Heritage Events 2010
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Stafford Castle & Visitor Centre
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The Ancient High House
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Izaak Walton's Cottage
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View a pdf of the 2010 Ancient High House Arts and Exhibitions leaflet
Antique Valuation Days at Stafford Castle
Dust off your antiques and collectables and bring them along to Stafford Castle on Saturday 5 February for a free valuation. Antique experts from Bamfords auctioneers will be continuing their monthly valuation programme on the first Saturday of the month February to December (excluding April and August).Learn more about your treasures and trinkets and what they are worth. Free admission. Castle Visitor Centre open til 4pm. Supported by Bamfords Auctioneers.
Sunday 30 May, Sunday 27 June, Sunday 25 July, Sunday 29 August | 2pm - 4pm
Fly Casting at Izaak Walton's Cottage
Have a go at angling and fishing. Fun for all the family. Free admission. Supported by the Izaak Walton Cottage Chapter.
Tuesday 12 January to Saturday 27 March | 10am - 4pm
Tudor Stafford
History Exhibition at the Ancient High House
A rare glimpse into the life of the county town and its people during the turbulent years of the Tudors. Free admission. Supported by SAMS, County Records Office, the William Salt Library and local collections.
Saturday 13 February | 10am - 4pm
Family and Local History Fair at the Ancient High House
Go back to your roots and find out about your ancestors and local history. Representatives from family history societies, local history societies, the Staffordshire Record Office will be on hand to offer information and advice about tracing your family and local history. Fun for all the family with stalls, displays, children's activities and refreshments on sale. Free admission.
Saturday 3 April | 11am - 3pm
Easter Eggcitement at the Ancient High House
A family fun day with traditional Easter activities, including egg decorating, egg hunt, bonnet making workshop and colouring competition. Free admission.
Sunday 4 April | 11am - 3pm
Easter Eggstravaganza at Stafford Castle
A family fun day with traditional Easter activities, including egg decorating, egg hunt, bonnet making workshop and colouring competition. Free admission.
Tuesday 06 April to Saturday 22 May | 10am - 4pm
Stafford in the Reign of George V
History Exhibition at the Ancient High House
One hundred years on from the accession of George V - a look back to reveal Stafford's lost generation. Free admission. Supported by SAMS, County Records Office, the William Salt Library and local collections.
Saturday 24 April | 11am - 3pm
St George's Day Celebration at the Ancient High House
Meet St. George England's patron saint and try on arms and armour and period costumes. Children's fun activities including dragon making workshop. Bring your cameras! Free admission.
Sunday 25 April | 11am - 4pm
St George's Day Celebration at Stafford Castle
Meet St. George England's patron saint and try on arms and armour and period costumes. Children's fun activities including dragon making workshop. Bring your cameras! Free admission.
Sunday 16 May | 11am - 4pm
Wildlife and Country Craft Fair at Stafford Castle
Animals and birds of prey, horse logging and sheep dogs. Meet the experts from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and other environmental organisations. Experience traditional country craft demonstrations and activities including willow weaving, pole turning, wool spinning and children's craft workshops. Join themed guided walks along the new Woodland Trail. Free admission. Car Park £2.
Tuesday 25 May to Saturday 03 July | 10am - 4pm
Dunkirk 70 Years On
History Exhibition at the Ancient High House
The 'Miracle of Dunkirk' as seen through the eyes of Stafford's fighting forces and those serving on the Home Front. Free admission. Supported by SAMS, County Records Office, the William Salt Library and local collections.
Sunday 20 June | 11am - 5pm
Food Through the Ages
Period Food Festival at Stafford Castle
Experience food preparation, cooking and dining from medieval times to World War II. Medieval, Tudor and Stuart re-enactments and Victorian and Second World War displays. Talk to the characters, learn the recipes and taste some food. Demonstrations and hands on family fun activities with selling stalls and farmers market. Adults £2, children and concessions £1, family (2+2) £5. Supported by the Swan Hotel and Cadmus Wines.
Thursday 24 June to Saturday 10 July
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Stafford Festival Shakespeare Open Air at Stafford Castle
The beautiful surroundings of Stafford Castle makes the perfect backdrop to enjoy Shakespeare's plays. This summer The Merry Wives of Windsor, the hilarious comedy with its physical laughs and vivid characters takes centre stage. Tickets available from Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Box Office 01785 254 653 or book online www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.co.uk
Saturday 10 July to Saturday 30 October | 10am - 4pm
The Battle of Britain: Some of the 'Few'
History Exhibition at the Ancient High House
The un-assuming heroes who preserved our freedom during the summer of 1940. Supported by SAMS, County Records Office, the William Salt Library and local collections.
