Merry Go Round
Merry Go Round
Last Friday a traditional merry go round arrived at the castle. Both the lorry and the carousel were quite heavy so it was set up on the lawn near the front drive. Luckily, thanks to the weather, the ground is still quite firm. After a certain amount of tinkering, the carousel with its flying horses was ready to test and many of the Highclere team were willing to offer themselves. Those not wishing to up and down and round and round on a horse could lie back in a sleigh.
The golden age of carousels lasted from the 1870s to the early 1930s. They were made from wood, and were carved and painted by hand. Ours was a gorgeous bright gold. There is something rather magical about climbing aboard and just going round in circles with as many others as you have managed to persuade to join in: it is a very uncomplicated pastime.
This past weekend has altogether been rather traditional in terms of entertainment. There was croquet and badminton to enjoy on the lawns, a dance and music tent with a chequerboard floor, scones, cakes, sandwiches, picnic afternoon boxes, vintage cars, a man now christened Lofty on stilts, Morris dancers with bells on their legs, an exhibition of dress and style threaded through the castle tour and a room devoted to Maggie Smith whilst outside there were cocktails and a chance to act in our own play.
With bunting and flowers everywhere, and guests who had made a wonderful effort to dress up in style and who all looked quite perfect, with hats and gloves and hairstyles courtesy of the Vintage Rollers who were based in the castle courtyard, it was all rather a wonderful day out.
Some of us played Badminton and others croquet - it became a little competitive! But such fun.
What I have not mentioned so far was the stately arrival of a Lego set of the castle which made its way out of the drawing room and into the set location for our short play - “Stella saves the day”. Unsurprisingly, this involved a Labrador, afternoon tea, an Earl and Countess, three sisters, some guests and a dastardly Spanish Duke who lisped. John G introduced the day’s filming, hung around a bit and operated the clapper board which was a key role.
The Spanish Duke had an accent which seemed half Scottish and half Welsh to go with the lisp and was the “baddie”, stealing the little Lego characters and making off with them. Given he had cheese in his pocket, Stella the Labrador quickly spotted him thus enabling Luis the Butler to catch the Duke red handed.
What was lovely about both days was hearing the laughter and chat and have so many people come up to say thank you and what an amazing day they had enjoyed.
Weekends like this are special and, apart from the programme of entertainment, the thought behind them is to offer time out, the space to step away from everyday demands and just be with friends, even maybe to make some new friends.
It is date for your diary two years hence: 15th and 16th September 2028
28 Comments
Perfect way to spend a late summer day!
OUI,C'EST VRAIE, MAGIQUE.
very important to step into another world sometimes...
Absolutely stunning - the planning, execution and the happiness created for all who attended. Bravo! Thank you for letting us peek into the life of Highclere!
Hope so!
GREAT name! 😁
Looks like wonderful fun was had by all... wish I could have been there!
wish you could have been too!
Me Too
We are from North Carolina, We have enjoyed our visits in the past. What a wonderful idea to present this era in the manner you do.
Lovely the pictures of the merry go round and did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend and lam fan of Downton Abbey and highcelere castle
Seems like a marvelous weekend, and a great look-back in time.
Oh, this sounds like so much fun...It will be on my REVISED Bucket List for 2028! Cheers!
Lady Carnarvon, did your carousel have brass rings to catch? I used to go to an amusement park that had a similar carousel and in the center was a projecting "arm" that had brass rings you could catch with your fingers. You could redeem the rings for a free ride!
Lady Carnarvon,
I love the Lego Highclere — and the Carousel!! It certainly carries us back to times of laughter and hilarity! Seems like you, too, had a fun time. Thank you!
Martha G
A wonderful weekend for you all x
A magical weekend with guests greeted by the new carousel. It's a wonderful gesture on your part to host such a lovely community event. I hope to visit someday!
The photo at the top says it all! What fun all of you must have had!
Thank you for sharing!
We all love the merry go round - just wonderfully childish
I'll be happily retired next year and on my New Life List are:
1. Finish blankets to give to charities.
2. Exercise more.
3. Travel as much as possible while I still can.
4. Sept 15 and 16, 2028.....here I come! What fun to look forward to. I'll even bring an apron to help with the clean up!
What a fabulous read this morning. Your weekend sounds absolutely magical and so much fun. Nothing like traditional carousels and entertainment for families and friends to share. Your photographs bring it all to life. Your description of the Lego set and short play and the antics that followed were obviously a highlight of the weekend. Marvellous fun for everyone
I hope so!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your pictures, Lady Carnarvon.
Put a big smile on my face. Thank you!!!
I'm still trying to convince my hubby to travel over the pond again ;o)
I can't wait to see how you decorate for Autumn and Halloween
Have a blessed day
Lilly
Lady Carnarvon
Lovely article, as usual. Thank you. I hope everyone
at Highclere Castle is enjoying lovely autumn
weather. In Texas it is still too hot. Meanwhile, my
mind is on this missing three year old boy in
Brantham, Suffolk. Praying he is found safe soon
Thanks so much for sharing this days events, always enjoy reading about Highclere.
Brilliant, such fun and frivolity!
Fun Fact that we learned while visiting a Carousel museum in Sandusky, Ohio, USA… Carousels in the USA circle counter clockwise and carousels in the UK circle clockwise. We have enjoyed checking our information while visiting various merry-go-rounds throughout both countries.
I enjoy your posts every week! And our visit to Highclere was outstanding, a definite highlight to our trip over the pond!
It would be so wonderful to be able to be there. I will mark it on my day planner.
I just adore Highclere and enjoyed every moment of Downton Abbey.
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Lady Fiona,
Bonjour.
Très charmant, magique.
Magnifique journée.
Au revoir.