ENGLISH

A steel engraving by C. Sparrow from a drawing of Bramber Castle by Samuel Hooper, published in June 1785, and now forming part of my collection.

From the Falmouth Packet, 5th October 2010 Seagull rescued from chimney in Falmouth A Falmouth fire service crew dashed to a Rescue yesterday to find on arrival a seagull had become stuck on a chimney stack at Pendennis Castle. The crew, fully prepared as for any other more serious shouts, used a ladder and line rescue equipment to free the bird before returning to the fire station in Trescobeas Road ready for the next call-out. Just how much the rescue of the seagull cost the fire service, already undergoing financial restraint, has so far not been revealed. Officials say there was no cost at all. A Packet request to Cornwall Council to explain the situation led…

The engraving of Scotney Castle from Grose's Antiquities, dated 1786 and recently added to my collection.

Watercolour by William Daniell. From Adrian Pettifer, English Castles

I really can't believe that I've not posted any pictures of Kendal Castle before now. Here's an old postcard, recently purchased, and postmarked 1947.

From the Daily Telegraph, 23rd February 2008 Church of England plans to sell off its palaces Resplendent with moats, gatehouses and banqueting halls, bishops' palaces are among some of the grandest buildings in the country. Now, however, the historic homes, which have belonged to the Church of England for centuries, could be sold off in a bid to raise money for cash-strapped parishes. A confidential internal review is examining whether the diocesan bishops' houses, nine of which are palaces, are appropriate for the Church to keep. The bishops' residences are worth about £120 million, but cost up to £9 million each year to maintain. They are at the centre of a ro…

From Berwick Today, 27th April 2006 Wind of change at Lindisfarne Castle THE wind indicator in the entrance of Lindisfarne Castle has been taken down for major cleaning and restoration work for the first time since it was painted in 1912. Five people were needed to detach the wind indicator, which is linked to the weather vane in the roof through a series of rods and cogs, and take the large painting down from the wall. Catherine Atkinson, Lindisfarne Castle property manager, said: "It's probably the most precious thing we have at the castle but it has never had a major overhaul and was starting to look a little tired." Restoration specialists will now work arou…

King Charles' Castle Ordnance Survey Map Reference SV 882161 King Charles' Castle, being on Tresco, requires a 30 minute trip by boat from the island of St. Mary's, unless you are one of the fortunate few to fly direct by helicopter from the mainland heliport at Penzance. Maintained by English Heritage, King Charles' Castle, on the main Tresco cliff, was probably built between 1550 and 1554 by the Godolphin family, when it was equipped with artillery. It is sub-divided, with the armament massed on the western side to cover the entrance to New Grimsby harbour and the garrison's domestic quarters on the eastern side. N ------------- S Plan taken from Jean Ratc…

An old postcard of Beverstone Castle, recently purchased. There is no date, but I suspect c1920.

An old engraving of Middle Castle, Shropshire, recently added to my collection.