World’s Largest Moth hatches at Butterfly House

The Tropical Butterfly House at Berkeley Castle closes on Thursday (29^th September 2011) for the winter, but there has been excitement there this week as an Atlas moths has hatched from a chrysalis that has been sitting dormant in the nursery since April.

The chrysalis are bought in at the beginning of the season, and none of the first batch had hatched, apart from this one that appeared last Sunday (18^th September).

Staff knew that the butterflies were alive, but no matter what efforts they made they would not emerge. A subsequent delivery of chrysalis resulted in five Atlas Moths hatching in the Summer, but none of the first batch . . . . until last weekend!

Here’s the science bit . . . . .

The Atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is considered to be the largest moth in the world and is found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia, and common across the Malay archipelago.

Their total wing surface area can be upwards of 400 square cm or 65 square inches). Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25-30 cm (10-12 inches).

Atlas moths are said to be named after their map-like wing patterns and the extension of the forewing, bears a resemblance to a snake's head.

Atlas moths are predominantly tawny to maroon in colour with roughly triangular, diaphanous "eyes" on both forewing and hindwing, bordered in black. Their bodies are hairy and disproportionately small compared to their wings.

Neither sex possess fully-formed mouthparts and therefore do not feed; throughout their 1-2 week adult life they survive entirely on larval fat reserves that they build up while they are caterpillars. Atlas moths are unsteady fliers and the do not stray far. Their sole purpose of life as a moth is to breed.

The Butterfly House is open this Sunday (25^th September) and then Thursday (29^th September, so if you want to catch a glimpse of the largest moth in the world, get down to Berkeley now this week.

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Notes 1:

Photographs are available as high-resolution images.

More Information about the Butterfly House:

In the region of 42 exotic species, from as far afield as Japan and Indonesia, fly freely in a tranquil tropical oasis and it is a wonderful opportunity to see rare species in beautiful surroundings. Species include the South American Blue Morpho, Glasswing, Hecales Longwing, Small Postman and the Owl Butterfly; as well as the Clipper, Mormons, Swallowtails, Lacewing & Tree Nymph all from South Asia.

Visitors can observe their life cycle up-close through the display of caterpillars and chrysalises.

At the start of the season pupae of the different species is brought in, and butterflies are hatched in the nursery. Once hatched, they are able to breed freely in the idyllic surroundings, which are created by the tropical temperature and their preferred food sources.

Speciality plants are grown on site, some from all over the world.

The team spend many hours every day ensuring that the correct temperature and environment is maintained to ensure the optimum flying, feeding and breeding conditions for the butterflies.

Insects and pests damaging to the plants are kept at bay by the resident Chinese painted quail and diamond doves, who patrol the Butterfly House, organically controlling the bugs.

As the season progresses the numbers of butterflies soars – creating the most spectacular visual experience, as the Butterfly House teems with hundreds of tropical butterflies.

The Butterfly House shop is also open to non-visitors on open days and stocks many butterfly themed collectibles, and children’s gifts, as well ice-creams and various plants.

Note 2.

The Butterfly House closes on Thursday 29^th September, but Berkeley Castle is open on selected days until 30^th October. Please check our website for exact opening times. The Global Ticket provides access to the Castle, Ground and the Butterfly House and costs £9.50 for Adults, £7.50 concessions & £5.00 for children (5-16years, under 5’s – free). Family tickets are available (2 adults & 2 children) for £24.00.

Note 3:

Berkeley Castle is a beautiful and historic Castle, begun in 1117 and still remains the home of the Berkeley family. The Castle was the scene of the brutal murder of Edward II in 1327 and besieged by Cromwell’s troops in 1645. The Castle is steeped in history but 27 generations of Berkeley’s have gradually transformed a Norman fortress into the lovely home it is today.

The state apartments contain magnificent collections of furniture, rare paintings by primarily English and Dutch masters, and tapestries. Some of the world famous Berkeley silver is on display and many other rooms including the Great Hall are available to view.

The Castle is surrounded by lovely terraced Elizabethan Gardens with a lily pond, Elizabeth I’s bowling green, sweeping lawns and a walled garden containing the Butterfly House.

For general information contact the Castle Office on 01453 810332, or e-mail info@berkeley-castle.com. Browse the website http://www.berkeley-castle.com/.

For more information:

Vicky Parr, General Manager

T: 01453 810332

E: Vicky.parr@berkeley-castle.com

Film Premiere at Berkeley Castle

Uncertain Proof Premières at Berkeley Castle

 

There may not be a red carpet but on the 21^st September, the anniversary of the death of Edward II by means of a red hot poker at Berkeley Castle, a new film will offer the possibility of a different story and the dream of the producers of Uncertain Proof will come to fruition.

