The Vikings come to Tatton Old Hall!




Battle ©Margaret Clark



Sunday 14 August  saw the Old Hall taken over by The Vikings of Middle England, a really great group of re-enactors showing us how the Vikings lived...not just how we all imagine they were like, fighting and pillaging, but how they were in their daily life.



Of course the fighting is important and these guys don’t pull any punches and demonstrated types of weapons and how they were used both as individual warriors and also as an organised fighting group...axes biting into shields and pieces of wood flying off into the air...and encouraged to cheer for your chosen warrior.



Also a Viking Longship Experience...with a real boat... with involvement for the children imagining what it would have been like to sail in one of these ships and be ready to fight when you landed.

There was a storyteller keeping the children engrossed, have-a-go archery, try your hand at calligraphy and strike a Viking coin...along with just chatting to the re-enactors by their tents.



My Lady

©Margaret Clark



Gauntlet Birds of Prey gave their usual professional display of flying the birds...then a display of a war horse with the rider giving a very accurate account of using a lance and sword and shooting the longbow from the back of the horse...he was dressed in the Norman way but then they were originally Northmen and Normandy was another Viking Kingdom.

Most of the displays happened twice and kept everyone interested and happy...



It was a non-stop day with something going on all the time, very busy with lots of people coming through the Old Hall, trying on armour in the Great Hall and being interested in the building and the people who lived there from early days right through to the 1960s...and the weather was kind to us!

A successful and great day all round.  You can find out more about Viking Sunday here and look out for similar events on our website.



Margaret Clark

History Interpreter Guide





Lovely Lou Lou!

Lou Lou with Evan and Elly

We have been searching for a new Jersey cow for some time now as we plan to start milking the four native breeds of milk cattle, the Shorthorn, the Jersey, the Guernsey and the Ayrshire. Last year we purchased a Guernsey called Beauty and an Ayrshire called Pansy. We have been busy halter training them and getting them used to their new surroundings, they will both be put into calf this year ready to start milking in 2012.

Whilst at the Cheshire County Show this year I got chatting to Mr Jones a well know Jersey breeder from Lancashire, I explained what we were looking for and David thought he had just the animal for us. As soon as I saw Lou Lou, (her posh full name being Bluestone Antheas Louise, far too much a mouthful for an everyday name) I knew she was the lady for us. Beautiful looking and just the nature we were searching for.

Being prepared for milking

We have now been milking for three weeks and everything is running really smoothly, far too smoothly for life on a farm. Milking is 2pm each day and as we walk her up to the shippon she draws a big crowd with her, resembling the pied piper….It’s great to actually see the milk going into the bucket as we have a Perspex unit that enables the visitors to see exactly how much milk she is giving. We plan to chart how much milk she gives on a weekly basis and follow her lactation curve.

The next step is to start the butter churning demonstrations, however at the moment the pigs are having a daily treat of gold top milk courtesy of our lovely Lou Lou.

You can find out more about our other animals at the farm on our website.

Jayne Chapman, Farm Manager

My working weeks at Tatton

Heather preparing the dolls' house for the new exhibition

The very first day of my work experience, and I think what they say about first impressions is definitely true. It was a blur of hard work, fun and lots and lots of experience.

To begin with, I was introduced to the farm team, which quickly brings me to what I noticed the most about Tatton Park; its staff. Every member of staff I’ve had the pleasure of working with here have been as kind and helpful as can be, and have made my time here even more memorable and enjoyable.

Anyway, on to the farm. I’ve been to the farm twice in my two weeks of work experience, both times in my first week, and both times were terrific. Amongst other jobs around the farm, I got a chance to lead in the Clydesdales, Finn and Blossom (although there was a slightly hairy moment when a hornet kept bothering Tabitha, who got a little worried), accompany the pigs indoors and outdoors (and got a chance to see Tallulah’s new piglets!), bring in the new reindeer and the cows, and groom the donkeys, as well as more cleaning. The biggest job on our first day was bringing in the lambs, marking the ones over 35kg for the future (we all know what happens on a farm).

Another area of Tatton I got to work in was with the rangers, which again I did twice. On Wednesday, I got to help out with an Education trip, which basically involved taking a school group out in the park in a trailer, and letting them try out some wildlife-based activities; Mini beast hunting in the Millennium Wood, and Pond dipping. I also got to see some pricket skulls and stag skulls from red deer and fallow deer, and drive around the park looking at the rare breeds of sheep they have at Tatton.

On Friday, I spent most of the time driving a buggy, emptying the bins and picking up litter around the car park and eating areas (it was a lot more fun than it sounds...no really, it was). I also got to collect some grasses from the private fields in Tatton for the Rangers Exhibition.

