Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2007 | Page 12

life OUT AND ABOUT Pluck, Sniff & Milly Molly Manky: Meet a colourful cast of historical characters at Carisbrooke Castle - family fun every day during August Characters ranging from a medieval rat catcher to Robin Hood and dashing jousting knights on horseback paint a lively and colourful historical picture at fun-filled family events taking place every day during August at Carisbrooke Castle. In this bumper month of events, youngsters can search the castle in a quest for its hidden key, become princesses and wizards for the day, find out about the smelliest, dirtiest and most gruesome jobs in history, take part in the Battle of Trafalgar – and peep through their fingers as fearless galloping knights in armour clash at the joust. Daily action focuses on a free treasure hunt, when children can follow clues around the castle to find a treasure chest containing a key to claim a prize. A daily draw will give one lucky entrant the key to their favourite English Heritage castle in the form of a year’s free entry. The treasure hunt takes place from 10am – 5pm from 1 – 24 August and from 28 – 31 August. Normal admission prices to the castle apply - £5.60 for adults, £4.20 for concessions, £2.80 for children and £14 for a family ticket (price may vary when other events are on). Heroes and Villains On Sunday 5th and Monday 6th August, ‘Heroes and Villains’ provides three opportunities each day for aspiring young thespians to dress up in costume and perform as part of the cast in a lighthearted look at tales from past centuries. In Horatio’s Last Hurrah the children will re-live the thrilling action as the mighty French and British fleets engage in the famous sea battle. In Tales from Robin Hood they can portray Robin and his band of Merry Men, including Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet and Maid Marion as they battle against their deadly enemies the Sheriff of Nottingham and Sir Guy of Guisborne. Audiences will be encouraged to cheer on the gallant outlaws and boo the 12 dastardly villains during swashbuckling swordfights, archery contests and a fullscale hobby horse joust. And in Don’t Mess With Bess the complexities of accession to the throne will be unravelled in a Tudor Family Tree Workshop. Entry to Heroes and Villains, which also includes a circus workshop and have-a-go archery, is £6.60 for adults, £5 for concessions, £3.30 for children and £16.50 for a family ticket. really round off a ‘nasty’ day out, visitors will be entertained by the Singing Plague Victims, complete with rotting bandages and festering sores! Normal admission prices apply - £5.60 for adults, £4.20 for concessions, £2.80 for children and £14 for a family ticket. Princesses and Wizards Fearless knights on horseback Large quantities of glitter, ribbon, felt, foam - as well as plenty of glue, will help children transform themselves into princesses and wizards for the day on Sunday 12th and Monday 13th August. The ‘Creative Castle’ workshop will help them make, and take home, their very own shield, mask, crown, tiara and wizard hat. Normal admission prices to the castle apply - £5.60 for adults, £4.20 for concessions, £2.80 for children and £14 for a family ticket. Horrid history A hideous gallery of horrid characters lies in wait on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th August as the foulest jobs in history are depicted. There’s a 17th century surgeon accompanied by live leeches demonstrating some of the barbaric equipment used at the time to amputate, pull teeth and operate, all without anesthetic! One of the lowest of the low in medieval times, a rat catcher with traps, cages and corpses, will describe how he kept the filthy streets relatively clear of vermin. There’s a ‘gong-scourer’ or mudlark effectively a latter day toilet cleaner, who sifted through the sewers in search of lost money, jewellery and other valuables. And Sack, Heckle, Pluck and Sniff will demonstrate a host of horrible medieval jobs, from gut-string making and butchery to urine bleaching and murder! To The highlight of this month-long look at history will be a spectacular medieval joust during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Gates open at 10am on Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th and Monday 27th August to a medieval festival as a jester and minstrels mingle with the crowd to set a romantic scene of the days of chivalry. Each afternoon the thrilling and skilful action of the medieval joust will be recreated as brave knights in shining armour seek to win glory in breathtaking displays of horsemanship and accuracy with the lance. Visitors can see them prepare for competition at the gallop, in mounted skill at arms competitions before going into action at full tilt against their opponent. Adding to the fun and entertainment will be have-a-go dancing and a junior jousting workshop for children. Admission is £8.50 for adults, £6.40 for concessions, £4.30 for children or £21.30 for a family ticket. English Heritage members enjoy free or reduced price entry at all events as well as free admission at 120 sites countrywide. For more information on events or membership, call 0870 333 1183 or visit www.english-heritage. org.uk The heart of the island Carisbrooke Castle near Newport has been at Island Life - www.islandlife.tv