It will be given by Jane Brimmer, a resident of Martindale, on the subject of:

‘ 6 Writers in Martindale’  – A Shepherd’s Guide, Three Poets, a Novelist & a ‘Traveller, Orientalist and Man of Letters’

Thursday June 6th, 19.30 – 20.30, Watermillock Village Hall.

The talk is Free. There will be some refreshments

*****

Please mark in your diary our next FOUW ‘Understanding Ullswater’ presentation on:

‘Muskets or Riflers ? A Patterdale Militia’,  which will be given by Janet Wedgewood at Parkin Memorial Hall, Pooley Bridge on Thursday, July 4th at 19.30

For information on future talks, please download the timetable here.

The post FOUW Talks – Muskets or Riflers & 6 Writers in Martindale appeared first on Ullswater Association.

Full Talks Programme can be found here.

Background:

FOUW was founded on 30th March 2016. It originally arose as a Working Group of the 5 Parishes that surround Ullswater. A month ago FOUW submitted an application to the Charity Commissioners to register as a charity. Its
objectives are:

•  Promoting appreciation and understanding of the Culture, History and Heritage of the Ullswater Valley, for
  the benefit of local residents, tourists and both public and private organisations that have a role in the
  management of the Ullswater area.
• Awareness-raising and advocacy on issues relating to the health, security and safety of those using the
  Ullswater Way.
• Awareness-raising and advocacy on the need for smooth interconnectivity between all public and private
  transport facilities providing access to the Way; including trains, buses, cars, cycles and steamers.
• Partnering and seeking close co-operation with local organisations that have a direct or indirect responsibility
  for the maintenance and functioning of the Way, notably the Parish Councils of the Ullswater Valley, The
  National Park Authority, the National Trust, the Ullswater Association, Eden District Council, Cumbria County
  Council, the Highways Authority, the Eden River Trust, local farmers, landowners and all other relevant
  organisations.

FOUW’s first project has been the creation of the Ullswater Way Heritage Trail – a series of 10 installations along the
Ullswater Way that highlight aspects of the cultural heritage of the valley. Over £20,000 was raised from a range of
different funders to finance the installations, all made by local artists and craftspeople.

Further information on the talks available from Tim Clarke, [email protected].
Friends of the Ullswater Way Website www.ullswaterway.co.uk
Twitter: @Ullswater_Way

The post Understanding Ullswater Evening Talks 2019: Launch on 4th April appeared first on Ullswater Association.

Nula Hula entertains with her best multiple hula hoop moves. Pictured on Broad Street by Richard Cave 19.11.17

nearest the old festival of Samhain, which marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the “darker half” of the year –musicians, street performers, a giant wolf lantern and locals wearing masks and carrying flaming torches join the herd at the Ullswater Droving for a unique Halloween celebration steeped in tradition.
As the great day fast approaches, local businesses both large and small are keen to support this event and hope to see it become part of the annual calendar. With the scheduled closure of the temporary bridge in Autumn 2019, comes a stark reminder of the dark days and months that followed in the wake of Storm Desmond when the valley was literally cleaved in two as Pooley Bridge fell.

Keen to show the valley is now (and will remain!) open for business, no less than ten local businesses have sponsored the event organised by Eden Arts helping to boost funding from both Eden District Council, Barton Parish Council and the Lake District National Park. 1863 Bar Bistro Rooms, Another Place, Chestnut House, Granny Dowbekin’s, Hillcroft Park, The Crown, The Sun Inn Ullswater Steamers and Waterside House Campsitehave joined forces and literally put their money where their mouths are to help make this event happen. Some of them will also be offering further support in the form of food and drink ‘pop-ups’ on the Melodrome Stage field.

