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| Friends
of Historic Dilston 2007-08 Past Events |
| This page details the past events
organised for members of the Friends of Historic Dilston. If you wish to become a member, please
follow the instructions on the Membership
page. This page will be kept up to date, so please keep
coming back to check for new events! |
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Upcoming
Events: Details of Friends' upcoming events can
be viewed by clicking the following link: View
Upcoming Events. |
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Saturday 24th February 2007
LAUNCH OF THE FRIENDS OF HISTORIC DILSTON
Official Press Release:
Saturday 24th February marked an exciting new chapter
for Historic Dilston, with the launch of the Friends
of Historic Dilston – an organisation set
up to support the North Pennines Heritage Trust
in the maintaining, promoting and preserving of
this important ancient site, close to Corbridge.
Dilston Castle, a fifteenth-century tower house,
and Dilston Chapel, an early seventeenth-century
recusant chapel, were restored and stabilised by
the North Pennines Heritage Trust, when they became
owners of the two scheduled ancient monuments, in
2002. The work, which was carried out with grants
from the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage,
represented Phase 1 of an ongoing project aimed
at conserving and gaining recognition for the whole
of the historic site.
The role of the Friends of Historic Dilston will
be to help raise the profile of the site by organising
a range of events and fund-raising activities that
will encourage the use of the castle and chapel
and their beautiful setting. This will include a
programme of talks, historical re-enactments, open-air
dramas, exhibitions, art days, flower shows and
musical events. The scenic backdrop of the castle
and the excellent acoustics of the chapel lend themselves
to such occasions.
The date chosen for the launch of the Friends of
Historic Dilston happened to coincide with the anniversary
of the execution of James Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of
Derwentwater, which took place on 24 February 1716,
following his involvement in the Jacobite Rising
of 1715. To mark the occasion a collection of Dilston
and Derwentwater memorabilia was put on display
in Dilston Chapel. This included a number of Derwentwater
engravings and Radcliffe family correspondence,
some of which has links with the Newcastle artist
and woodcarver Joseph Crawhall. Of particular interest
was a painted wood carving, depicting the coronation
of the Virgin, inscribed ‘Dilstone Chapel
1624’. Amongst other items on display for
the first time was a fine collection of Goss China
bearing the Derwentwater coat of arms, manufactured
during the second half of the 19th century, when
such pieces were bought as momentos of the locality.
After his execution on Tower Hill, at the age of
twenty-six, the Earl of Derwentwater’s remains
were brought back to Northumberland for burial in
the family chapel at Dilston. That same evening,
the occurrence of a brilliant display of the Northern
Lights was said to be an omen of heaven’s
wrath at the untimely death of the well-loved young
nobleman, propelling him into local folklore. In
1874, the Earl’s coffin was removed from Dilston
Chapel, when the estate changed hands, and taken
to Thorndon Hall in Essex, the family seat of a
descendant, William, 12th Lord Petre. An album showing
the Mortuary Chapel at Thorndon – the Earl’s
present resting place – was on display on
a memorial table set up for the launch.
Chairman of the North Pennines Heritage Trust Harry
James introduced Saturday’s launch by outlining
the work of the Trust before handing over to Frances
Dickinson, newly elected Chairman of the Friends.
Frances, who initiated a project in 1993 to seek
grant-aid for Dilston Castle and Chapel, has worked
with Mary Rose Ridley since the Historic Dilston
site opened to the public in 2003, organising exhibitions
and running guided tours for local history societies
and U3A groups.
2pm Saturday
24th March 2007
Talk by Tony Liddell B.Sc.:
"IN SEARCH OF THE THUNDERING EARL"
Rocking cradles strange presences, moving keys and faces
in the window. Archaeologist and
paranormal investigator Tony Liddell describes modern
research into ghosts and hauntings at Dilston, tracing
one of Northumberland’s oldest ghost stories.
To read a review of this talk, please click here to view the appropriate page. |
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2pm Saturday 28th April
2007
VOLUNTEERS DAY
A social afternoon for Friends wishing to learn more about
Dilston and the running of the site before it opens to
the public for the summer season. This will include a
guided tour around the castle, chapel and other historic
features - of particular interest to anyone who has volunteered
to act as a guide. Friends will be able to share ideas
for fund-raising activities and ways of promoting awareness
of the site. Everyone welcome. |
2pm Saturday 5th May 2007
Talk by Dr. Brian Barker
: "LAW AND DISORDER IN THE MEDIEVAL NORTH-EAST:
THE CLAXTON FAMILY AND THE BARONY OF DILSTON, 1373
- 1441"
The story of the Claxton Family (the builders of
the tower house – Dilston Castle) and their
struggle for undisputed control of the barony of
Dilston and the landed estates of the Tyndale Family.