The film, 4 years in the making, has been created by a new Community Interest Company, Bristol Films. The film was shot at locations in and around Bristol and was produced for the staggeringly low sum of £1,700. One reason for this is that actors, crew and location owners have donated their talents, equipment, land and buildings to help make the film.

The film is a semi-factual historical drama based on a letter written by an Italian priest, Manuel de Fieschi, advising the then king that Edward II escaped and that he had in fact met him in Italy. The film tells the story of how Fieschi, having scoured Europe, arrives in Italy to face storms and plague and enlists the help of an elderly priest, a cynical servant and a strange reclusive man to help him find a hermit.

The première will also be a celebration of the life of leading local actor, director and playwright A. G. Ford who, having written the screenplay and played a leading role in the film, died on 2^nd September 2011 and was unable to see the completion of one of his greatest works.

A DVD of Uncertain Proof will also be released on 21^st September 2011.

Picture: Genovel Andrei Alexa as Manuel de Fieschi

For further information please see the Electronic Press Kit attached – or contact bristolfilms@live.co.uk

Wedding Open Evening - Weds 14th September 2011

** PRESS RELEASE **

BERKELEY CASTLE

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Berkeley Castle’s Wedding Open Evening

Special discounts and fabulous prizes in the prize draw are on offer at Berkeley Castle’s Wedding Open Evening between 5.00pm & 8.00pm on Wednesday 14^th September 2011.

The Castle has been licensed for wedding ceremonies since 2008, and has become one of the most popular wedding venues in the area. The Castle has brought together local suppliers who have all worked on events at the Castle, to provide a one-stop shop for any couples planning their wedding. Many of the suppliers are part of the recently formed Cotswold Wedding Guild, promoting excellence in wedding services.

It will be a fantastic opportunity for brides & grooms to-be to view the Castle, meet local florists, caterers, photographers, accommodation & transport providers, musicians, stationers & beauticians, who are all familiar with working at the Castle.

Refreshments will be provided by the Castle’s three caterers, Fosters Event Catering, Napier Catering and William’s Kitchen at Calcot Manor. The function rooms will be decorated by the participating florists and back-ground music will be provided by entertainers.

Suppliers will be providing special offers & discounts available only at this event, and there will also be some fabulous prizes to be won during the evening including champagne, wines, gift vouchers, chocolates & meals out.

Couples can also view the Gardens, and take a mini-tour of the Castle as well receive a goody bag packed with information and ‘goodies’!

You could book the whole wedding in one night!

The event is free to attend, just register with the Event Co-ordinator by phone on 01453 810332 or e-mail info@berkeley-castle.com.

Wedding Village at Berkeley Show

Cotswold Wedding Guild

BERKELEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Wedding “Village” launched at Berkeley Show

The Cotswolds Wedding Guild, based in the picturesque market town of Berkeley, is launching a new attraction at the annual Berkeley Show this August Bank Holiday Monday (29^th August 2011).

Over ten different types of wedding suppliers will be exhibiting together at this year’s event staged in the Berkeley Castle Meadow. Adam Drake Photography, Berkeley Castle, Berkeley Flowers, Cleeve Cake Company, Fisher Motor Company, Sur Les Ailes D’Amour (Dove Release), Temple Spa and Veils of Berkeley will all be participating in the show’s first tailor-made wedding “village”, which will showcase the diversity and high standard of companies in this area, supporting the wedding industry.

There is a plethora of top quality wedding suppliers in and around the Berkeley Vale and the Cotswold Wedding Guild has been established to promote excellence in these services in Berkeley and the Cotswolds.

The Wedding Village will include displays and demonstrations from the exhibitors including Fisher Motor Company’s flagship vehicle, and numerous sample bridal gowns and formal wear from Veils of Berkeley, all set in front of the back-drop of the Cotswolds most stunning wedding venue – Berkeley Castle.

The group is the brainchild of Pippa Springer, co-founder of the Veils of Berkeley bridal wear shop.  The first meeting was at the end of 2010 and they have already launched their own marketing initiatives.

“It was important to us to harness the local potential within the various wedding suppliers in Berkeley and the surrounding area, to create the perfect one-stop-shop for couples planning their wedding in the Cotswolds.” said Pippa.

The members of the guild pride themselves on producing quality products and services in conjunction with outstanding customer service and have recently launched their website www.cotswoldweddingguild.co.uk, which features all of the founding members.

Following the Berkeley Show, the Cotswold Wedding Guild will also be involved in the Wedding Showcase Evening at Berkeley Castle on Wednesday 14^th September.

For more information about the Cotswold Wedding Guild contact Pippa Springer on 01453 810070 or e-mail veilsofberkeley@btconnect.com.

For more information about the Berkeley Show contact Christine Carter on 01453 543335 or e-mail secretary@berkeleyshow.com.

