February 2006

Craig y Nos Castle Newsletter 02 - February 2006

This is our second Craig y Nos Castle Newsletter. If you require a copy of our January 2006 Newsletter, let us know and we will post a copy to you. We intend to publish these newsletters every month, to maintain a monthly diary of the building works and improvements and other news about Craig y Nos. Hopefully it will be of interest to you, as someone on our database of enquirers and past visitors. Each newsletter will also carry news on offers and events over the next one to two months. If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, simply send back the mailing marked “return to sender - unwanted mail”, and we will take you off our mailing list. You can also keep up to date with developments and forthcoming events on our website, www.craigynoscastle.com.

1. Sauna / Jacuzzi and Health Spa - work continues apaceThe return of our two hard working Slovakian workers, joining our existing workforce, means we should now progress faster.

We are still looking for quotes for the small glass conservatory which will stand in front of the old aviary - see footings and low wall (left). The new small conservatory will replace an earlier long since derelict extension built in the 1940’s when the castle was a hospital and will house the Jacuzzi and exercise bikes.

The 120 year old iron railings at the back of the castle had sagged and fallen over. Some will have to be replaced but most can be retained and straightened. See the new under-pinning (above and right) which is a lot more substantial than the original which had no foundations at all (above right).



The wall at the rear of the aviary has been taken back to stone, which has been rebuilt, repointed and repaired, so it can now be seen as it would have been 100 years ago. The room intended for the showers and loos, behind the main conservatory has now been cleared. The old bed pan washing sink (left), with upward pointing water spout, internal walls and redundant plumbing have been removed (right), ready for the new plumbing and internal walls.On the left in the foreground you can see the Aviary in front of which will be a new smaller conservatory which will lead onto a patio verandah with views over the Country Park and grounds. (The main conservatory in the background - see glass building with domed roof - is not being restored during this phase of renovations.) 2. Patti PagesWe are creating a new section on our website, www.craigynoscastle.com, devoted to Adelina Patti, who owned the castle from 1878 to her death in 1919.

Adelina Patti was a world famous opera star. She was so popular and well known in her day that her fame may be likened to that of the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Madonna all combined. Given the almost manic hysteria that greeted her arrival in any city worldwide, it is remarkable how little is now known of her. Her earnings reflected her fame, and were enormous. In one four month opera season alone, one of her more lucrative seasons, she earned £50,000! This was in the 1880’s, so in today’s money such a sum would be several millions.

She paid £3,500 (about £1,000,000 in today’s money) for Craig y Nos, then a small mansion house. She spent a further £100,000 extending it and buying up most of the land all around. This was small change to a performer who could earn such sums in a year or two and whose personal jewellery - donated by the Royal Houses of Europe and numerous admirers - was worth several times more than the castle.

3. Dr. Who filmed at Craig y NosFans of Dr. Who may recognise the castle in a forthcoming episode of the series. The highlight of one of our overnight hotel guest’s stay turned out to be the moment Billie Piper accidentally trod on her dog’s tail between scenes.

Based on Elizabethan times, the story line concerns someone with a werewolf in their cellars. Aside from that we know as little about the plot as anyone else. All the shots involving the castle were of the front entrance and the atrium block. We had all the windows painted black to give the castle a medieval look.

The BBC arrived en masse with some 30 articulated trucks and filmed into the night. It bucketed down with rain all day, one of the wettest days I’ve ever seen. As they went over time, we asked what they were going to do about the remaining daylight scenes once it got dark. “You haven’t seen our sun, mate!” exclaimed one of the technicians. Sure enough, a huge crane arrived and hoisted an immense lighting array some 70 feet above the castle, bathing the hamlet of Craig y Nos in bright ‘sunshine’. The rain however continued sheeting down; not even the BBC could control the weather! Events Diary for February & March

Saturday 11th Feb: Valentines Party and Carvery Dinner - tickets £16.95. Sunday 12th Feb: Valentines Carvery Luncheon - tickets £11.95 + Free mini tour of castle rooms.

Friday 17th Feb & Friday 11th March: Paranormal Investigation. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast in an en-suite plus in-depth all-night investigation, £99 per person assuming two sharing.

Fri 24th & Sat 25th Feb: Evening Ghost Tours: Adult ghost tours with use of paranormal investigatory equipment led by experienced paranormal investigators. Gain an insight into what paranormal investigating is all about. £10.00/person. (B&B also available).

Friday 31st March: Sleeping Giant Spring Ball: Evening dress essential. Buffet and live music. 6.30 pm till late. Tickets £28.00. To book, call ‘The Sleeping Giant Foundation’ direct, 01639 731062. B&B available (book B&B separately via castle reception). See www.craigynoscastle.com for more details.