Press Centre

For any PR enquiries relating to the family, the Holkham Estate and its related businesses, please contact Perowne International, 31 St James’s Place, London, SW1A 1NR telephone: 0207 078 0295 or email holkham@perowneinternational.com
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12th July 2019 - All Set For Holkham Country Fair Next Weekend

Press Release from Holkham Country Fair

The weather is set fair for a warm and sunny weekend, and with just ten days to go, the final countdown has started for the 2019 Holkham Country Fair on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July at Holkham Hall.

The north Norfolk location alone embodies this year’s theme: land, sea and sky. From equestrian stunt-riding to fishing, aerobatics to archery, shooting to dog agility, the event combines traditional countryside pursuits with high-adrenaline displays to ensure a great day out for everyone.

Alongside returning favourites such as the Household Cavalry Musical Ride (Sunday only), CJ’s Birds of Prey and Allcomers’ Dog Racing, the Grand Ring will host first-time appearances from the Broke FMX freestyle motocross team and a solo display by Steve Carver Aerobatics. Equestrian fans are in for a treat on Saturday with stunt riding and tricks from The Atkinson Action Horses and the City of Norwich Pipe Band will perform at both the opening and closing ceremonies.

The upcoming Fair will also see a large number of food-related events and demonstrations thanks to a new tie-up with Norfolk Restaurant Week. Chefs from a dozen of the county’s leading restaurants will be offering 45-minute insights into their own favourite dishes at a dedicated Cookery Theatre in association with Norfolk Cottages. All demonstrations are non-ticketed and included within the overall ticket price giving visitors even more value for money.

Sarah Green, Organiser at Holkham Country Fair, comments: “We believe that Holkham Country Fair is a fantastic opportunity to not only entertain our visitors but also to educate them. By teaming up with Norfolk Restaurant Week, show-goers can learn new recipes and culinary skills from the best chefs in the county.”

Some of the county’s most highly respected chefs will be sharing their personal stories and top tips including Scott Dougal of Wells Crab House, winner of Best Restaurant at the 2018 Eat Norfolk Food and Drink Awards, and Harry Farrow from The Anchor, Morston, one of just 16 businesses in the county to make the AA Pub Guide 2020.

The popular Fine Food Village to the north of the Hall will be jam-packed with tasty treats from over 50 artisan producers and stallholders serving up some of Norfolk’s best contemporary food and drink. Shoppers can also explore dozens of trade stands offering clothing, accessories, homewares and more complementing the overall countryside theme.

Those wishing to immerse themselves in the Fair for the full weekend can also camp in Holkham Park, with pitches for tents and caravans available just a short distance from the Showground to the north of the Hall.

Sarah concludes: “2019 is looking to be our best Fair yet. We’ve created a superb line-up of countryside attractions and non-stop entertainment, with plenty of new additions to previous years. And of course, it’s all set in beautiful surroundings at Holkham. We look forward to welcoming all visitors both returning and new next weekend.”

For more information or to book tickets visit www.holkhamcountryfair.co.uk

21st May 2019 - Surprise Award for Estate Forester

Press Release from the Royal Forestry Society

A forester from the Holkham Estate in Norfolk received a surprise award when members of the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) from across the country visited the Sotterley Estate in Suffolk as part of a five-day tour of East Anglia.

Freddy Futter, 68, who lives in Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea, was presented with an Award by RFS President Andrew Woods, recognising his 40 years working on the Holkham Estate’s 870 hectares of woodland while on the visit to the Sotterley Estate – work which has included helping to extract fine hardwood timber.

Head forester Harry Wakefield said: “Freddy has been an asset to the Holkham forestry department over the last 40 years. His experience, pride and knowledge of the woodland has been invaluable.”

Freddy said: “The day was very enjoyable and informative. I have to say that I was overwhelmed and very much surprised to be given the award and I would like to thank Harry and the Holkham forestry team for their support.”

