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news and updates...

July 2010

Preparations for The CLA Game Fair begin

The build up for the CLA Game Fair at Ragley is now well underway and the Estate is looking forward to hosting the world's largest countryside event from the 23rd to 25th July.

To listen to interviews with Lord and Lady Hertford and the Game Fair team click here.

June 2010

Ragley gets ready for the World Cup

As football fans across the counbtry are decorating their houses and cars, the owners of a stately home in Warwickshire are showing their colours for the World Cup in the form of giant flags painted in the garden of their 18th Century home.
The Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford, of Ragley Hall in Alcester, have allocated two patches of grass in prime position in front of the House and staff have helped to create tributes to the two teams Ragley will be supporting during the tournament.
As the Marchioness in Brazilian, both the St. George's and Brazilian flags have been painted, with each flag measuring over ten feet wide.
According to Lord Hertford "We wanted to do something to mark the start of the World Cup and thought that this would be a talking point for our visitors as well as being a testament to the fact that our household is supporting both teams. We will be watching all the England and Brazil games and hoping that they do not meet too early on in the tournament."

April 2010

Ragley Estate Matters goes to Press

Ragley has launched a newsletter which will be distributed locally amongst tenants, customers, suppliers and the local community. Ragley Estate Matters is aimed at building a dialogue between the Estate and the public and will include information on topics such as conservation, charities and the history of Ragley.
It will be published three times a year and contributions and article suggestions will be welcome.

To read the first edition of Ragley Estate Matters click here to download a PDF version.

Ragley Pork and Pure UBU Sausage Launched

Ragley Estate Meats will proudly unveiled its new Ragley Pork and Pure UBU sausages at this weekend's Alcester and Forest of Arden Food Festival on Saturday 24th April. The hand linked sausages, created by Ragley's highly talented chefs and butchers, are a delicious combination of Ragley rare breed pork with caremelised onions and Pure UBU ale, made by Warwickshire brewer Purity Brewing Co. The meat is filled into natural skins ensuring a premium speciality sausage.
Ragley Estate Meats will also donate 10 per cent from the proceeds of sales of the sausage to the Help for Heroes charity, which raises money to support wounded servicemen and women in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The award winning Pure UBU was chosen as a central ingredient for the sausage because it is a distinctive premium amber coloured beer brewed using one hundred per cent English Maris Otter Malt with Challenger and Cascade hops, making it balanced and full of flavour.
Vanda Cookes, from Ragley Estate Meats said "Our chefs and butchers worked very hard experimenting with different ingredients to get the taste, smell and texture of the sausages just right. We are deilghted with how well the Ragley pork and Pure UBU have combined and I'm sure both our customers and ale lovers will enjoy the sausages. Ragley Estate Meats is also incredibly proud to do our bit to support the amazing work undertaken by Help for Heroes."

Ragley Easter Opening Extended

Due to the Worcestershire and West Midlands School Holidays falling a week later this year, Ragley has decided to extend Easter opening to include 12th-16th April. The Park, Gardens, Adventure Playground and Woodland Walk will all be open from 10am, however the House will remain closed as planned. Bodgers Cabin will also be open for visitors to buy refreshments.

March 2010

Launch of new Green Fuse Sculpture at Ragley

Friday 5th March sees the official launch of the monumental granite sculpture by Peter Randall-Page at the Jerwood Sculpture Park at Ragley.
The largest and most important commision by Jerwood Sculpture to date weighs nearly 14 tonnes and stands over 6 metres tall.
Peter Randall-Page studied Sculpture at Bath Academy of Art and has gained an international reputation through his sculpture, drawings and prints. He has exhibited widely and his work is held in numerous public and private collections throughout the world including the Tate Gallery and the British Museum.

January 2010

Ragley Estate Meats Commended at Warwickshire Sizzle Off

Ragley Estate Meats took part in the recent Warwickshire Sizzle Off at the AGA shop in Stratford which was organised by heart of England Fine Foods. Ragley recieved two accoldaes for its sausages; The Traditional Old English Sausage was Highly Commended in the breakfast category, whilst the new Ragley Pork Sausage with Purity Ubu was Highly Commended in the speciality sizzle off.

The new sausage contains local award winning beer from the Purity Brewery in Warwickshire. For more information about Purity visit their website.

Ragley becomes star of BBC

Ragley became a star of the small screen on Tuesday 12th January featuring in the hit BBC 1 show Survivors. Filming took place in July last year when a host of stars, including Max Beesley spent three days at Ragley. The Great Hall was tansformed into a dilapidated Hotel where the characters sought refuge.

Snow comes to Ragley

Ragley was turned into a Winter Wonderland as snow covered the Park for over a week. Icy conditions made it difficult for staff and visitors to make it up some of the steeper roads but the views accross the Estate made it worth the journey.