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From the Norwich Evening News, 26th January 2007 Castle mound is crumbling The crumbling castle mound is still without a date for repair to start, despite being one of Norwich's central historical attractions. Norwich City Council carried out a full structural survey and confirmed work on the area is a priority, but has yet to find funding or decide on a time scale for the work. Green Spaces, the department of the council who were dealing with the project, has been disbanded, and the mound is now the responsibility of the council's community services. Castle mound, the area beneath and surrounding the castle is one of Norwich's key landmarks, and heritage organi…

From The Shropshire Star, 13th February 2006 £2m castle revamp set for autumn A £2 million redevelopment at Ludlow Castle, the most expensive in its history, will be completed by October with new tea rooms, shops, exhibition hall and holiday units. Workmen are on course to complete a massive programme of works at the castle as part of a huge redevelopment by owner, Powis Estates. Today castle custodian, Helen Duce, said: “We should have a new tea room open to the public in time for the Whitsun Holiday. We should also have three retail units selling a wide range of goods to people who are visiting the town.” Mrs Duce said the castle’s first weddings could also…

An engraving of Broughton Castle, by J. Ryland, published in Dodsley's "England Illustrated" in 1764, and recently added to my collection.

An article from the news yesterday - 25th August 2004 The first stage of work has begun to repair a 16th Century gatehouse in the grounds of Kenilworth Castle. Leicester's Gatehouse was built by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, as an entrance for Queen Elizabeth I. The £450,000 project, which is being funded by English Heritage, is due to be completed in December. A second phase of repair work to the interior of the Warwickshire attraction, which is currently closed to the public, will begin in 2005. The aim is to restore the gatehouse as a suitable venue for public visits, educational use and corporate events. Jesse Berridge, head of visitor operations for Englis…

I received in the post yesterday a small publication on Shrewsbury Castle. The centrefold shows a plan of the town and castle, which I have reduced, scanned and placed below.

From the Express & Star, 9th November 2007 Campaign to protect castle site A campaign group has been reformed in a desperate bid to save Hartlebury Castle, near Kidderminster, from falling into the hands of developers. The campaigners have called for the building to be retained as a tourist attraction and for Church Commissioners to be prevented from selling off a famous library. The Castle has been the home of the Bishops of Worcester since 1255 and the library was built by Bishop Hurd in 1782. Campaigners fear the building could be sold and the library dismantled after Church Commissioners decided to base the Bishop in Worcester. Now The Friends of the Hur…

A copper engraving of Hartley Castle, Cumbria, recently added to my collection. The image is almost identical to the engraving produced by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck in 1739. It is not one of Grose's images, but, given its style, is probably pre-1800.

An engraving of Mettingham Castle, recently purchased, and produced for the Antiquarian Itinerary in 1817.

A few vintage postcards of Richmond Castle, recently purchased. The first one is unused, but the rest are all postmarked 1942.

From the BBC Website, 22nd May 2006 Castle begins major roof repairs A £400,000 project to re-roof a third of Dunster Castle in West Somerset is getting under way. Scaffolding, which will cover part of the west and east fronts and arch over the whole building to encompass the roof, is currently being erected. The castle, more than 1,000 years old, has suffered with roof leaks and its contents and fabric are threatened. Among the vulnerable items and areas are the leather hangings in the Leather Gallery and King Charles' Bedroom. The National Trust's project will involve removing one third of the lead roof to judge whether it needs to be redesigned before a ne…