The other thing I got to do on week one was to try my hand at Education. I spent the day at the farm, dressed as a WWII farm girl, helping out with the various activities. I got to spend time at each of the four bases; learning about life at home in WWII with Aunt Mary, playing old games with Etta, cleaning leather and ‘milking cows’ with Bob, and feeding the goats and chickens with Evan.

My second try at Education came in week two, when I spent the day at the Old Hall, again dressed up, but this time as a Tudor. I also got a title: Mistress Heather. I did completely different things this time, getting to watch the school group try out Tudor cooking, archery, jousting, and learning about weaponry and armour throughout history. I was also lucky enough to watch a falconry display, which featured a number of birds, including a bald eagle, a vulture and a falcon.

The remaining three days I spent in the mansion, doing various tasks. On Wednesday, I was in the Ethnographic store, photographing and recording the old and often valuable artefacts kept in there. Amongst other things, I came across an elephant skull, and a tusk that was unbelievably huge. I also got to take a tour around the mansion, witnessing all of its splendour, and preparing a dolls house for children in the Architectural exhibition that was about to open.

On Thursday, I got to hoover the carpet that I walked along on the tour, and having the pleasure of seeing the mansion in a different light (a.k.a. a lot less light). Although, I didn’t spend all that much time in the mansion on that day, instead going into Knutsford to find frames for some architectural pictures that needed to be hung in the mansion.

Finally, I spent my last day in an office with another work experience girl, making a new staff library. This basically meant that we spent the day glue-sticking library cards and various other items into the library books.

All in all, I think my time at Tatton have been two weeks to remember, and I would recommend anyone to come here, purely for the diversity of the activities you’ll be doing, and the excellent company you’ll have whilst doing it.

Thank you Tatton Park!

Heather Dowling

Willow Weaving Workshop





A group of ten ladies gathered into a room at the Stable Yard. Were they all eager to try their hand at willow weaving a simple individual creation? Could they really achieve this - that was the question. This was an attempt to introduce a craft which our ancestors were excellent at. Using willow for baskets, chairs, tables, etc. would need some experience so we started by making simple circles, which incidentally are essential to any sculpture. Much fun, laughter and frustration followed but eventually we all got there.



and here's one I made earlier..



During the day many wonderful designs were created including a large fish, butterflies, dragon flies, garlands, sun flowers, etc.

Everyone was amazed at what they had created and learnt in such a short time. Hopefully this taster will encourage these very able ladies (where were the men)? to join a local group and create many more wonderful willow objects.

Judith Goodburn - Interpreter Guide

The first willow weaving workshop at Tatton Park in 2012 takes place on 17 March 2012.

Grand designs & small details

We have just put the finishing touches to two new Mansion exhibitions which will run from July 18th to 30th October 2011 at Tatton.


“In Our View” is an exhibition of beautiful photographs taken by our Ranger team. Each team member has selected the best from their own personal photographic collections. This magical exhibition shows something of the amazing diversity of flora and fauna of the Tatton estate from the perspective of people who work closely in this environment.

The Nature Table will bring to mind school day collections of things found on rambles in the country, and we hope that the exhibition will inspire our visitors to bring their own cameras to take amazing natural history photos in the Park.

Working with nature again, but this time Geodiversity, a trail will lead you through the Mansion at Tatton highlighting various geological materials which have been used in its construction. This is all part of our architectural theme for the summer.

Caroline Schofield setting up the exhibition

“Grand Designs and Small Details” is our second exhibition, which takes a look at the development of the Mansion building at Tatton Park throughout the Georgian and Regency periods. The Tatton Park Architectural Drawings Conservation, Digitisation and Access project has recently led to the conservation of 97 important original architectural drawings of the house, including those by architects Samuel and Lewis William Wyatt. A further 56 drawings are currently with our paper conservator undergoing studio conservation. Over 100 drawings have now been digitally scanned, and selected images of them have been used to tell the story of the Egertons and their house and home making. In addition we are displaying some of the original drawings which architect Lewis William Wyatt produded for the interior details of the house. These drawings are fragile – so make the most of the rare opportunity to come and see them.


Caroline Schofield, Mansion & Collections Manager, Tatton Park

Day one nearly done!

Tatton's Japanese Garden

The RHS Flower Show may be months in the planning but we very swiftly speed through the hours once the show is finally upon us. 

There's been a great buzz on the first day of the show, with a lot of interest around Tatton's Japanese Garden inspired (and gold medal winning) garden - Paradise Isle - 100 years on.  We've got a fantastic spot with the other local gardens making up the Cheshire Gardens of Distinction's area.

