Clandestine filming update

Iford has had the pleasure of entertaining a crew this week filming for a new series on National Geographic.  Here they are, half an hour ago, pictured on the bridge shooting a quiet night-time scene of the illuminated manor behind.  (Note the car for added lighting effect.)

But what, you may ask, were they filming?

Strawberry action

An action shot from this morning's marathon jam session: here you can see Housekeeper Susan (centre) directing operations.  The tearoom at Iford uses an awful lot of jam, as you might imagine, for both cream teas and also the classic victoria sponge.  Wherever possible, we try to use homemade jam, but this requires a lot of topping and chopping...

(I should clarify, I think, that the bottle of wine was not involved in the morning jam session, but was a left-over from last night!)

Iford Manor Teas continues to work with St. Johns, Cambridge

Thanks to the ongoing support of Catering and Conference Manager, Bill Brogan, and following on from a successful May Ball serving over 2000 servings of tea to the revellers (see image), I return today to my alma mater to provide the tea for the Choir Reunion (and hopefully drink some of it and catch up some old friends).

Three of the happiest years of my life were spent singing in the choir at St. John's, Cambridge, and it is lovely to be able to maintain links with the college through the supply of fine teas (I gather that the fellows particularly enjoy the tea before dining in hall) as well as attending a reunion in this year of all years, the 500th anniversary of the college.

Tim Kliphuis DVD in the can

On Thursday 30th June a lucky audience of 75 was treated to a spectacular concert given by Tim Kliphuis, the world-renowned violin improviser, in the cloister at Iford.  Tim brought his quartet of David Newton (Piano), Roy Percy on Double Bass, and Nigel Clark on Guitar.  Here they are in the garden at Iford:

Audience-members came from all over Europe to lend their support to the project, and support from the Iford Arts stewards was kindly provided to help run the Pimm's bar and to ensure that the evening ran as smoothly as it did.

The event (from picnics to the final chord) was recorded for DVD by a team of two cameramen and a sound man (who had come from Scotland the day before - only the best...); even the weather did its best to help, as the clouds of the afternoon we moved on by the evening sun.

The DVDs are already selling well by subscription, and you can pre-order your copies at heavily reduced prices on the Iford Recordings website:

==>>  Order now -- www.IfordRecordings.co.uk  <<==

Many thanks are due to Robert Coles for the photography; to Mickelburgh Pianos of Bath for the loan of a spectacularly good Kawai piano; to Sound Network UK for sponsoring the DPA microphones; to Iford Arts and their stewards for their assistance in running the event; to the audience for joining in so warmly; and to all others for their help.

Goodbye Hansel...

We said goodbye to Hansel and Gretel this week, the first of this year's operas from Iford Arts.  The production was a roaring success, I'm pleased to say, and received excellent reviews.  The Iford Arts Flickr album is here.

During the "get out" there was an amusing moment when I spotted Alistair, one of the team of technicians, performing a PAT (electrical safety test) on the "baby Belling" which appeared not only physically as part of the set in the performance (within which the nasty witch of the wood was turned into a cup-cake), but also verbally in the libretto itself!

Today is butterfly day

Iford today hosts a wonderful community event called "Butterfly Day", which is a celebration and exploration of the wildlife that we enjoy in the valley here at Iford.  Click here for details.

In association with Butterfly Conservation, moth traps were set up last night, and a fantastic haul of around 60 different species of large moths are now on display.  These will be released again at the end of the afternoon, of course!

This year we are particularly pleased to welcome the RSPB back with their fascinating displays of birdlife in the valley.  In conjunction with the butterfly and moth brigade, they will be orchestrating wildlife walks during the afternoon around the meadows and hillsides.

And there's a little bonus for those with an interest in chiropterophilia too.  The Vincent Wildlife Trust, with the help of Natural England which administers the Special Site of Scientific Interest in the valley, has set up an infrared camera to allow us to watch the baby Greater Horseshoe Bats in the barn.  This protected species is very rare indeed, and so it is a great privilege to be able to see inside such a healthy roost.

It all kicks off at 11:30am, so we hope to see you later!  And the best thing about Butterfly Day...?  It's free to enter!

The tearoom will be open from 12 until 5, and the garden open as usual from 2pm.