A concert wedding

Lots of our brides and grooms want to get married in the height of summer when the garden is looking wonderful and everyone is in a happy holiday mood! Our concerts in the garden (Ultimate Motown on 3 August and The Best of the West End on 4 August) are also really popular and I had a eureka moment when I thought it would be a great idea to combine the two; what a fantastic party that would be!! Dancing late into the evening to live music in the garden is a really different way to entertain your guests and celebrate your special day. I’ve put together an all inclusive wedding so that brides and grooms know exactly what they are spending. It’s full of Chatsworth favourites, mouth watering canapés, fizz and even a late night fish and chip offer, as well as your photography against the most amazing back drop.

Kay Rotchford
Wedding & Events Manager

Chatsworth on the BBC

The Duchess and I are absolutely delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response to the first episode of Chatsworth on BBC1 last night. We’ve heard that there were 4.1 million viewers, which is incredible, and we are now ‘featured’ on the BBC iPlayer, which is available for the next seven days.

Thank you to everybody who was involved, in front of and behind the camera. The feedback we have been receiving is testimony to everybody’s hard work and dedication. The Duchess and I feel incredibly proud and are excited for episodes two and three. We hope everybody enjoyed watching the first episode.

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire

Fenella Smith tableware and designer pottery

The Interiors Shop in the Stables here at Chatsworth is a haven for anyone with a passion for beautiful objects, and lately we have fallen in love with these beautiful works by ceramics designer Fenella Smith. Fenella’s work is inspired by her life, and memories. With top hats, roly-poly dogs, and dressers dragged out of attics, Fenella’s pieces are wonderfully quirky and equally irresistible.

I had a quick chat with Fenella to find out more.

The Duchess and Lady Burlington have picked items from your ranges as some of their favourites in the shops. How does it feel to have your work on sale here at Chatsworth?

I’m really thrilled it’s looking great and it’s such an amazing destination, a beautiful property with an interesting history so to be able to sell my products here is a real thrill. Lady Burlington has picked the Buttons design, and the Duchess is going to have the Labrador. He’s doing really well – he’s modelled on my dog Bramble.

What can we look forward to seeing next?

I’m bringing out more designs, doing a Scottie dog, and a flamingo, and I’m going to be working with fabrics as well. It’s really exciting, and also it’s lovely to know that it’s popular and that Lady Burlington and the Duchess are supporting the brand.

On the fabrics, I will be doing Labradors on a grey linen, the pugs and the dachshunds on a biscuit colour. I’ll be doing bags and fabric by the metre, and cushions and things.  At the moment I’m just experimenting; what works on a mug isn’t necessarily what works on a fabric. I did a fashion degree so I’m really enjoying playing with the fabrics.

How do you see your business developing in the future?

I’m really involved in the work, I design the shapes and I work with my brother. He’s an illustrator and does the animals for me so it’s all very personal. I don’t think I’ll become completely ubiquitous, I spend so much time creating the shapes, and like to have that authenticity. My pieces are made in England, with Cornish clay, and the pieces are made in Stoke. I’m sourcing the fabrics from Scotland, so that’s the way I want to keep the business; personal, with everything made in Britain.

You can see Fenella's collections in the Interiors shop in the Stables or on her website at http://www.fenellasmith.com/

Chloe Roberts
E-Marketing Executive

 

Wedding flower inspiration

Summer wedding floral workshop – 21 June

 

At this workshop you will learn to create:

• A dynamic, structured hand tied bouquet
• A contemporary buttonhole
• A stylish table centre

 

Designing flowers for your own or friend’s wedding can be both fun and enjoyable, however it is essential to have acquired some basic knowledge before you proceed. Wedding flowers are often extremely expensive, however with some inside information you can maximise materials to obtain the most effective and sensational flowers which will give your celebration the wow factor!

 

I am planning to use stylish early summer blooms to create a frothy and vibrant table design oozing retro chic, you will be able to adapt the design in many ways to suit your own wedding plans. Knowing the techniques required for making buttonholes will enable you to utilise your acquired talents to adapt them for making prom flowers, wristlets, corsages and head pieces! The bouquet will use sculptural tropical foliages, flowing grasses and sophisticated lilies & roses to construct an elegant, but easy-to-make hand tied bouquet.

 

I have been designing flowers for weddings for over 20 years and have a wealth of skills and inspiration to share with you all. Whether you are a complete novice or skilled amateur, this is the workshop for you.

 

Summer wedding floral demonstration – 20 June

 

Alternatively join me at our summer wedding floral demonstration for ideas for table centres, pedestal designs, church flower arrangements, and of course wedding bouquets. This will be a one stop show of inspiring ideas and practical information.