Mark Vause, owner of 1863 Bar Bistro Rooms and Ullswater Droving sponsor commented:

“We’re all so pleased that 2018 will see another Ullswater Droving. We’re very grateful to all our funders and sponsors – Eden Arts and Eden District Council in particular – for this fantastic opportunity. We very much hope that this will be the first in a series of events we are planning to stage over the next 18 months that will help raise the profile of Pooley Bridge as ‘open for business’ in the lead up to and during the bridge closure in 2019/20.”

5.10pm: Mr Wilson’s Second Liners (think New Orleans meets 90s club classics) depart from Aira Force Jettyon Ullswater Steamers – why not join them on them on the boat?

5.30pm:  Visitors gather at the steamer jetty to take up their flaming torches (please sign up in advance) and welcome the musicians

6.00pm:  Steamer arrives. Mr Wilson’s Second Liners lead the torch light procession through Pooley Bridge to the field behind the Sun Inn. This year the band will be accompanied by The Wolf animal lantern which was sponsored by Ullswater Steamers in 2017.

6.30pm:  Procession arrives at field behind Sun Inn for the lighting of the bonfire.

Hot Dogs, burgers and mulled wine courtesy of The Sun Inn, popular award-winning bistro 1863 will be offering tastings, soup and prosecco or if it’s gin you’re after, Chestnut House will be on hand to help. Further afield both Granny Dowbekin’s and Tree Tops will be open late.

6.40pm: Mr Wilson’s Second Liners take to the stage

7.40pm: Dopesickfly continue the music on the Melodrome Stage

8.45pm: The party continues around the village’s pubs, restaurants and cafes

Can you help?

Winter Droving Penrith 2016 Procession Photo by: Graham Wynne

In order to make this event a success – we need you!

Wood for the bonfire– we need plenty of wood for our huge bonfire – if you can help, please drop it down into the field behind The Sun by 8pm, Wednesday 24 October

Building the Bonfire – all hands on deck to build the bonfire at 3pm on Thursday 25 October – just email [email protected] and turn up ready for elements!

Carry a Torch – join the procession as a flaming torch-bearer. You must be over 16 – please register online by visiting www.winterdroving.uk

The post ULLSWATER DROVING EVENT ANTICIPATING – WELL – DROVES OF VISITORS! appeared first on Ullswater Association.

HOW ULLSWATER WAS SAVED:

COMMEMORATING LORD BIRKETT AND THE ULLSWATER PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

On Tuesday 29 August, a memorial is to be unveiled to celebrate the Ullswater Preservation society and Norman Lord Birkett QC who, in 1962, saved Ullswater from becoming a reservoir.

The memorial is the seventh addition to the Ullswater Heritage Trail – a series of sculptures and installations along the Ullswater Way commemorating key moments in the lake’s (and the valley’s) history and masterminded, fundraised for and delivered by the Friends of the Ullswater Way.

In the early 1960’s Manchester Corporation Waterworks proposed the building of a weir on the river Eamont at Pooley Bridge, effectively creating a reservoir and increasing the level of the lake by some 3ft.

There was an immediate and vociferous public outcry – local residents formed the ‘Ullswater Preservation Society’ and quickly organized a petition of over 500,000 signatures.

Following the rare initiative of a Petition to the House of Lords, the proposal was debated on 8 February 1962. Passionate speeches from all sides of the House and most notably by Lord Birkett QC resulted in the proposals being thrown out.

Richard Inglewood whose father, the first Lord Inglewood, played a leading role in the campaign, commented: – “Lord Birkett’s powerful speech, “deeply felt and eloquent”, is rightly considered one of the finest in modern Parliamentary history and undoubtedly saved the lake “for all people for all time”. He died of a heart attack a few days later”

Miles MacInnes, whose late father Gurney was Treasurer of the Society added: – “This is a great David and Goliath story and one which should not be forgotten.  We are very grateful to United Utilities who have generously sponsored this impressive memorial.  We are delighted that Lord Birkett’s Grandson, Thomas Birkett is joining us in this celebration”

The Memorial has been carved on local slate by well-known lettercarver Pip Hall; it has been erected on a popular view point near the Ullswater steamers pier in Pooley Bridge.

