Jubilee celebrations a highlight for English Heritage in Yorkshire
English Heritage’s events team has risen to the challenge of devising a number of royalty-themed events to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee festivities with a programme to ensure that people enjoy the extra-long bank holiday weekend with a distinctly historical twist!
The crowning glory of the Jubilee events programme can be found at Brodsworth Hall & Gardens, near Doncaster. For three days, the clock is turned back exactly 100 years for a special royal visit by the king and queen – George V and Mary. With entertainment laid on including falconry – the sport of kings – and even a state-of-the-art (for 1912!) travelling cinema, visitors can join the flag-waving celebrations and meet the hall’s owners and servants as they demonstrate their patriotism. The butler will also be recruiting new servants, and there will be traditional Punch & Judy shows in the grounds.
“For anyone who loves Downton Abbey, this is the perfect event, with many of the fashions from the era on show, and our re-enactors recreating the contrast in life above and below stairs as the house prepares for the special visit,” comments events manager, Jon Hogan.
Meanwhile, at Whitby Abbey, there will be royal celebrations of a very different kind, looking back 1100 years into the site’s history. Although the original wooden Abbey built by Northumbrian princess, St Hild, was destroyed a generation ago by marauding Vikings, the local people still venerate the site and plan a Royal Marriage at the headland ruins. However, a cruel twist of fate sees the Norse invaders return to capture the bride, prompting a fierce battle with the local people!
Whitby Abbey’s event takes place during the day on Sunday 3, and bank holidays Monday and Tuesday 4 & 5 June, with a special twilight event on Monday 4 June as the marriage is due to take place. Will the bride and groom manage to tie the knot before the invaders arrive?
At both Whitby Abbey and Brodsworth Hall, the Jubilee events continue throughout the half term week with English Heritage’s Time Travellers organising hands-on activities for children.
Other themed events take place at Clifford’s Tower in York, where there is a Royal Trail for children running from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 June, and Rievaulx Abbey, where Brother Anthony – alias Tony Powell – will be offering extended guided tours of the ruins and the village at 11.00am and 2.00pm on Sunday 3 and Monday 4 June, and a ‘meandering monks’ trail for children will run from Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 June.
Middleham Castle celebrates its own royal connection as the childhood home of Richard III, when the king returns for a weekend of sumptuous costume, splendid armour and engaging dialogue on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June.
More information on all of English Heritage’s Jubilee events in Yorkshire is available on the English Heritage website at www.english-heritage.org.uk/yorkshire
ENDS
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk
