Welcome to the December/January Castle Transformation Newsletter
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2021
The project team would like to take this opportunity?to wish all our readers a belated Happy New Year.?
We hope you are keeping safe in these difficult times. As you can imagine, there have been a few challenges for the project; but there is still lots of great work going on...
This month, we feature:
- Project update - Fit out, interior details, focus groups
- Play area update - A look at the nearly completed play area
- Sneak preview - Check out the latest project progress site film
- Nottingham Castle Trust news - Learning from home and newsletters
- Snow visitor - Who left the mysterious footprint?
Image (below):?Nottingham Castle in the snow.
There are more images and latest news at?the Nottingham Castle Facebook page
Image credit: Nottingham Castle Trust and Tracey Whitefoot
Project update - December/January
Gallery developments - Works have continued apace and the gallery spaces are really beginning to take shape. The exhibition fit out stage is now drawing to a close, with set works, digital elements, cases and graphics all in place. The catering and retail fit out is also nearing completion, and the final touches are being made to our bespoke adventure play area in the Castle grounds. The team at Nottingham City Museums and Galleries is continuing to bring objects on to site, carefully installing paintings on walls and placing 3D objects in their beautiful made to measure cases [The image below shows?the tapestry map in its case and the installation of the Epstein bust] It?s looking wonderful.
Focus groups - Thanks must go to the willing volunteers who came to experience and test our Robin Hood Gallery just before lockdown [pictured below]. Adults, teachers and family groups came on site to spend some time in the gallery, they then participated in online Focus Groups with an independent facilitator to provide feedback and advice for both the Project Team and the site operator, Nottingham Castle Trust. Their input at this time really was invaluable and lessons learnt will go towards making final improvements to this important part of the visitor experience.
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Attention to detail - Off site, various specialist contractors are busy working on elements as diverse as costumes, replica weaponry and mannequins. Our mannequin supplier kindly provided images of their production processes this month, showing the evident care and attention given to their construction. H & H Sculptors Ltd?is providing us with 26 bespoke mannequins for our Lace Gallery, each made to fit individual lace garments to perfection.
The H&H team will also create two Civil War case mannequins and?Timetarts - a small company based in Sherwood Forest has made the musketeers outfits.
The images below show mannequin details including an insight into how the figures are created in particular poses, such as holding muskets. Some of the the accessories created are also included.
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Adventure Play update
We?re excited to announce that work on our bespoke Adventure Play area is nearly complete!
Resplendent with replica Gatehouse, wheelchair accessible bridge, tunnels, slides and all things adventurous, it really is a fantastic addition to the site.
Nestled in the medieval ditch beneath the imposing fa?ade of the Ducal Palace, the setting is truly unique ? a dream for any young outlaws.
Thanks must go to designers and contractors Playscheme for the creation of such a wonderful space ? we can?t wait until you can come and experience it for yourselves!
Here are a few preview pics!
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Project site film
We thought you might like to see this short film that takes you through the project's progress on the site - there are a few sneaky glimpses in there of what's to come. Click the image below to watch the film.
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Click the images to watch the film in Vimeo
Nottingham Castle Trust News
In this period of learning from home, Nottingham Castle Trust wants to know what you can see...
Stuck inside, it?s often difficult to get inspired to do something creative, but there?s a world of wonder just outside your window!
Working with Deborah Dean, Principal Curator for Nottingham City Museums and Galleries, and inspired by a painting from the Castle collection: Winifred Nicholson?s?Violas in the Window (pictured) The Trust wants to document children?s and young people?s experiences and their lives during home schooling.?
Favourite ?windowscape? images, created by schools and families during this lockdown, will be displayed as part of the exhibition that will reopen Nottingham Castle ? alongside Nicholson?s original. These can be created using pencils, crayons, paint or digital artwork using apps on a tablet or phone.
Read more about this project
Please send artworks by Friday 2 April?(the end of term).
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Newsletter signups
Nottingham Castle newsletter: all the need-to-know news
With installation well under way, and the launch of the new website, be sure to keep up to date with everything Nottingham Castle via their mailing list!
They promise only to contact you with the most exciting updates. Click the link to sign up and remember, you can unsubscribe at any time:?Join up now
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Snow visitor
Can anybody help us identify who might have paid us a little visit during the snow this week? Drop us a line if you think you have an idea. We'll let you know what it was in the next edition!
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