Press Release

Tales of Five Hundred Winters

Start this year’s Christmas festivities by taking the children to an evening of stories in the enchanted surroundings of 580-year-old Shandy Hall, Coxwold.

The house will be dressed for Christmas with candle lights, log fires and traditional decorations. So, gather round the fire, settle into an armchair and let two fabulous storytellers bring to life Tales of Five Hundred Winters - stories of times gone by and Christmas past.

Children will be absorbed in magical stories of how people used to celebrate Christmas as well as hearing local folklore and legends.

Shandy Hall was the former home of Laurence Sterne, author of the Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Each year the house is opened in the run up to Christmas for tours by candlelight.

For the first time, the Laurence Sterne Trust has teamed up with the North York Moors National Park Authority to tailor some of the evening events for children and families.

The event is part of the Lime & Ice project which was awarded just under £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund  in 2008 to deliver new access, interpretation and conservation initiatives in the southwest corner of the North York Moors National Park and the northern part of the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This free event is specifically for children and families and takes place on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 December from 6pm – 7.30pm.

There will be no entry without a booking. Spaces are limited and available on a first come, first served basis by calling Nick Lishman or Jennifer Smith on 01439 772700 at the North York Moors National Park Authority.

ENDS

October 29, 2012

Notes for Editors

1. The Lime and Ice Project will see new access, interpretation and conservation initiatives carried out in the southwest corner of the North York Moors National Park and the northern part of the Howardian Hills  Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is funded by a grant of just under £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and will run until 2013.

2. Lime and Ice is a partnership between the North York Moors National Park Authority, Natural England, English Heritage, Forestry Commission and the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, who are all providing substantial additional funds and resources to the project.

3. Heritage Lottery Fund: Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy.