Preparing for royalty at Brodsworth Hall

Saturday 5, Sunday 6 & Bank Holiday Monday 7 May 2012

With a visit by King George V and Queen Mary just a few weeks away, the family and staff at Brodsworth Hall are making arrangements for the royal visit over the May Day bank holiday weekend, as English Heritage turns back the clock 100 years to June 1912 as part of its Jubilee celebrations.

In June 1912, a visit to South Yorkshire by the King and Queen was only a month away, and modern day visitors are invited to meet Charles and Constance Thellusson – who had Brodsworth Hall built for them - and their staff, including the cook, butler, valet and lady’s maid. The family will be busying themselves preparing the house for the visit, and getting to grips with details of the visit, from the rooms in which they might host Royal guests to the menu should they stay for dinner.

“Our May Day event is set at the time of Downton Abbey, when the Thellusson family were enjoying life as part of South Yorkshire’s nouveau riche set. At the time of the Royal visit of 1912, Charles Thellusson had been appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire, a post that would have been traditionally held by those of noble birth, but the wealth that Thellusson had amassed made him a very influential character,” explains English Heritage’s regional events manager, Jon Hogan. “However, even with this prestigious role, the job of hosting a Royal visit would have been quite a daunting task, and visitors over the weekend will get an insight into the preparations for the visit.”

Visitors will be invited to wander around the house, finding the staff making preparations in different parts of the house, and can expect to have their opinions canvassed on details from the choice of table linen to the most fashionable starters to serve to keep up with early 20thcentury trends!

The preparations will take place in the Hall and the grounds between 12 noon and 5.00pm each day, with the Hall itself open from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. Admission prices for the day include entry to the house and gardens and are £9.30 for adults, £8.40 for concessions and £5.60 for children. English Heritage members get in free.

Preparing for Royalty is the first in a series of events to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee being staged at Brodsworth Hall by English Heritage. Over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, visitors are invited to return to see just what does transpire when the King and Queen arrive, and share in the events and activities organised by the Thellusson family for their distinguished guests, from falconry to a travelling cinema!

For more information, please call 01302 722598 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/brodsworth

ENDS

For further media information, or for a copy of the press pack detailing all of English Heritage’s events throughout Yorkshire, please contact:

Jay Commins

PRO – English Heritage (Yorkshire)

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mobile:                07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk