One of our favourite craft shows to start the season is held at Blickling Hall in Norfolk.  Normally the weather is crisp and bright, lambs are bleating and daffodils and primroses are abundant.  This year we had snow; lots of it.
This was not a problem for the Eastern Events Team who manage this show and many others at lovely National Trust properties around the country.
John Wootten and son Bill were out at the crack of dawn with shovels and Charlotte was manning the gate in some thermal Arctic wear.

Many thanks to the visitors who braved the elements and all the Team for looking after everyone.  The snow brought out the child in us all and inspired Paul and Vicky to create a snow maiden whilst others had a snow ball fight.

Blickling Hall Trees

Walking around the grounds of Blicking in the snow was like being transported to a magical wonderland.  The trees formed beautiful dark silhouettes against the white landscape.  For even older specimens you could visit the trees at Calke Abbey Derbyshire; another venue for the Eastern Events Team.

The fantastic one thousand year old oak tree at Calke is reputed to be one of the oldest trees in Europe and has an incredible girth.  The Auricula Theatre is another stunning sight in the grounds.  The Abbey was never actually a religious building, but an unusual family home owned by the eccentric Harpur family since 1622.  On the death of the last reclusive owner, the hall was rescued by the trust and now houses one of the most complete and fascinating collections of furniture and artifacts: including a beautiful silk embroidered bed from 1714, that was never erected.

At both these shows we put on a children's make-and-take tile workshop.  For more details about these workshops:-