Group Photo; Left to Right and Back to Front: Bill Codd – playing Head Warder, William Cook, Brian Holman – playing Rev Henry Richter, Margaret Carstairs – playing Mrs Mary Richter, Doug Carstairs – playing Governor James Foster, Peter Turnbull – playing William Clarke, Jane Bailey – playing Elizabeth Hewitt, Wayne Berriman – playing Thomas Richardson and Andrew Brown – playing William Henderson
Volunteers in period costume made such a great impression on guests at a celebration held at Lincoln Castle, that the event’s hosts have made a £250 donation to the group.
Local housebuilder Chestnut Homes held its 30th anniversary celebrations at the castle, with members of the Friends of Lincoln Castle (FOLC) dressing in period clothing to add to the party’s atmosphere.
David Newton, Managing Director of Chestnut Homes, said: “The FOLC were brilliant on the night of our 30th anniversary celebrations and added a wonderful dimension to our evening in the castle prison. We were more than happy to donate to the group to show our appreciation and help them continue what they do so well.”
The Friends of Lincoln Castle are a charitable organisation linked to the castle, currently made up of over 150 members. 80 of these members volunteer as guides at the castle, while 17 make up a voluntary group who dress in period clothing and portray the staff of the Victorian era who worked at the prison at the castle at the time, as well as a medieval group, adding a historical reference to events held there.
FOLC member Margaret Carstairs (70), who has run the group of period prison characters for the last 10 years, said: “The donation was quite unexpected as we do this as volunteers to help the castle. We were overwhelmed to be honest but delighted as we’ll put the money back into the group and it will go towards new costumes.”
Margaret who plays Mrs Richter, the local vicars wife, with her husband Doug (70), who plays the Governor, has been a part of the FOLC for 18 years, starting out as a guide for the castle and joining the prison group 12 years ago.
She said: “We thoroughly enjoy bringing the castle to life with our group who are all volunteers, and simply love doing it and giving something back to the castle. We are pretty much self-funding through the FOLC membership fee, but any donations are always welcomed and very much appreciated.”
Chestnut Homes are currently building a range of properties in Lincoln, Boston, Dunholme, Coningsby, Bardney, Louth and Alford. More information can be found at: chestnuthomes.co.uk.