ENDS

For further information or images, please contact Miles MacInnes
on 07718 523047  or at [email protected]

Note for Editors.

1. INVITE TO PRESS: The memorial is to be unveiled on Tuesday 29 August at 2.00pm. Map reference: NY 467 243.

2. Quote from Lord Birkett’s speech:-

“Thus far and no farther. Go away. Come again another day, if you will. But in the meantime, do that which ought to have been done before. Produce the hydrological data on which the House can come to a proper decision. Until that is done, you have no right whatever to invade the sanctity of a National Park”.

3. An inscription on the memorial -‘Si Monumentum Requiris Circumspice’ is taken from Christopher Wren’s monument in St Paul’s Cathedral and translates: – ‘If you seek his memorial – look around you’

It was chosen as being particularly appropriate by Richard, Lord Inglewood, whose father, William Vane MP (later the first Lord Inglewood) was instrumental in ensuring the success of the campaign.

4. In 1965 a revised and much reduced scheme was approved following a Public Enquiry. Water is now taken from Ullswater by tunnel to Haweswater under strictly controlled conditions which prevent abstraction when water levels fall.  A huge underground pumping station at Parkfoot Holiday Park is largely unnoticed.

5. Lord Birkett is also commemorated in the Ullswater Yacht Club’s ‘must do’ annual Birkett Trophy and a plaque on a lakeside cliff in Hallin wood.

6. For details of Pip Hall’s work see piphall.co.uk.

7. This memorial is the seventh in a series of installations supported by the Friends of the Ullswater Way (FOUW) which was founded in March 2016, and involves all 5 parishes around Ullswater. It has raised almost £20,000 during the last year to finance art and heritage installations on the Ullswater Way Heritage Trail.

Full details on the work of FOUW can be found on their website (http://www.ullswaterway.co.uk).

The post How Ullswater was saved appeared first on Ullswater Association.

Last year marmalade makers responded enthusiastically to the first Australian Marmalade Awards, which was launched acrossSouth Australia using the hugely successful model of the Marmalade Awards here in the UK. The winning recipe was reproduced by Beerenberg, an iconic Australian producer of jams and condiments.

Following on from this success, a call has gone out to the thousands of home-made marmalade makers in Australia’s suburbs and country towns to get busy in the kitchen for the second Australian Marmalade Awards, a preserve making competition and festival celebrating all things marmalade.

The international awards have been held at Jane Hasell-McCosh’s historic home (Dalemain Estate) in Cumbria since 2005, attracting huge crowds and raising significant funds for charity. In 2017 an Australian, Dr Lachlan Shackleton-Fergus from theYarra Valley in Victoria, won the top award for his grapefruit with a ‘hint of honey’ marmalade, winning a contract with the famous Fortnum & Mason store to stock his marmalade.

The Australians are on the hunt for a champion who can lead them once more to victory in 2018, and the Australian Marmalade Awards are the perfect place to showcase their talents. Jane Hasell-McCosh will be travelling to Adelaide for the judging.

Jane said: ‘I am so delighted that the Australian Awards have been such a tremendous success. Australians have always entered phenomenal marmalade into the World’s Original Marmalade Awards, owing in part to how fresh their fruit is. I am looking forward to trying some incredible flavours, and can’t wait to find a winner.’

Entries for 2017 are open until 28 August, with separate categories for home cooks and artisan small producers.

The winner will be announced at the second Australian Marmalade Festival to be held in the home of South Australian citrus, the Riverland, on 3 September.

It’s the first such festival to be held outside England, and last year attracted more than 250 people.

ENDS.

More information:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/marmalade/

Florence Lindeman: [email protected] 017684 86450

www.dalemainmarmaladeawards.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8ovh2BTi2I

Editor’s Notes: What are the Awards?

The quirky World’s Original Marmalade Awards were founded in 2005 to help to preserve, grow and widen one of the most British of customs – marmalade making.

