Alnwick Castle (6th April)
What happens when Hollywood threatens to hi-jack your history? That was the thought that went through my mind today as we headed into Alnwick to visit the famous castle "made famous by the Harry Potter films."
In fact, as the tour guides at Alnwick seem determined to remind you, the castle is famous for a lot more than J.K. Rowling's magical hero. Indeed Alnwick was used as the location for just a few of the movie's scenes, notably the flying broomstick lessons in the first Potter film which was shot against the backdrop of the castle courtyard. It's Prince Harry Hotspur's statue that greets visitors and whose legend is kept alive by the strolling storytellers who gather young children around them and begin their tales with the words "there's a lot more to this place than Harry Potter you know" which almost sounds like a telling-off.
Nevertheless it's clear that many of the families who visit the castle do so because of the Potter factor. Children get the chance to dress up in period costumes and run about with rubber swords. There's also a a glimpse of magic in the shape of Martin the Magician an enthusiastic childrens' entertainer who held his audience spell-bound with his box of tricks and very funny banter. I laughed out loud at his use of emotional blackmail as he persuaded the adults in the crowd to join in the fun.
"Hands in the air everyone, " he instructed, " and if you see a grown-up who isn't doing it that means they don't love you."
Naturally every child's head swivelled in the director of their own parents and naturally every parents' hands shot skywards.
We broke off from the official 'Harry Spotter' tour and made our own way through the lavishly furnished rooms of the castle. The Zedettes were given a clipboard questionnaire to complete. It involved answering questions about the objects and paintings in each room. They soon tired of this, but there was a shock in store.
As we made our way through the final room and towards the exit, a rather matronly attendant stepped forward, took hold of the clipboard and began to give marks for each correct answer and to explain where the children had gone wrong. She took this task as seriously as a school examiner and, for one horrible moment, I thought she was going to stamp their question sheet with a big 'F' for Failure and send them back into the castle to start again. Luckily her mood brightened and she handed each of them a sticker saying that they were now a Lady and Knight of Alnwick. Phew.
It was still cold outside and we made our way to the coffee kiosk where a mournful-faced girl called Jodene sat shivering at the window. I asked her if she had a little heater inside her wooden box.
"Not allowed, " she explained, "it would be a fire risk."
I suggested the plentiful supply of hot drinks might keep her warm.
"We're not allowed to drink them." she said.
I looked at my watch. It was almost four o'clock and I tried to cheer her up by pointing out she would probably be finished by five.
"I'm on until seven, " she corrected.
I ordered four hot chocolates for the family and moved along. They were delicious, despite the nasty taste of guilt.