Approximately 500 hectares of the woodland is contained within Holkham Park. A further 145 hectares is within Holkham National Nature Reserve and the balance is dispersed across the estate. The forestry team focuses on delivering the best hardwoods and softwoods wherever they occur while managing woodland to preserve and enhance the historic landscape.

For further details contact: Wendy Necar, RFS Communications, 01789 841425/ 07973 523168
www.rfs.org.uk. Twitter: @royal_forestry, Facebook: Royal Forestry Society – RFS

17th May 2019 - Headline Acts Revealed For Popular Holkham Country Fair

Press Release from Holkham Country Fair

Holkham Country Fair has unveiled an enviable Grand Ring line-up featuring a number of brand-new headline acts for this summer’s celebration of land, sea and sky on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July at Holkham Hall.

Opening and closing the Country Fair on both days, as well as taking centre stage for the Children’s March Past will be the City of Norwich Pipe Band who will be kitted out in their resplendent uniforms based on the Prince Charles Edward Stuart Tartan. Visitors will be delighted with the stirring sounds of full pipes and drums.

Taking to the stage for the very first time will be the Broke FMX team. Visitors will be able to watch as the top UK freestyle motocross riders jump 35 feet in the air, pulling aerobatic stunts over gaps approaching 100 feet. Fronted by John Pearson, who commentates whilst performing, these daredevils guarantee a performance to rival other motorbike teams.

Visitors seeking an adrenaline rush will be wowed with Aerobatics from Steve Carver, one part of the Global Stars Formation Aerobatic Team, who will be doing ‘unlimited’ solo aerobatics in his Extra 260. The Atkinson Action Horses (Saturday only) will demonstrate their stunt riding and tricks as well as showcasing the dedicated art of Liberty, and the Inter Hunt Relay will promise a fast and furious horse competition where two teams race against each other over a course of fences and obstacles.

Sarah Green, Organiser of Holkham Country Fair, comments: “At the heart of Holkham Country Fair lies the Grand Ring – a hub of spectacular displays and performances for our crowds to enjoy. This year, visitors to Holkham Country Fair will see a delightful mix of countryside, complimented with another impressive Grand Ring and entertainment line-up. Each year the Ring highlights acts from across the globe and this year’s line-up is one not to be missed.”

Set in the surroundings of Holkham Estate by kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Leicester, the North Norfolk country fair will offer two days of countryside pursuits, rural crafts, displays, food demonstrations, performances and great fun for all the family, including your four-legged friend.

Other highlights across the showground include the return of the Household Cavalry Musical Ride (Sunday only) as well as CJ’s Bird of Prey, the Mounted Games of
Great Britain and Allcomers’ Dog Racing.

Fairgoers will also be able to indulge in hundreds of trade stands to impress even the most dedicated shopper, a Fine Food Village full of with tasty treats, a Cookery Demonstration Theatre showcasing local Norfolk talents and showground events to take part in or simply watch and get inspired.

Sarah concludes: “2019 is already looking to be our best Fair yet with such a superb array of countryside attractions and non-stop entertainment over two days amongst beautiful surroundings. We look forward to welcoming visitors – returning and new – in July.”

Advanced, Vice President and weekend camping tickets are now on sale at an early bird rate until 27 May 2019.

Set in the surroundings of Holkham Estate, the Grand Ring itinerary runs daily between 10.45am to approximately 6pm promising non-stop entertainment and several firsts for the Country Fair too.*

For more information or to book tickets visit www.holkhamcountryfair.co.uk

* The Grand Ring timetable is subject to change.

7th May 2019 - Popular East Anglia Event Celebrating Rural Life Returns to North Norfolk this July

Press Release from Holkham Country Fair

Early bird tickets are now on sale for the much-loved biennial Holkham Country Fair, which is returning to Holkham Hall on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July 2019 to celebrate land, sea, and sky.

Set in the surroundings of Holkham Estate by kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Leicester, this north Norfolk Country Fair will offer two days of countryside pursuits, rural crafts, displays, food demonstrations, performances and great fun for all the family, including your four-legged friend.

