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Click here to watch my interview with the Yorkshire Post about the new Castle Howard Riddle Trail
Talking on camera is something very new to me!
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;)
I'm very pleased to say that the Children's Riddle Map I've illustrated for Castle Howard is now finished, and will be launched in just a few days, on Good Friday, in time for the Easter weekend.
Castle Howard approached me, as they wanted to create a fun trail for children, which would draw their attention to statues and sites within the grounds, which they may previously have just run past on the way to the adventure playground! The first clue of the trail is printed in the top left hand corner of the map, and directs you to the location of the next clue - you then use the map to find your way there.
Castle Howard were fantastic to work with, and allowed me a lot of creative freedom within their brief. It was nice to be able to bring austere statues to life with silly faces and to add in lots of little elements to spot.
I've also designed Geoffrey the lion, who is the new Castle Howard children's mascot. The inspiration for Geoffrey came from a lion in the Howard family crest, and if you look closely you should be able to spot him hiding in various places within the map. He will also be appearing on the signs along the trail.
The Press Release from Castle Howard about the New Trail
Children’s illustrator Emma Metcalfe will bring Castle Howard to life for a whole new generation when her Riddle Trail is launched in time for Easter on Friday 2nd April 2010. The Hon Simon and Mrs Howard were particularly interested in this commission because of their children, eight year-old twins Merlin and Octavia. “We know at first-hand how hard it can be to keep everybody happy on a day out with young children,” said Rebecca Howard. “We’d thought for a long time that it would be helpful to have a fun children’s trail around the grounds. We watch so many parents being dragged straight off to the adventure playground! “Our new trail will give the grown-ups the chance to see the gardens and grounds while the children have fun discovering the clues along the way.”
Although only 23, Sheffield-based artist Emma has built up a reputation for bringing historical buildings to life. Her previous commissions include work for English Heritage and HMS Warrior, the Portsmouth-based pride of Queen Victoria’s fleet.
Her biggest challenge was fitting the house and grounds onto the A3-sized piece of paper. “The blank piece of paper looks massive when you start,” said Emma. “But once you’ve drawn in a building the size of Castle Howard it made the rest of it very hard work. “At first I was a bit worried that the Howard family would say ‘you’ve missed off a chimney or a window’ but the feedback has been fantastic. “Although my brief was to capture children’s imaginations, I’ve also looked at it from an adult point of view. While older children may well do the trail themselves, for those with younger ones it gives plenty of interesting views and statues for parents to also enjoy. I like the idea of whole families working their way around it.”
The Riddle Trail also heralds the launch of a new children’s mascot for Castle Howard. Emma has taken the lion from the family’s coat of arms and incorporated him into the map. “He’s called Geoffrey, which is a Howard family name,” explains Emma. “Those that look closely will be able to spot him in various places on the map. One of my favourites is him coming down the slide in the adventure playground…”
All young visitors to Castle Howard will receive a free Riddle Trail and it is just one of the many free activities available for families to enjoy over the Easter Weekend between Friday 2nd and Monday 5th April 2010. Other attractions include Victorian fairground rides, an Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny, face painting and a parading Dixie Jazz band. Admission starts at £17.00 for two adults and two children (under 5yrs) and includes all Easter activities. Castle Howard is open daily from 10.00am - for more details visit www.castlehoward.co.uk.
Click here to see the Press Release in its original location, on the Castle Howard website
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On Thursday it was the launch of the new 'Made in Hillsborough' brand, and we had a lovely launch event at the Hillsborough Hotel.
Above is the new logo for Hillsborough, designed by myself, which to my relief got a very positive reaction from local businesses and residents.
The logo can be used on produce that has been made in Hillsborough, or from businesses in Hillsborough to raise awareness of the wide range of local businesses/shops Hillsborough is blessed with, and encourage people to spend their hard earned money locally.
I got to meet David Blunkett which was a great honour, and the event was a resounding success, with much local ale enjoyed by all. Unfortunately in the news article photo below, it looks like I have consumed too much ale, however that was not the case!
North West Sheffield News Online has a fantastic article about the event here
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Now, it's a real shame I didn't actually get this finished in time for Valentine's day, so you now have a whole year to wait before you can put this highly useful piece of information into practise!
According to superstition, if a woman sees a robin on Valentine's day, it means she will marry a sailor. If she sees a goldfinch it means she will marry a millionaire, but if she sees a sparrow, she will marry a poor man but be very happy.
I'm not sure where this tradition comes from, I haven't been able to find out any more information about it, but you will have to wait until next year to see if it works!
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Here is my fineliner first draft for the children's riddle trail map I am currently illustrating for Castle Howard in North Yorkshire.
It's A3 in size and it's been quite tricky getting all of the elements to fit on the page! There will be a riddle in the white box in the top left, which will direct the child to one of the sites marked on the map, where they will find the next riddle.
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