conflict; the German POW camp near Welburn; their memories, objects and documents. We’ve and the emotive issue of what did or did not received items from as far afield as Australia as well constitute a reserved occupation, which would as from across the UK with the exhibition exempt men from going to the front. developing as more and more articles come in. There were just as many stories to tell from Discoveries from WWI included: Rosalind, the WWII. The surprise at finding out that in 1937 9th Countess, refusing to make Castle Howard Castle Howard was already being thought of as a available to the military in September 1914; the hospital in the event of an attack by air; the

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter - Late Summer 2013 Page 5 astonishing set of letters and journals among the finished installing the exhibition with the thought children of Geoffrey Howard: Christian, Mark, ‘thank goodness the Howard family never threw George and Christopher, and their experiences at anything anyway.’ home and away fighting. There were also reminders Chris Ridgway, Curator that life went on as normal despite the conflict; The other Yorkshire Country House when the house was a school the headmistress Partnership members participating in the ‘Duty asked for modifications to be made to the house Calls’ exhibitions are: whilst occupied by so many pupils in the same week , Brodsworth Hall, Fairfax as thousands of British troops were lying exhausted House, Kiplin Hall, Lotherton Hall, Newby Hall, on the beaches of Dunkirk awaiting evacuation. Nostell Priory and Sewerby Hall. Once more, a great deal had to be left out, The decision to launch the project a year in including details of the military occupation of part advance of the nationwide commemorations in of the Estate in 1939. 2014 was taken to allow for reflection before the Because of the wealth of material and the array of events next year. Additionally, the ongoing contribution being made by members of exhibitions may prompt people to come forward the public, we have decided to issue a book to be and thus allow the collections to develop and launched at the beginning of the 2014 season. If mature over the two years. you have any recollections, documents or Find out more about Duty Calls and the photographs relating to Castle Howard in time of Yorkshire Country House Partnership at: war please get in touch. We are also planning a www.ychp.org.uk number of lectures and events throughout 2014. ‘Duty Calls’ tells a hitherto unknown chapter in Below: Notification issued in 1914, warning of a the history of Castle Howard; the abundance of possible invasion. Just one of many official wartime material available in the archives has allowed us to documents in the archives at Castle Howard. provide a glimpse into that history. As a curator I

London buses, ‘bristling with bayonets’, transporting British soldiers to the trenches. From 1914-15 Geoffrey Howard commanded a fleet of 1,000 buses in Belgium.

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter - Late Summer 2013 Page 6 A SUMMER OF POP & PROMS not forgetting a rousing finale of flag-waving favourites from the Last Night of the Proms and spectacular firework display. On Sunday 18th August the nineties and noughties will be revisited, with a fantastic line-up including , , , B*Witched, 911 and the . Following the success of hit Popfest: Blue at Castle Howard TV show The Big Reunion, these popular bands are on Sunday 18th August making a comeback and will be visiting Castle Howard for an amazing pop extravaganza. We are also excited to be welcoming a special guest presenter... yet to be announced! Tickets are still available for the Proms Spectacular and Popfest - buy online at www.maconcerts.co.uk August this year promises to be a very musical New for 2013 and perfect for the family, on month. There is something for everyone, from the Saturday 24th August the Minster FM stage will pomp and ceremony of the Proms to Sounds in the come to Castle Howard to showcase the very best Grounds showcasing up-and-coming bands as well in local talent – from young, up-and-coming bands as cover artists. Not to mention the ‘noughties’ to established cover bands playing your favourite favourites, who will be taking to the stage at hits. There will be something for everyone and lots Popfest! to keep younger members of the family entertained, As ever the Castle Howard Proms Spectacular, including stilt-walkers, circus skills, magic shows on Saturday 17th August, will be a great and face painters. There is no need to book in celebration of all things British. This year it will advance, just turn up on the day. Sounds in the feature the renowned English National Orchestra Grounds is included in the price of a grounds entry with Jae Alexander at the helm, star soloists John ticket. Katie Pryor, Events Manager Hudson and Janet Mooney and an aerobatic display by an original World War II Spitfire, dramatically choreographed with split-second timing. This year’s concert will also feature the chart- topping male vocal harmony group The Overtones, plus a very special performance by the Military Wives Choir, from . And that’s