After the talk Friends will be taken on a guided
tour of the tower house and shown the architectural
features of the original structure, discovered during
the archaeological work of 2002-3. This includes
evidence of an oratory in the upper chamber, a squint
used by a resident priest to view the altar table
in the solar and ogee lintels from doorways and
windows of the earlier medieval hall of the Dyvelston
and Tyndale Families that once stood alongside. |
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1-4pm Sunday 27th May 2007
Historical Re-enactment Day - open to the public:
"THE TWO COUNTESSES"
Two vignettes written by John Sadler
and performed at intervals throughout the day by the Times
Bandits Re-enactment Group. The vignettes are
based on the traditional story of Lady Derwentwater’s
fan and the actual take-over of Dilston Castle, in 1868,
by Amelia, the self-styled Countess of Derwentwater.
To read a review of this talk, please click here to view the appropriate page.
May-July 2007
"FANTASIES AND FAIRYTALES" AT DILSTON CASTLE
During the months of May, June and July 2007, Dilston Castle and Chapel became the setting for ‘a day of enchantment and story telling’ during a programme of workshops for Primary School Children, run by the Education Service of the North Pennines Heritage Trust. Gazebos were set up in the grounds as a base for the activities, which centred round helping Jack, the baker’s son, to discover the magic spell, which would lead him to the treasure so that he could marry the beautiful Princess Isabella. The event proved to be so popular (30 schools booked-in over 6 weeks with many groups numbering between 50 to 100 children per session), that the workshops are being held again in 2008.
 
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Saturday 2nd June 2007
BAFM NORTH EAST REGIONAL CONFERENCE
The committee is grateful to all Friends who helped on
site during this conference. |
2pm Sunday 17th June
2007
Talk by Frances Dickinson: "TRACKING
A LEGEND"
An illustrated talk in which Frances unravels the fact
and folklore associated with James Radcliffe, 3rd Earl
of Derwentwater and his brother Charles, recalling the
places she visited whilst tracking the Derwentwater Legend
and mapping the Northumbrian Jacobite Trail. |
7.30pm Friday 29th June
2007
ANNIVERSARY EVENING AT FROSTERLEY
This event marks the fourth anniversary of the opening
of Historic Dilston in 2003, which took place on 28th
June - the birthday of James Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Derwentwater.
For the occasion, Friends are invited to attend an evening
meal at The Black Bull Inn, Frosterley, hosted by the
Proprietor and Hon. Member of the Friends Duncan Davis.
Duncan, who has been involved with Historic Dilston for
many years, is particularly known for his photographic
work, which includes the Radcliffe portraits and Derwentwater
relics featured in our publications and exhibitions.
Depending on numbers and interest, the evening’s
celebrations may be linked with a steam train ride –
The Black Bull Inn being opposite Frosterley Station.
For further details or to reserve a place please contact
the Membership Secretary Mary Rose Ridley. |
June through to August 2007
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SUMMER SCHOOL
North Pennines Heritage Trust archaeologist Frank Giecco
with a team of summer school volunteers will be investigating
the remains of the Jacobean service block of the demolished
Dilston Hall. Friends are invited to take part or come
along to observe the work in progress, some of which will
be taking place on the site of one of Dilston’s
so-called underground passages. This passage (see picture
opposite) is believed to run underneath the pasture field
and into the vault of Dilston Castle. From here, it is
claimed that some underground steps lead down to the Devil’s
Water, where some curious apertures can be seen high up
in the rock face.
To read a review of this talk, please click here to view the appropriate page. |
2pm Saturday 4th August
2007
Talk by Dr. Jane Jordan: "JOSEPHINE
BUTLER AND VICTORIAN PROSTITUTION"
(*Please note that there will be a charge for this event
which must also be booked in advance)
The life and work of the 19th-century social reformer
who grew up at Dilston in the house that is now Dilston
College. (This talk will take place in the college, courtesy
of MENCAP).
To read a review of this talk, please click here to view the appropriate page. |
Saturday 11th August 2007
BAFM ARTS GROUP VISIT TO HISTORIC DILSTON
The committee is grateful to any Friends who helped on
site during this visit.
To read a review of this talk, please click here to view the appropriate page. |
2pm Saturday 13th October 2007
Talk by Leo Gooch, MA, PhD, FRHistS:
"THE RADCLIFFES OF DILSTON IN THE LONG SEVENTEENTH
CENTURY"
Dr Gooch, who has published widely on the history of northern
England in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and
is author of The Desperate Faction? –The Jacobites
of North East England, reveals his latest research.
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Saturday 23rd February
2008, 2.15pm
AGM and Phase II Presentation
The AGM will be followed by a Presentation on Historic Dilston Phase 2 given by Frank Giecco, Technical Director of North Pennines Archaeology Ltd. The Presentation will detail the excavation work that took place in last summer’s Field School and outline what is planned in the project for 2008, now that the Heritage Lottery grant has been secured. This will be an opportunity for anyone interested in joining the archaeologists, as a volunteer, to learn about what is involved.
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Further information about events or Historic Dilston publications
can be gained from
Mary-Rose Ridley: 01661 844157
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