HISTORICAL, ANTIQUE and ADVENTURE WEEKENDS

The Rose and Crown Hotel is the best example of the progress of the Ancient Town of Wisbech with examples of Tudor, Elizabethan, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian Architecture.

WHY NOT ASK FOR OUR PROGRAMME OF ADVENTURE WEEKENDS WHEN OUR GUIDES FROM THE PAST WILL TAKE YOU ON A JOURNEY BACK TO THE DAYS OF William the Conquerer , or Smuggling or of Highwaymen and Stagecoaches. You could learn also about 19th century Social Housing with Octavia Hill, (in conjunction with the Octavia Hill Museum), the end of black Slavery with Thomas Clarkson, or Antiques with our experts, or you could come to one of our Paranormal events or Ghost walks.

Medieval Banquets, Schooldays, 1940's and 1950's evenings are also in our programme.

ANTIQUES:

The following was printed in Antiques & Collectables magazine, September 2006.

"To All Collectors Great and Small.

Have you ever wondered what soft paste porcelain is? Or hard paste? And what is the difference? What inspired Clarice Cliffe to produce her vibrant patterns? And What is a fusee, or a crown wheel? And what was Sheffield plate?

When you start collecting or try something new it is often very difficult to obtain the answers to what are really quite simple questions. Books written by experts often don't cover the basics, and it is often very difficult to find someone to ask.

Well here is a possible solution!

Jonathan Davies, one of the partners who own the Rose and Crown Hotel in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire has sought the answers to these questions for years. He comes from a family that has collected for several generations. 'We have hording tendancies', he admits, 'it must be genetic'.

Ten years ago he became an antique dealer.

'I was lousy at it, I wanted to keep everything. I think you are either a dealer or a collector, and I am definitely a hoarder!' he declares.

Jonathan has now decided to put his interests to better use and is planning a series of learning weekends at the Rose and Crown Hotel. He feels the location cannot be bettered .

Jonathan hopes that the enthusiasts who come to the Antique and Collector weekends will bring their own pieces so that the weekends will become learning forums. He has a museum full of items himself which can be drawn upon as a resource, but he wants to encourage peoples' enthusiasm and does not want to swamp collectors with theory.

'We will provide three star standard accommodation, copious quantities of tea and cream coffee, great food and wonderful surroundings, a historic tour of the town and an atmospheric tour of the Hotel itself, two or three lectures and lots of enthusiastic discussion and chat!'"

Beat that.