BBC TV's "Escape to the Country" re-visits Berkeley Castle

Members of yet another film crew were visiting the Castle last week, this time for a future edition of Escape to the Country.  Information to follow when a broadcast date is known.

On this occasion Charles Berkeley was interviewed by Jonnie Irwin, the presenter assisting potential residents of the area and showing them around.

Will this be another FoBC Project?

There are many possibilities for FoBC funding but the two holes in this 17th century Dutch painting make it a prime candidate to be a future beneficiary of the Friends fundraising efforts.   Full marks to those who know where it resides at present......

FoBC's Beetle Drive - Thursday 5th October 2017

Following the success of our first ever Beetle Drive last year the event was repeated, and it was great  fun.  No dice was lost on the floor and no red wine was spilt, but it was so noisy on occasions we could not hear the difference between shrieks of frustration and of pleasure!  The concentration on adding up the scores showed that there was no lack of competitiveness among the participants.

Our thanks to FoBC Committee member David Bowd-Exworth for organising an excellent finger buffet in the interval.

How did you win that round so quickly!

FoBC Chairman Paul Walkden awarding the wooden spoon (chocolates) to daughter Sarah (for the second year!)

and the overall winner, Valerie Moores (beginner's luck!)

Enhancements to the Lily Pond

Longstanding Friends will know that FoBC raised money for the installation of a fountain in the Lily Pond in 2009.   The latest addition to the Lily Pond is these mermaids, a work of art installed on the rear wall and created by Berkeley Castle's own Artist in Residence 2017, Belinda Durrant.   Her inspiration was one of the stained glass windows in the Great Hall and Belinda explains that science, history, social history, literature and folklore all become entangled, and inform her imagery.

www.belindadurrant.co.uk