STAFF have been working to get a Northumberland castle shipshape in time for an early opening for this year’s visitor season.
And one of the tasks at the National Trust’s Lindisfarne Castle has been to clean the model of a sailing ship which is usually suspended from the ceiling of a room in the fortress.
The job of cleaning the wooden model of the 19th Century vessel called The Henrietta has fallen to Nick Lewis, house steward at the castle.
Measuring one and a half metres, the vessel hangs above visitors’ heads in the Ship Room at the castle.
Nick said: “The level of detail in the ship is astonishing. The captain’s cabin, which is sealed and so was never aimed to be seen, is fully furnished with items such as a bed and stove.
“All of the functions of the ship are in working order. The hull is oak and the decking and masts are pine. The rigging is made from string using different weaves of thickness so it’s all to scale.
“The Henrietta is the most complex item we have to clean. We start by giving it a thorough dusting using a selection of pony hair brushes and vacuums which takes about 80% of the time. I then used tiny amounts of renaissance wax for the polish.”
Nick said that it is thought the ship was provided by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who at the start of the last century converted the castle into a home for Country Life magazine owner Edward Hudson.
The castle will open on Saturday and will remain open for the rest of the visitor season.
This is a first for the castle which usually closes between February half- term and March which is when the National Trust new season begins.
“Over the past few years National Trust places have begun to increase their winter opening hours,” said Nick.
The trust traditionally closes its doors during the winter months to carry out key conservation tasks, but with a desire to bring places to life and show conservation work in action, staff have started to carry out jobs during visiting hours enabling people to share what was carried out behind closed doors.
Other trust attractions in Northumberland, Wallington and Cragside, are inviting visitors in for free this February half-term to kick-start their 2012 season.
Both are waiving their admission charges between February 11-19.
Liz Fisher, trust assistant director operations for the North East, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to take advantage of the places on their doorstep.
“These two places have a lot to offer, such as woodland walks, beautiful gardens and adventure play areas but each property is very different.”
There will also be special activities for families.
Cragside will stage a Water Wizards event, Saturday, February 11 to Sunday, February 19, 11.30am to 3pm (closed Monday). This will involve a walk around Tumbleton Lake, stopping at water stations for interactive activities.
At Wallington, from Monday to Friday, February 17, 11am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3pm, there will be wildlife themed art and craft activities.
There will be special half-term activities at Gibside, Seaton Delaval Hall, and Souter Lighthouse when normal admission charges will apply.