Lights, camera, action!

Focusing in the Fernery @Peter Spooner

16 photographers enjoyed a photo shoot in the mansion at Tatton, providing the opportunity to photograph internal views of the lavishly furnished rooms and detailed shots of the furniture and artefacts.

The event was organised to give photographers the rare opportunity to take photographs without the presence of the visiting public by using a day when the mansion was closed. Public photography is not usually allowed in the mansion.

The feedback on the day was very positive with those attending welcoming the opportunity to practice their skills in a unique environment. All who attended said that the occasion was most enjoyable, informative and photographically challenging.

The final session of the day was a visit to the Italian Gardens and Fernery to photograph the exterior details of the Italian Garden, Mansion and the flowers and variety of ferns growing within the Fernery.

It was an enjoyable day for all concerned.

Find out more about Photo Shoot at Tatton Park.

George Littler
Course Facilitator

Tatton showmen

8 July 2011



Caption competition?!

©Sam Youd





We are on day 5 of the build of our show garden at the RHS Show site (a garden inspired by the centenary of the Japanese Garden). At the moment it feels like October with the wind whistling across the open parkland.

 

Beginning to take shape..

©Sam Youd



Having dug out the pond we’re now ready for planting but we’re really concerned about the wind burn on the tender acers if we were to put them out today. However, we need to place these large acers before we continue the planting of the rest of the garden. We’ve looked at the forecast and decided to put off the planting until tomorrow, which is just as well, because as we speak it is throwing it down with rain and may get even heavier.



Up to now build has gone really well; the weather has been reasonably kind, although, like all gardeners we’re bound to moan about the fact that the garden is really hard – due to the fact that we had a very dry spring and whatever we have had since then, has found it difficult to penetrate.



The other gardens are looking good and everyone seems to be ahead of schedule – there is a good atmosphere as most people know one another anyway. By next week, as more plants arrive, we will definitely see a constant migration of plants between one garden and another as we all swap our surplus plants!



The best way to build a garden for the show is to always have in mind that anything you do or plan to do, needs to be done early in the hour, early in the day, early in the week. No procrastination should be allowed and good logistical planning is essential! The aim should be to finish the garden as early as possible so that by the time judging takes place the garden should look settled and the plants should have started to re-grow.

 

Gardens which are finished early always attract TV/media attention as reporters and producers are always looking for finished items. In view of this, it’s extremely important to have a couple of quirky stories in hand – which act as a media carrot. I’ll keep mine to myself, for now (ie make some up later!).



Have a good show!



Sam Youd, Gardens Manager











The beautiful Tatton Tabitha!

Our Clydesdale horse Tatton Tabitha was born in May 2008.  Our little girl is blossoming into a very special young lady and has been really busy these last few months undertaking her training.

Tatton Tabitha in shafts for the 1st time, with Jayne

Obviously training starts in the first few weeks of life, halter training, being led and having her feet picked up. It’s crucial this is done, as if left until she is older and she decides she doesn’t want to pick her feet up then we’re in trouble. Apart from basic handling they can’t undertake any work until the age of three, when fully grown.

We start by placing the harness on her, leaving it on for a few hours at a time, whilst she gets used to it. Then we start to long rein, which is where she is driven without her actually pulling any weight and then the next stage is to put her into the shafts.

The picture above shows Tabitha during her first time in this small training cart - she didn’t put a hoof wrong. Whatever she has been asked to do she has accepted and taken everything as a real pro.

Now three years old Tabitha is old enough to be put in foal. She was therefore stabled recently at the stud farm in Church Minshull and on Monday 20th June we found out she was a few weeks in foal! Another new addition next year.

Find out more information about our other rare breed animals at Tatton Park here.

Jayne Chapman, Farm Manager

In Our View: Rangers’ Photographic Exhibition



Sunrise in the parkland

©Clem West

A new exhibition titled ‘In Our View’ starts in the mansion on 19 July, running until the end of October.

It comprises of a collection of photos taken solely within the parkland by the rangers. With over 200 years of Tatton Park service between us, we hope our affinity with this beautiful, natural setting is reflected in the collection of our own photos.

The Red and Fallow deer feature strongly in many of the photos, singly and in groups, close up or silhouetted against a beautiful backdrop. However, Tatton’s stunning landscapes and its rich variety of flora and fauna are also very well represented in the collection. The constantly changing weather, seasons and light enable Tatton to provide fantastic and very different photo opportunities all year around.

A wide range of cameras have been used to take these photos, ranging from a ‘humble’ pocket compact to a tripod mounted SLR with a large flash gun!

The exhibition takes place in the mansion from Tuesday 19 July to Sun 30 October (closed Mondays)

Clem West, Tatton Park Ranger

Learning longbow at the Old Hall

Fifteen adults, some by themselves, some couples and others friends have just spent a fun afternoon learning a new skill at our Medieval Old Hall. The Old Hall, nestling in a quiet corner here at Tatton Park offers the most perfect atmospheric setting for an Introduction to the Medieval Longbow, along with tutors in Medieval costume.