August Activities for the Kids!

School Holiday Fun at the Castle

Need something to do with the kids this Summer?

Visit Berkeley Castle throughout August and enjoy Castle inspired children’s activities that are included with the Castle admission ticket.

With nothing extra to pay, kids (and adults!) can take part in Archery, Jester Skills or Arts and Crafts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout August. All activities are included within the Global Admission Ticket to the Castle, which also includes a guided tour around the Castle and a visit to the Butterfly House in the Walled Garden. A family ticket for two adults and two children is only £24.00 and includes all this.

There are also prizes to be won with quizzes and a butterfly trail throughout the grounds.

Tuesdays – Jester Skills with “The Fool Monty”

Watch Matt, the Castle Jester, perform his Jester set, teach jester skills and generally have lots of jester-fun throughout the day.

Wednesdays – Come & Try Archery

Meet Ollie, the Castle Marksman and have a go at Archery using a traditional English Longbow. This is something all the family can participate in – including the adults! Come and have a go throughout the day.

Thursdays – Castle Arts & Crafts

Join Bev, the Castle Crafter  who will help visitors throughout the day create Castle inspired masterpieces from the Wood Shed Craft Area in front of the stunning new Castle Mural.

The Castle opens at 11.00am and the last guided tours run at 4.00pm.

Berkeley & the Civil War - Sunday 7th August 2011

ROYALISTS RETURN TO BERKELEY CASTLE!

Sunday 7^th August 2011 – 11.00am – 5.30pm

Charles Gerard’s Regiment of Foot offer the public and a chance to get “up close and personal” with a glimpse into the lives of the soldiers and their followers in the English Civil War this August.

The group, who are part of the Society of the Sealed Knot, will be at Berkeley Castle on Sunday 7th August 2011 and will offer members of the public the chance to see, touch and talk to people about the way a military campaign would have been run during the seventeenth century.

The event will be held within the grounds of Berkeley Castle and is included within the admission price for the Castle – that’s right, there’s nothing additional to pay!

Berkeley Castle itself has its’ own place in the events of the English Civil War. As a Royalist stronghold it was besieged by Parliamentary troops in September of 1645. Sir Charles Lucas, the Royalist commander, said that he would “eat horse flesh ere he would surrender, and man’s flesh when that was done”! However, when the Parliamentarians brought up artillery they were left with no choice but to surrender.

The Royalists will be back in more peaceful times, allowing the public to understand the lives of people over 350 years ago. There will be a soldiers encampment and drill demonstrations. See everyday activities such as cooking and a variety of crafts and games. Watch more military pursuits such as sword play and use of pike and musket.

Knowledgeable costumed re-enactors will guide the audience and to answer any questions. There is even the possibility of the presence of Fire Dragon, Gerard’s own cannon.

Chris Jones, spokesman of the group said:

“We’re very excited to be coming back to Berkeley – it’s been a few years since we were last there. It’s such a beautiful and historic setting and we’ve always had a great welcome from the people who come out to see what we’re doing.”

Visitors can take a guided tour around the Castle and learn more about one of the most influential parts of Britain’s history and seeing it right up close in one of England’s most beautiful and historic settings. Visitors will also get the opportunity to have a go at bombarding the Royalists – but this time with questions and cameras!

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About Charles Gerard’s Regiment of Foot:

Visit www.gerards.org.uk or contact Steve Hall on 01902 762014 or e-mail contact@gerards.org.uk.

About the Society of the Sealed Knot:

Visit www.thesealedknot.org.uk.

Berkeley Primary School piant the Castle!

Local school children paint mural at Berkeley Castle

School children from Berkeley Primary School have created a masterpiece at Berkeley Castle.

The log shed at the Castle has been transformed into a fabulous craft space and wet weather shelter by two combined local projects.

On June 21st 2011, a local team from Magnox South Limited built a plaster-board frame within the brick built log shed, as part of a team building day for 20 staff based at the Berkeley Centre of Magnox South. The boards were then skimmed and painted, and on Wednesday 6th July, teaching assistants from Berkeley Primary School began to prepare the walls for the ‘Berkeley Mural’ designed by the children at the school.

Whilst the Castle is open to visitors, children from Berkeley Primary School painted the mural onto the walls. It took just six days to complete and is already in use by visitors to the Castle.

Head Teacher, Debbie Marklove said:

“The children have been really inspired by the idea of painting a ‘Berkeley Mural’ on the walls at the Castle. It was  a challenge to complete the mural before the end of term, but we loved getting involved at the Castle and are delighted with the finished result!”

 

The mural is a real feature, and creates a fabulous backdrop for the Castle Arts & Crafts sessions taking place in the log shed every Thursday throughout August.