The Awards have humour and a life of their own and have inspired people from all over the world to get involved. In 2017, over 3,000 jars of marmalade were sent from countries as far away as South Korea, Greece, USA, Australia and the Philippines, while the Artisan Marmalade competition has helped to promote small producers around the world. Judged by a small panel of experts, Dalemain roundels denote marmalade of exemplary quality.

At the heart of the Awards & Festival is Dalemain Mansion, a Georgian stately home lived in by the same family for over 300 years and the holder of a rich archive of early marmalade recipes.

The post CUMBRIAN MARMALADE AWARDS SPREAD ACROSS AUSTRALIA appeared first on Ullswater Association.

A 4 metre high and 7 metre wide Tyrannosaurus Rex has arrived at the Rheged Centre, Penrith, ready to welcome visitors to a jaw-dropping dinosaur exhibition, which opens on 12^thJuly 2017, fresh from London’s National History Museum.

The beast is part of Rheged’s latest show-stopping exhibition, Dinosaur Encounter, which invites intrepid explorers on a dinosaur safari to encounter dinosaurs including a short-legged Ankylosaurus, Baryonyx, and Ornithomimus. They will be invading Rheged until Sunday 3^rdSeptember, 2017.

Dinosaur Encounter features state of the art animatronics, so each dinosaur model moves realistically, as well as sound effects that will transport you back millions of years in time. There are 10 dinosaur models, as well as a collection of replica skulls and claws to bring the dinosaurs to life. Families are invited to study replicas of ancient fossils taken from the Natural History Museum’s Archives, compare their feet to the footprint of a T-Rex and examine replica skulls which you can touch and feel.

The interactive exhibition will also feature art workshops, where families can take rubbings from replica fossils and marvel at 3D printing technology – recreating ancient fossils that have been scanned and shared from museums around the world. The Rheged Centre, which also features a huge cinema screen (the size of six double decker buses), will also be offering visitors the chance to enjoy the BBC Earth film ‘Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet’ which is narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Claire Logan Stevens, Head of Programming for the Rheged Centre said “This is a first for Cumbria and the furthest north in the British Isles that the Dinosaur Encounter exhibition has ever been on display – so we are really honoured to have this prestigious Natural History Museum exhibition at Rheged. Dinosaurs capture the imagination of children and adults alike and we know this exhibition is going to inspire and amaze our visitors in equal measure.”

“Unlike other Dinosaur exhibitions where the models are just impressive, the in house science team at the Natural History Museum have the responsibility to represent the Dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period in the most accurate way possible so the Dinosaurs are impressive, attractive and accurate.”

The exhibition is open daily from Wednesday 12^th July – Sunday 3^rd September, 2017. Doors open at 9.15am (early entry ticket) and close at 5.00pm. Booking in advance is essential to ensure you don’t miss out. Tickets can be booked online at Rheged.com

Ticket Prices 

Exhibition only

£6.50 Adult | £5.50 conc. | £5 (16 and under) | 2 and under go free | Timed exhibition entry daily from 10.45am | Includes a free outdoor play session on that day

Exhibition & Film

£10 adults | £8 conc. | £7 (16 and under) | 2 and under go free | Timed exhibition entry daily from 10.45am Includes cinema screening of the BBC Earth film ‘Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet’ (40 mins)

Early entry ticket

£5.50 Adult | £4.50 conc. | £4 (16 and under) | 2 and under go free | Timed exhibition entry daily at 9.15am – 10.45am only.

ENDS

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At Granny Dowbekin’s, situated right by the river in Pooley Bridge, the most commonly asked question is “What’s happening with the new bridge?”  And the answer to that is – a new permanent bridge is currently in the design process, an architect has been appointed and some initial concept sketches should be made available to the public in the next few weeks.

