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Newbury Berkshire: Shaw House Re-Opens with "Love at Shaw House"

Shaw House Re-Opens with "Love at Shaw House"


Following the annual winter closure, West Berkshire council's Shaw House will re-open to the public on Saturday 14th Feabruary with a "Love at Shaw House" them for half-term untill 22nd February.

As well as being able to see at least five historic rooms, visitors to the house can explore a special exhibition about those who have lived and loved at Shaw House. From the philanthropic Henry and Isabella, who raised eight children at Shaw House to the servants, Rowland and Rose, who found love below stairs. Drop in activities, available at any time during opening hours, will include making your own lacy Victorian Valentine.

For those with a love of words, Shaw House will be hosting A.F.Harrold who was poet in residence at Glastonbury Festival in 2008. Harrold will be running four "Giant Love Poetry" workshops for 8-10 and 10-13 years on Wednesday 18th February and Friday 20th February. Having recently published his first children's poetry collection he intends to play word games and fun exercises to inspire his "word-pioneers" to piece together giant verses that will be displayed in the house throughout half term. Booking for these events is essential. Please visit the Shaw House website or call (01635) 279279 for more information.

With the re-opening of the house, the Heritage Service launches an exciting programme of events to take place at Shaw House in 2009 including "Treemendous." A day focusing on trees and their importance to the Shaw House estate (1st March), "Egg Fun", Easter antics for all the family (5th April) and a succession of evening lectures which will begin on 12th March with "Peeling Back the Years" by Author of "Art and Decoration in Elizabethan and Jacobean England", Anthony Wells-Cole.

In February half-term, Shaw House, the exhibitions, shop and cafe will be open to the public every day from 10am to 4pm. After half-term, they are open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm until 31st March. From 1st April the House is open from 11am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Workshops and lectures must be booked in advance. General admission is paid for on arrival. Admission charges, until 1st April 2009, are £4.60 for adults, £2.30 for children aged 5 – 15 (who must be accompanied by an adult) and £2.30 for students (valid ID must be shown). Please check The Visit West Berkshire tourism website for up-to-date visiting and events information.

Shaw House is a grade I Elizabethan manor and was opened to the public on 27th October last year following at £6million restoration. Initial visitors' comments included "I was very impressed with with the amount of work that had taken place to bring the house up to its present standard," and "I have had a wonderful time. Thank you for this experience."

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