The session begins in the Great Hall where a talk on the history of the longbow and a demonstration of some of our extensive armour takes place. The Old Hall has so much history attached to it and also has a very proud association with the famous/infamous Stanley family who were prominent at The Battle of Bosworth Field. Following on, eyes adjusted to the daylight we divided into small groups and donned suitable safety protection.

In full garb for the Medieval Fayre - Sheila is 2nd from the left!

The group shot (or to give the correct terminology) 'loosed' a few blunt arrows onto a straw man, this gives us a chance to improve stance and adjust to the correct bow weight.

That quickly over, the real fun starts, out come the 'sharps' and the targets where all eyes focus on the coveted gold centre.

Archery is a sport where safety is paramount but it is also a sport where laughter, excitement and sheer determination is the order of the day and when the elusive gold has your arrow in it the 'whoops' can echo around the park (a dignified swagger is also acceptable). As muscles develop and confidence grows, eyes start to focus on the ominous bow marked 'big boys only', a challenge that is always taken up. One of the most satisfying sounds is the 'thud' of an arrow connecting with the target!

So if you would like a fun and challenging few hours (with refreshments) in a fabulous setting, check out Tatton's website for INTRODUCTION TO THE LONGBOW. We know you'll love it!

Sheila Cartwright, Interpreter Guide

Medieval Fair Weekend at the Old Hall



Selling wares

© Margaret Clark

 Here's the first of our general Tatton blogs .. thanks to Margaret for this brilliant impression of the Medieval Fayre, which took place on 18 & 19 June!

The Hidden Gem of Tatton becomes very popular this time of year with a great many re-enactors and traders arriving from Thursday evening onwards...amazing how on Saturday morning they all seem to have been there forever! Not only in the grounds of the Old Hall but also outside in a Living History camp where they’ll chat and show you just what they do...no sleeping on the ground for them but cosy looking wooden, tester beds with curtains and luxurious blankets to keep them warm.

Mick firing the cannon

©Margaret Clark

After the midday gun, a show from Gauntlet Birds of Prey started the day off well and followed closely by the Company of Ordnance...gunners to you, fascinating! and noisy with some very loud bangs and sound shock waves...everyone enjoying themselves despite the damp start.

Skies cleared and we saw the Old Hall getting crowded, the Education tent very popular and then the Muster with the men at arms and knights. At that point it started to pour down so there was a slight delay but nothing could stop the Battle. The Tatton Company of Archers joined the Lancastrians, that’s Mick Ricketts, Sheila Cartwright, Bob Douglas and myself, to find us facing fire arrows, gunfire and explosions...we came through safely after scoring some hits on the opposition....great fun! And, we didn’t get too wet.

Sunday’s weather was much better with blue skies and some warm sunshine, and the crowds kept coming ...as well as the demonstrations in the Old Hall Arena there were musicians, singers and gentry...including King Edward IV on his horse, wandering through the Old Hall grounds.

This time the Company of Ordnance had a celebratory to help fire the breech loading cannon...Mick, he almost vanished in a cloud of smoke!

Once again into battle but this time in the sun, thank goodness. We had a head wind so the arrows took a bit more effort to hit their mark, the other side had a following wind and their arrows fell behind us...but a couple of loud ‘thunks’ on shields when flat shooting at a company of soldiers, told us we’d made a hit...who won? Well, we did of course!

A brilliant and busy weekend, roll on next year...we need more arrows!
Margaret Clark

Celebrating the centenary of our Japanese Garden

When we reach 100 years old, we get a telegram from the Queen but when a bit of our garden, namely the Japanese Garden, reaches 100 years we throw a Japanese themed party and get messages of support from the Japanese Embassy.

It’s been a bad year for the Japanese people so far, with only news to us of doom and gloom, so another good reason to have a celebration was to show our visitors what is so great about Japan. So against the backdrop of our world famous garden, we had a celebration of Japanese Children’s Day. This was originally Boys’ Day, a day to fly the carp flags, symbolising the carps’ journey home, against the odds, who then turn into a mythical dragon, an allegory of a boy turning into a great man.

On 2nd May we flew carp from our monument, our garden shop and in the trees around the garden. We had Japanese food stalls, Japanese Gifts and pottery, kimono demonstrations, craft activities and children’s games: all this to the accompaniment of Rochdale’s finest Taiko drummers.

The day was a fantastic success and gave people a valuable insight into the culture behind our 100 year old garden, so much so, our intention is to run Children’s Day every year.

Gardens are not only places about plants but are also about the people behind the plants and here at Tatton we are passionate about giving our customers new experiences related to the world of plants. So keep looking at our website for new and up and coming events.

Happy gardening.

Simon Tetlow, Team Leader