New for Summer 2017 – Design your own Pooley Bridge

Never one to rest on his laurels, owner Colin Hindle and the Granny D’s team have conceived an alternative Pooley Bridge design project – design your own concept for the new bridge (just for fun!). Open to everyone, budding designers need no previous experience or structural engineering qualifications. While the team can’t promise any will be built, the most imaginative entries will be featured on the Granny D’s Facebook page (/GrannyDowbekins) and will be entered in a monthly draw to win an Afternoon Tea for Two voucher.

Since the old bridge was destroyed in the storms of 2015, Granny Dowbekin’s has been transformed. As a result of purchasing the cottage next door, and with an investment of half a million pounds, a larger, more welcoming and brighter Tearoom has been created for customers to enjoy. There are further plans to increase the size of the beautiful riverside garden in order to cope with the ever increasing demand for our freshly cooked breakfasts, homemade pies, scones and cakes. The brand and building has been updated with a new logo and modern colour palette but the emphasis remains on a reputation for great food and exceptionally welcoming and friendly service in a fabulous location.

Inside the Tearoom customers can enjoy the original artwork of the multi-talented Colin Hindle. Pen and ink drawings of the most beautiful views around Ullswater are on display and limited edition prints are available to purchase. The Pooley Gingerbridge range (ginger shortbread made to our own recipe in the shape of the old bridge) in presentation gift packs with a commemorative label are also on sale and remain extremely popular.

The recent refurbishment of Granny Dowbekin’s is the latest development in the regeneration of Pooley Bridge as a destination for both tourists and locals.

Colin and the team are all very excited and looking forward to a busy summer – making the most of the extended seating capacity and kitchen space.

Colin commented:

“Granny Dowbekin’s has been a mainstay in the village for over 100 years and despite the dark days of ‘Desmond’, the media spot light that subsequently lit up Pooley Bridge spurred us on to create a more resilient business.  Those difficult months made me in particular realise that as a small business owner, I have to do everything I can to protect the jobs and the livelihoods of my team and keep responding to visitors’ ever growing demand and interest in our beautiful Ullswater valley.

Granny Dowbekin’s is located just beside Pooley Bridge itself. The Tearoom is open daily from 9am – 5.30pm serving breakfast, fresh bakes, sandwiches, hearty lunches and traditional afternoon teas.  For more information visit www.grannydowbekins.co.uk

ENDS

For further information or images please contact Colin Hindle on 07887 672385

Notes to the Editor

• A selection of images to accompany this story is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dy9fzj48c4alzlt/AAClZEGhfzfo1E8_mU6PpMY4a?dl=0
• Colin Hindle is available for interview – to arrange a suitable time please call him on 07887 672385

The post FACE LIFT FOR POPULAR POOLEY BRIDGE TEAROOM! appeared first on Ullswater Association.

74 lovely ladies and 1 charming gentleman attended the event, filling the hotel with fancy hats and glitzy dresses, ready to enjoy a flutter on the horses, with some of the guests travelling from as far as the Cayman Islands, Liverpool and many from Cumbria.

On arrival, guests were greeted with glasses of bubbly and canapés in the Orangery, which were enjoyed whilst fun money donations were made and bets were placed. Ladies then made their way to the AA 2 Rosette Lake View restaurant for a live television transmission of the Royal Ascot Race Day on giant screens provided by Fluid Productions. Local singer Glen Anderson entertained in between races, as a superb 3 course Royal Ascot lunch was enjoyed by all, enhanced with beautiful flower decorations supplied by Evergreens of Keswick.

Rod Wickham, Rider & Liaison Officer for Blood Bikes Cumbria commented, “I would like to thank the Inn on the Lake for hosting such an amazing day. It was great to see so many ladies enjoying themselves and at the same time raising such a huge amount money for Blood Bikes Cumbria.”

The day raised a total of £2,153 for Blood Bikes Cumbria, with £10 from each ticket sale going to the charity, as well as raffle ticket sales and donations for fun money. Gary Wilson, General Manager commented, “This is our fourth consecutive year for hosted the Royal Ascot Ladies Race Day, and each year just gets more and more glamorous. It’s a great day for all, raising money for a well deserving cause.”

