Barbara's Bingo Fun

Barbara Windsor visited Ragley this weekend (9th July) and played the part of the Queen of Bingo as part of a private event for an online gaming company.

The event saw Ragley transformed intothe Queen's Royal Courtyard for a day of fun and games hosted by Barbara herself!

Jools Rocked Ragley

The Jools Holland Concert on Saturday (2nd July) was a big success with the crowds enjoying the fine weather and great music - a fantastic time was had by all!

Triumphs Head to Ragley

We shall be celebrating 50 years of the running of our car club at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, on Sunday 19^th June. Whilst the club, celebrating these magnificent cars is only 50 years old, the cars themselves are from 71 to 85 years old. They are a tribute to the quality of workmanship in nearby Coventry, when they were made there, all those years ago.

We now have attendance promises of approximately 60 vintage cars, the largest ever gathering of pre-1940 Triumph Cars in the world. There are only about 200 surviving Triumph cars in the UK. We anticipate club members joining us from USA, Australia, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, with one 76 year old car being driven to the Rally from the Algarve, and several cars being driven from Holland.

The cars will be in place in the grounds of Ragley Hall from 11.00am until 3.30 pm and all visitors will be welcome. Normal entry fees to Ragley Hall grounds will apply.

We are particularly interested to receive, as visitors, anyone who made, sold or serviced these pre-war Triumphs, as that information can enrich our historical archives. Anyone with information could also e-mail our archivist on:

registrar@pre-1940triumphmotorclub.org, or phone Graham on 01953 498180  

Several of the cars will be travelling from Brownsover Hall near Rugby on the  morning of Saturday, 18thJune, drivers lunching at the Boars Head, in Hampton Lucy, and then reassembling at Ragley Hall on the Sunday morning.

A 1935 Triumph Gloria Saloon

Amongst the cars, may well be one that competed in the 1934 Monte Carlo Rally, now restored to it’s former glory. There will also be a sports car, developed from the original Triumph Vitesses and Dolomites, that may well have been a production model for Triumph, had war not intervened. Certainly there will be a wide range of different models from the Triumph stable.

The Jazz band from Warwick School have kindly agreed to provide entertainment during the lunch period, and that will help take visitors back to the 1930’s.

Alcester Food Festival

Visitors to Alcester Food Festival this Saturday were some of the first to taste a delicious new sausage created by local butchers Ragley Estate Meats.

Hogan’s’ Happy Pork Sausage is a combination of Ragley Rare Breed Pork, Hogan’s’ Award winning Cider, Apple and Apricot and has already won the Heart of England Speciality Sausage of 2011.

Vanda Cookes from Ragley Estate Meats says, “As both businesses are in Warwickshire and closely linked to Alcester we felt it would be great to have the official launch at the Food Festival.  This is certainly one of my favourite sausages our butchers have created and we had some great feedback from visitors to the stand.”

The food festival, which took place on Saturday (21^st May) was well attended by visitors who enjoyed sampling a wide range of speciality and local produce.

Lord Hertford, who attended the festival said; “People should be aware of food miles and how far animals have to travel.  We are delighted to be able to say that in creating these fabulous new Ragley sausages, the only time our pigs travelled was on their way to the slaughterhouse.”

Ragley Estate Meats are available from Hillers Farm Shop in Dunnigton, near Alcester or online at ragleyestatemeats.com.

Easter Fun!

Ragley Hall in Alcester will be celebrating the Easter weekend with a range of activities and events for all ages. 

On the 24^th and 25^th April there will be a Narnia themed Easter trail around the Gardens with great giveaways and prizes sponsored by the latest Narnia film – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Voyage of the Daw Treader

All those who complete the trail will be entered into a draw to win the grand prize of a book of Family tickets to Ragley, two tickets to the Battleproms concert in August and a Narnia goodie bag including a copy of the latest Narnia DVD.  Runner up prizes will include Ragley tickets and DVDs.

As well as the trail there will be Easter themed craft activities, a visit from the Easter Bunny and live Punch and Judy shows throughout the day.

There will also be a Spring Market taking place on both days, with over 25 craft and gift stalls including jewellery, homewares and tasty homemade treats.

The Adventure Playground, Gardens , State Rooms, Jerwood Sculptures and Woodland Walk will also all be available to visitors and Hooke’s Café will be serving light lunches and afternoon teas.

Ragley Estate Meats shortlisted for HEFF Awards

Ragley Estate Meats is one of four food and drink producers from Warwickshire which have been announced as finalists in this year’s HEART of ENGLAND fine foods (HEFF) Diamond Awards.

This is the fourth annual Diamond Awards from HEFF, the food group for the heart of England, which celebrates the best of local food and drink from across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Birmingham and the Black Country.

Ragley Estate Meats have been shortlisted in the Prepared Foods category for their Ragley Faggots in Onion Gravy and are competing against other local companies with products including sausage rolls and beef bourguignon.

Producers have been shortlisted across the 10 product categories and in the Special Diamond Awards of GROW, INNOVATE and EXCEL along with this year’s new award, The Midcounties Co-operative Award for New Business.  The Special Diamond Awards recognise business achievement rather than a product.

More than 230 products were entered into this year’s awards in the 10 product categories of Bakery; Condiments and Preserves; Confectionery; Dairy; Desserts; Drinks; Fresh Produce; Meat, Poultry and Game; and Prepared Foods.

The winners will be revealed at the Diamond Awards Gala Dinner which will take place on Saturday 21 May 2011 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.  The winners of each product category will go head-to-head to win the highly coveted Special Diamond Award for TASTE which will be the final award to be presented on the night.

Crocuses Burst into Life

Garden lovers who are looking for a day out in the area over the coming weekends could plan a visit to the gardens of Ragley Hall in Alcester.

Spring is just around the corner and the grounds at Ragley have already come to life, with displays of Spring Bulbs bringing waves of colour.

The Bulb Bank has been blooming annually since 2007, when 200 000 crocus vernus were planted as a cascade down one side of the garden with strips of Blue (Crocus Remembrance) and Yellow (Crocus Mammoth).  The flowers complement the nearby Winter Garden which is now beginning to flourish after being planted in 2006/7.

Daffodils are also planted in large swathes around garden and are set to create an impressive display in the coming weeks as the warmer weather brings them out.

According to Head Gardener, Ross Barbour; “The crocus display creates colour during late winter and early spring and adds a real wow factor to the gardens.  This is the perfect time of year to get out and enjoy Ragley’s gardens. ”

Ragley’s gardens are open from 10am-5pm each Saturday and Sunday, with the Hall also open on Sundays from 12pm-4pm.  Admission is just £6.50 per person and also includes access to the Jerwood Sculpture Collection and Woodland Walk.  For more information visit www.ragleyhall.com or call 01789 762090.