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter - Late Summer 2013 Page 7 TIME TO EXPLORE installed, Richard Leonard of AD Bell marked out the walks with temporary posts. Unfortunately, within a few weeks many of the posts had been uprooted and strewn about the wood. On further investigation Richard discovered that the wood’s furry residents had been very curious – and teeth marks in the posts proved him right. The temporary posts were put back up and then subsequently

Follow the new signage replaced by the much more durable permanent to enjoy seasonal markers. woodland walks Den Stubbs has designed the illustrated Ray Wood booklet which contains a brief history of the The three-year restoration in Ray Wood wood and the seasonal overseen by the Yorkshire Arboretum (previously walks and maps. The Castle Howard Arboretum Trust) is nearly booklet is written by Jan complete. The volunteers’ hard work has made the Hoyland and contains wood easier to navigate without losing the charm of some glorious photographs its serpentine paths, monuments and of course its by Mike Kipling. This is magnificent plants and trees. now available for sale at When the pathways were cleared, Jan Hoyland the Ticket Office, (then curator at the Castle Howard Arboretum Bookshop, House Desk Trust) created seasonal walks for spring, summer and House Gift Shop at £2 and autumn. Each walk takes around 25 minutes (or free to Annual Pass holders). and makes the most of the plants flowering in each We are currently working on some smart season. information panels which will explain the site of the Once the routes were set out, new signage was ruined Temple of Venus, tell the story of the long needed to orientate visitors. The signs had to lost follies and reveal the workings of the 18th- complement the environment and be visible without century reservoir. New rustic benches using wood being intrusive. In consultation with signage from the estate are also planned. We hope that in providers AD Bell, it was decided to use solid oak the future a route accessible for wheelchairs can be frames and directional posts with designer Den created too. Stubbs redesigning the maps at each entrance in Ray Wood has always been an enchanting place more sympathetic colours. We used the symbols of to spend time – but this summer and autumn you a leaf (spring), flower (summer), and acorn can do so without worrying about getting lost! (autumn) as indicators on the posts for each route. Hannah Jones, Before the permanent directional posts were Visitor Services Manager

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter - Late Summer 2013 Page 8 WONDERPHIL MAUSOLEUM TOUR WEDNESDAYS! Phil Grainger aka WonderPhil, whom you may know as Father Christmas' helper from our Fireside Audience with Father Christmas, also runs Gobbledigook Theatre, a theatre company producing in York and surrounding areas. He has created two new shows for Castle Howard this summer. A moving magic show; taking you through the If you are a Castle Howard Annual Pass holder stunning and magical grounds of Castle Howard you are invited to apply for a place on the exclusive and Promenade theatre; bright-eyed storytelling Mausoleum Tour taking place on Saturday 5th with WonderPhil acting as your guide and narrator, October. introducing you to other characters on the way! Exclusive to Annual Pass holders, visit the most Shows will take place every Wednesday throughout mysterious and imposing building in the Castle the summer so you have plenty of time to catch Howard landscape where generations of the both! No need to book – they are there for you to Howard family are buried in the vaults beneath the enjoy at your leisure, and included in your grounds spectacular chapel. The tour involves walking entry. across uneven terrain and lasts between 2 and 2.5 Katie Pryor, Events Manager hours, so sensible footwear is a must. Numbers are limited, therefore Annual Pass holders are invited to apply for a place by Friday 20th September. Successful applicants will be drawn and notified by Friday 27th September. You can apply via post, email [email protected] or telephone 01653 648621. Magical WonderPhil Nicole Hingley, Visitor Services NOW STOCKING LOCAL ORGANIC VEG Our new selection of local organic vegetables are proving popular. Supplied by Newfield Farm at Fadmoor, on the , current stocks include fennel, kohlrabi and curly kale. Why not pop in and see what’s on offer and try out the recipe opposite. www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter—Late Summer 2013 Page 9 SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY Whatever the occasion, the Castle Howard Farm Shop has some wonderful summer tipples, all locally produced with care, attention to detail and pride in their Yorkshire heritage. As well as the renowned Abbey, which supplies beers and ciders to the Farm Shop, Vineyards have been producing award-winning we are supplied by local brewers Cropton Brewery wines since 2009 from the south-facing slopes at from Pickering and Wold Top from Wold Newton. the foot of the . Run by husband Local producer Sloe Motion; a small, family- and wife team Stuart and Elizabeth Smith, their run business from Barton-le-Willows, supplies sloe sought-after wines are on sale in the Farm Shop. gin, vodka, brandy and chocolate treats. Sloe We’d recommend ‘A Taste of Paradise’, a sparkling Motion continues to lead the field with great rosé and the perfect fizz for a summer’s evening. products and their most recent addition, the No. 7, Yorkshire Country Wines, based at Stockton on has been hailed as ‘Yorkshire’s answer to Pimms, the Forest, produce a range of traditional wines only better’. Already a firm favourite, this summer including damson and rhubarb. Why not try their cup has a hint of summer fruit, fresh herbs and is elderflower wine; they use elderflowers which are amazing served with good-quality lemonade, ice picked on the Castle Howard Estate each year in and a sprig of mint. June. Vineyards, only eight miles from Cheers! Castle Howard, is England’s most northerly Jane Deri, Farm Shop Manager commercial vineyard. Planted in 2006 Ryedale A QUICK SUMMER SUPPER: SPANISH OMELETTE Peel a large potato and slice very thinly. Fry in a heavy ovenproof pan in enough olive oil to cover the potato. When soft pour off the excess oil and lift out the potatoes. Meanwhile blanch 3 - 4 handfuls of washed spinach. When wilted take off the heat and drain off the excess water. Crush one clove of garlic and add to the potato pan with a chopped onion. Cook on a medium heat for 2 minutes or until soft. Add the blanched spinach and potato and cook until warmed through. Add 6 beaten eggs (seasoned with salt/black pepper/herbs) and cook gently for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Continue to cook through gently or for best results transfer to the oven to brown off.

