An ‘eggciting’ treat for all the family will be taking place at Weston Park this April where participants will be able to win cuddly teddy bears and help to raise valuable funds for children’s charity, Barnardo’s.

Weston Park, the 17th century former ancestral home of the Earls of Bradford, is hosting a fun packed afternoon where families can follow two separate Easter Trails around the stately home and stunning parklands. Every child who successfully completes the Park Trail will receive a chocolate egg courtesy of Sainsbury’s in Telford.

The Easter Trail takes place on Saturday 7th April 2007 beginning at 11am, when children and adults of all ages will follow a series of clues located around the House and Grounds. Each clue will be carefully attached to Barnardo’s Barney Bear’s paw.

The clues will lead participants around many of Weston’s attractions such as Pendrill Cave, the Woodland Adventure Playground and the Yew Hedge Maze. Whilst the House Trail will incorporate rooms including the Dining Room, Library and imposing Tapestry Room.

All proceeds from the Trail will go to support the work of Barnardo’s. Children can help raise further funds for the charity by entering the Barnardo’s Egg Care Challenge as Kate Thomas, Weston Park’s Marketing Manager explained: “Barnardo’s is a very worthy charity and we are thrilled to be able to support their work. The Barnardo’s Egg Care Challenge is an additional bit of Easter fun and is open to children of all ages. The aim of the challenge is for children to be sponsored to care for an egg for a whole week, whilst keeping a diary of the ‘egg’s adventures’.

“Every child who successfully completes the Weston Park Easter Trail will also be entered into a prize draw to win their very own Barney Bear. We are looking forward to this fun event, especially as it marks the launch of our 2007 Open Season.”

Barnardo’s works with 19,000 children, young people and families in 50 locally based community projects in the Midlands supporting children affected by poverty, abuse, sexual exploitation, disability and life limiting illness. Barnardo’s also runs fostering and adoption services to find homes for children who are difficult to place because of their age, experiences or disability, as well as practical advice and one to one support with finances, health and personal difficulties.

Barnardo’s Midlands Director, Sam Monaghan, said: “Events like these are absolutely crucial in helping to raise the money needed to keep Barnardo’s support in place for thousands of vulnerable children in the region. In the Midlands alone we need to raise about £3million in voluntary funding every year. We are very grateful to Weston Park and to those taking part in the trail and I’m sure it will be a really enjoyable day for everyone.”

To enter the Barnardo’s Egg Care Challenge please visit www.weston-park.com and go to ‘open to the public’ then to ‘public events’ and click on the Easter Trail to download your own Egg Care Challenge form.

Normal admission to the House and Gardens will apply. Weston Park also supports the Barnardo’s Big Toddle, the UK’s biggest half mile sponsored walk for the under 5s, which takes place throughout June.

For further information on future events at Weston Park call 01952 852100 or visit their website www.weston-park.com. For more information about Barnardo’s please visit their website at www.barnardos.org.uk.

ENDS

For further information

Sue Foster
Connect PR

01902 714957
suefoster@connect-group.com

Gemma Cotterill
Weston Park

01952 852100

gemmaC@weston-park.com

www.weston-park.com

Notes to editors:

Barnardo’s is a registered charity no: 216250 and SCO37605

Weston hosts a number of events throughout the year. A summary of which is given below:

Saturday 7th April - Easter Trail
Easter Week - ‘Access to Collections’ Day
Sunday 8th - Monday 9th April - Midlands Festival of Transport
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th - April Spring Horse Trials
Saturday 21st April - Head Gardener’s ‘Handy Hints’ and lunch in the Stables
Sunday 29th April - Jazz Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stable
Saturdays throughout May - ‘Behind closed Doors’ Leaflets available in the House
Sunday 6th May - Bluebells Walks and Lunch in the Stables
Saturday 12th May - Dawn Chorus and Breakfast in the Stables
Saturday 12th May - Watercolour Painting ‘Taster’ Workshop
Saturday 19th May - ‘Parkland Landscape’ Watercolour Painting Workshop
Sunday 20th May - Jazz Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stables
Sunday 27th - Monday 28th May - The Midlands Pets and People Show
Weekends throughout June and first week in July - ‘Gardening – the inside story’ leaflets available in the House
Friday 1st June - ‘Making a face’ Lecture and Lunch in the Stables
Sunday 10th June - Weston Park National Cycling Day
Saturday 16th June - Watercolour Painting Taster Workshop
Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th June - International Model Air Show
Sunday 17th June - Father’s Day Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stables
Wednesday 20th June - ‘Flowers’ Watercolour Painting workshop
Sunday 24th June - Staffordshire Healthy Living Walk
Sunday 24th June - Jazz Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stables
Wednesday 27th June - ‘Buildings’ Watercolour Painting Workshops
Tuesday 3rd – Wednesday 4th July - ‘Tress and Water’ two day Watercolour Painting Workshop
Wednesday 4th July - National Garden Scheme Open Day
Friday 6th July - ‘Weston and Grand Tour’ lecture and Lunch in the Stables
Saturday 7th- Sunday 8th July - Midlands Gardeners Weekend
Sunday 8th July - Cycling Fun Day – ie Tour de Weston ‘London’
Monday 9th July - ‘Travel with Tea’ leaflets available in the house (weekdays only until 27th July)
Wednesday 11th July - Evening Gardens Tour with Wine
Thursday 12th July - Watercolour Painting ‘taster’ Workshop
Saturday 14th July - ‘Buildings’ Pen and Ink Drawing Workshop
Thursday 19th July - RDA Sponsored Horse Ride
Saturday 28th - July Proms Spectacular
Sunday 29th July - Cycling Fun Day – le Tour de Weston ‘Paris’
Sunday 29th July - Jazz Sunday Roast Lunch in the Stables

Weston Park reserves the right to alter opening dates, times, details, events, artists and prices without prior notice.

Weston Park provides the following facilities:

• Unlimited free and disabled coach and car parking facilities

• Private house or gardens group tours (organised by prior arrangement)

• Comprehensive facilities for disabled visitors (ramps, wheelchair with stair climber, toilet facilities, accessible walkways, ground floor house tour and complimentary entry for carers)

• Specialist group tours, school tours, lunches or teas (organised by prior arrangement)

• Privilege Passes providing unlimited access to the House, Park & Gardens during the 2006 season and entry or discounts to certain public events

• Historic Houses Association members - free entry to the house and gardens throughout the Open Season.

• First aid room and baby changing facilities are available in the Visitors Centre

• Leaflet text is available in large print

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