Raffles prizes were generously donated by LCR Systems, Evergreens Florist, Caterite, Out of Eden, Ullswater Steamers, Appleby Golf Club, Heaton’s, Jennings Brewery, H&H Reeds Printers, Grapevine, Richard Hayworth Ltd, Gilchrist & Soames UK Ltd, Pioneer Foods, Ribble Farm, Coniston Corporate, Eden Valley Meats, and Farrer’s Tea & Coffee.

This popular event books up fast, so keep an eye out for next year’s date (Thursday 21st June) and book early – 017684 82444

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Originally from the North East, Michelle graduated from the University of Sunderland in 1998. It was during her studies there that she began experimenting with wire mesh to create the sculptures for which she has since become renowned. Michelle’s work has been widely exhibited around the UK and beyond and she regularly undertakes private and public commissions.

Inspired by sport and dance, she captures the pose in suspended animation for the viewer to observe the anatomy of form, traditionally represented, albeit in a unique and contemporary way. Her sculptures have a spiritual, living quality; they capture a moment in time – a dive, a sprint, a pirouette. Her transformative use of lighting elevates the industrial substrate into  a human form with soul.

A self-confessed perfectionist, Michelle commented:

“I just want to create art that uplifts and engages audiences. I want to leave my mark on the world of art; I’d like to think that 50 years from now, my sculpture will still be seen and enjoyed in public spaces, sporting arenas and cultural venues as well as cherished and appreciated in people’s homes and gardens.”

From her studio (The Wire Studio) behind the Royal Hotel at Dockray, Michelle produces all her wire mesh sculptures, including wire garden sculptures exhibited at RHS Chelsea and Wisley, and sculptures exhibited at the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle.

Michelle embraces a challenge and is constantly honing and refining her approach. She actively seeks out and selects commissions that inspire her. From initial charcoal sketches and preliminary, scaled down maquettes through to the final, finished sculpture, Michelle chooses to work with briefs that genuinely inspire her.

The wire mesh sculptures are individually created through manipulating the wire by hand. The result is a strong and resilient piece of artwork, powder coated for durability, with either a metallic or/and coloured finish and suitable for both indoors and outdoors.

Whether the brief is for miniature figures or life size, wall reliefs, airborne installations or grounded, Michelle finds a way to occupy the space, subtly blending the sculpture within the environment, ultimately becoming part of it.

To find out more about Michelle’s work or how to commission her, visit www.michellecastles.co.uk or email [email protected]

ENDS

For more information or images, please contact Sam Bunting on
07866 492 891 or email [email protected]

Notes to the Editor

• A selection of images to accompany this story is available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5e30gj6xczd7x21/AABx69z4uR_JSag6XLHSfDcma?dl=0
• Michelle is available for interview – please contact Sam Bunting on 07866 492 891 or on [email protected] to arrange a suitable time.

The post CUMBRIA-BASED SCULPTOR WIRED FOR SUCCESS appeared first on Ullswater Association.

When visitors come to Lowther Castle and explore the resplendent romantic ruin, they are full of questions. What is Lowther Castle? Why is Lowther Castle a ruin? Who built it? Where did they come from?

To answer these questions, Jim Lowther – owner of the castle and member of the 850-year-old dynasty – decided to stage an exhibition. He would tell the story of his family, the castle and gardens. This week, The Story of Lowther opens to the public.

“The opening of this exhibition,” says Jim, “marks the culmination of a dynamic twenty year restoration project, in which we have been working to add new purpose to the castle and the gardens. Our aim is to make Lowther Castle one of the north’s most enticing visitor attractions. In words and objects, with colour and a great deal of chutzpah, The Story of Lowther brings Lowther Castle and its rich history vividly to life. ”

The exhibition is divided into the five seismic eras in Lowther history:

FROM VIKINGS TO VEGETARIANS 1150-1700

The exhibition opens with a room made out as the castle tower (represented by scaffold and news-covered hoardings), showing the castle’s perilous state in the 1950s.