My favourite flowers of the show in the floral marquee

Tatton's presence - other than the show garden - is a Marketing and an Education tent. For us, in Marketing, it's a great opportunity to chat to people about what we do at Tatton and to try and encourage visitors to come back to see all we have to offer here.  We also get asked all sorts of questions about the flowerbed too - so if you don't know your acer palmatum from your elbow, now is the time to find out!

  

Beautiful bug house!

After many years of doing the show the team has learnt a few essential tips to see you through the 5 days: water, suncream, sunglasses (for those glaring walkways) water and a bit more water.  This year we might just (fingers treble crossed) get away without the brollies.  And a break in the Country Living tent doesn't go amiss either.

Here's a few of the highlights for me of day one...
Eleanor Gorsuch, Marketing

Tatton through my eyes...

Emily is spending a couple of weeks as an intern. Here's her perspective of Tatton so far...

As a local Knutsford resident Tatton Park has always been on my doorstep, constantly passing through, whether it be on a family bike ride, walking the dog or simply enjoying the sunshine with a picnic by the Mere.  However, the magnificent history and intricate stories which are beyond Tatton Mere are unbeknown to me. 

This week my eyes have been opened to the world behind Tatton Park, consisting of hundreds of years of the Egertons and their endeavours which occurred throughout this time. 

Set in over 1,000 acres of parkland Tatton has something for everyone; this week I have discovered each individual aspect of the park and set my adventurous instincts to go.

One of the most immaculate elements of Tatton is the Gardens, inspired from places all over the world and the host of a compilation of spectacular beauties. The first thing I did was wander off the path and deep into the landscape, concealing myself from all other visitors, I felt like Mary in her Secret Garden. This lead me through to the Arboretum, a magical part to the gardens full of elaborate conifers, again feeling like a child, lost in an enchanted wood. Having made my way back to the main path I then approached the maze, which I decided to have a whirl at; luckily I found my way to the centre and back out again- a challenge which entices everyone. My final stop off was the faultless Italian Gardens, set in perfect symmetry as a backdrop to the Neo- Classical Mansion; placed with precision and perfection they compliment the grounds and Mansion wholly. 

Seeing the Gardens which envelop the Mansion made my intuition take me to the heart of the park, for a glimpse as to the wonderful life the Egertons lived in their grand home. As a whole the Mansion is stunning, it may not look too spectacular from the outside but by stepping through those doors this idea diminishes and you become captured by the house and its contents. The three elements which really caught my eye were the architecture, the paintings and the library. The popular style of the Ancient Greeks and Romans influenced the style of the Mansion, explicitly displayed throughout with a similar symmetry to the Italian Gardens. However, the Entrance Hall exhibits the finest piece of Neo-Classicism, marble floors, porphyry columns and a mirror image from the central line. 

The library at Tatton

Like any 18^th/19^th Century mansion, paintings consume the majority of wall space; what intrigued me was the rarity of a number of these. Predominantly the two Canaletto’s in the Drawing Room; magnificent originals with an uncommon signature declaring them as a couple of the first Canaletto paintings. The final site which encapsulated me was the library; holding a collection of over 8,000 books spanning a whole host of subject matter, dating as far back as 1513. There are even some first edition Jane Austen novels amongst the gorgeous Gillows bookcases.

As Tatton has recently become parent to two sets of piglets, The Farm was the next place on my visit list. Armed with the camera I went in search of these babies to the working farm, which has been part of Tatton since the mid eighteen hundreds. Specialising in raising rare breads of animals, Home Farm is a place for children with an adventurous head and adults who are intrigued by the history, or like me, just animal lovers. The pigs were my favourite part, host to six rare breads: the Tamworth, Large Black, Middle White, Berkshire, Saddleback and Gloucestershire Old Spot, meant there was plenty to see alongside those adorable, chunky piglets.

Finally I took a step further back in time to the oldest part and building of the Tatton Estate- The Old Hall. As a child I recall coming here, dressed as Vikings; one minute baking bread over an outdoor fire and the next charging at classmates, in the heat of a battle. Named as the ‘Hidden Gem’, the Old Hall can often be forgotten. The original Manor House to the first residents of Tatton during the Middle Ages, the Old Hall tells its story through the walls as you amble through the house. As each new era added segments to the house, the periods develop as the house does- commencing with the Medieval Great Hall and ending in the sitting room of Tatton workers in the 1950s. What a brilliant tour, creating the feeling of movement through the ages, I could immediately imagine the residents of the Old Hall sat in each room conducting their daily routine of the period. They may still be there. 

Emily-Jane Bartley