Vacancy - Part time Bookkeeper

Part–time Bookkeeper

Berkeley Castle Estate Office

20 hours per week (Mon-Fri)

An aptitude for figures, excellent I.T. skills and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels are essential.

Please email your CV and a covering letter to Jackie Pennington at recruitment@berkeley-castle.com

Further details and a job description can be downloaded here

Closing date for applications 3 May 2013

The Brussels Ball

The Walled Garden

The winter of 2011/12 was spent re-designing the Walled Garden to contain our new Tea Room, we've erected a yurt. 

You'll find a lovely airy space with comfy sofa and news papers, toys for the smalls, and the most important thing, an extensive menu.  Bring your friends and relatives for lunch and choose Ham Egg and Chips or Venison Casserole and Buttery mashed Potato, or a selection of Cured Meats and Mediterranean Breads, Mixed Olives, Stuffed Peppers and Sweet Potato Fries.  Bring the children for Pasta with a Homemade Tomato & Cheese Sauce, Cottage Pie, Creamy Fish Pie or Sausage Chips and Beans.  We are of course still serving our Sandwiches, Baguettes, Wraps and Filled Rolls, choose a Ploughman's or a Bowl of Soup.

Come and have a look, the Walled Garden is a smashing space with lots of promise and lots to be done, we're off to a very promising start, what do you think?

Merry Christmas

Berkeley Castle had a fantastic weekend of Castle By Candlelight.  Almost 2,000 visitors came to look round the Castle, which was decorated for Christmas (including a huge Christmas Tree in the Great Hall and crackling log fires in many of the rooms) and our younger visitors were able to spend some time with Santa Claus in his magical grotto.

Although the Castle has now closed for a short holiday, staff are already planning exciting new arrangements for the 2012 season and we look forward to welcoming you back on Sunday 1st April.

We wish you a very Joyful Christmas and Happy New Year.

Berkeley Castle is Yvette Fielding's Favourite Castle

BERKELEY CASTLE ON ALAN TITCHMARSH SHOW

On Monday 31^st October 2011, Gloucestershire’s Berkeley Castle was featured on ITV’s Alan Titchmarsh Show, which is still available to view on ITV Player.

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Yvette Fielding from Living TV’s Most Haunted was interviewed by the talk-show host about her favourite locations. Yvette has been visiting historic properties throughout the UK for over ten years, and has undertaken paranormal investigations in over 1,000 properties and she picked out Berkeley Castle as one of top 3 locations, and her favourite Castle.

Yvette described the Castle as a fantastic location, which was of particular interest to her as she loved the architecture and history of the Castle.

She describes Berkeley Castle as the place where James II was murdered (in fact it was Edward II!). She also talks about the cell where he was kept prisoner, which can still be seen today, as well as the dungeon, both of which are located in the King’s Gallery.

The other two properties that she mentioned were Belsay Hall in Northumberland and Kiplin Hall in North Yorkshire.

Most Haunted filmed an episode at Berkeley Castle in July 2009, and was televised in 2010 – the episode is still available to view on you tube, and on the Castle’s website (http://www.berkeley-castle.com/berkeleycastlevi.html).

The Return of Castle by Candlelight

Castle by Candlelight with Santa’s Grotto

Friday 16^th – Sunday 18^th December 2011, 4.00-8.00pm

Start your Christmas celebrations this year by visiting Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire for some candlelit magic. For one weekend only, one of the Cotswold’s best loved and most popular events is back.

Beautifully decorated for the festive season with greenery from the grounds, a 12ft Christmas Tree in the Great Hall and over 400 candles throughout the rooms all accompanied by live music from local choirs and musicians.

Children can meet Father Christmas in his special grotto, consistently described as "the best one ever seen". Previously featured in The Guardian and quoted as ‘an enchanting way to see Santa’, Berkeley Castle has undoubtedly one of the best Santa’s Grottos in the South West.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be available from the Castle Tea Room and the Castle Shop provides Berkeley Castle inspired Christmas gifts and toys.

You are also advised to bring a torch as from 5.00pm the Castle is lit predominantly by candles only.

Adults £7.50, Children (age 3-16) £2.50 and under 3’s FREE – tickets include children’s admission into Santa’s Grotto and a lucky dip gift)

For further information please contact:

Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, GL13 9BQ

T: 01453 810332 E: info@berkeley-castle.com W: www.berkeley-castle.com

HORRIBLE HISTORY THIS HALLOWEEN HALF-TERM

The Murder of King Edward II at Berkeley Castle

Visit Berkeley Castle during the October half-term (Tuesday 25th – Thursday 27th October 2011) and meet John Maltravers, one of the men in charge of King Edwards’s imprisonment at Berkeley Castle in 1327. Visitors will also be able to meet King Edward II himself.

Maltravers and the King will explain their reasons for and the nature of Edward’s imprisonment at Berkeley Castle. Both men will try and get visitors on their side – but will they help Edward escape?

With the help of re-enactors from Past Pleasures Limited, Berkeley Castle’s own ‘Horrible History’ will be re-told for children and adults alike to enjoy and participate. There will be three 30 minute performances throughout the day (12.30pm, 2.00pm and 3.30pm) and the characters will be available at other times to meet and greet. Visitors may even catch a glimpse of the King incarcerated in his cell.

Unbelievably there is no additional charge for this fantastic event – it is all included within the Castle admission price.

In addition to the re-enactments, visitors can also enjoy a choice of two quizzes as well as a Halloween Garden Trail – all of which win a prize and are also included within the admission price! A great day-out and excellent value for money for the whole family!

For more information:

Berkeley Castle

BERKELEY Gloucestershire GL13 9BQ

T: 01453 810332

F: 01453 512995

E: info@berkeley-castle.com

W: www.berkeley-castle.com