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On Monday, 10 August, Sewerby Hall and Gardens will launch the first of its weekly sessions of a new project aimed at refining and developing the costumed interpretation in the country house.

The staff at the site are looking for a team of volunteers to join their expert, Charlotte Hanson, the costume designer for The Spa, Bridlington and the historic costume adviser to Sewerby Hall and Gardens, in an exciting new project to create costumes for use by interpreters, visitors of all ages as well as visiting school children. The aim is to create costumes that reflect aspects of the long history of Sewerby Hall.

In a new and exciting twist, these sessions will see the team create the costumes in the Orangery as a living exhibit, talking to the public about the different items they are making. Charlotte said: “I am so pleased to be involved with this amazing and very original project.

“It is an exciting experiment in bringing costume and fashion to a wider audience. I particularly like the idea that volunteers will both learn and educate at the same time.”

Janice Smith, Sewerby Hall’s curator, one of the forces behind the project said: “As far as I know nothing like this has been done before in a country house heritage setting.

“It is revolutionary, bringing the behind-the-scenes activities to the forefront of the displays and engaging with our visitors.”    

Charlotte and her team will be in the Orangery every Monday throughout the summer from 11am-4pm.

Further information can be obtained from the education officer at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, on (01262) 673769, by visiting www.sewerbyhall.co.uk or the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s museum websitewww.museums.eastriding.gov.uk/sewerby-hall-museum/volunteering/