Events for the National Trust 2004

Cliveden, Buckinghamshire

Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire SL6 0JA. Tel; 01628 605069, 01494 755562 (info line).

Three events including a major multi-era show (see below) and two early C18th displays celebrating the 300th anniversary of the then owner (The Earl of Orkney) and his key involvement in the Battle Of Blenheim, 1704, as the Duke of Marlborough's second in command. These events were:

5-6 June: Duelling. A weekend of displays of late C17th and early C18th duelling techniques featuring the Schoole of Defence. This included a look at how the infamous 1688 duel between the Duke of Buckingham (then owner of Cliveden) and Earl of Shrewsbury was fought, and a chance for visitors to have a go themselves.

11-12 September: Blenheim Battle Days. A weekend of living history by Lord Orkney's Regiment, music and song by Hautbois and a highly entertaining account of the battle "fought" by Hogarth's Heroes with flowers and vegetables (!) to commemorate one of the most important but least known victories in British military history. The Battle of Blenheim made the Duke of Marlborough a national hero and ended a very serious threat of French domination in Europe for almost a century. His second in command, Lord Orkney, owned Cliveden, so with this in mind EventPlan developed and co-ordinated this anniversary event, appropriately held adjacent to The Blenheim Pavilion and extremely well received by visitors.

18-19 September: Blasts from the Past! An ambitious Classical Greek to 1940's extravaganza with around 200 performers from 15 top groups, featuring re-enactments, skirmishes, living history and entertainments.  This, the National Trust's first ever major multi-era event, was such a success that Cliveden plan to establish it as a growing annual show. Next year's Blasts from the Past will be held over the weekend of 10-11 September 2005.

Charlecote Park, Warwickshire

Warwick, Warwickshire CV35 9ER. Tel; 01789 470277

10 July: Elizabethan interpretation, with Ruth Goodman.

31 July: Victorian interpretation, with Jane Walton of Hands on History.

Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP14 4LA. Tel: 01494 755573

22-26 November: Victorian Christmas living history with interpreters from EventPlan and Hands on History. Schools only, pre-booking essential. Held in the Study Base.

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Updated 15 October 2004