 

Jonathan Moseley

Floral designer

New climbing forest in the adventure playground

The new climbing forest in the adventure playground was officially opened on Friday just in time for the Easter holidays. Myself and the team are thrilled with the new equipment, which has already proven incredibly popular for all members of the family, most particularly the dads who think they are Tarzan! Be sure to come up to the adventure playground to take a look (or even to have a go!)



Margaret Norris

Farmyard and adventure playground Manager

New Chatsworth Afternoon Teas

The Chatsworth kitchen is always a hive of activity at this time of year, and I have really enjoyed revamping our Afternoon Tea ready for the 2012 season.



We didn’t want to lose the Chatsworth favourites, so don’t worry, the lemon possett and famous sultana scones are still on the menu. Myself and the team have however introduced some gorgeous new raspberry and chocolate macaroons, and to honour our local roots, the tea now includes a traditional Bakewell slice. The dainty sandwiches have also been updated with new fillings.



Our Afternoon Teas are always really popular, whether it is for Mother’s Day, a birthday celebration, or just an indulgent treat. As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so come and try for yourself!



Dan Brazil

Executive Chef

35th Birthday Celebration at Farm Shop

11.30am, Monday, 19 March 2012 marks the 35th anniversary of the opening of the Chatsworth Farm Shop. 28 of the 30 years of my time at Chatsworth have been spent at the Farm Shop and I have witnessed many exciting and extraordinary changes.



Established in 1977, by the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, in the converted original stables of a former stud farm, the aim was to sell beef and lamb from the estate farms and venison from the park. Since then, the Farm Shop has continually developed and diversified, growing from strength to strength to become an acknowledged leader in its field, and winning Best On-farm Butchery 2009 and Farm Shop of the Year at the FARMA Awards 2009 and 2011 (I am accepting the 2011 award in the photograph above).



Specialising in the best of local and regional food, we have a butchery, a kitchen and bakery producing a selection of cooked meats, pies, bread and cakes, a delicatessen, and fish counter. Our shelves are stocked with an extensive variety of jams, pickles, spices, sauces, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and much, much more.



The Farm Shop is a vital part of the local agricultural community. Working for us is a very special talented team, which includes: butchers, bakers, farmers, gamekeepers, gardeners, dairymen and brewers. More than a million people now visit the Farm Shop each year to sample some of this goodness for themselves.



By employing local, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and offering an excellent selection of high quality produce, the reputation and success of the Farm Shop has grown steadily.



It’s been a remarkable journey so far, for the shop and myself, with no two days ever being the same.



www.chatsworth.org/whats-on/events/35th-anniversary-of-the-farm-shop



André Birkett

Head of Farm Shop

Russian Cottage

Work is currently under way on the 19th Chatsworth Holiday Cottage. Russian Cottage is situated in a secluded location near Calton Lees at Chatsworth, and was a gift to the 6th Duke of Devonshire in 1855 by Tzar Nicholas of Russia. The two men had become friends following the Duke's visit to Russia in 1816 when he served as the British Ambassador to Moscow. An exchange visit in 1844 was planned but unfortunately the Tsar had to cancel his visit. Instead he sent Russian Cottage with its intricate carvings and window surrounds as a reminder and keepsake.

The accommodation is being designed to make the most of the panoramic views across Calton Pastures and will sleep four people. The Duchess of Devonshire is working on a Russian theme and the interiors are certain to be luxurious. Accommodation will comprise of one double and one twin bedroom, both en-suite, a kitchen dining room and drawing room. We hope that Russian Cottage will be up and running in late summer 2012 following the refurbishment.

To keep up to date with developments at Russian Cottage, see our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ChatsworthEstateHolidayCottages or website at http://www.chatsworth.org/stay-with-us/chatsworth-holiday-cottages or telephone Sandra or Sara at the holiday cottages office on 01246 565379.

The holiday cottages team

A trip to see Caro's 'Chapel of Light'

On Saturday, four of us from Chatsworth were lucky enough to go to the Saint Jean Baptiste Church in Bourbourg, France to see Sir Anthony Caro’s ‘Chapel of Light’. Sir Anthony Caro is presenting an exhibition of his work, some new, some older, at Chatsworth from 28 March to 1 July, so we wanted to experience his largest permanent work to understand his work better.  The chapel is very moving. If you get the chance to see it, it is really worth a visit. www.lechoeurdelumiere.fr.  It is an easy 30 minutes drive from the French side of the Channel Tunnel.



Stoker Devonshire

Masterplan update - Flames

Pictured is the installation of the flames on the south front of the house. The flames have been newly carved by stone-masons Adam and Lisa off site. It took them two weeks to carve each flame. The stone was then gilded. In the picture, Simon and Oliver are fitting the flames on top of the balustrade. The gilded shape on top of the central urn of the south front however is not a flame but a pomegranate.

Diane Naylor

Photo librarian