Picnic Week

Picnic Week is running at Paycocke's in the garden Wednesday through to Sunday this week 6-10pm. Its a chance to bring your own picnic and enjoy our garden in the evening.

We had never taken part in this event before and I was unsure on how it was going go. Wednesday night we had competition from both Wimbledon and the celebrations from the England Football match. It was very quiet and our visitors were people who had wandered past out on an evening stroll who poked their heads in. Knowing that Wimbledon was on again on Thursday I didn't hold out much hope for too many people coming. I thought that Friday, Saturday and Sunday might be busy evenings as it will be the weekend.

We were much busier last night, we had people arriving in a steady stream from 6pm until about 8pm bringing tables, chairs, platters of food, wine and even one group had pink champagne! Everyone seemed to really enjoy our garden and their food and drink. Everyone left by about half nine, and myself, my volunteers and the visitors all had a fantastic evening. We are really looking forward to all the other evenings.

First Time for Everything

Having taken on the role of Custodian of Paycocke's last year, part of my job is to get more people interested in our house and garden so that they come and visit! I set up a facebook page, then a twitter account and now a blog! Something, which I did a couple of times a week to start with, has become a daily worship of checking each account and updating our status. My future husband is fascinated, he doesnt realise how addictive it can be. Chatting to potential visitors, getting advice from other NT properties and having a peek of what they are all up to! Its a great way to meet people and talk about something which we all have in common - a passion for the buildings, gardens, countryside and coastal sites which the National Trust looks after.

Anyway, Paycocke's House and Garden is 500 years old (we are having a big party over the august bank holiday weekend!). It is a Tudor building with amazing woodcarving, I have never seen anything like it! It is in Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1NS and is open Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 5pm. Make sure you come and see us!!

Ok, first blog over. How was it? Too short? Too long? Too boring? I am sure I will get the hang of it eventually!