Sunday 11 July | 12noon - 10pm
Live @ The Castle
Part of Stafford Festival
Enjoy the very best of local live music on the main stage and in the acoustic marquee. Admission £1. Car Park £2. For details visit www.staffordbc.gov.uk/staffordfestival
A wide range of summer holiday activities will take place at Stafford Castle, the Ancient High House and Izaak Walton's Cottage. For details visit www.staffordbc.gov.uk/getout
Sunday 11 July | 12noon - 5pm
Teddy's Tea Party at Izaak Walton's Cottage
Enjoy family fun and games in the cottage garden, with puppet show, face painting, story telling, craft stalls and a bouncy castle for the younger family members. Bring along a picnic and don't forget your teddy! Free admission if accompanied by a teddy bear. Supported by the Izaak Walton Cottage Chapter.
Sunday 8 August | 11am - 5pm
Classic Car Show at Stafford Castle
A classic car treat and vintage fun for all the family with children's games, quizzes and activities. Classic, vintage and collectors cars on display, with trophies awarded for best car in class. This year see the display of classic tractors. Free admission. Car Park £2. Supported by classic car clubs and classic car owners. Sponsored by Bank Top Garage, Gnosall, Tel (01785) 822217.
Saturday 11 September | 10am - 4pm
Tudor Costume and Military Dress at the Ancient High House
Gracious gowns to army greatcoats. Try on the costumes and uniforms from times gone by. Join us for a guided tour of the House at 11am and 2pm. Free admission. Supported by the Staffordshire Yeomanry Museum. In support of Heritage Open Days.
Sunday 12 September | 10am - 5pm
A Norman Adventure st Stafford Castle
Knight, damsel or peasant. Choose your costume and don't forget your camera! Hands on dressing up fun for all the family. Join us for a guided tour of the Castle at 11am and 2pm. Free admission. In support of Heritage Open Days.
Saturday 18 September | 10am - 4pm
Staffordshire in the 17th Century
Staffordshire History Fair at the Ancient High House
Meet King Charles I at the High House, visit the local history groups in the County Buildings where there is a full talks programme and take a look around the 17th century English Civil War re-enactors encampment in the market square. Free admission. Organised by the Staffordshire Heritage Group.
Saturday 25 September | 10am - 4pm
A Stitch in Time at the Ancient High House
Displays and demonstration from experts in embroidery, crochet, knitting and sewing. Exhibition of 17th century embroidery. Felt making workshop and children's French Knitting workshop. Free admission. Supported by the Borough Broderers.
Saturday 16 October | 10am - 4pm
Tomb Raider at the 'Ancient House'
Become a real life treasure hunter. Learn from experts and handle real archaeological artifacts, antiques and documents from the past. Items from the Roman period through to WWII, including Anglo Saxon, Medieval, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian and Victorian. Free admission. Supported by Staffordshire Arts and Museum Service and private collectors.
Monday 25 - Friday 29 October | 10am - 12noon for 5 to 7 year olds | 2pm - 4pm for 8 to 12 year olds
Hallowe'en Hands on Horror at Scary Stafford Castle
Children's wacky workshops with ghostly guided tours and dastardly delicious refreshments. £3 per session, pre-booking essential, call 01785 619 131
Thursday 28 October | 6.30pm and 7.30pm
Ghoulish Ghost Tours
Join us on a terrifying tour of Stafford town centre and the Ancient High House. Learn real scary stories and macabre facts. Be there if you dare! £5 per person, pre-booking essential, call 01785 619 131.
Tuesday 09 November to Saturday 20 November | 10am - 4pm
Stafford Reminiscences
History Exhibition at the Ancient High House
Local historians Roger Butters and Nick Thomas record reminiscences of Staffordians for inclusion in 'A Complete History of Stafford'. Nick and/or Roger will be in residence for the duration of the exhibition interviewing anyone who has reminiscences of Stafford. Supported by local collections.
Tuesday 09 November to Tuesday 11 January | 10am - 4pm
Stafford Through the Ages
History Exhibition at the Ancient High House
An historical voyage through Stafford Town's past, from prehistory through to the mid-twentieth century. Supported by SAMS, County Records Office, the William Salt Library and local collections.
Tuesday 16 November to Friday 24 December | 10am - 4pm
Christmas Presents Past
History Exhibition at the Ancient High House
A nostalgic trip down memory lane, see what was in Father Christmas' sack throughout the 1900s. Supported by SAMS and private collections.
Sunday 05 Dec | 10am - 4pm
A Christmas Story at the Ancient High House
See the Ancient High House in its Christmas finery. Sing carols in the Victorian Room, learn about Christmas past, visit Santa in his grotto and Scrooge on the stairs. Spend a Yuletide penny at our traditional craft stalls and enjoy mince pies, mulled fruit punch and hot roasted chestnuts. Children's Christmas craft workshops and family entertainment. Free admission.
For information on disabled access please phone before your visit.
All details and dates correct at time of publication but are subject to change.