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Crimean battle re-enactment at Fete for Florence this Sunday
CLAYDON House in Middle Claydon will host a fete for all the family in honour of Florence Nightingale on Sunday.
The event, billed as a day of fun and excitement for all the family, will mark the centenary of the Victorian nursing pioneer's death.
Florence Nightingale was a regular visitor to Claydon, her sister's and brother in law's estate.
"This fete is going to be the culmination of our events at Claydon, which mark this year's centenary of Florence's death," said Sir Edmund Verney, whose family has been living at Claydon House since 1620.
"All entertainments will be related to Florence Nightingale and her time," he added.
One of the highlights of the day will be a Crimean War battle re-enactment by the 19th Regiment (1st Yorks, North Riding) The Green Howards.
The Green Hackle Pipe Band, which is part of the Royal British Legion, will provide live music, and there will be owl handlers with birds of prey in remembrance of Florence's pet owl Athena.
For those who feel energetic enough, there will be variety of traditional and Victorian games, including a tug-of-war and skittles.
Welly wanging, bouncy castles, gladiator games and a merry-go-round will add to the fun for children.
Teas, cakes and a hog roast will be available throughout the day.
Local produce will be on sale at a farmers' market, and cool glasses of Pimm's can be enjoyed on the West Terrace.
Visitors can also browse through a great variety of gifts at a craft fair.
Claydon House and Claydon Gardens will be open free of charge throughout the day.
The gardens include the new Florence Nightingale Centenary Garden, described as a, "haven of tranquility", as well as an impressive two-acre kitchen garden full of vegetables and flowers. Garden produce will be on sale on the day.
The house's rooms have also been put back to the way they would have looked when Florence Nightingale was there.
Visitors can see an exhibition of letters and photographs from the Florence Nightingale archives, some never seen in public before this year, in the Paper Room.
They give a fascinating insight into various aspects of her life, particularly her time at Claydon and her relationship with the Verney family.
The parish church of All Saints will host a flower festival largely using flowers grown in the gardens, many of which would have been familiar to Florence Nightingale.
Proceeds from the day will go to Florence Nightingale-related charities.
The event runs from 11am to 5pm.
For further information, contact organisers on 01296 730252 or 01296 730349.
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Weather for Buckingham
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