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter - Late Summer 2013 Page 10 CHILLS & THRILLS wizards, ghosts and ghouls, as well as owls, toads, snakes and creepy crawlies. Keep your eye out for AT HALLOWEEN the headless horseman who is sure to be hiding Autumn Preview among the trees! Spooky stories will be told in the South East Wing which, untouched since the fire in 1940, provides a suitably spooky backdrop. You may not even recognise yourself in the hall of mirrors, especially if you get your face painted by one of our professional ‘terror’ face painters. Stilt- walkers, fire-eaters and our very own Geoffrey the Dragon Tamer (aka Geoffrey the Lion) will be on hand to protect you from the spooks. The Castle Howard pumpkin carving team will be busy in the week leading up to the event, ensuring the grounds are lit up with ghoulish pumpkins. You are also invited to bring along your own and there will be a prize for the scariest! We’ll Atkinson Action Horses in action! also be giving a prize for the best Halloween Between the end of the busy summer holidays costume so dust off your witches hat. and the madness of Christmas, I am usually busy at The grand finale will be a spectacular 40- my desk booking acts and entertainers for the minute display of horsemanship by Atkinson Action forthcoming season. This year, however, I have Horses. Their Horses of Halloween stunt riding decided to set myself an additional challenge! show features knights, minions, a unicorn, fire, Since I started working at Castle Howard pyrotechnics and some breathtaking stunts. almost three years ago I’ve been keen to get a Tickets must be pre-booked with all activities Halloween event into the calendar. So I am very included in the price. Tickets are on sale now: excited to announce our own Halloween Adults £15; Concessions (U16/senior/students) £10. spectacular, ‘Chills & Thrills’ on Wednesday 30th Katie Pryor, Events Manager October. I know it’s not actually on Halloween, but I don’t want people to miss out on trick or treating HO, HO, HO... – so why not have the best of both worlds? A date for your diary - tickets for our popular ‘Chills & Thrills’ will be exciting, fun and Audience with Father Christmas will go on sale family friendly. The last thing we want to do is Monday 23rd September. Available online only at frighten people away! www.castlehoward.co.uk The event will take place in the early evening, Register for our E-news, or follow us on when the South Front will be transformed into a Facebook or to receive updates. spooky wonderland where you can meet witches,

