They are just two of the ways Hylton Castle could be revived.

Campaigners have been fighting to bring the historic landmark back into use for years, and in April this year were given £50,000 to carry out a study into what could be done with the site.
Now consultants from Resources for Change have released the first of
two reports looking at how the empty shell of the castle could be used by visitors and the community.

Their recommendations include:- A room for wedding ceremonies in the castle's chapel.
- An education centre.
- Courses for young people in horticulture, landscaping and masonry.
- Using Hylton Dene as an adventure sports centre and nature park.
- Regular ghost hunts
- Sleep-overs with ghost stories for children
- Comedy, music and theatre events both inside and outside the castle.

The report also stresses the importance of bringing in young people as a way of tackling problems with antisocial behaviour in the area.

"Hylton Castle and Dene is more than a local community asset, which has the potential to overcome barriers and bring local communities together," say consultants.

"It has a much wider appeal, and will have to draw from a larger area to become financially and socially sustainable. It offers a complete package – play, heritage, nature, space – and could achieve the "something for everyone" factor given improved access, facilities, services and activities."

The consultants add that there are many people who value the castle, but take their families – and their cash – somewhere else because there are no amenities at the site.

The report lists vital facilities the castle would need if it wanted to bring in more visitors, including toilets, a cafe, shop, office space, picnic tables, shelters and a visitor centre.

The desire to at least partially restore the castle building was flagged up in the report, but a study by experts at Bureau Veritas on what can be done with the structure of the 14th-century landmark has not yet been released.

John Coulthard, chairman of the Friends of Hylton Dene, which has been campaigning to see the castle brought back to life, said: "It's a very good report. It's very detailed and it covers all the bases about what people want done."

Mr Coulthard said the Friends group was waiting for the conservation plan from Bureau Veritas to be signed off before more discussions between the group, the community, English Heritage and Sunderland City Council.

Coun Denny Wilson, who represents the Castle ward as well as being a member of the Friends group, said whatever project was decided on it was vital that it was sustainable and could pay for its self.

Original Source : Sunderland Echo

The event, now in its 27th year, was originally held in Castle Ashby House but moved to Brafield-on-the-Green seven years ago.

Following a change of site last year, organiser Debbie Smith said: "We had a lot of positive feedback so we decided to stay on this land. It's a much more compact site and that really helps the show to be successful.

"The visitors flowed in all day and we had to open up a second car park to cope with demand."

John Hall, from CJ's Birds of Prey, entertained the crowds with his collection of beautiful birds, the most unusual one being Chawumba, a martial eagle from Africa.

He said: "It's been very busy. Birds of prey only fly in the wild to hunt. We simulate that environment and fly them every day to feed them. They don't get an easy option."

Sarah Green, from Petwise Zoo, which ran beetle races throughout the day, said: "This is the first time we have come to this fair and it's a nice change to have so many people.

"It's a well organised show with a good layout and a lot of stuff to do. We will definitely be coming back next year."

Original source : Northampton Chron & Echo

The National Trust property near Leominster is welcoming the Tudor and Stuart Living History Society to lead demonstrations and displays.

Visitors will be able to meet a Tudor seamstress, see a demonstration of a Tudor manuscript and meet a Tudor apothecary.

The beekeeper will highlight the importance of bees, and a falconer will give an owl display.

Families will also have the opportunity to try their hand at Tudor games such as bowls, skittles and hopscotch.

The event is running from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20.

Original Source : Hereford Times

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The last eight years has seen the castle take form into what it is today, and although it is still not finished it still has it's own share of visitors and onlookers intrigued by the sight of this castle atop Red Mountain in Northern Durham County. Mont Rouge as Mihaly calls his castle is certainly worth every hour of labor its creator has put into building it.

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The local police are now investigating the incident, which may as is believed to be the work of youngsters using grappling hooks in attempting to climb the walls of the medieval landmark.

The Stafford Borough Council, which now owns the castle is waiting for news from the English Heritage for a go-ahead for them to proceed with repairs the castle's stonework.

Stafford Castle was originally a huge timber fortress, built by the Normans around 1100 upon a prominent vantage point. Towards the early 17th century, the castle was abandoned and eventually demolished as the castles' fortunes were lost. In 1813, the castle was rebuilt but gradually it fell into ruin.