Sarah Green, Organiser of Holkham Country Fair, comments: “Holkham Country Fair is back and raring to go! This event really does offer something for everyone. With high octane entertainment in the Grand Ring, hundreds of trade stands to impress even the most dedicated shopper, a Food Village filled with tasty treats, a Cookery Demonstration Theatre showcasing local Norfolk talents and showground events to take part in or simply watch and get inspired, we promise you a jam-packed weekend on 20th and 21st July, celebrating the rural lifestyle.”

This year the Grand Ring boasts an impressive line-up including two new displays taking to the centre stage. For the first time, Holkham Country Fair will welcome Atkinson Action Horses who will demonstrate their stunt riding and tricks as well as showcasing the dedicated art of Liberty. Visitors will also be wowed with Aerobatics from Steve Carver, one part of the Global Stars Formation Aerobatic Team, who will be doing ‘unlimited’ solo aerobatics in his Extra 260.

The country fair will also see the return of the Household Cavalry Musical Ride as well as CJ’s Bird of Prey, the Mounted Games of Great Britain and Allcomers’ Dog Racing.

Created in 1977 by the late 7th Earl of Leicester Edward Coke to educate children of all ages about the countryside, Holkham Country Fair prides itself on retaining this core focus and permits children (14 and under) free admission to the event.

Sarah concludes: “2019 is already looking to be our best yet with such a superb array of countryside attractions and non-stop entertainment over two days amongst beautiful surroundings. We look forward to welcoming visitors – returning and new – in July.”

Advanced, Vice President and weekend camping tickets are now on sale at an early bird rate until 27th May 2019.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.holkhamcountryfair.co.uk

Local Charity Launches 25th Anniversary Appeal

Press release from The Benjamin Foundation.

2019 marks the 25th anniversary since The Benjamin Foundation was established. To mark this milestone the Norfolk and Suffolk based charity has announced plans for a high-profile, visually appealing, engaging and, most importantly, family friendly celebration, and they are appealing for the public to get involved.

They plan to create a dramatic art installation called Flight for Youth which will feature up to 25,000 glazed pottery butterflies glazed in one of the charity’s four distinct colours – pink, purple, orange or red. The public are being invited to purchase a butterfly but before taking receipt of their commemorative piece the butterflies are being used to create two dramatic and high-profile art installations, at The Assembly House and Holkham Hall.

The charity is also inviting schools, care homes and other groups and organisations to purchase unglazed butterflies, which they can design and decorate themselves using acrylic or enamel paint. The decorated butterflies can then be loaned back to the charity for inclusion on one of the installations at the Assembly House or Holkham Hall. Participants can then visit the installation and see their butterfly in situ.

Colin Lang MBE, Special Projects Manager who has created the appeal said: “We hope this presents an engaging, creative, fun and low-cost activity for your students, with plain kiln fired butterflies just £12 each. Groups could even create a competition or a fun Easter activity around the butterflies.”

Flight for Youth also aims to raise funds to continue the work of The Benjamin Foundation, so the charity is appealing to companies in the region to get behind the campaign through sponsorship. They are delighted that many companies have already pledged sponsorship, including Norwich High School for Girls, who are headline sponsors.

The Benjamin Foundation was founded in 1994 by Richard Draper and his wife Vanessa, following the death of their son Ben and for 25 years the charity has been helping people across Norfolk and Suffolk. Tony Ing, Chief Executive of The Benjamin Foundation says: “Twenty-five years is an important milestone for any organisation. It marks an opportunity for us to celebrate and reflect on where we have come from, what we have achieved and what our priorities are for the next quarter century.”

For more information about how to GET INVOLVED there are multiple ways to get in touch:

E-mail: colin.lang@benjaminfoundation.co.uk
Call: Colin Lang on 01603 886 933.
Website: https://benjaminfoundation.co.uk/flight-for-youth/
Twitter: @CharityTBF
Facebook: CharityTBF
Instagram: Charitytbf