Tick tock, tick tock, it's time to...

... do some much needed conservation work on the Wray Castle clock-tower clock!


You can just make out the clock on the tower  behind and to the right of Beatrix Potter and family holidaying at the Castle in 1882.

At some point in it's history, the Wray Castle clock has both stopped and lost all but one of it's hands. As part of our conservation project, we plan to get it back into working order. This week, our building contractors have been up on the roof having a good look at it. It's got a beautiful sandstone face with diamonds carved by each number - a detail which could never have been seen from the ground. It's another wonderful example of no expense being spared by the Dawsons and the skill which has gone into building the Castle.



The one remaining hand!



The fine detail of the carving on the clock face

 There was one of the original hands still on the clock face and this gave us a bit of a surprise - it's made out of wood and not metal as we'd previously thought. It looks as though it would originally have been painted white. We've taken the hand down and it will be conserved as well as providing a template for us to make new hands.
One clock face is still in remarkably good condition, but the other is definitely showing the results of standing outside in over 150 years of lakeland weather!
We'll be putting a new mechanism behind the clock so that when you visit next spring, it'll be telling the time reliably once more.

Elsewhere on the property, we're well on with our conservation work. At Hill Top, the contents of the kitchen and the parlour have all been packed up and wrapped up to protect them from the cold and damp. The conservation team needed a few layers to protect them from the cold and damp too!

Beatrix Potter's furniture in the parlour - unrecognisable in made to measure winter coats!

Beatrix's delicate original ink illustrations for her very first edition of 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' are in the process of being packed up too. They're being sent to be safely stored after their season as the feature of our 2012 exhibition. Because of their sensitivity it's likely to be ten years or so before they can be seen again. It's sad to see them put away, but it's essential to keep them in the best possible condition for future generations to see.

We've got another blog to keep you up to date with the work going on at Wray Castle. Have a look to find out more about what our conservation building team is getting up to there at  www.repairingwraycastle.blogspot.com

Have a good week!
Jo.

Be prepared to be scared!

                HALLOWEEEEEEEEN!

When you have a mock gothic castle with spooky towers, creaking doors, dark passages and a clattering* of jackdaws it is not hard to get into the halloween spirit. With the nights drawing in and a crescent moon rising over the castle it is certainly a creepy place to be. So, what could be scarier than ghost stories, told as night falls around Wray Castle? Anyone with a nervous disposition (me!) may want to avoid this, but if you are over 12 and think you are brave enough then come and join us for our spine-chilling story sessions on Monday the 29th, Wednesday the 31st and Friday the 2nd. Starting at 5.30 pm. To get you in the mood, listen to one of our special 'Halloween sounds' on Audioboo.

Keep your eyes peeled for witches and wizards!

For the whole week from Saturday the 27th of October until the 4th of November, we will also have a variety of craft activities for all the family to get involved with. You can try your hand at broom stick making, witch/wizard hat making, spider making or simply enjoy dressing up in our scary halloween costumes.

You may spot some bats flying around the castle as dusk approaches.

There's also lots happening out in the grounds at Wray Castle too, you can join a guided walk around the estate, try out our giant rope swing or build yourself a den in our activity area. On Monday the 29th we are also hosting Apple Pressing Day, so come and see fresh apple juice being made before your very eyes!

For more information on any of our activities, please see our website
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle/things-to-see-and-do/events/ or email wraycastle@nationaltrust.org.uk or go to our Wray Castle Facebook page

(*that's the official collective noun for Jackdaws!)

Much excitement at Hill Top...

The first of the fire crews to arrive at the top farm yard

On Wednesday night this week, the peace and calm which usually takes over at Hill Top when we've all gone home, was shattered! Blue flashing lights, 2 fire engines, fire fighters in breathing apparatus going into the House, a ladder up at the bedroom window, our National Trust salvage team standing by.But don't panic! All is well! It was only an exercise - phew!

What's coming up next?

Our programme for things going on in September across the property.

Victorian family games at Wray Castle

Read about our first Victorian weekend at Wray Castle.

Corrin and Hannah looking very Victorian

For Beatrix Potter collectors everywhere

Beatrix Potter fans include a dedicated group of collectors and 2012 is a dream year for them.

The retail team at Hill Top and the Beatrix Potter Gallery have put together a great guide to the special books being published this year.

Open publication - Free publishing - More 2012
(If you can't see the guide here click this link to go direct to it, opens in a new window.)

With limited edition anniversary books and lovely additions to the range there's something for everyone this year. Visit the shops in person; or phone Hill Top Shop on 015394 36269; Hawkshead shop on 015394 36471; or e-mail: hilltop.shop@nationaltrust.org.uk

In NT Retail - We're thinking about the summer already!

We may just have got rid of the snow but already we're planning for the months ahead - so what will you find in our shops this summer?

Our Guide
In our guide to spring & summer ranges 2012 you'll get a preview of what's coming onto our shelves; and find out how the South Lakes retail team is giving you great affordable quality along with the warm fuzzy glow from the chance to support our conservation work in the local area.


Visit our NT shops at Hill Top and Hawkshead, we're open 7 days a week.

post by Linda
2012 guide & photos by Melanie