Visitors are then taken back to the beginnings, when Dolfin, a man of Viking descent, settled in c.1150 by the river Lowther. Flags represent the age of chivalry and the story tells of the Lowthers’ constant battle with the Scots while they consolidated their lands and status. One of the jewels in this room is the original imparkment seal of 1283, granted to Hugh de Lowther by King Edward I. Another highlight is the ledger of Viscount Lonsdale in which he lays down his reasons for being a vegetarian (in the 17^th century, a highly unusual move for a man of his station and one which had lasting impact on the gardens).

1700-1802 LAND, COAL & POLITICS

From the taming of the savage landscape, the exhibition looks at the vast wealth enjoyed by their 18^th century ancestor Sir James Lowther of Lowther. The wealth derived from coal and land (including plantations in Barbados); the acquisition of power from politicking.

‘Wicked Jimmy’ was a demonic character and this room takes a look at the many facets of his personality, the walls painted dark grey and the windows kept closed to hint at his stormy nature. Lowther’s appalling treatment of his political agent, John Wordsworth, (father of William), is represented with some of the original legal papers from the Wordsworths’ lengthy suit against Lowther.

The room also features the stunning silver collection that remains in the family – the bulk of it bought in the 1750s by Wicked Jimmy and his mother, on a few spending sprees to Garrard & Co. Pictured right, the Pitt Salver, a gift to the Lonsdales from Pitt the younger’s family.

1802-1882 VICTORIAN HEYDAY

Lowther Hall – partly burnt down in a fire in 1718 – remained a semi-ruin until Wicked Jimmy’s heir inherited the estates. William Lowther of Swillington swept in in 1802 with a new broom and his first move was to commission the building of a castle. Robert Smirke was the architect. This room shows one of Smirke’s original drawings for the interior, blown up 1000 times to show the drawings’ extraordinary detail, alongside a portrait of William and one of his wife, Augusta.

1882-1936  THE YELLOW EARL

The showpiece of the Lowther exhibition is the Yellow Room – yellow floor, yellow walls, yellow ceiling – devoted to the history of Hugh Cecil Lowther. He was known as the Yellow Earl.

The flamboyant Earl was a boxer, horseman, compulsive show-off, enthusiastic ladies’ man and spendthrift.  The room features the replication of a dinner at Lowther with Kaiser Wilhelm II, who came to stay at the castle on a number of occasions. Settings of extravagant Lowther silver and dinnerware and a bracelet gifted to the Earl’s wife Grace by Kaiser Wilhelm II dazzle the visitor.

1942-1945 CANAL DEFENCE LIGHT

During the war, Lowther Castle was requisitioned by the army. They spent 3 years experimenting with a secret weapon. In the exhibition, a photograph of a tank on night manoeuvres, blown up to room size.

Perhaps the most touching image in The Story of Lowther is a blown up aerial photograph of the castle taken in 1939. The house is abandoned, the gardens are immaculate but empty and all of Lowther’s past and present can be seen from above.

The story of Lowther itself is a story of endeavour, enterprise and energy – and this is reflected in The Story of Lowther exhibition, a show that brings history to life in ways to appeal to all generations. Another step in Lowther Castle’s journey to becoming one of the UK’s most impressive visitor destinations.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Jennifer Middleton or Ellen Howells of Lemon Zest on

01757 268283 or 07708 155501

Email: [email protected]           [email protected]

Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HH

Telephone: 01931 712192

Email: [email protected] or visit www.lowthercastle.org

Find us on Facebook – /LowtherCastle

Follow us on Twitter – @lowthercastle

The post The Story of Lowther: a new exhibition for 2017 appeared first on Ullswater Association.