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter—Late Summer 2013 Page 11 WELCOME WEDDING BELLE Emma Tomlinson joined the Accounts team in June, to work on the sales ledger activities. Emma has recently moved to Yorkshire from Derbyshire. Naomi Newton left the Farm Shop to join the Estate Office team to work alongside Fay Walls and Ed Bland. While Patrick Donaghy joined the Farm Shop butchery team. Finally at the end of July we welcomed Hannah Cooke as Press & Communications Manager, and Heather Jones as Business Development Manager to the Marketing team. Jane Glynn, HR Manager

There was cause to celebrate indeed, when A FOND FAREWELL Anna Louise Mason, Assistant Curator, and Sarah Buckroyd of Gardener Karl Scarboro tied the knot at the Estate Office left Coneysthorpe Chapel on Saturday 22nd June. her post in July, having Anna Louise, who is originally from Glasgow, worked and (in her has worked at Castle Howard for nearly four years, own words) ‘played’ at and Karl, who hails from York, for nearly two Castle Howard for years. They met in 2011 at the staff Christmas over 20 years. party, and Karl took Anna Louise out for coffee the Sarah reminisced following day at the Courtyard Café. So smitten about her time at Castle Howard: “I have many was he that he drove to Glasgow during the unique memories here; Mr and Mrs Simon Christmas holiday to see her, and met her off the Howard’s wedding, the birth of Merlin and train at York station on her return. Octavia, working with John on One Man Music at the wedding was provided by a nine- & His Dog, and Garry Barlow on his Christmas year-old bagpiper, the son of Anna Louise’s best Special – filmed in July! friend, and by a small group of brass players made “Above all the special places, occasions and up of members of the Shepherd Group Brass Band events, it is the past and present people on the and Karl’s family. estate, who form a unique fraternity, that I have The couple honeymooned in Pittenweem, a cherished most and thank for their friendship, fun, picturesque fishing village on the Fife coast. Anna and support over the years.” Louise said: “It was lovely and included lots of trips Sarah is moving on to set up home near to historic houses and gardens!” with her partner Richard and their five children.

www.castlehoward.co.uk Castle Howard Newsletter - Late Summer 2013 Page 12 WHAT’S ON The following events will take place between Tuesday 10th September August and October. Visit our website Craft & Produce Market in the Courtyard www.castlehoward.co.uk for more details. 10am to 4pm – admission free.

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September Wild About Wood festival at the Yorkshire Arboretum – www.wildaboutwood.org

Friday 4th October Photography Course - An Introduction to Landscape with Chris Ceaser

Saturday 5th October Annual Pass Holder Mausoleum Tour See Page 8

Tuesday 8th October Craft & Produce Market in the Courtyard Wednesday 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th August 10am to 4pm – admission free. WonderPhil Wednesdays! See page 8 Friday 11th October Tuesday 13th August From Bach to Bond - Charity piano recital with Craft & Produce Market in the Courtyard Emmanual Vass 10am to 4pm – admission free. Sunday 20th and Wednesday 23rd October Saturday 17th August Annual Pass Holder Open Day at the Yorkshire The Great British Proms Spectacular Arboretum with special guests The Overtones & The Military Wives. See page 6 Annual Pass Holders are invited to visit free of charge and discover more about the arboretum. Sunday 18th August Don’t forget to take your Annual Pass card with Noughties Popfest with Minster FM you. Open from 10am– 6pm on Sunday and 4pm The biggest pop concert of the summer! See page 6 on Wednesday. Visit www.yorkshirearboretum.org for visitor information. Tuesday 20th August Craft & Produce Market in the Courtyard 10am to 4pm – admission free. Wednesday 30th October NEW 'Chills & Thrills' Family Halloween Spectacular. Friday 23rd August See page 10 Photography Course - An Introduction to Landscape with Chris Ceaser October - date and time to follow Eat Yourself Young - talk with Elizabeth Peyton- Saturday 24th August Jones (www.epjheath.com) Sounds in the Grounds with Minster FM Join celebrity naturopath and food & health expert A one day family music festival. See page 6 and discover how what you eat is fundamental to the way you look and feel. Visit our website for Saturday 24th August to Monday 26th August more details. Meet Geoffrey the Lion! Fun for children with Geoffrey our friendly mascot. REMEMBER TO FOLLOW US www.facebook.com/castlehoward www.twitter.com/CastleHowardEst

Editor: Hannah Cooke, Castle Howard Estate Ltd, York YO60 7DA Telephone: 01653 648647, Email: [email protected]